Your way to UNIcert?
The UNIcert? system comprises 5 competence levels which are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR):
| UNIcert? level | CEFR | Holders of the certificate have: |
|---|---|---|
| UNIcert? Basis | A2 | first basic knowledge for the simple and direct exchange of information in routine situations |
| UNIcert? I | B1 | for coping with selected general language, professional and study-related situations |
| UNIcert? II | B2 | Sufficient communication skills to communicate in professional/academic situations (lowest mobility level) |
| UNIcert? III | C1 | Advanced language competence to complete academic stays abroad with particular benefit (recommended mobility level) |
| UNIcert? IV | C2 | Almost native-speaker language skills for effortless interaction with the language and culture of the destination country |
- UNIcert? is comparable across universities and recognised nationwide
- a meaningful certificate:
- transparent documentation of the skills acquired
- multilingual certificate
- Description of the language level achieved
- is recognised by numerous universities in Germany (and in some cases also abroad) as proof, e.g. when applying for a place on a Master's programme
- Plus point for application documents
1) Regular participation in the courses belonging to a training level
- For UNIcert? Basis you must...
- have attended the A2 course in Swedish, Spanish and French.
- We do not offer this UNIcert level in English.
- For UNIcert? I you must...
- have attended the B1 course (compact) in Spanish and French.
- have attended the B1.2 course in Swedish and English.
- For UNIcert? II you must...
- have attended the B2.3+B2.4 course in Spanish.
- have attended the B2.4 course in French.
- have attended the B2.2 course in English.
- For UNIcert? Level III you must...
- have attended the C1.2 course in English.
- we do not offer this UNIcert level in French, Spanish and Swedish.
- UNIcert?II -English for Technical Purposes:
- in English, three courses in one specialisation must be taken. (further information under "UNIcert at the ZfS")
Regular attendance of the courses is a prerequisite for participation in the exam.
2) Registering for the UNIcert? exam by the deadline
- You can register for the UNIcert? exam using our registration form (activated from 01.06.25-15.06.) within the following registration deadlines:
- Summer semester 01-15 June.
- Winter semester 01-15.12.
- For a successful enrolment you need
- a current certificate of enrolment (semester certificate)
- proof of payment of the examination fee of 30 euros.
- Please transfer this to:
- Recipient: Paderborn University
- IBAN: DE55472601218747040000
- Purpose: 3140500653 - (first and last name)
- Please transfer this to:
- proof of successful completion of the final exam of the course that qualifies you to take the UNIcert? exam (see course overview above; e.g. successfully completed course A2 (compact), i.e. qualification for the UNIcert? exam: "UNIcert? Basis". Please note: This proof is only necessary if you are not taking the course in the current semester.
3) Participation in and passing of the written and oral final examination
- As this is a nationally recognised certificate, the written examinations will take place in person. The written exam at the end of the course is also the written examination for the UNIcert? certificate.
- The dates for the oral examinations are arranged with the teaching staff (often in the first week of the semester break).
- Unfortunately, make-up dates cannot be offered.
4) Collecting the certificate
- Once you have passed the examination, you can collect your certificate from our secretary's office. You will receive a circular email with all the information.
5) Deregistration from the examination
- It is possible to deregister from an examination up to one week before the examination date at the latest.
- To do so, please send the following cancellation form to zfs@uni-paderborn.de in good time.
UNIcert?-II Technical English
The UNIcert?-II Certificate in Technical English comprises a total of seven technical language courses, which are based on level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Students can choose between the Engineering and Natural Sciences specialisations, depending on their subject.
They attend all four courses (of one specialisation) of the training programme in order to obtain the certificate.
By combining subject-specific content and the training of certain skills (e.g. academic writing) as well as professionally relevant skills, they systematically develop their English competence.
UNIcert? II or III - German for study and work
You will receive the UNIcert? Certificate II or III - German for Study and Work if you
- take a compulsory placement test*.
- successfully complete two to four courses in the field of German B2|C1 for study and work, depending on your placement result:
- Placement result B2.1 à 4 courses;
- Placement result B2.2 à 3 courses;
- Level C1 or higher with 2 courses.
- register for the UNIcert? exam on time and pass it successfully The UNIcert? exam German for study and work is a scaled exam. This means that you will receive a UNIcert? II or III German for Study and Work certificate depending on the points you achieve.
* As an alternative to the placement test, you can have your previous knowledge recognised as equivalent by the examination board for the UNIcert? course. To do this, you must submit a language certificate from an officially recognised language school/institution (Goethe Institute, TestDaF Centre, ?SD, Telc, DSH) to the examination board. This language certificate must not be older than three months and must certify the level achieved according to the CEFR.
If you have any further questions that cannot be answered after carefully reading the above information, we look forward to receiving your e-mail at: zfs@upb.de