Course Levels and General Information
Information about participation in our courses
Understanding the levels
Level 4 - advanced
Entry requirement: Placement test result “Level 4” or successful completion of at least 1 course at “Level 3”
Level 4 is designed for students with an advanced command of academic English and aimed at approximately C1, CEFR.
This is currently the highest level of English offered in EASP. A wide variety of classes are offered here, which include preparing students to write academic and scientific papers in their respective fields, to presenting research at academic and professional conferences. Since learners at this level tend to need less general language input, more individual feedback is provided, often in courses that focus more on interesting content and interdisciplinary academic exchange (for instance debating, writing short review papers, etc.).
In addition to a wide range of general academic English courses, , courses for students from engineering, law, and natural sciences are offered at Level 2.
A minimum of two Level 4 courses are required in order to be admitted to the UNIcert III® exam, which can be used to prove C1, CEFR. UNIcert® III can be acquired in general academic English, English for Natural Science, and English for Engineering & Technology.
Level 3 - upper intermediate
Entry requirement: Placement test result “Level 3” or successful completion of at least 2 courses at “Level 2”
Level 3 is designed for students with an upper-intermediate command of academic English and aimed at approximately B2+/C1, CEFR.
At Level 3, learners can already accurately use and understand the most common grammar and vocabulary structures in academic English, thus the focus shifts towards gaining a stronger command of academic register and style, both in speaking and writing. Courses revolve around using situationally appropriate register and style in academic writing, academic discussions, social situations, or in the job application process. More idiomatic expression and a wider range of vocabulary (Academic Word Lists 7 – 10), as well as the ability to express ideas and opinions is also emphasized at Level 3.
In addition to wider range of general academic English courses, courses for students from engineering, law, and natural sciences are offered at Level 2.
Courses passed at this level count toward UNIcert III®, which can be used to prove C1, CEFR. UNIcert® III can be acquired in general academic English, English for Natural Science, and English for Engineering & Technology.
Level 2 - intermediate
Entry requirement: Placement test result “Level 2” or successful completion of at least 2 courses at “Level 1”
Level 2 is designed for students at an intermediate level of academic English and aimed at approximately B2, CEFR.
This level focuses on developing students’ competence in using an academic style, both spoken and written. Vocabulary development is underpinned by the Academic Word Lists 4 – 6 and topic-specific vocabulary. Grammatical structures and collocations that are common to academic English are covered and students are equipped with strategies to present arguments concisely and cohesively, both verbally and in writing.
In addition to general academic English courses, courses for students from engineering, law, and natural sciences are offered at Level 2.
Students who have passed two courses at Level 2 (one with a focus on writing, one on speaking), can apply for a UNIcert® II certificate, which can be used to prove B2, CEFR. UNIcert® II can be acquired in general academic English, English for Natural Science, and English for Engineering & Technology.
Level 1 - lower intermediate
Entry requirement: Placement test result “Level 1” or successful completion of the Level 0 – English Preparation Course
Level 1 is designed for students with a lower-intermediate competence in academic English and aimed at approximately B1+/B2, CEFR.
The courses are student-centered, encourage as much oral communication as possible, and allow students to practice a wide range of language and skills. Separate courses focus on writing, on speaking, and on improving grammatical accuracy and vocabulary range (Academic Word Lists 1 – 3).
In addition to general academic English courses, two courses aimed at students from engineering subjects are offered at Level 1.
Level 0 - foundation
Entry requirement: Placement test result “Level 0” or successful completion of the course Level E – Elementary English
Level 0 lays the foundation for academic interaction in English and is aimed at approximately B1/B1+, CEFR.
Due to capacity, only one course is offered at Level 0. It trains all four language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking), expands students’ vocabulary, and aims to make their language more fluent and formal.
Level E - elementary
Entry requirement: Placement test result “Level E”
Level E is designed for students with an elementary knowledge of academic English and aimed at approximately A2+/B1, CEFR.
Due to capacity, only one course is offered at Level E. Its goal is to prepare students for using English in a university context.
Course registration
- Registration via StudOn
- With a valid placement test you may register for an EASP course at the appropriate level (e.g. placement test result “Level 2“ -> register for a Level 2 course)
- PLEASE ONLY REGISTER FOR THE NUMBER OF COURSES THAT YOU ACTUALLY WISH TO ATTEND. Places in EASP courses are in great demand. If you register for 4 courses but actually only intend to take 2 in the current semester, you are blocking places that other students may urgently need.
- Status immediately after registration = application submitted
- Applicants are checked at regular intervals and their status changed to participant
- Anyone who registers for a course they are not entitled to take will be rejected.
- After successfully completing a course, students may go on to take the further courses as follows:
Entry requirement for Level:
- Placement test result “Level 0”
or
- successful completion of Level E: Elementary English course
Entry requirement for Level:
- Placement test result “Level 1”
or
- successful completion of Level 0 – English Preparation Course
Entry requirement for Level:
- Placement test result “Level 2”
or
- successful completion of at least 2 courses at “Level 1”
Entry requirement for Level:
- Placement test result “Level 3” oder “Level 4”
or
- successful completion of at least 2 courses at “Level 2”
Entry requirement for Level:
- Placement test result “Level 4”
or
- successful completion of at least 1 course at “Level 3”
Course participation
- Courses generally start in the 2nd week of the semester
- Only participants are entitled to attend the first course session. Students who are still on the waiting list or who are not registered will not be allowed to attend.
- Participants who do not attend the first session without excusing themselves:
- lose their course place, which will instead be go to a student from the waiting list.
- are given the status “unentschuldigt abgebrochen” (dropped out without excuse) and will be treated with lower priority in the following semester; students will also be given the status “unentschuldigt abgebrochen” if they drop out of a course during the semester without excusing themselves.
- Waiting list: Experience shows that course places become available in the first two weeks of the semester. Students on waiting lists move up according to priority (registration date, course of studies, semester, etc.) and are notified via StudOn.
- Regular participation is required (regulations on compulsory attendance can be found here).
Confirmations of achievement
- Registration in campo is necessary for all exams.
- In the majority of EASP courses there is no final examination and the successful completion of these courses is based on continuous assessment tasks during the semester.
- Grades will be entered in campo as soon as possible.
- No individual confirmation documents (Scheine) will be issued for completed courses.