UNIcert Exams

UNIcert II (= B2, CEFR)

Three categories of UNIcert II English are available at the FAU:

  • UNIcert II English: General
  • UNIcert II English: Natural Sciences
  • UNIcert II English: Technical

To receive an UNIcert II certificate, no additional exam is necessary. If you fulfil the requirements below (or will do so by the end of the current semester), you may apply for the certificate online.

Courses required to complete UNIcert II

The grade on the certificate is calculated as follows:

  • (grade of class from left column) + (grade of class from right column) / 2
  • example:
    • grade for Level 2: Focus on Academic Speaking = 1.3
    • grade for Level 2: Focus on Grammar and Vocabulary = 2.3
    • grade on UNIcert II certificate = (1.3 + 2.3)/2 = 1.8

If you passed 2 or more classes in one column, the best grade counts for the grade on the certificate.

UNIcert II, General

Successfully complete at least one course from each column below:

for oral grade for written grade
Level 2: Focus on Academic Speaking Level 2: Focus on Academic Writing
Level 2: Spoken English for Technology Level 2: Focus on Grammar and Vocabulary
Level 2 (JUR): Introduction to English Legal Language
Level 2: Written English for Students of Natural Science
  Level 2: English for Technology Students
  Level 2: English for Humanities (mainly Phil Fak)

please note that not all classes are offered every semester

UNIcert II, Natural Sciences

Successfully complete at least one course from each column below:

for oral grade for written grade
Level 2: Focus on Academic Speaking Level 2: Written English for Students of Natural Science
Level 2: Discussing scientific research Level 2: Reading and vocabulary for students of natural science

please note that not all classes are offered every semester

UNIcert II (Technology)

To receive a UNIcert II certificate in TECHNOLOGY you need to successfully complete at least one course from each column below:

for oral grade for written grade
Level 2: Spoken English for Technology Level 2: Focus on Academic Writing
 Level 2: Spoken English for Engineers Level 2: Focus on Grammar and Vocabulary
Level 2: Written English for Natural Scientists
Level 2: English for Technology Students
Level 2: English for Humanities (mainly Phil Fak)

please note that not all classes are offered every semester

Oral exam as part of the “speaking” courses:

15 minutes, 3 parts:

  • 4 minutes: small talk (conversation about you, your course of studies, hobbies, etc.)
  • 3 minutes: monologue on a prepared topic
    • you will receive a topic (“prompt”) 15 minutes before the start of your oral exam
    • the topic area of the prompt will have been discussed in class (for topic areas see here)
    • you can take notes that you can take into the exam with you (piece of advice: less is more!)
  • 8 minutes: conversation about your monologue on a prepared prompt

UNIcert III (= C1, CEFR)

To become eligible to take the UNIcert III exam:

  • a total of at least 4 classes must be successfully completed
  • at least two of those must be at “Level 4”
  • the remaining two can either be at “Level 3” or at “Level 4”
  • at least one class at “Level 4” must have a written component (please see the course descriptions in campo when selecting courses)

Grades acquired in the classes do not count towards the exam.

UNIcert III General (Allgemein)

necessary courses:

  • any 2 classes at “Level 4” (at least one with a written component)
  • plus: 2 more classes either from “Level 3” or “Level 4”

UNIcert III for Natural Science (Naturwissenschaften)

necessary courses:

  • 4 classes at “Level 3” and/or “Level 4”
  • at least 2 of the classes must be at “Level 4” and at least one has to have a written component
  • 50% of the courses must be from the area of “Natural Science”

UNIcert III for Technology (Technik)

necessary courses:

  • 4 classes at “Level 3” and/or “Level 4”
  • at least 2 of the classes must be at “Level 4” and at least one has to have a written component
  • 50% of the courses must be from the area of “Technology”

UNIcert III Exam:

  • usually takes place the week before teaching starts each semester

written grade:

  • length: 2.5 hours
  • tasks:
    • task based on an article you receive a week ahead of time
    • information transfer / synthesis / analysis

oral grade:

  • listening comprehension; about 60 minutes
  • oral exam; about 20 minutes
    • 8 min. introductory questions (your education, background, etc.)
    • 4 min. your monologue on a prepared topic (prompt)
      • prompts are about general academic topics for the general exam; on subject specific topics for the Nat Sci / Tech exam
      • you will receive the prompt 15 minutes before your exam
      • you are allowed to take notes and can take them into the exam with you (piece of advice: less is more!)

Your UNIcert III grade is calculated by adding your written grade to your oral grade and dividing by 2.

UNIcert III Sample exams

General

Listening comprehension

Written exam

Natural Science

Listening comprehension

Written exam

Tehnology

Listening comprehension

Written exam

For more information on UNIcert, please click here.