UNIcert Exams

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, students must take and pass two courses from the list below and take a separate (reading and listening comprehension) exam at the end of the semester.

If you have taken and passed the required courses (or will do so by the end of the current semester) and do not wish to receive an UNIcert II certifiacate, you may apply for an FAU-internal B2 certificate.

Information on applying / registering

Courses required for UNIcert II

The two courses required to complete UNIcert II must be taken either in the same semester or in two consecutive semesters. This applies regardless of whether you choose to request a B2 certificate or take the UNIcert II exam.

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: Writing and Presenting for Natural Scientists
  Level 2: Reading and vocabulary for natural scientists
  Level 2: English for Technology Students
  Level 2: Written English for Students of Natural Science

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
  Level 2: Reading and vocabulary for natural scientists

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:

 Level 2: Spoken English for EngineersLevel 2: Focus on Grammar and Vocabulary

for oral grade for written grade
Level 2: Spoken English for Technology Level 2: Focus on Academic Writing
Level 2: Written English for Natural Scientists
Level 2: Reading and Vocabulary for Technology Students

Please note that not all classes are offered every semester.

UNIcert II certificate

The final grade on the certificate is calculated by dividing the following grades by 4:

  • grade of class from the left column (oral grade)
  • grade of class from the right column (written grade)
  • grade from the listening comprehension part of the separate UNIcert II exam
  • grade from the reading comprtehension part of the separate UNIcert II exam

If you passed 2 or more classes in one column, the best grade counts for the grade on the certificate. All four individual grades (writing, speaking, reading, listening) will also be shown.

FAU-internal B2 certificate

The certificate confirms CEFR level B2.

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.

General

Listening comprehension

Written exam

Natural Science

Listening comprehension

Written exam

Tehnology

Listening comprehension

Written exam

For more information on UNIcert, please click here.