Recognition of external achievements
If you have language skills and would like to have them recognised or credited, please be sure to read the information below. In principle, the Language Centre of the UBT distinguishes between three cases of prior language knowledge.
(A) Prior knowledge of a language (official certificate, before starting your studies).
If you have certified prior knowledge of a language acquired before you started your studies and would like to be exempted from courses, then read the following.
- 1) Which official, standardised certificates can I submit to the Language Centre? Hide
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The following certificates are recognised depending on the language:
- German: TestDaF-Zertifikat, Zertifikat Goethe-Institut, IIK Bayreuth (nur A1), TELC, DSH
- English: Abitur, IB, Cambridge, IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, UNIcert
- Spanish: DELE, SIELE, UNIcert
- Italian: CELI, CILS, UNIcert
- French: DELF, UNIcert
- Chinese: HSK certificate exams from Level 3 onwards, UNIcert
- Russian: Russian as a Foreign Language (ТРКИ), UNIcert, TELC
- Portuguese: CAPLE, CELPE-BRAS, UNIcert
- All other languages: Please send an email to sprachenzentrum@uni-bayreuth.de
- 2) How long are these certificates valid?Hide
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The Language Centre only recognises these certificates if they are not older than 2 years.
- 3) Where do I submit these certificates?Hide
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- Please submit these certificates here if they are not older than 2 years.
- Please submit these certificates here if they are not older than 2 years.
- 4) What happens after I submit my certificate?Hide
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After you have uploaded your certificate, it will be processed by our Language Co-ordinator. If accepted, your exemption(s) will be entered in CampusOnline so that you will be able to register for the next higher course when registration opens.
- 5) Do I still have to take an oral exam?Hide
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No. As these are standardised exams designed by experts and test all four skills, your language certificate will be accepted across the board.
- 6) When can I register for the next higher language course?Hide
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Processing usually takes one to two working days.After that you will be able to register for the next higher course via CMlife.
- 7) Do I also receive ECTS on the basis of certificate(s)?Hide
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No. Since your certificate confirms your level of achievement before you started your studies, you cannot receive ECTS credit points on this basis.
(B) Prior knowledge of a language (not officially certified, before starting your studies)
If you have prior knowledge of a language that you acquired before you started your studies, but do not have an official certificate, then read the following.
- 1) What other language certificates can I submit to the Language Centre?Hide
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Accepted:
- Language certificates from other colleges and universities are generally after an oral interview accepted.
- Language certificates from courses of the Virtual University of Bavaria (VHB) are after an oral interview accepted.
Possibly accepted:
- German university entrance qualification (Abitur) certificates are not automatically accepted, but can be submitted for consideration. It is generally not accepted for Spanish.
Not accepted:
- Language certificates issued community colleges (e.g. the VHS) or private language schools are not accepted. Please take a placement test.
- 2) How long are these certificates valid?Hide
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The Language Centre only recognises these certificates if they are not older than 2 years.
- 3) Where do I submit these certificates?Hide
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- Please submit these certificates here if they are not older than 2 years.
- 4) What happens after I submit my certificate?Hide
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After you have uploaded your certificate, it will be processed by our Language Co-ordinator. If accepted, your exemption(s) will be entered in CampusOnline so that you will be able to register for the next higher course when registration opens.
- 5) Do I still have to take an oral exam?Hide
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Yes. As these certificates are issued on the basis of non-standardised examinations, an additional oral interview is necessary.
- 6) When can I register for the next higher language course?Hide
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Processing usually takes one to two working days: after that you will be able to register for the next higher course via CMlife.
- 7) Do I also receive ECTS credit points on the basis of my certificate(s)?Hide
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No. Since your certificate confirms your level of achievement before you started your studies, you cannot receive ECTS credit points on this basis.
(C) Acquiring language skills during your studies
If you have acquired language skills during your studies at UBT, for example during a semester abroad, then read the following.
- 1) Which language skills can I have accredited?Hide
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No language skills acquired during your studies can be automatically recognised and will therefore always be subject to a check by our Language Co-ordinators.
The following may be recognised:
- Language courses taken/skills acquired during a semester abroad
- Intensive courses taken during the semester break at another university
- An English-language internship (company, law firm) can also be credited if supervisors can confirm that the intern also completed written tasks or conducted correspondence through the medium of English
- Language courses taken/skills acquired during a semester abroad
- 3) Where do I submit these certificates?Hide
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- Please submit these certificates here if they are not older than 2 years.
- 3) What happens after I upload my certificate?Hide
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After you have uploaded evidence of your language skills, it will be checked by our Language Co-ordinators. A personal interview may be arranged with you in the same week. If your previous knowledge is confirmed by the Language Co-ordinator, the Secretary’s Office (GW I, 0.04) will exempt you from the corresponding courses on CampusOnline so that you can register for the next higher course.
- 4) When can I register for the next higher language course?Hide
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Processing usually takes less than two working days. After that you will be able to register for the next course in the programme.
- 5) Do I also receive ECTS for the recognised course(s)?Hide
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After your language skills have been recognised by the Language Centre, the Examinations Office will decide in a second step, based on your study regulations, whether you can have ECTS points credited to your degree. In the case of degree programmes that include an elective/compulsory language module, externally acquired foreign language skills will usually earn you ECTS points. You will not receive a grade, however.
Any other questions?
If, after carefully reading the above information, you have any further questions, please contact us. Please remember to include your matriculation number and to specify your degree program.