UNIcert​®

UNIcert® is the foreign language certificate for higher education, a certification system specifically for foreign language education at universities. The UNIcert® system comprises 5 levels of competence, which are based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

• UNIcert® is a certificate that can be compared across universities and is recognised by numerous universities in Germany (and in some cases also abroad) as proof of your language competence. It may be used when applying for a Master's programme.
• Many employers may also accept the certificate as it transparently presents the skills acquired and describes the language level achieved in the foreign language (German, English or others).

Yes, you can.

• UNIcert®-Basis: currently in Chinese, German as a foreign language (DaF), French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish
• UNIcert®-I: currently in Chinese, DaF, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish
• UNIcert®-II: currently in Chinese, French, Italian, Russian and Spanish
• UNIcert®-III: currently in English, French and Spanish
• UNIcert®-IV: currently only in English

Here you will find the training and examination regulations for the UNIcert® language training programme at the Language Centre of the University of Bayreuth.

• You do not need to register separately for the UNICert® Basis, I and II examinations.
• For the UNICert® III and IV examinations you have to register via CMlife. The registration period is set by the Examinations Office: https://www.uni-bayreuth.de/pruefungsamt-unicert
• Registration for the UNIcert III and IV exams WiSe 2024/25 has started. Registration deadline: 25 Nov. at 11.59 pm. Enter UNIcert as a search term in CMLife. 

To be eligible to take a UNIcert® exam, you must complete a certain sequence of courses. You can find more information depending on the exam below.

The UNIcert® exam is a language exam that was created according to university-specific standards and is therefore recognised (inter)nationally.

• In Chinese, the UNIcert® Basis exam is the final exam of the basic course 3, the UNIcert® I exam is the final exam of the consolidation course and the UNIcert® II exam is the final exam of the last of the three specialisation courses.
• In German as a foreign language (DaF), the UNIcert® Basis exam is the final exam of basic course 3 and the UNIcert® I exam is the final exam of basic course 5.
• In French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish, the final examination in basic course 2 is also the UNIcert® Basis examination and the final examination in basic course 3 is the UNIcert® I examination.
• In French, Italian, Russian and Spanish, the last final exam of the two basic courses 4 (basic course 4a and 4b) is the UNIcert® II exam.
• At the higher UNIcert® levels (III and IV), an additional UNIcert® examination is taken in English, French and Spanish in addition to the final course examination. Passing a final course examination is therefore not sufficient to obtain a UNIcert® certificate.

• The UNICert® Basis exam is the final exam of the Chinese and German as a Foreign Language (DaF) G3 course; in French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish it is the final exam of the G2 course. The exams usually take place in the last week of the semester. The exam can only be taken after attending the course.
• The UNICert® I exam is the final exam of the Chinese consolidation course, the final exam of the DaF G5 course and the final exam of the G3 course in French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. The examinations mainly take place in the last week of the semester. The exam can only be taken after attending the course.
• The UNICert® II exam is the final exam of the last of the three specialisation courses in Chinese and the last of the two G4 courses in French, Italian, Russian and Spanish. The examinations mainly take place in the last week of the semester. The exam can only be taken after attending the course.
• The UNICert® III and IV examinations always take place the week after the end of the course. The written exam (reading comprehension and writing) takes place on Monday, the listening comprehension exam on Tuesday and the oral exam on Friday. Registration for the exam via CMlife: The registration period is determined by the examination office: https://www.uni-bayreuth.de/pruefungsamt-unicert

It comprises four parts in three exams: written (reading and writing), listening and oral.

• You cannot repeat a UNIcert® examination if you have passed all parts successfully.
• If you fail one or more parts of the UNIcert® examination or miss one or more parts due to illness (medical certificate!), you can retake these at the end of the following semester.

• The certificates for UNIcert® Basis and UNIcert® I as well as the UNIcert® II certificates must be applied for and collected from the Language Centre using the appropriate form. They can also be sent by post on request https://www.sz.uni-bayreuth.de/de/pruefungen-und-zertifikate/unicert/index.html
• The UNIcert® III or IV certificate will be issued by the UNIcert® Examination Office and sent to you by post once you have passed all 4 sections (reading comprehension, writing, listening comprehension and oral interaction). https://www.uni-bayreuth.de/pruefungsamt-unicert

• Which courses do I have to successfully complete? You must attend the courses G1 - G3 (4 SWS each) in this order. The final course examination of G3 is the UNIcert®-Basis examination.
• How often are the courses offered? The courses G1 - G4 take place in a zip-lock system: G1 and G3 in the winter semester, G2 and G4 in the summer semester. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient numbers of participants.

• Which courses do I have to successfully complete? You must attend the G4 course (4 SWS) and the Consolidation Course (4 SWS) in this order. The final exam in the consolidation course is the UNIcert® I exam.
• How often are the courses offered? The G4 course is offered in the summer semester, the consolidation course in the winter semester. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient numbers of participants.

• Which courses do I have to successfully complete? You must attend the specialisation courses (SA1 - SA3, 4 SWS each). These specialisation courses can be taken in any order. The final examination of the third specialisation course is the UNIcert® II examination.
• How often are the courses offered? Not all courses are offered every semester, so the specialisation courses can be taken in any order. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient numbers of participants.

• Which courses do I have to successfully complete? You must attend the courses G1 - G3 (4 SWS each) in that order. The final course examination in G3 is the UNIcert® Basis examination.
• How often are the courses offered? The courses G1 - G3 are offered every semester. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient demand.

 Which course do I need to successfully complete? You must attend G4 and G5 in that order. The final course exam in G5 is the UNIcert® I exam.

• How often are the courses offered? G4 and G5 are offered every semester. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient demand.

Which courses do I have to complete successfully? You must first attend the Foundation (Aufbaukurs Allgemen AKA) course (2 SWS) and then complete three Specialisation (Spezialisierung) courses (2 SWS each). At least two of these Specialisation courses must be General Academic (Allgemein) courses. The Specialisation 1 SA1 course must be taken before the Specialisation 2 SA2 course(s). It is possible to take a SF1W Specialistion 1 Wirtschaft/Business course instead of a second SA2 course. 

• Course progression (in three/four semesters): AKA => SA1 => SA2 + SA2                                                                OR => AKA => SA1 = > SA2 + SF1W (Spezialisierung 1 Wirtschaft/Business)
• How often are the courses offered? All courses are offered every semester.

 Which courses do I have to complete successfully? You must first attend the Foundation (Aufbaukurs Wirtschaft AKW) course (2 SWS) and then complete three Specialisation (Spezialisierung) courses (2 SWS each). At least two of these Specialisation courses must be Business (Wirtschaft) courses. The Specialisation 1 course (SF1W) must be taken before the Specialisation 2 courses. Note that you may only take ONE SF1W course.

• Course progression (in three/four semesters): AKW => SF1W => SF2W + SF2W                                                      OR AKW => SF1W => SF2W + SA2 (Spezialisierung 2 Allgemein/General Academic)
• How often are the courses offered? All courses are offered every semester.
• If you have completed Business English 2 you do not need to take the Foundation (Aufbaukurs Wirtschaft AKW) course. 

• Which courses do I have to complete successfully? You must first attend the Foundation course (Aufbaukurs Jura) (2 SWS) and then three Specialisation (Spezialisierung) courses (2 SWS each). Two of the Specialisation courses must be English for Lawyers courses. The English for Lawyers I course must be completed before the English for Lawyers II course.
• Course progression (in three/four semesters): AKJ => SF1J (Lawyers I) => SF2J (Lawyers II) + SF2J (Moot Court) OR AKJ => SF1J (Lawyers I) => SF2J (Lawyers II) + SF1W (Spezialisierung 1 Wirtschaft/Business)                             OR AKJ => SF1J (Lawyers I) => SF2J (Lawyers II) + SA2 (Spezialisierung 2 Allgemein/General Academic)    
• How often are the courses offered? All courses are offered every semester.
• English for Lawyers I + II meet the requirements for JAPO §24 Fremdsprachenausbildung; AKJ, SF2J (Moot Court) SF1W and SA2 count towards JAPO §37 Freiversuch.      

• Which courses do I have to complete successfully? 
  One SA3 (Specialiation 3/Academic Writing II) + one LK (Landeskunde/Culture & Society) course + one SF3W (Specialistion 3 Wirtschaft/Business) course + one advanced course from the Anglophone Studies programme (e.g. Translation German - English). Please apply to Mary Redmond for permission to join an Anglophone Studies course - you will not be able to register for this course yourself.
• There is no course progression, i.e. the courses can be taken in any order. It is possible but not advisable to take all four courses in the same semester.         

• Which courses do I have to complete successfully? You must complete four SF3W (Specialisation 3 Wirtschaft/Business) courses OR three SF3W (Specialisation 3 Wirtschaft/Business) courses + one LK (Landeskunde/Culture & Society) course OR two SF3W (Specialisation 3 Wirtschaft/Business) courses + one LK (Landeskunde/Culture & Society) course + one advanced course from the Anglophone Studies programme (e.g. Translation German - English). Please apply to Mary Redmond for permission to join an Anglophone Studies course - you will not be able to register for this course yourself.
• There is no course progression, i.e. the courses can be taken in any order. It is possible but not advisable to take all four courses in the same semester. Note, however, that two SF3W courses are offered in the winter semester and two in the summer semester.   

• Which courses do I have to complete successfully? You must complete three SF3J (Specialisation 3 Jura/Law) courses including English for Lawyers 6 (Advanced Mooting: 2 SWS class + 2 SWS preparation = 4 SWS) OR three (Specialisation 3 Jura/Law) courses not including English for Lawyers 6 + one LK (Landeskunde/Culture & Society) course OR two (Specialisation 3 Jura/Law) courses not including English for Lawyers 6 + two SF3W (Specialisation 3 Wirtschaft/Business) courses OR English for Lawyers 6 + two SF3W (Specialisation 3 Wirtschaft/Business) courses
• There is no course progression, i.e. the courses can be taken in any order. It is possible but not advisable to take all courses in the same semester.
• All courses count towards JAPO §37.3 Freiversuch (Freischussverlängerung).

• Which courses must I successfully complete? You must attend G1 and G2 (4 SWS each). The final course examination in G2 is the UNIcert® Basis examination.
• How often is the course offered? Courses G1 and G2 are offered every semester. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient demand.

• What course do I need to complete successfully? You need to attend the G3 course (4 SWS). The final G3 exam is the UNIcert® I exam.
• How often is the course offered? G3 is offered every semester. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient demand.

• Which courses must I successfully complete? You must attend G4a (4 SWS) G4b (4 SWS) (in any order). The final examination of the second G4 course (be it G4a or G4b) you take counts as the UNIcert® II examination.
• How often are the courses offered? Both courses are offered every semester. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient demand.

• What courses do I need to successfully complete? You must attend three specialisation courses (2 SWS each). At least two of the specialisation courses must be General Academic ('Spezialisierung Allgemein') courses. Specialisation courses can be taken in any order.
• How often are the courses offered? Not all courses are offered every semester. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient demand. 

• Which courses do I need to complete successfully? You must attend three specialisation courses (2 SWS each). At least two of the specialisation courses must be Legal French courses. Specialisation courses may be taken in any order.
• How often are courses offered? Not all courses are offered every semester. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient demand.

• What courses do I need to successfully complete? You must attend three specialisation courses (2 SWS each). At least two of the specialisation courses must be Business French courses. Specialisation courses can be taken in any order.  
• How often are the courses offered? Not all courses are offered every semester. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient demand.

• Which courses must I successfully complete? You must attend G1 and G2 (4 SWS each). The final course examination in G2 is the UNIcert® Basis examination.
• How often is the course offered? Courses G1 and G2 are offered every semester. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient demand._​

• What course do I need to complete successfully? You need to attend the G3 course (4 SWS). The final G3 exam is the UNIcert® I exam.
• How often is the course offered? The G3 course is offered every semester. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient demand.

• Which courses must I successfully complete? You must attend G4a (4 SWS) and G4b (4 SWS) (in any order). The final exam in the second G4 course you take (be it G4a or G4b) counts as the UNIcert® II examination.
• How often are the courses offered? One of both courses is at least offered every semester. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient demand.

• Which courses must I successfully complete? You must attend G1 and G2 (4 SWS each). The final exam in G2 is the UNIcert® Basis examination.
• How often are these courses offered? The G1 course is offered every winter semester; the G2 every summer semster. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient demand.

• What course do I need to complete successfully? You need to attend the G3 course (4 SWS). The final G3 exam is the UNIcert® I exam.
• How often is the course offered? The G3 course is offered every summer semester. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient demand.

• Which courses must I successfully complete? You must attend G1 and G2 (4 SWS each). The final exam in G2 is the UNIcert® Basis examination.
• How often are these courses offered? The G1 course is offered every winter semester; the G2 every summer semster. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient demand.

• What course do I need to complete successfully? You need to attend G3 (4 SWS). The final exam in G3 is the UNIcert® I exam.
• How often is the course offered? The G3 course is offered every summer semester. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient demand.

• Which courses must I successfully complete? You must attend G4a (4 SWS) and G4b (4 SWS) (in any order). The final exam in the second G4 you take (be it G4a or G4b) is the UNIcert® II examination.
• How often are these courses offered? Either G4a or G4b is offered each semester. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient demand. 

• Which courses do I need to complete successfully? You must attend the G1 and G2 courses (4 SWS each). The final exam in G2 is the UNIcert® Basic exam.
• How often are these courses offered? G1 and G2 are offered every semester. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient demand.

• What course do I need to complete successfully? You need to attend a G3 course (4 SWS). The final exam of G3 is the UNIcert® I exam.
• How often is the course offered? G3 is offered every semester. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient demand. 

• Which courses must I successfully complete? You must attend G4a (4 SWS) and G4b (4 SWS) (in any order). The final exam in the second G4 you take (be it G4a or G4b) counts as the UNIcert® II examination.
• How often are the courses offered? Both courses are offered every semester. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient demand.

• What courses do I need to successfully complete? You must attend three specialisation courses (2 SWS each). At least two of the specialisation courses must be General Academic (Spezialisierung Allgmein) courses. Specialisation courses can be taken in any order.
• How often are the courses offered? Not all courses are offered every semester. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient demand.

• What courses do I need to successfully complete? You must attend three specialisation courses (2 SWS each). At least two of the specialisation courses must be Business Spanish courses. Specialisation courses can be taken in any order.
• How often are the courses offered? Not all courses are offered every semester. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient demand.