The minimum language requirements needed to begin Bachelor
Prospective students can evaluate their language proficiency by doing a computer test. In order to be able to enrol for undergraduate (bachelor) degrees, you must be able to certify a B2 level (from the Common European Framework of Reference*) in your first and second language. If you are only able to certify a B2 language proficiency in one language, you will receive a conditional offer to study at our University. If this is the case, you will then be able to attend a 100-hour language preparation course in your second language, at the end of which you will be able to sit the B2 language test again. In this way, you will be able to improve your language proficiency markedly before you start your university studies. Although there are no entry requirements for the third language, indeed you can be a beginner in the third language, the Language Centre will be organising 140-hour intensive courses from the beginning of August to mid-September. If you are a beginner in this language, or you only have a basic level, you are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this offer. This comprehensive offer of summer intensive courses will allow you to improve your language proficiency in all three of the University’s languages before you even start studying here with us, therefore providing you with the best preparation possible to make the most of your multilingual studies.
* The six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference range from the lowest, A1 to the highest, C2. The two levels that designate a Basic User are A1 and A2. The next two levels, B1 and B2, designate an Independent User and the two highest levels, C1 and C2, designate a Proficient User.
The minimum language requirements needed to begin Master
In order to enrol for a postgraduate (master) degree, you must have a C1 level in your first language and B2 in your second language. There is no entry level required for the third language. If you are a prospective postgraduate student, you benefit from the same language course offer that is provided for undergraduate students. The only difference is that the entry level for the first language is higher than that required for undergraduate study.
How you can certify your language proficiency
There are various ways that you can certify your language proficiency. One way is to sit and pass the computer-based tests that are organised by the Language Centre of the Free University of Bozen/Bolzano. Your language proficiency can also be certified if you have achieved your secondary school leaving qualifications (A-levels or equivalent) in one of the three teaching languages, or if you have international language certificates recognised by the Language Centre, if you have the bilingual exam administered by the Autonomous Province of South Tyrol (only for German and Italian) or if you have certain university degrees. The following link http://www.unibz.it/en/ students/languagecentre shows the complete list of certificates, language exams and other qualifications that are recognised in order for you to certify your language proficiency for the three languages.
How can I improve my language proficiency?
During your studies here with us, there are many opportunities for you to improve your language skills and knowledge in all three languages so that you will be able to reach the levels required. The Language Centre offers all students language improvement and language learning programmes based on an offer of specific courses. Language proficiency can be further improved through actually studying in the three languages and through various forms of language advising services.
How can I certify my language exit level?
You also have to certify your language proficiency in the three languages at the end of your studies, which is a requirement for applying to sit your final degree exam. At the end of the three-year undergraduate course, you have to certify a C1 proficiency in your first language, B2+ in the second language and B2 in your third language. In order to finish a master degree course, you need to certify a C1 level in your first two languages and B2 in your third language. This exit level, like the entry level, can be certified by successfully passing the computer-based test organised by the Language Centre, or by presenting one of the language certificates recognised by the Language Centre. Your language learning pathway and the level achieved at the end will be certified by a special “language passport” as well as a diploma supplement. Further information about the admission procedure for each degree course can be found in the Study Manifestoes on the University’s website www.unibz.it.