UNIcert

The UNIcert is an international system of certification and accreditation for various languages learnt in a university context. The main goal of UNIcert is to support language education for universities and to provide an accepted certificate that proves language knowledge outside universities.

The system was set up in 1992 by the German Association of Language Centres, Language Teaching Institutes and Institutes of Foreign Languages ("Arbeitskreis der Sprachenzentren, Sprachlehrinstitute und Fremdspracheninstitute", AKS). This association acts as a forum for the exchange of information, experience and ideas between institutes and people involved in language work at universities and training institutes, and those taking part in research into language teaching and learning. More than 100 language centres in Germany, Austria and Switzerland are members of the association. The AKS is also one of the founding members of CERCLES, the European Confederation of Language Centres in Higher Education, "a confederation of independent associations from 21 countries of Europe" [http://www.cercles.org/] .

Levels

The levels correspond to levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

* UNIcert I ("European Level B1") - basic knowledge of the language
* UNIcert II ("European Level B2") - extended (field of study specific) knowledge of the language (for studying in a foreign country)
* UNIcert III ("European Level C1") - extended (field of study specific) knowledge of the language for postgraduate (for example doctorate) studies in a foreign country
* UNIcert IV ("European Level C2") - (field of study specific) knowledge on the level of an academic native speaker

Education

UNIcert language courses must be taught in small interactive groups. The courses teach written and oral language. You can receive a certificate if you attend the courses regularly and pass several exams (oral and written exams). For higher UNIcert levels an internship in a foreign country or study in a foreign country is required.

Certificate

The certificate is issued in the language of the country where you received UNIcert, in English and in the language you studied. It includes a detailed description of your language knowledge and your grades.

Accreditation

Institutions offering UNIcert are accredited on a regular basis. This accreditation confirms that the institutions are able to offer a modern language education at university level. Without accreditation they are not allowed to offer UNIcert courses.

Members

In the membership structure you find private and public universities from different countries.

External links

* [http://rcswww.urz.tu-dresden.de/~unicert/e/index.htm Information about UNIcert]
* [http://www.cercles.org/ www.cercles.org]