Courses and Examinations

Course Offerings

Currently, there are two levels of UNIcert courses on offer for students in the social sciences: UNIcert III/1 and III/2. Students who would like to acquire the UNIcert IV certificate should take the courses “English for Economics and Business Studies and for the Social Sciences” on the UNIcert IV level.

UNIcert III/1 English for the Social Sciences (6 CP)
Prerequisites: 70-79 points on placement test or successful completion of a UNIcert II/2 level course or UNIcert II certificate

UNIcert III/2 English for the Social Sciences (6 CP), Group 1
Prerequisites: 80-100 points on placement test or successful completion of "UNIcert III/1 English for the Social Sciences"

UNIcert IV/1 English for Economics and Business Studies and for the Social Sciences (6 CP)
Prerequisites: 90-100 points on placement test or UNIcert III certificate

UNIcert IV/2 English for Economics and Business Studies and for the Social Sciences (6 CP)
Prerequisites: Successful completion of a UNIcert IV/1 course (can only be taken after successful completion of UNIcert IV/1).

Please be aware that a score of 90 – 100% on the placement test qualifies students to take either UNIcert® III/2 English for Social Sciences or UNIcert® IV/1 English for Academic Purposes. Successful participation in a UNIcert® IV/1 course is not sufficient for admission to MA programs at the University of Potsdam and at other schools which require a C1 or C2 level according to the European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). In order to fulfill such requirements, it is necessary to take part in either UNIcert® III/2 English for Social Sciences or UNIcert® IV/2 English for Social Sciences and to pass the UNIcert III or IV level examinations sucessfully.

The courses that are currently on offer as well as updated course descriptions can be found in PULS.

UNIcert Examinations

UNIcert Level III and IV examinations always take place at the end of the lecture period and during the examination period after the respective UNIcert III/2 or IV/2 course, which also includes intensive preparation for the exam. The language level attained – UNIcert III or C1 of the European Framework, or UNIcert IV or C2 of the European Framework – and the scholarly character of the course are formally confirmed solely on the UNIcert certificates. Registration for the first exams is done in the language courses that prepare students for the exams. Students will receive all of the dates and other relevant information on course texts and examinations from their instructor.