The Language Centre has established a policy to advise departments on the granting of language course exemptions. This policy facilitates the recognition of the diverse language competencies with which students enter the university. With its implementation, the Language Centre seeks not only to recognize the linguistic competencies of students but also to place them in courses that correspond to their language skills.

Exempting students from a language course, upon demonstrated competence, benefits students in that it allows for more linguistically homogenous language classes. It’s important to highlight that:

  1. Language course exemptions are available only for compulsory language subjects.
  2. Exemptions are only granted for general language courses, not for specific purposes courses.
  3. The Language Centre can recommend exemption from a specific course on the basis of demonstrated competency in the target language.
  4. The determination of the competency in a language needs to be in terms of the ‘Common European Framework of Reference for Languages’ and is based either upon:

 a) Certified proof of the successful completion of a course at university level deemed by the Language Centre to be equivalent.

 b) Submission of a certificate from an accredited academic institution, recognized by the Language Centre. (Relevant lists with acceptable evidence are included separately for each language below.

 c) Performance on an exemption test developed and administered by the Language Centre. (In exceptional cases, as determined by the Language Center).

  1. Applications for exemptions must be submitted no later than the end of the registration week, via the form below, accompanied by all necessary documentation.
  2. Students are allowed to submit an application for an exemption up to the end of their second year of studies (fourth semester).
  3. The Language Centre is not under any obligation to grant exemptions for outdated applications.

Please also note the following:

 

  1. To qualify for an exemption, related certificates must have been awarded no more than two years prior to the beginning of the course for which exemption is being sought.
  2. The exemption test (point 4(b) above) is conducted at a time and place indicated by the Language Centre. It is the student’s responsibility to be present at the scheduled date and time of the exemption test.
  3. Students are responsible for informing the Language Centre at least seven (7) days in advance of any special requirements they have in order to sit the exemption test.
  4. The Language Centre has the obligation to recommend to the department of the student requesting the exemption whether they have been awarded an exemption.
  5. It is the responsibility of the department and the Student Welfare Service to decide for the approval of the exemption.
  6. The Language Centre is solely responsible for determining exemption from its courses.
Exemption Certificate Application Form
English

Exemption from LAN 100 – General Advanced English

  1. C.E. O Level English Language minimum grade B
  2. Pearson Ed Excel International GCSE (9) (English as a Second Language) 
  3. IGCSE (0511) minimum grade B IGCSE (0510) minimum grade B, Oral minimum grade 2
  4. IELTS: at least 6.5
  5. TOEFL: at least 600
  6. OXFORD HIGHER CERTIFICATE with credit or distinction
  7. MICHIGAN CERTIFICATE IN ENGLISH
  8. MEG (Midland Examining Group) GCSE O minimum grade B

Exemption from LAN 101 – Academic English 

  1. GCE A Level English Literature: A, B, or C
  2. CAMBRIDGE PROFICIENCY: A, B or C
French
Exemption from LAN 105 – French Beginners I
  1. Previous DELF 1st degree (unity A1) or New DELF A1 (16/20+)
  2. GCE O Level: minimum grade C
  3. (I)GCSE: minimum grade B
Exemption from LAN 106 – French Beginners II
  1. Previous DELF 1st degree: any 2 unities or New DELF A2 (16/20+)
  2. GCE O Level with minimum grade B
  3. (I)GCSE: Grade A
Exemption from all three levels LAN 105, LAN 106 and LAN 107 is recommended only if the student presents a certificate equivalent to A2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
German
Exemption from LAN 070 – German Beginners I
  1. Start Deutsch I (A1)
 Exemption from LAN 071 – German Beginners II
  1. GCE O-Level: A, B or C
  2. Start Deutsch II (A2)
Exemption from all three levels LAN 070, LAN 071 and LAN 072 is recommended only if the student presents a certificate equivalent to A2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Italian
Exemption from LAN 075 – Italian Beginners I
  1. PLIDA certificate, A1 and above
  2. CELI certificate, 1 and above
  3. CILS certificate, 1 and above
  4. GCE O-Level
  5. GCE A-Level
Exemption from LAN 076 – Italian Beginners II
  1. PLIDA certificate, A2 and above.
  2. CELI certificate, 2 and above.
  3. CILS certificate, 2 and above.
  4. GCE O-Level.
  5. GCE A-Level.
Exemption from all three levels LAN 075, LAN 076 and LAN 077 is recommended only if the student presents a certificate equivalent to A2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Spanish
Exemption from LAN 085 - Spanish Beginners I
  1. DiplomasDELE from the Cervantes Institute level A1 (60+/100).
  2. University level courses in a country where Spanish is an official language: 40 hours = A1.
  3. University level courses in a country where Spanish is not an official language: 60 hours = A1.
 Exemption from LAN 086 - Spanish Beginners II
  1. Diplomas DELE from the Cervantes Institute level A2 (60+/100).
  2. University level courses in a country where Spanish is an official language: 80 hours = A2.
  3. University level courses in a country where Spanish is not an official language: 120 hours = A2.
Exemption from all three levels LAN 085, LAN 086 and LAN 087 is recommended only if the student presents a certificate equivalent to A2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Russian
Turkish
Chinese