Language Proofs Study Abroad

To ensure your application is successful, you must demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English and the local language.

Proof of language proficiency can be provided in various ways.

1. A-level certificate 

If you have studied a foreign language (e.g. English) for at least seven years at school up to A-level, a copy of your A-level certificate* is sufficient as proof of language proficiency.

*This certificate must not be more than three years old. Certificates older than three years are not valid for this purpose.

Depending on your marks, make sure to indicate your language proficiency levels according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

2. Proof of successful completion of a language course

You may also demonstrate your language proficiency by submitting the most recent certificate from a language course completed at the Language Centre of Bauhaus-Universität Weimar or another higher education institution, specifying the language level. 

3. Proof of international certificates

Perhaps you have already obtained a certificate in the required foreign language? 
If so, this can also be used as part of your application. 
Examples include

• TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificates etc. for English,
• DELF/DALF for French, or
• DELE for Spanish.

As a general rule, 
proof of language proficiency must not be more than 3 years old at the time of application.

4. Language certificate from the Language Centre

If your A-level certificate does not adequately reflect your current language proficiency, or if none of the other options are suitable for you, you can obtain a language certificate from the Language Centre for your application to study abroad.

For English

There are two options for English:

• Language course: You successfully complete an English course at the Language Centre and receive a certificate to that effect.
• Versant English Placement Test (VEPT) see below

Our recommendation: Take an English course at the Language Centre. This will allow you to refresh your language skills whilst obtaining the required certificate.

For all other languages 

You can demonstrate your language skills by taking a short test.

To do so, make an appointment with a teacher at the Language Centre for the relevant language.

The test takes about 20 minutes. 
It assesses your reading and listening comprehension as well as your speaking skills.

To assess your writing skills, you will also need to provide a text you have written yourself in the relevant language (approx. 300–400 words or one A4 page). You can bring this with you to the test or send it to the teacher in advance.

You may also use an existing text, such as a personal statement or a project description.

Link: to the Language Centre’s teaching staff

5. Active language practice

Have you actively practised the language of your host country, e.g. during a ‘Work and Travel’ year, but do not have any official proof of your language skills?

Is it English?

Please take the VEPT test (see below).

Is it another language?

Upload a brief explanation to the application form. In it, describe where and for how long you have actively used the language. Please also state your language level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (e.g. B1 or B2).

6. Mother tongue

Is the language of instruction at your host university your mother tongue?

Please indicate this on the application form. Instead of a language certificate, upload a brief statement confirming that the language of instruction is your mother tongue.

Information from the Language Centre regarding proof of English language proficiency

You can provide proof of your English language proficiency using the Versant English Placement Test (VEPT), which is administered by Pearson. It is a flexible digital test that you can take anytime, anywhere. You will receive your test results immediately. The test assesses your skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

If you would like to prepare for the test and see how it works, you can click on the following link: 

https://www.pearson.com/languages/hr-professionals/versant/versant-test.html#/vept

Please follow these steps:

Step 1: TAKE THE 
TEST DIRECTLY WITH PEARSON

You can purchase the test here for €35.50:

Once you have paid for your test, Pearson will contact you by email. The email, titled ‘Pearson Germany: Your login details for Versant’, contains the following information:

Your name
, a TIN (Test Identification Number)
, a link to the test
, and a link where you can access your score report

PLEASE KEEP THIS EMAIL.

Step 2: 
COLLECTING YOUR CERTIFICATE FROM THE LANGUAGE CENTRE

Once you have accessed your score report from Pearson, please send an email to english[at]uni-weimar.de with the subject line ‘Pearson Test Result’. This email should contain the following:

• Your student number (matriculation number)

• Your date of birth

• a PDF file of your downloaded score report (as an attachment)

• a copy of the email entitled “Pearson Germany: Your login details for Versant” (see above).

The Language Centre will then be able to transfer your result onto a certificate.
This part of the service is free of charge.

It is NOT necessary to book an additional appointment for the assessment of your speaking skills.
For further information, please contact howard.atkinson[at]uni-weimar.de