Language courses for external users
Università della Svizzera italiana, through the Laboratory of Modern Languages, offers a range of fee-based courses that are also open to external participants.
Who are we
The Laboratory of Modern Languages is USI's University language centre. It offers language courses aligned with the CEFR Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Each course aims to develop oral and written comprehension and oral and written production skills. Some courses are open to external users for a fee and subject to availability on the Lugano campus. For further information and registration, please refer to the accordion below.
Laboratory of Modern Languages
Laboratory of Modern Languages Lecturers
Italian, French, German and English language courses
For external users, the following courses are available for a fee:
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Intermediate, upper intermediate and advanced language courses (intensive pre-semester and semester-time) at CEFR level B1, B2 and C1.
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Exam preparation courses for internationally recognized language certifications, including IELTS B2/C1 (English), Goethe-Zertifikat C1 (German), and DELF B2 (French). These courses are specifically designed to prepare participants for the corresponding exams.
To explore the course offerings and course fees, please select the menu headings below. Please note that the number of places available for external participants is limited. In case of high demand, priority will be given to USI members.
Ancient languages
- The Faculty of Theology of Lugano offers courses in ancient languages as part of its academic programs.
Workload
At levels B and C, practical semester-long courses are offered, each lasting 56 hours (28 hours of in-person classes and 28 hours of independent study or 56 hours in-person) and for some levels also pre-semester intensive courses of 60 hours. To progress to the next level, the completion of at least two courses per level is required. By way of example, to achieve level B1 it is necessary to attend courses B1.1 and B1.2. Only upon completion of this pathway, it is possible to access courses at the next level, namely B2.1. The overall duration of each level corresponds to approximately one academic year. Attendance is compulsory in order to ensure adequate development of all four language skills.
Fees
- Pre-semester intensive general courses (60 hours): 1050 CHF
- Semester-time general courses (28+28 hours): 650 CHF
- Semester-time general courses (56 hours). 1050 CHF
- Pre-semester courses in preparation for official certifications (60 hours): 1'500 CHF
- Semester-time courses in preparation for official certifications (28+28 hours): 850 CHF
Payment Methods
The invoice will be sent by ordinary mail to the address provided during the registration (only after the course level has been confirmed, following the successful completion of the entrance test).
The invoice is due within twenty days from the date of issuance. The total amount must be paid via bank or postal transfer. For further information, please contact [email protected].
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION
Reading the Frequently asked questions section helps to resolve doubts quickly at any time. To make it easier to find answers, the questions are divided into different topics.
Click on the FAQ button.
COURSE OFFER
To view the course descriptions, please select the headings below and click on the course titles.
Expand All
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Intermediate-level French language courses, CEFR B1
For information on the intermediate French language courses open to external users for a fee, please click on the titles in the table below. For a complete view of the content on your phone, please switch to landscape mode.
Course mode and schedule
Course Fee When Schedule Format and duration Entry Level Registration Deadline Where French B1 part 1 CHF 650 15.09.2026 - 15.12.2026 Tuesdays, 17:30-19:00 Semester-time, 28 lesson hours + 28 self-study hours A2 part 2 22.08.2026 Lugano Campus French B1 part 2
CHF 650 22.02.2027 - 31.05.2027 Mondays 17:30-19:00 Semester-time, 28 lesson hours + 28 self-study hours B1 part 1 15.02.2027 Lugano Campus Payment Methods
The invoice will be sent by mail to the address provided during the registration (only after the course level has been confirmed, following the successful completion of the entrance test).
The invoice is due within twenty days from the date of issuance. The total amount must be paid via bank or postal transfer. For further information, please contact [email protected].Registration
A confirmation email with the information, such as room number, will be sent to the participants a few days before the course begins.
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Upper intermediate Language Courses, CEFR B2
For information on the upper intermediate language courses open to external users for a fee, please click on the titles in the table below. For a complete view of the content on your phone, please switch to landscape mode.
Course mode and schedule
Course Fee When Schedule Format and duration Entry Level Registration deadline Where General English B2+ part 1 CHF 1050 14.09.2026 - 16.12.2026 Mondays & Wednesdays 17:30-19:00 Semester-time, 56 lesson hours B2 part 2 31.08.2026 Lugano Campus General English B2+ part 2 CHF 1050 22.02.2027 - 04.06.2027 Mondays & Wednesdays 17:30-19:00
Semester-time, 56 lesson hours B2 part 2 31.01.2027 Lugano Campus Italian B2 CHF 650 22.02.2027 - 04.06.2027 Tuesday or Wednesday, 15:30-17:00 Semester-time, 28 lesson hours + 28 self-study hours B1 part 2 31.01.2027 Lugano Campus Payment Methods
The invoice will be sent by mail to the address provided during the registration (only after the course level has been confirmed, following the successful completion of the entrance test).
The invoice is due within twenty days from the date of issuance. The total amount must be paid via bank or postal transfer. For further information, please contact [email protected].Registration
A confirmation email with the information, such as room number, will be sent to the participants a few days before the course begins.
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Advanced Language Courses, CEFR C1
For information on the advanced language courses open to external users for a fee, please click on the titles in the table below. For a complete view of the content on your phone, please switch to landscape mode.
Course mode and schedule
Course Fee When Schedule Format and duration Entry level Registration deadline Where English C1 CHF 1050 14.09.2026 - 16.12.20256 Mondays & Wednesdays 17:30-19:00 Semester-time, 56 lesson hours B2 part 2 30.08.2026 Lugano Campus Italian C1 CHF 650 24.02.2027 - 02.06.2027 Wednesdays 15:30 - 17:00 Semester-time, 28 lesson hours + 28 self-study hours B2 part 2 31.01.2027 Lugano Campus German C1 part 1
CHF 1050 08.02.2027 - 19.02.2027 09:00 - 15.00, from Monday to Friday Pre-semester intensive, 60 hours of in-person lessons B2 part 2 17.01.2027 Lugano Campus German C1 part 2 CHF 650 24.02.2027 - 02.06.2027 Wednesdays 15:30 - 17:00 Semester-time, 28 lesson hours + 28 self-study hours C1 part 1 31.01.2027 Lugano Campus English C1 CHF 1050 22.02.2027 - 02.06.2027 Mondays & Wednesdays 17:30-19:00 Semester-time, 56 lesson hours B2 part 2 31.01.2027 Lugano Campus Payment Methods
The invoice will be sent by mail to the address provided during the registration (only after the course level has been confirmed, following the successful completion of the entrance test).
The invoice is due within twenty days from the date of issuance.The total amount must be paid via bank or postal transfer. For further information, please contact [email protected] .A confirmation email with the information, such as room number, will be sent to the participants a few days before the course begins.
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IELTS, Goethe-Institut and DELF Certification preparation courses
For information on the certification preparation courses open to external users for a fee, please click on the titles in the table below. For a complete view of the content on your phone, please switch to landscape mode.
Course mode and schedule
Course Fee When Schedule Format and duration Entry Level Registration deadline Where English. IELTS B2/C1 preparatory course CHF 1'500 08.02.2027 - 19.02.2027 09:00 - 15:00, from Monday to Friday Pre-semester intensive,
60 hours of in-person lessonsB2.2* 17.01.2027 Lugano Campus German. Goethe-Zertifikat QCER C1 preparatory course
CHF 850 22.02.2027 - 04.06.2027 Wednesdays 17:30-19:00 Semester-time, 28 lesson hours + 28 self-study hours C1.1** 31.01.2027 Lugano Campus French. B2 - skills consolidation and DELF preparation
CHF 850 22.02.2027 - 04.06.2027 Wednesdays 17:30-19:00 Semester-time, 28 lesson hours + 28 self-study hours B2.2*** 31.01.2027 Lugano Campus * It is strongly recommended to have fully achieved a B2+/C1+ level of English to enroll in the IELTS B2/C1 preparatory course and successfully follow the lessons. We recommend taking a Placement test before registration.
** It is strongly recommended to have fully achieved the C1.1 level of German in order to access the preparatory course and follow the lessons without particular difficulties. Therefore, we recommend to take a Placement test before enrolling: German placement test C1.
*** It is strongly recommended to have fully achieved a B2+ level of French to enroll in the DELF B2 preparation course and successfully follow the lessons. We recommend taking a Placement test before registration.Payment Methods
The invoice will be sent by mail to the address provided during the registration (only after the course level has been confirmed, following the successful completion of the entrance test).
The invoice is due within twenty days from the date of issuance.The total amount must be paid via bank or postal transfer. For further information, please contact: [email protected]Enrolment
A confirmation email with the information, such as room number, will be sent to the participants a few days before the course begins.
Courses lecturers
English B2/C1: Louise Bostock
German C1: Claudia Moor
French B2: Anne Criblez
Exam Centers
- Università della Svizzera italiana - GOETHE-INSTITUT Svizzera italiana Exam Center
The Università della Svizzera italiana is an official Goethe-Institut Exam Center for the italian speaking part of Switzerland. Goethe-Institut exams are globally recognized as certifications of German language proficiency. Both USI members and external users can take the exams for a fee.
- Università della Svizzera italiana - IELTS Exam Center
The Università della Svizzera italiana is an official IELTS Registration Partner. The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is one of the world’s most popular tests for certifying English language proficiency. The IELTS certification is recognized by over 10,000 organizations worldwide, including the Università della Svizzera italiana. Both USI members and external users can take the exams for a fee. There are 30 available spots for each proposed exam date.
- Bellinzona - DELF DALF GRIGIONI E TICINO Exam Center
The DELF (Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française) and DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française) diplomas are awarded by the French Ministry of National Education to certify competence in the French language. The DELF DALF Grigioni e Ticino Exam Center is located in Bellinzona but the September session takes place at Università della Svizzera italiana.
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Ancient Language courses: Biblical Hebrew, Greek and Latin
The ancient language courses offered as part of the programs of the Faculty of Theology of Lugano are also open to external participants. The cost of individual courses varies according to the number of hours. The complete list of fees is available here.
Ancient language courses offered by FTL:
For information and registration: [email protected]
