English language certificates
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The Laboratory of Modern Languages is USI's University language centre. It offers English language courses from CEFR level B1.1 up to CEFR level C1.2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Each course aims to develop oral and written comprehension and oral and written production skills. The courses are free of charge for the academic community of Università della Svizzera italiana, subject to availability.
STUDY PATH
The courses offered are aimed at those who know the English language at B1 level and above. For a complete view of the content on your phone, please switch to landscape mode.
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Starting CEFR level |
Semester 1, Autumn term |
Semester 2, Spring term |
Semester 3, Autumn term |
Semester 4, Spring term |
Semester 5, Autumn term | Semester 6, Spring Term |
|
<B1 |
B1.1 |
B1.2 |
B2.1 |
B2.2 |
B2+.2 |
Preparing for IELTS B2-C1 (intensive) |
|
B1 |
B1.2 |
B2.1 |
B2 Bootcamp (intensive) |
B2+.1 |
Academic Writing |
Preparing for IELTS B2-C1 (intensive) |
|
<B2 |
B2 Bootcamp (intensive) |
B2.2 |
Academic Writing |
Preparing for IELTS B2-C1 (intensive) |
||
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B2 or above |
Academic Writing |
Preparing for IELTS B2-C1 (intensive) |
|
Workload
At levels B and C, semester-time general courses of 56 hours each are offered, aimed at the balanced development of the four language skills. In order to progress to the next level, completion of at least two courses per level is required. By way of example, to attain level B2 it is necessary to attend courses B2.1 and B2.2, for a total of 112 hours of in-person instruction, supplemented by at least an equal number of hours of independent study. Only upon completion of this pathway is it possible to access the courses at the next level, namely C1. 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.
ECTS LANGUAGE COURSES
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.
The Modern languages lab offers free of charge language courses at different CEFR language levels both in the Autumn semester (SA) and in the Spring semester (SP).
CHOOSE THE SEMESTER TO EXPLORE THE COURSES OFFERED AND ALL THE RELEVANT INFO:
List of optional courses offered during the Autumn Semester – SA
Click on the course to see the descriptive. For a complete view of the content on your phone, please switch to landscape mode.
|
Course |
Entry level |
Period |
Lasting |
Schedule |
A.Y. 2026-2027 |
|
|
B2 Bootcamp. English review and focus. Intensive course Bachelor students all Faculties* |
B1 part 2 | Pre-SA | 60 lesson hours | 08:30-14:30 from Monday to Friday | 31.08.2026 - 11.09.2026 | |
|
English language B1 part 1 priority for 1st year BCOM students (level <B1)** |
A2 part 2 |
SA |
56 lesson hours |
TBC |
14.09.2026 - 18.12.2026 |
|
|
English language B1 part 2 priority for 1st year BCOM students (level B1)** |
B1 part 1 |
SA |
56 lesson hours |
TBC |
14.09.2026 - 18.12.2026 |
|
|
English language B2 part 1 priority for 1st year BCOM students (level <B2)** |
B1 part 2 |
SA |
56 lesson hours |
TBC |
14.09.2026 - 18.12.2026 |
|
|
English language B2 part 2 priority for 1st year BCOM students (level B2 or above)** |
B2 part 1 |
SA |
56 lesson hours |
TBC |
14.09.2026 - 18.12.2026 |
|
|
English language B2+ part 2 priority for 2nd & 3rd year BCOM students |
B2+ part 1 |
SA |
56 lesson hours |
TBC |
14.09.2026 - |
|
|
Business English 1.1 (B1-B1+). Business English course open to all, BECO Italian stream priority*** |
B1 |
SA |
56 lesson hours |
TBC |
14.09.2026 - 18.12.2026 |
|
|
Business English 2.1 (B1+-B2). Business English course open to all, BECO Italian stream priority*** |
B1 part 2 |
SA |
56 lesson hours |
TBC | 14.09.2026 - 18.12.2026 |
|
|
Business English 3.1 (B2+-C1). Business English course open to all, BECO English stream priority*** |
B2 part 2 |
SA |
56 lesson hours |
TBC |
14.09.2026 - 18.12.2026 |
|
|
General English B2+ part 1. Course open to all |
B2 part 2 |
SA |
56 lesson hours |
Mondays & Wednesdays 17:30-19:00 |
14.09.2026 - 16.12.2026 |
|
| Academic writing. Course open to all Master students | B2+/C1 | SA | 28 lesson hours | TBC | 14.09.2026 - 18.12.2026 |
|
| English language C1. Course open to all, priority Master students | B2 part 2 | SA | 56 lesson hours |
Mondays & Wednesdays 17:30-19:00 |
14.09.2026 - 16.12.2026 |
* Priority for enrolment in the Bootcamp is given to 1st year BECO students intending to join the English track. Students wishing to enter the English track who do not yet hold a B2-level English certification will be offered a Cambridge-style placement examination in September of their first year, in line with the programme’s language entry requirements. Priority is also given to BECO students who need to fulfil the programme’s English language requirements.
** For 1st year BCOM students, enrolment for English language courses is mandatory and is completed through the online registration form below. Students should enroll in the level they consider most appropriate (self-assessment grid). During the first week of the semester, a placement test will take place in class to assess the actual level of English proficiency. If necessary, instructors will adjust the level accordingly.
For 2nd and 3rd year BCOM students enrolment for English language courses is mandatory and is completed through the online registration form below. For more information it is possible to contact Dr. Christopher Dawson, coordinator of the English language courses.
*** For 1st year BECO students, enrolment for English language courses is mandatory and is completed through the online registration form below. Students should enroll in the level they consider most appropriate (self-assessment grid). During the first week of the semester, a placement test will take place in class to assess the actual level of English proficiency. If necessary, instructors will adjust the level accordingly.
For 2nd and 3rd year BECO students enrolment for English language courses is mandatory and is completed through the online registration form below. For more information it is possible to contact Louise Bostock, English language lecturer.
ONLINE REGISTRATION:
Limited places available, please enrol only if seriously interested.
Select the type of course to complete the enrolment, click on the links below:
Priority will be given to students on study programmes that require the attainment of B2 or B2+ level (Bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Economics and Bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society).
Withdrawal
For a good course planning, it is very important to have precise data on the number of participants. In the event of an unexpected withdrawal, it is the candidate's responsibility to inform the administration before the start of the course by writing to [email protected]
List of optional courses offered during the Spring Semester – SP
Click on the course to see the descriptive. For a complete view of the content on your phone, please switch to landscape mode.
|
Course |
Entry level |
Period |
Lasting |
Schedule |
A.Y. 2026-2027 |
|
Preparing for IELTS B2-C1. Intensive course open to all, registration via link below |
B2 part 2 |
Pre-SP |
60 lesson hours |
09.00-15.00 from Monday to Friday |
08.02.2027 - 19.02.2027 |
|
English language B1 part 2, priority for 1st year BCOM students (level <B1)* |
B1 part 1 |
SP |
56 lesson hours |
TBC |
22.02.2027 – 04.06.2027 |
|
English language B2 part 1, priority for 1st year BCOM students (level B1)* |
B1 part 2 |
SP |
56 lesson hours |
TBC |
22.02.2027 – 04.06.2027 |
|
English language B2 part 2, priority for 1st year BCOM students (level <B2)* |
B2 part 1 |
SP |
56 lesson hours |
TBC |
22.02.2027 – 04.06.2027 |
|
English language B2+ part 1, priority for 1st year BCOM students (level B2 or more)* |
B2 part 2 |
SP |
56 lesson hours |
TBC |
22.02.2027 – 04.06.2027 |
|
Business English 1.2 (B1-B1+) - Business English course open to all, BECO Italian stream priority** |
B1 part 1 |
SP |
56 lesson hours |
TBC |
22.02.2027 – 04.06.2027 |
| Business English 2.2 (B2) - Business English course open to all, BECO Italian stream priority** | B2 part 1 | SP | 56 lesson hours | TBC | 22.02.2027 – 04.06.2027 |
| Business English 3.2 (B2+C1) - Business English course open to all, BECO English stream priority** | B2 part 2 | SP | 56 lesson hours | TBC | 22.02.2027 – 04.06.2027 |
|
General English B2+ part 2 - Course open to all |
B2+ part 1 |
SP |
56 lesson hours |
Mondays & Wednesdays 17:30-19:00 |
22.02.2027 – 02.06.2027 |
|
English language C1. Course open to all, priority Master students |
B2+ part 2 |
SP |
56 lesson hours |
Mondays & Wednesdays 17:30-19:00 |
22.02.2027 – 02.06.2027 |
|
English language and English-speaking cultures - Academic course. BCOM students, enrolment on GESTU. |
B2 part 2 |
SP |
56 lesson hours |
TBC |
22.02.2027 – 04.06.2027 |
*For BCOM students, the courses continue during the Spring Semester. Enrolment for English language courses is mandatory and is completed through the online registration form below. For other information, please contact Dr. Christopher Dawson, coordinator of the English language courses.
** For BECO students, the courses continue during the Spring Semester. Enrolment for English language courses is mandatory and is completed through the online registration form below. For other information, please contact Louise Bostock, English language lecturer.
ONLINE ENROLMENT:
Limited places available, please enrol only if seriously interested. All USI members registration is via the online registration form below:
Withdrawal
For a good course planning, it is very important to have precise data on the number of participants. In the event of an unexpected withdrawal, it is the candidate's responsibility to inform the administration before the start of the course by writing to [email protected]