DELF DALF exams for French as a foreign language

DELF DALF, the international certificates for French

Tha Laboratory of Modern Languages of USI Università della Svizzera italiana collaborates with the DELF DALF Grigioni and Ticino Examination Centre. The DELF (Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française) and the DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française) are French language official certificates for people whose mother tongue is not French.

The difference between DELF and DALF lies in the language levels. DELF assesses language levels from A1 to B2, while DALF assesses language levels C1 and C2. The DELF DALF certificate confirms proficiency in the four language skills.

Who are we? The Laboratory of Modern Languages is USI's language centre

Laboratory of Modern Languages

Team Laboratory of Modern Languages

What is the purpose of an official DELF or DALF certificate?

A DELF or DALF certificate is important and beneficial for many reasons:

• A DELF or DALF certificate serves as an international language certificate for French and is recognised worldwide;
• French is one of Switzerland's four national languages;
• Multilingualism is fundamental in Switzerland;
• A good knowledge of French broadens your study and career opportunities in Switzerland and abroad;
• An officially recognised certificate is a requirement for admission to universities in French-speaking Switzerland and other French-speaking countries such as France, Belgium and Canada;
• It is a requirement for university mobility programmes;
• A good knowledge of French is essential for professional integration not only in French-speaking cantons but throughout Switzerland. For example, the Federal Act on Medical Professions (LPMed) requires all future doctors to have the necessary language skills to practise their profession.

General French language courses and course in preparation for the DELF DALF B2 exam

For USI members - free courses

For USI Alumni and students of other Swiss universities - fee-based courses

For external users - fee-based courses

USI French language lecturers

Anne Criblez

DELF DALF exams in the canton of Ticino. Where and when

In the Canton of Ticino, DELF DALF examinations are held four times a year.

• In Bellinzona, at the SCC Cantonal School of Commerce Bellinzona, in March, June and November. Levels: from A2 until C1. Detailed information is available in the Examination Centres website.
• In Lugano, at the Università della Svizzera italiana, in September. Levels: from A1 until C2. Detailed information is available in the Examination Centres website.

September session at Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano Campus

• The September session is open to anyone interested in taking the examination; even individuals who are not enrolled at the University may register;
• Date of DALF C2 examination: Friday 18 September 2026;
• Date exams from level A1 until C1: Saturday 19 September 2026;
• Deadline for registering for the September exam session in Lugano: Friday 7 August 2026*
• The DELF DALF examination for each level will only be held if a minimum number of 5 candidates is reached. If this number is not reached, the DELF DALF Examination Centre will cancel the examination. Candidates will however have the opportunity to take the November exam session in Bellinzona at no additional cost, but only from level A2 to level C1. Examination sessions for the A1 and C2 levels will no longer be offered in the Canton of Ticino; however, these certifications will remain available through the corresponding examination sessions organized in other cantons;
• Exams are subject to a fee and the rates applied are fixed, as established by the official examination centre. For further information, please consult the website below;
• Exam registrations must be made exclusively via the official DELF DALF website. Registrations sent via other channels will not be considered;
• Contacts DELF DALF Grigioni and Ticino Examination Centre.

*It will still be possible to register after the national deadline until 14 August 2026, subject to a fee of CHF 50.00 to cover the additional costs associated with late registration.

2026 Exam sesssions in Switzerland

• DELF DALF 2026 exam calendar in Switzerland