Languages

The Bachelor in Communication offers a wide range of language courses, divided into two categories: practical courses and academic courses.

Italian – The Bachelor programme is taught primarily in Italian. Intensive pre-semester courses and semester-long courses are offered to improve both written and spoken Italian. International students and non-Italian speakers must provide a B2 certificate in order to enrol in the programme.

English – A minimum of an advanced B2 CEFR level in English is required. To make up for any potential shortfall, practical courses are offered, which also allow students to take examinations leading to internationally recognised certificates (e.g. IELTS and Cambridge). The entry level is assessed through a placement test, which makes it possible to form groups with similar language skills. Those who hold an international certification corresponding to Advanced B2 level or higher, obtained no more than three years ago, are exempt from the requirement to make up the educational shortfall. Exemption also applies to those who hold a secondary school leaving diploma or a university degree awarded by an English-speaking country.
The recognised international certificates (valid if obtained within the last three years) are:

• IELTS Band 6.5 or higher

• Cambridge First Certificate (FCE) with grade A or B

• Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) with grade A, B or C

• Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE)

Students holding one of these certificates can obtain exemption by uploading the certificate via this link.

French and German – Bachelor students may earn ECTS credits by attending skills courses in French and/or German. The initial level is assessed by means of a placement test, which ensures that each student is directed to the most suitable course.

• Students specialising in Culture and Communication Technologies may attend skills courses in French and/or German for up to 9 ECTS*.

• Students specialising in Media Studies and Journalism and Business, Markets and Society may earn up to 6 ECTS through skills courses in the same languages.

French, German and English language courses are divided into 3-ECTS modules (a one-semester language course corresponds to one module, which awards 3 ECTS upon successful completion of the final exam). The modules offered range from A1 to C1 level, and each USI module corresponds to half a CEFR level. Students are required to complete one language module of their choice (French or German at any level, Wirtschaftsdeutsch B2+, or English C1.1 or C1.2) and pass the final exam, in order for the module to be recognised as 3 ECTS in skills.

Students wishing to take an exam for an international certification (e.g. Goethe-Zertifikat) should therefore attend two consecutive modules of the same USI course (i.e. two courses over two consecutive semesters), which together correspond to a full CEFR level (for instance, B1.1 and B1.2 in order to complete the full B1 level of the CEFR).

Elective course – In the third year, Bachelor students may also take the elective course English Language and English-speaking Cultures (worth 3 ECTS). Access to this course requires a B2 level of English in line with the CEFR.

It is important to note that language courses are always open to all students wishing to learn a new language or improve their proficiency. For those who meet the required attendance rate and successfully pass the final exam, all language courses lead to a certificate of attendance.

* Students enrolled in the Culture and Communication Technologies specialisation by the academic year 2024–2025 (inclusive) must obtain 3 ECTS through practical (skills) courses in French or German.

Exemptions apply to students who:

• hold an international certificate proving B2 level or higher in the respective language; or

• hold a secondary school or university diploma issued in a French- or German-speaking country/canton.

In both cases, the exemption concerns the study requirement, but does not grant ECTS credits. The required credits (3 ECTS) must therefore be earned through other skills courses — preferably, but not necessarily, practical courses in a language the student does not know or wishes to improve.

The initial language level is verified by means of a placement test, which ensures that each student is directed to the most appropriate course.

Recognised language certificates for exemption:

• German: ÖSD Zertifikat B2; telc Deutsch B2; Goethe-Zertifikat B2

• French: DELF B2 or higher (e.g. DALF C1)

Students specialising in Culture and Communication Technologies may also attend additional language courses up to a maximum of 9 ECTS in total, i.e. two further courses of 3 ECTS each.