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Language courses for external users

The Laboratory of Modern Languages - USI's University language centre - 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.

 

Language courses offers
 

  • Intermediate, upper intermediate and advanced language courses (intensive pre-semester and semester-time) at CEFR level B1, B2 and C1 for Italian, French, German ane English languages.
  • 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.
  • Ancient languages: the Faculty of Theology of Lugano offers courses in ancient languages as part of its academic programs.

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.

 

Fees

Course format Fees
Pre-semester intensive courses (60 hrs) CHF 1'050
Semester-time courses (28+28 hrs) CHF 650
Semester-time courses (56 hrs) CHF 1'050

Pre-semester courses in preparation
for official certifications (60 hrs)

 CHF 1'500
Semester-time courses in preparation for
official certifications (28+28 hrs)		 CHF 850

 

 

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 thirty 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 QUESTIONS

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.

 

Check the FAQ 

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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 31.08.2026 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 31.01.2027 Lugano Campus

     

    Registration

    Online enrollment

     

    A confirmation email with the information, such as room number, will be sent to the participants a few days before the course begins.

  • 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

     

    Registration

     

    Online enrollment

     

    A confirmation email with the information, such as room number, will be sent to the participants a few days before the course begins.

  • 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

    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

     

    Registration
     

    Online enrollment

    A confirmation email with the information, such as room number, will be sent to the participants a few days before the course begins.

  • 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 lessons    		 B2.2* 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.

     

    Enrolment

     

    Online 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.
     

    • English language certificates

    The main English language British certifications recognized internationally are:
    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. For information on IELTS test dates and locations: IELTS Switzerland – dates and locations
    Cambridge English exams. For information on Cambridge test dates and locations: Cambridge Switzerland - dates and locations

     

    • 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.

     

  • 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]

     

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