English placement test

All students who enrol for the academic year 2021/2022, for one of the three-year or single-cycle courses are required to follow the rules below relating to the English language path and to carefully read the Guidelines published for administration of the English Placement Test 2020/2021.

Validation of certificates

Those in possession of approved certification do not have to take the English Placement Test and it is possible to obtain validation of certificates attesting to knowledge of the English language if the certification:

1. was issued by one of the following boards:
   • Cambridge ESOL (min. score 160): FCE (B2); CAE (C1); Proficiency (C2)
   • Cambridge ESOL (min. score 160): BEC Vantage (B2); BEC Higher (C1)
   • Cambridge IELTS (min. score 5.2/B2)
   • TOEFL Internet Based Test/iBT (min. score 60/B2)
   • TOEFL Paper Based Test/PBT (min. score 516/B2)
   • Trinity College ISE 2 (B2); ISE 3 (C1) (min. score 39/B2)
2. has been attained no more than two school years ago (i.e. starting from the fourth year of high school where the transition to high school / university has not been interrupted)
3. is of level B2 or higher, according the European Framework of Reference for language skills (QCER)
4. is presented, via e-mail to the Student Services Office of Alessandria (allegati.disit@uniupo.it), between10 January and 25 February 2022 using the forms:
   • Application for validation of credits
   • Receipt of payment online for virtual stamp duty of 16 Euro: the virtual stamp duty is uploaded to the Student Admin Office infobox  on request by student
   • Scanned copy of certificate

The administrative offices will register the certification and approve the English language qualification uploaded on the study plan.

If you do not have the certification upon enrolment, you must take the placement test according to the calendar prepared by the Departments. In the event that, by 30/4/2021, you obtain certification that fulfils the above points 1) and 3), you can ask for its recognition. This possibility is valid only for students who enrol in degree courses where a lack of knowledge of the English language does not generate Additional Educational Obligations (remedial credits).

Degree programmes that require an exam (with a mark out of thirty) will proceed with the conversion of the certification mark on the basis of the table below. The student who has requested validation cannot refuse the grade assigned on the basis of the conversion table.

English Placement Test

All students who do not have an English language certificate are required to take the English Placement Test.

The English Language Placement Test is an Oxford University Press computerised test to help determine the level of English proficiency of incoming students.

The test does not replace the English language exam, which must in any case be taken according to your own study plan and the instructions provided by your degree programme.

The test aims to verify the level of knowledge of the English language and, in the event that this level is equal to A1 or A2, involves the attendance of the basic course (20 hours) which offers a useful preparation for access to the English language teaching (50 hours).

The test lasts about 60 minutes and consists of:

• approx. 30 multiple choice or  gapfill questions to test your knowledge of vocabulary and grammar (Use of English)
• approx. 15 listening exercises of short passages with multiple choice questions to evaluate listening skills.

To obtain a grade, each activity / section must be completed.

Due to the current health crisis, students will take the placement test online, instead of at the University premises. We invite you to read carefully the technical information and visit the website Oxford University Press.