Preparation for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

This examination provides proof of your competence in using English in an academic context. It is widely recognised by universities and institutions around the world, notably in the UK, Australia, New-Zealand and the USA.

The examination is held in Bern once a month. It takes one day. Your results are sent to you within 2 weeks.

Learning outcomes

Answer questions about everyday topics; give a short talk on a specific subject; participate in a discussion on subjects of general interest
Understand the gist, details, attitudes and opinions in dialogues and talks in social, academic and professional domains, when standard language is used
Understand opinions, attitudes and the connections between ideas in written texts of a certain length in a general academic context
Write a formal description of a graph, table or other diagram
Write a well-structured essay of a certain length in a general academic context

This test shows your current level of English. The certificate you obtain has a limited validity (2 years).

►New: To allow students to sit the examination in December, te Centre de langues is offering a semi-intensive course in the Autumn semester (see below).

IELTS semestre
Semi-intensive IELTS (autumn)

IELTS semestre

Practical information



Pre-registration dates and deadlines		All information

Required level	B2 to C1	Level descriptor
Structure of the module (per week)	> Group	2 periods
	> Multimedia centre (EMA)*	1 period

Timetable	Fixed according to the availability of the participants	All information
Fees	Language Center courses are only for members of the UNIL community (with a few exceptions)	All information

Semi-intensive IELTS (autumn)

To allow students to sit the examination in December, the Cdl is offering a semi-intensive course in the Autumn semester. It involves:

Group:
- 2 periods/week over 10 weeks, ending at the end of November (schedules will be fixed according to availbility)
- 6 periods on Saturday October 12 (9h00-15h00) - mandatory
12 free-access sessions at the multimedia centre during the 10-week course (several slots are available)

Do NOT sign up for this course if you cannot come on Saturday October 12, 2024 !

This course carries 3 credits, as long as you satisfy the same conditions as in a "normal" semester course (see >).

Practical information



Preinscription dates and deadlines		All information

Required level	B2 to C1	Level descriptor
Structure of the module (per week)	> Group	2 periods/week during 10 weeks
	> Group	Saturday October 12, 2024 (9:00-15:00)
	> Multimedia centre (EMA)*	12 periods during the 10 weeks of the course

Timetable	Fixed according to the availability of the participants except for Saturday October 12	All information
Fees	Centre de langues courses are only for members of the UNIL community (with a few exceptions)	All information

*When indicated, the multimedia space for independent learning (EMA) is an integrated part of the course. It can be “online inscription” or “free access” (details)

You need to pay to take this examination and to sign up yourself (external examination with no connection to the Cdl)