Students must take a placement test before starting their studies. There are a few things to bear in mind here.

Have you successfully passed the written school-leaving examination in French, Italian or Spanish?
If you have successfully passed the written school-leaving examination in French, Italian or Spanish within the last 2 years, you do not have to take the placement test. You will automatically be admitted to the SA1 courses. In this case, please send your school-leaving certificate to the person responsible for your chosen language in the language training department ("language training coordinator"). Important: You must also present the original certificate at the first course session.

Have you not taken the written school-leaving examination in French, Italian or Spanish at all, not successfully or not in the last two years or do you have a low language level?
If you have not taken the written school-leaving examination for French, Italian or Spanish or if your school-leaving examination was more than two years ago, you must take the placement test for French, Italian or Spanish.

If you know that your knowledge of the target language is lower than level A2 according to the CEFR, it is not advisable to take the placement test. In this case, you should attend a preparatory language course for Romance studies at Treffpunkt Sprachen.

Further information can be found on the homepage of treffpunkt sprachen (Johann-Fux-Gasse, 30/1st floor)
For Italian, language courses at the Dante Alighieri are also recommended as an alternative.

Where does the placement test take place?
University of Graz, University Center Wall, 3rd floor, seminar rooms and on the ground floor in one of the computer rooms (see registration confirmation)

How long does the test take?
1 - 1 ½ hours

Is the placement test written or oral?
The placement test consists of a written examination

What are the requirements for the placement test?
You can find a detailed description of the requirements here:
Requirements for Italian 
Requirements French
Requirements Spanish

I am busy on the day of the placement test/missed the deadline for the placement test. Can I take the test later?
The date is chosen so that you can still register for the respective courses of SA1 or Treffpunkt Sprachen. Therefore, there are no later alternative dates. In exceptional cases, such as illness, please contact the coordinator for French/Italian/Spanish language training with a doctor's certificate or confirmation from the Studies and Examinations Department. The coordinator can decide on an exception, but there is no guarantee for a place in the desired courses.

Validity of the placement test
The placement test is valid for a maximum of 2 semesters after completion. If you do not start the courses immediately, please contact the responsible coordinator before the start of the semester.

Which preparatory language courses/diplomas replace the placement test?
The placement test can only be replaced by the following language courses/diplomas:

• Diploma in French: DELF (from level A2 upwards, not older than two years) (Please send the certificate via e-mail to the responsible coordinator of the French language).
• Diplomas in Italian: CELI (Università di Perugia) CILS (Università di Siena) ROMA 3 (Università La Sapienza di Roma 3) PLIDA (Dante Alighieri e Università La Sapienza di Roma) in each case from level A2 upwards, not older than two years (Please send the certificate by e-mail to the coordinator responsible for the Italian language).
• Diploma in Spanish: DELE (from level A2 upwards, not older than two years) (Please send the certificate via e-mail to the responsible coordinator of the Spanish language).

I have taken part in language courses for Italian/Spanish/French at Treffpunkt Sprachen. Do I have to take the placement test?
Yes. The courses at Treffpunkt Sprachen cannot replace the placement test.

I have studied French/Italian/Spanish at my school (two, four, six etc. years). Do I have to take the test?
For all first-year students who can prove a B1 level (written) for their chosen subject (French, Italian, Spanish) not older than two years with a corresponding Matura grade, there is no obligation to take the test - they are automatically admitted to SA 1. Please send your Matura certificate (level B1, written) to the responsible language training coordinator. Anyone without the relevant certificate must, of course, take the test. All certificates must be presented in the original during the first course session.

I am an ERASMUS student from another EU country. Do I have to take the placement test?
As an ERASMUS student, you have the right to take part in any language training courses. However, it is recommended that these correspond to your knowledge and skills. Please contact the coordinator responsible for language training for a consultation.

I am a first language speaker of French/Italian/Spanish. Do I have to take the placement test?
Please contact the chairperson of the curriculum committee responsible for you to discuss the possibility of course recognition.

I come from the Department of Translation Studies and I studied French/Italian/Spanish there. Do I need the test?

• a. If you did not pass the overall examination at the end of the 1st year of study, you must take the placement test.

• b. If you have passed the final examination at the end of the 1st year of study, you do not need to take the test. In this case, please send your certificates to the responsible language training coordinator.

I come from another university where I studied French/Italian/Spanish. Do I have to take the test?
Please contact the chairperson of the Curricula Commission for course recognition.

I have already attended SA1 courses but have not passed successfully. Do I have to take the placement test again?
No. You have the right to repeat the course in question. Please contact the course instructor concerned in Question and, if necessary, send them the negative certificate.

When do I find out the test result?
You will normally find out the result on the same day.

How many free study places and applicants are there per year?
There is no limit to the number of places available. The placement test only serves to ensure that students have at least A2 level proficiency in the target language. However, there is a maximum number of participants in courses with continoous assessment (language courses, proseminars, etc.) in order to ensure the quality of teaching. You can find more detailed information on this in the respective curriculum.

Can I still take some courses if I have not taken/failed the placement test?
You can start studying Romance Studies even if you have not passed the placement test. However, you cannot enter the first level of  language training (SA 1) directly, but must first reach level A2 (e.g. through the preparatory language courses at Treffpunkt Sprachen).

Do I have to wait for the test result before I can enrol?
No. You can enrol for French/Italian/Spanish beforehand. It is important to register for the desired SA 1 courses on UniOnline. The system will then put you on the waiting list. However, you will only get a fixed place in the language course after a positive test result.

When does the next placement test take place?
The placement test takes place before the start of each semester, in September and February.

How and by when do I register for courses at Treffpunkt Sprachen?
For questions regarding Treffpunkt Sprachen, please contact treffpunkt sprachen, Johann-Fux-Gasse, 30/1st floor)
Italian courses can be booked at Dante Alighieri.

Which literature is recommended?
French
Grammaire progressive - Niveau débutant - Klett publishing (German edition)
Die große Lerngrammatik Französisch - Hueber publishing

Italian
Universitalia A1/A2 - Corso di italiano Bd. 1 A1/A2- Klett publishing
Grammatica di base dell'italiano, Klett publishing
Nuova grammatica pratica della lingua italiana (ALMA Edizioni)
Verb table Langenscheidt Italian textbooks for Austrian schools, level A1 + A2

Spanish
Gramática básica del estudiante de español, Klett publishing
Perspectivas contigo level A2, Cornelsen publishing
Estudiantes .ELE.A2, Klett publishing 
Universo.ELE .A2, Hueber publishing

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