We offer preparation courses for the following international exams. The focus of the courses is to familiarize you with the exam format, show you what the examiners are looking for, and give you an opportunity to practice the exam tasks. (NB: We are not an examination center. You will have to register for the exam with an external exam center):
- TOEFL: 7-week semester course. Choose a course starting in semester week 1 or semester week 8
- IELTS: 7-week semester course
- Cambridge C1 Advanced: 14-week semester course
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency: 14-week semester course
In general, TOEFL and IELTS are useful for exchange semesters. Your test results for TOEFL and IELTS are valid for 2 years. Many international universities also accept Cambridge exams; these are also useful if you’re applying for a job in Switzerland.
To choose which exam is best for you, consider these points:
- The English language requirements for exchange students differ from university to university. If you need an English language exam for an exchange semester, check your host university’s requirements first. They specify which exam(s) they accept and the scores you need to obtain.
- If you can’t decide between IELTS and TOEFL, read our comparison of the two exams here (PDF, 187 KB).
- If you don’t know which Cambridge exam to take, you can check your language level first by doing a Dialang test.
- If you don’t have time to take a preparation course, the Self-Access Center has a range of books and practice materials for these exams. We also offer TOEFL and IELTS coaching.
- If you have more questions, you can register for a learning consultation at the Language Center (englisch@sprachen.uzh.ch) or at the Self-Access Center.
Links to official test sites:
TOEFL: https://www.ets.org/toefl/
IELTS: https://www.ielts.org/
Cambridge exams (Switzerland): https://cambridge-exams.ch/
