Frequently Asked Questions – English for Law
Questions about the Legal Language Course Requirement
Do I need to take an English for Law course?
Section 9 of the Law Faculty’s regulations (Studienordnung) requires law students to take a legal language course. English is the most popular legal language at the University of Potsdam. However, there might be the possibility to take legal French, Russian or Spanish at Potsdam or other legal languages at other universities.
If you need further advice, contact one of the English for Law teachers at Zessko.
Which English course fulfils the requirements of my law degree?
A UNIcert II/2 English for Law course or a UNIcert III/1 English for Law course fulfils the requirements of your law degree. Attending 80% of the classes and passing an end-of-course test are required. These courses are offered every semester.
Questions about Taking the Placement Test
What is the placement test?
To register for an English course at the University of Potsdam, you first need to take a placement test. The result of this test determines your level of English and corresponds to a particular course level that best matches your abilities.
When and how do I register for the placement test?
It is best to take the placement test in your first semester.
First-semester law students can take the placement test a few weeks into the winter semester. To receive information about the exact date and the link and password that will take you to the online test, sign up to the relevant information list for law students. If you are on the information list, you will receive all the details you need via email about a week before the placement test dates. Further information can be found on the Zessko website.
Law students in higher semesters who miss the placement test in their first semester can take it in a later semester. To receive information about the exact date and the link and password that will take you to the online test, sign up to the information list for law students. If you are on the information list, you will receive all the details you need via email about a week before the placement test dates. Further information can be found on theZessko website.
Where does the placement test take place and what do I need to take it?
The placement test takes place online via the Moodle platform.
You will need: your university email address and password; a desktop computer or a laptop or a tablet with a keyboard (not a phone or a tablet with no keyboard!); and a stable internet connection.
How long is the placement test open for and how long does it take to complete the placement test?
The placement test will be open on two consecutive days for approximately 8 hours on each day. The placement test can be taken on one of these days during the time it is open and it takes approximately 40 minutes to complete.
How can I prepare for the placement test?
The placement test assesses your current level of English so it is not necessary to prepare for this test. To familiarise yourself with the question format as well as the content and the level of the test, however, you are strongly recommended to take a practice placement test. This practice test is available on the same Moodle at the same times that the “real” placement test is available. You can take the practice test twice.
What does the placement test involve?
See the Zessko website for information about what the placement test involves.
How many times may I take the placement test?
You may take the placement test once.
What can I do if I have technical difficulties while taking the placement test?
The contact details of the person you can contact if you have technical difficulties while taking the placement test will be provided in the email you receive the week before the placement test if you have signed up for the information list.
Questions about the Results of the Placement Test
When will I receive my placement test result?
You will see your result on Moodle once you have completed the placement test. The result will then be entered into the PULS platform, and you will be able to see it there within a few days.
What does my placement test result mean?
Your placement test result determines which English course you will take. See the Zessko English for Law website for further information.
What can I do if I get fewer than 50 points on the placement test?
If you improve your English by taking an English course (60 teaching units / Unterrichtseinheiten (UE)) at a language school (such as the Volkshochschule or a private language school) outside of the university or study overseas in English, you may repeat the placement test.
While the law faculty regulations require that you take a legal language course, it is possible to take this course in a language other than English. You could take legal French, Russian or Spanish at Potsdam. However, there might be the possibility to take legal French, Russian or Spanish at Potsdam or other legal languages at other universities.
If you need further advice, contact one of the English for Law teachers at Zessko.
I passed the placement test and got between 50 and 54 points so I did not get enough points to take an English for Law course. What now?
Take the “UNIcert II/1 English for Academic Purposes” course. Once you have passed this course, you will automatically be able to register for a “UNIcert II/2 English for Law” course in the following semester or later.
Questions about English for Law Courses: When & How?
When should I take an English for Law course?
Preferably in the 3rd, 4th or 5th semester. Taking it in the 2nd semester is possible, as is taking it in the 6th semester or later. You have to complete a legal language course before you register for your Schwerpunktbereichsprüfung.
How can I register for an English for Law course?
You need to register for an English for Law course via the PULS platform. You will find out which course you need to register for once you have your placement test result.
Further information about how to register for an English for Law course is available on the Zessko English for Law website.
When I register for an English for Law course on PULS, should I select Fremdsprache I or Fremdsprache II?
If you have already taken a language course at Zessko, please select Fremdsprache II. If you have not taken a language course at Zessko before, please select Fremdsprache I.
I have further questions about the registration procedure. What can I do?
If you cannot find an answer on the website, please get in touch with an English for Law teacher or with the Office of Student and Academic Affairs at Zessko Griebnitzsee Campus.
Questions about Tests, Exams & Certificates
What do I need to do to pass an English for Law course?
For UNIcert II/2 and UNIcert III/1 courses, you are required to attend 80% of classes and pass an end-of-course test.
When will I get the result of my end-of-course test for a UNIcert II/2 or UNIcert III/1 course?
The result of your end-of-course test will be transferred to the Studienbüro at the Law Faculty and will also be available on PULS before the start of the following semester.
If I pass the end-of-course English for Law test, will I receive a UNIcert certificate?
You will not receive a UNIcert certificate for the II/2 and III/1 courses because these courses do not prepare students for any certificate exams.
A UNIcert III certificate will be awarded to those who complete a III/2 English for Law course and pass the UNIcert III English for Law exams, which corresponds to the CEFR’s C1 level. The III/2 level course can be taken by students who have passed a level III/1 course.
What Can I Do if I Have Further Questions?
I have further questions about English for Law courses at the University of Potsdam. What can I do?
If you cannot find an answer on the website, please get in touch with the Office of Student and Academic Affairs at Zessko Griebnitzsee Campus or with an English for Law teacher.