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Important information on the compulsory language test

2023-09-26 09:33:48


A change in the law last year means that language exams are no longer compulsory for graduation. However, universities have a legal obligation to ensure that students have acquired the relevant foreign language skills. Thus, in their case Corvinus students must prove their knowledge of a foreign language by passing a zero-credit criterion course. The subject is not credit bearing but requires that a language examination be taken at level B2 in the designated period, which represents half of the final examination.

The obligation to complete the foreign language requirement applies to students who started their studies in the semester 2021/2022/1 or later for bachelor’s and master’s programmes and in the semester 2022/2023/1 or later for split master’s programmes.

The course “IOK0332NABB Foreign Language Competence I.” must be taken in Neptun in the semester in which the student wishes to take the criterion course, but only if the student does not wish/is unable to take the option of substitution.

Applications for a substitution may be submitted in Neptun from 02.10.2023, 10.00, until 15.11.2023, 12.00 (Studies/Curriculum/”….” by clicking on the “+” sign at the end of the line next to the subject name). The submission is free, those who have already paid will receive a refund.

Please read the document on the link carefully for more detailed information and how to redeem the exam.

When can I subscribe and unsubscribe the course?

You can subscribe and unsubscribe the Foreign Language Competency Criterion course in Neptun in any active semester, but not earlier than the first semester of the academic year 2023/2024, between 02.10.2023 10:00 am and 22.10.2023 12:00 pm.

Can I take the course earlier than the semester specified in the model curriculum?

It is recommended to complete the foreign language competence subject from the fifth semester onwards for bachelor’s and master’s degree courses and from the first semester for split master’s degree courses. However, completion can be attempted during any active semester over the course of the programme: it is possible to be admitted earlier.

What is the name of the subject?

Foreign Language Competence I.

Who is covered by the new language requirements?

It applies to students starting their studies in the semester 2021/2022/1 or later for bachelor and master students and in the semester 2022/2023/1 or later for master students.

For students who started their bachelor and master courses before September 2021, what is the foreign language requirement?

According to a government decision, from 20 December 2022, no language examination will be required for the award of a diploma. Consequently, students who started their studies before September 2021 will not need to take a language examination or a language criterion test for the final examination.

If I enrolled in a bachelor’s degree course in September 2020 and changed to another bachelor’s degree course in September 2021, am I subject to the language proficiency test?

In the case of students who change courses, the semester of the beginning of the student’s enrolment (i.e. the semester of the beginning of the course before the change of course) is decisive, not the semester of the beginning of the course.

Which language can I take the exam in?

The University offers foreign language competence tests in the following languages: English, German, French, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese. Level: level B2 in a foreign language.

How can I prepare for the exam? Is there a subject that prepares me for it?

The Corvinus Centre for Foreign Language Teaching and Research (CILR) offers optional 3-credit professional language courses, depending on the entry level, to prepare you for the required professional language competence and for the sample subjects in a language other than the language of instruction.

What support does the University provide to prepare for the exam?

On most courses, foreign language can be taken as a 2×2 weekly elective, free of charge and with a fee, and by taking courses in a foreign language other than the language of the course.

Where can I find a sample assignment?

The IOC will publish the exact examination requirements and the rules for administering the exams from mid-October.

What will the exam consist of?

The foreign language competences criterion test will consist of written (reading literacy, writing fluency) and oral (speaking fluency, listening comprehension) sections.

What percentage must pass the exam to be successful?

The weighting of the assessment units within the overall examination is: reading: 25%, writing: 25% speaking: 35%, listening: 15%. The pass mark is an overall average of 60%, with a minimum of four units of measurement. Within this, the pass mark for each of the four assessment areas is at least 60%, and within this, 40% for each of the four assessment areas. The foreign language competence I can be taken according to the same examination rules as the other examinations under the TVSZ. The examination arrangements for this subject are set out in the subject programme.

What can I do to take the exam?

1) A state-recognised language examination at level B2 in a foreign language other than the language of instruction of the student’s course and/or an equivalent higher-level qualification and/or a state-recognised general language examination at level C1 in a foreign language other than the language of instruction of the student’s course.

– Proof of these must be provided in the form of a language examination certificate and/or diploma.

2) Completion of studies in a foreign language other than the language of instruction of the student’s course of study in a foreign part of a joint degree programme or a double degree programme, but with at least twenty-one (21) credits in the relevant language.

– These must be supported by a transcript or other evidence of completion.

3) In a foreign language other than the language of instruction of the student’s training, with at least four (4) weeks of work experience abroad, where the language was used as the working language during the work experience.

– Proof of these must be submitted: a certificate of completion.

4) The student has completed at least thirty (30) credits in the curriculum in a foreign language other than the language of instruction of the student’s training during the course in question, in which case

– the proof is based on Neptun data (e.g. DSG German language courses in Hungarian or English)

5) By submitting a TDK thesis written in a foreign language other than the language of instruction of the student’s course, if the student has passed the oral round and has presented his/her results orally in the foreign language (other than the language of instruction of the student’s course).

– These must be accompanied by a certificate of participation in the competition.

6) Participation in a non-international academic or professional competition in a foreign language other than the language of instruction of the student’s course, provided that the student has presented his/her results orally and in writing in the foreign language (other than the language of instruction of the student’s course).

– These must be accompanied by: a certificate of participation in the competition.

What is a foreign language?

In Hungary, all living languages other than Hungarian are foreign languages.

If I am a native Hungarian speaker enrolled in an English-language course, can I take the exam with a course in Hungarian?

No, because it is not a foreign language in Hungary.

If I am a native German-speaking student enrolled in an English-language course, can I take the exam with a Hungarian-language course or a Hungarian-language language exam?

No, because any language other than the official language of Hungary is considered a foreign language. Hungarian is not regarded as a foreign language.

If I am a native German-speaking student enrolled in an English language course, can I take the exam with a course in German?

Yes, where the language criteria exam is required, it can be substituted by a subject in German, as German is a foreign language in Hungary.

Where and to whom should I submit the supporting documents?

In Neptun (Studies/Matric Curriculum/”….” After selecting the curriculum, click on the “+” sign at the end of the line next to the subject name) and attach the supporting documents.

If I am a Hungarian major in English, but I write my TDK thesis in Hungarian, can I use it to replace the exam?

No, because Hungarian is not a foreign language in Hungary.

Are there differences in the requirements between the different courses, why?

The language requirements are set out in the Training and Exit Requirements for each course. You will find this at the beginning of the Training Programme.

When I started university was this not in the training requirements, does the university have the right to change this?

Article 49/A * The higher education institution shall provide for the teaching of foreign language skills necessary for the attainment of the professional qualification for the given degree course, and shall ensure, as part of the curriculum, the conditions for the student to acquire the foreign language skills necessary for the attainment of the professional qualification for the given degree course, as specified in the curriculum. The higher education institution shall, as part of the curriculum, provide the student with the opportunity to be assessed and to be assessed on the acquisition of foreign language skills. The higher education institution may specify in the curriculum a state-recognised language examination or other language proficiency test that may be accepted as foreign language proficiency.

Why is the university introducing this now and why not in an ascending order?

This was not decided by the University either, it was also decided by the National Higher Education Act (see above).

How do we interpret the foreign language in Hungarian language courses in the case of Hungarian students from outside the country, nationality students?

In Hungary, a foreign language is any living language other than Hungarian.

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