French exam requirements, by faculty

To study at UNIGE, you generally need to have a B2 level in French. Depending on your situation, we may ask you to take a French exam. This exam may be eliminatory.

Who must take the French exam?

It depends on your situation and on the program you want to enroll in.

Check the list to know if you need to take the exam:
- See the exemptions list
Check if your faculty has any special requirements:
- See the specific cases by faculty.

How to prepare for the French exam

We explain how the exam works and how to prepare for it.

Practical details about the exam.

Specific cases by faculty

Some faculties or programs have specific requirements.

Faculty of Humanities

Bachelor of Arts or Complementary Studies (Bachelor of Arts):
- You must take the general exam and the complementary exam,
- Both tests are eliminatory.

Exception: both exams are for information only if you are applying for a bachelor's degree complement in German, English, Spanish, Italian, or Russian.

Geneva School of Economy and Management (GSEM)

Bachelor's degree:
- You must take the general exam,
- The test is eliminatory.

Exception: the exam is for information only if you graduated from a program (upper secondary education or accepted bachelor's degree) whose official medium of instruction is English or if you have a recognized English proficiency certificate (FR).

Important: if the exam is for information only, you will not be able to change your major.

Faculty of Translation and Interpreting

Bachelor's degree:
- You must take the general exam,
- The test is eliminatory.

Exception: no French exam if you pass the FTI French adminission exam.

École de langue et civilisation françaises (ELCF)

Diploma in French as a Foreign Language (DEFLE):
- You must take the general exam and the complementary exam,
- Both tests are eliminatory.

Exception: If you are a Swiss or Liechtenstein citizen, or if you have a Swiss or Liechtenstein upper secondary school diploma where the officiel medium of instruction is not French, you must take a free placement test (for information only) instead of both exams (general and complementary).