French exam conditions

The tests

The French exam consists of 2 tests:

  • The general exam: required for most programs;
  • The written complementary exam: required for the Faculty of Humanities and the École de langue et civilisation françaises (ELCF).
How are you notified of the French exam?

You are notified by e-mail through your application decision (for your enrollment, re-enrollment, change of faculty or 2nd faculty application).

  • This information is also available on the UNIGE Application Portal.
  • You will find: the date, time and location of the exam, and information on how to pay the exam registration fee.
What are the dates of the French exam?
  • For the Fall semester: end of August or beginning of September;
  • For the Spring semester: end of January or beginning of February.
What are the registration fees for the French exam?

You must pay CHF 100 to register for the French exam. You can pay on the UNIGE Application Portal.

How to get an exemption from the French exam?

You can provide us with a diploma or document as an exemption from the French exam, even after your re-enrollment has been accepted. This means you can still be exempted from the exam.

Upload your documents on the UNIGE Application Portal.

How to prepare for the French exam?

To practice, view examples (FR) of past French exams (general or complementary).

When will you get the results of the French exam?

You will get the results a few days after the exam.

  • If you pass the exam, it is valid for 4 years.
  • Depending on your result, you you may be admitted to the preparatory year (Année propédeutique) or Diploma as French as a Foreign Language (DEFLE) – stream A. In that case, you will have to successfully complete these programs to continue your studies at UNIGE.
  • If you fail the exam (including the enrollment to the preparatory year or to the DEFLE – stream A), you must retake it. You cannot retake the exam for the same semester.
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