General considerations for the English requirement
In relation to mastering a foreign language, the English language in this
case, UPC establishes the following requirements for its students and future
graduate students:
- UPC considers five levels for the English language. You can complete each level in an academic term if you choose to study English at the University.
- When you have obtained 110 credits, you should have at least passed the third level of English. If you don't meet this requirement, you will not be able to enroll in the next following regular academic term, and you will be denied the possibility to enroll until you have fulfilled this requirement.
- In order to complete your academic program and graduate, you must have had passed the fifth level of English.
How to meet this requirement
You can meet the language requirement in three ways:
- Take the English placement tests. Each test defines a language knowledge level. Thus, the results of these tests may place you in the Remedial 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 level or determine that you are exempted. You can take these tests at different times during your studies. In this way, you will be able to improve your knowledge of the English language at a language institute of your preference, and when you consider you have improved, you may sign up for a new English placement test. If the placement test result shows that the knowledge level has lowered—for example, from the 3rd to the 2nd level—your records will show this result until you improve your level again. You can only take one test per academic term.
- Enroll in the University's English courses. UPC offers English courses for each level. Thus, for example, if you enroll in English 2 and you pass that course, you will be promoted to level 3. Each level entails studying an academic term. For the special intensive-course case (levels 4 and 5), each level lasts half an academic term. This means that the intensive course comprises two levels in just one academic term. English course enrollment is done during the regular enrollment process, according to the calendar established by the Registrar's Office. Each English course costs S/. 870. This fee includes the access code for the online material.
- Validation Options
- Validate your English level with an international certificate. If you own an international certificate not older than two years, you can upload it to the Intranet during the scheduled dates in order to apply for a validation and be exempted from the English language requirement. These certificates may be the IB, TOEFL, IGCSE, First Certificate (FCE), ECCE, ECPE, IELTS, MET and TOEIC (check the English Requirement section for minimum scores).
- Validate your English level with certificates from local institutes. You can complete the intermediate level of one of the following institutes: The Peruvian North American Cultural Institute (ICPNA), the British-Peruvian Cultural Association, the language learning center of Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. You can also complete the advanced level of Euroidiomas. You can apply for a validation on the Intranet by uploading as an attachment a certificate not older than two years from any of the institutes mentioned above.
- Successfully complete one of the English programs organized by institutes or universities belonging to the Laureate network. Validation is subject to evaluation by the English department.
How to take the English placement test
- This test is free-of-charge the first time, and it may be taken several times during your studies, one time per academic term.
- If you are enrolled in one of the English courses, you cannot take these tests.
- To take these tests, you must sign up through the Intranet. For that purpose, you must choose the test date and time when signing up for it.
- Incoming students can only take this test once they have a Student I.D. number assigned. That means as of the first academic term. From that point forward, all regulations mentioned above apply for any regular student.
- For more information regarding the English placement test, click HERE.
How to validate your English level with a certificate
- Attach the scanned certificate to the service application in the Intranet during the scheduled dates (see attached table).
- The certificate must not be older than two years since the last passed course or test.
- Incoming students that don't have a Student's I.D. number yet won't be able to follow this procedure until they get a code to access the Intranet.
- Document submission dates are updated each term.
Institutes and courses required for the exemption from English 3 (basic level) with certificates
|
Type of certificate or institution |
Minimum level or score required |
|
The Peruvian North American Cultural Institute (ICPNA, Lima) |
Intermediate (4 terms) |
|
The British-Peruvian Cultural Association |
Intermediate (4 terms) |
|
Language Learning Center of Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú |
Intermediate (4 terms) |
|
Euroidiomas |
Intermediate (6 terms) |
Tests, institutes and scores required for the exemption from English 5 (intermediate level) with certificates
|
Certificate or institution |
Minimum level or score required |
|
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) |
A score of 543 (ITP) or 79 (IBT) |
|
International Baccalaureate (IB) |
4 |
|
International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) |
C |
|
First Certificate in English (FCE) |
C |
|
Examination for the Certificate of Competence in English (ECCE) |
Passing grade |
|
Examination for the Certificate of Competence in English (ECCE) |
Passing grade |
|
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) |
6 |
|
Michigan English Test (MET) |
126 (final score) |
|
TOEIC |
700 (total score) |
|
The Peruvian North American Cultural Institute (ICPNA, Lima) |
Completion of the intermediate level |
|
The British-Peruvian Cultural Association |
Completion of the intermediate level |
|
The Language Learning Center of Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú |
Completion of the intermediate level |
|
Euroidiomas |
Completion of the advanced level |
2016 INTRANET VALIDATION PROCESS CALENDAR
|
English level validation |
|
|
Intranet process date |
Date when validation is available on the Intranet |
|
From July 25 to August 1 |
August 5 |
|
From August 22 to September 2 |
September 9 |
|
From September 19 to September 30 |
October 7 |
|
From October 24 to November 4 |
November 11 |
|
From November 21 to December 2 |
December 9 |
UPC English course cost
UPC’s English courses have an additional cost that is charged in installments from the second
tuition payment in each term, once the enrollment has been completed. The course fee includes the
access pin number for the online material.
As of 2016-2, the English courses for CA and the Working Adult Program (EPE) will cost S/ 870 per
level (course). Withdrawing from the English course does not imply payment cancellation or
suspension.
English Coordinators
Luis Sandoval Diez ([email protected])
Sandra Silva Santisteban ([email protected])
Olga del Pino ([email protected])
