Foundation Program

Strengthen Your English Foundations for Your University Studies

The University of New York in Prague (UNYP) teaches entirely in English and requires strong English skills for success in degree programs and classroom participation. The Foundation Program helps students improve their English to qualify for degree programs, and credits from ESL Level 2 can count toward a UNYP bachelor’s degree.

Bachelor’s applicants scoring 49–69 out of 120 on UNYP’s English test (or an equivalent approved test) and meeting other criteria may conditionally enter the Foundation Program.

Students are placed in one of three Foundation Program levels based on scores from TOEFL, UNYP’s test, or other approved assessments.

Foundation Program Options

ESL Level 1

Duration: 1 semester
Weekly hours: 15 (6 grammar, 6 reading/writing, 3 listening)
External work: 45 hours/week
University course access: None
Grade: Pass/Fail (final exam)

ESL Level 2

Duration: 1 semester
Weekly hours: 9 (3 grammar, 3 reading/writing, 3 listening)
External work: 27 hours/week
University course access: Limited (3–4 semester credits from:
- Introduction to University Studies (1 credit / 2 ECTS)
- Computers and Applications (2 credits / 4 ECTS))
Progression: Full admission with 72+ on final exam
Grade: Pass/Fail (final exam)

Progression Chart

IBT	CBT	Other tests	Placement
69–71	196 – 200	TOEIC 605‐680 Czech Maturita English Leaving Exam 2 FCE C + diagnostic essay**	English Composition Skills
57 – 68	173	IELTS 5.0 or 5.5 TOEIC 500 ‐ 680 Czech Maturita English Leaving Exam 3 EIKEN TEST Pre‐2, 2 (CEFR B1, A2)	ESL 2 + English Composition Skills (strongly recommended)
49 – 56	152	IELTS 4.5 (also based on entrance interview and essay result if required) TOEIC 405‐500	ESL 1
Below 49	Below 152	Below IELTS 4.5 or TOEIC 405	Placement

The scores listed are approximate; additional diagnostic tests are required for accurate placement.

All students must write an entrance essay to determine whether they need extra writing support, such as English Composition Skills.

The exams listed are not exhaustive. With approval from the Director of Academic Writing, the Registrar, and the Rector, other results may be accepted.

Foundation Program students must get approval from the Foundation Program Advisor or the Rector before retaking UNYP’s institutional English language test through Admissions. ESL 1 and 2 courses may be combined depending on enrollment.

Foundation instructors or Admissions will administer UNYP’s institutional English test and/or the official TOEFL during the final exam period. The Registrar’s Office will use the results to pre-register or adjust course placements for the next semester.

If a student completes the Foundation Program but isn’t ready for Composition I, they will be placed in English Composition Skills. Pre-composition students can access UNYP degree programs, but English Composition Skills do not count toward degree credit.

Students who do not advance after two semesters or fail to qualify as full-time degree-seeking students after three semesters will be dismissed from UNYP.

The UNYP attendance policy applies to the Foundation Program. Students who exceed the limit for unexcused absences in any course will receive an “F” and be removed from the program for that semester. They may re-enroll at the same level the following term.