Each foreign language department has its own rules for level placement. Select a language below to determine your appropriate placement or exemption:
Contact the corresponding Foreign Language Coordinator with any further questions. International College-Level Exams Credit, including IB, can also affect placement.
If you would like a Foreign Language Requirement exemption for a language not taught at U.Va., read the Foreign Language Placement Examinations webpage for information on the NYU 16 point Foreign Language Proficiency Test.
| American Sign Language | |
|---|---|
| ASL 1010 | no previous ASL |
| ASL 1020 | grade of C- or better in ASL 1010 or placement interview |
| ASL 2010 | grade of C- or better in ASL 1020 or placement interview |
| ASL 2020 | grade of C- or better in ASL 2010 or placement interview |
| Note: Placement interviews for students with previous ASL experience will be given during the first week of classes. Contact Eric Reed for more information at . |
|
| Arabic | |
| ARAB 1010 | no previous Arabic |
| ARAB 1020 | ARAB 1010 or equivalent or placement test administered by Arabic faculty |
| ARAB 2010 | ARAB 1020 or equivalent, permission of instructor or placement test administered by Arabic faculty |
| ARAB 2020 | ARAB 2010 or equivalent, permission of instructor or placement test administered by Arabic faculty |
Note: Arrangements to take the test must be made individually with the Arabic Language Coordinator at the Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures. |
|
| Chinese | |
| CHIN 1010 | no previous Chinese |
| CHIN 1020 | a grade of C or better in CHIN 1010 at U.Va. or the placement test administered by the Chinese language program |
| CHIN 106 | the placement test administered by the Chinese language program |
| CHIN 2010 | a grade of C or better in CHIN 1020 at U.Va. or the placement test administered by the Chinese language program |
| CHIN 2020 | a grade of C or better in CHIN 2010 at U.Va, or the placement test administered by the Chinese language program |
| CHIN 206 | a grade of C or better in CHIN 106 at U.Va, or the placement test administered by the Chinese language program |
Note:
|
|
| French | |
| FREN 1010 | no previous French, SAT II Subject Test score of < 440 or Orientation placement test score of < 296 |
| FREN 1020 | FREN 1010, SAT II Subject Test score of 450-530 or an Orientation Foreign Language Placement Exam score of 297-377 and 1-2 years of previous formal instruction |
| FREN 1050 | previous background in French (more than two years of French in secondary school) and an SAT II Subject Test score of < 530, or an Orientation Foreign Language Placement Exam score < 377 or permission of the department |
| FREN 2010 | FREN 1020, FREN 1050, SAT II Subject Test score of 540-600 or an Orientation Foreign Language Placement Exam score of 378-394 and 1-3 years of previous formal instruction |
| FREN 2020 | FREN 2010, or SAT II Subject Test score of 610-650 or an Orientation Foreign Language Placement Exam score of 395-476 and 1-3 years of previous formal instruction |
Note:
|
|
| German | |
| GERM 1010 | no previous German or SAT II Subject Test score of < 400 |
| GERM 1020 | a grade of C- or better in GERM 1010 or SAT II Subject Test score of 410-500 |
| GERM 111R | similar to GERM 1010; accelerated course focusing more heavily on reading |
| GERM 2010 | a grade of C- or better in GERM 1020 or SAT II Subject Test score of 510-620 |
| GERM 2020 | a grade of C- or better in GERM 2010 or SAT II Subject Test score of 630-640 |
Note:
|
|
| Hebrew (Modern) | |
|
All Hebrew course placement is done through an informal examination. Make arrangements for this exam by contacting Hedda Harari, , (434) 924-1322. Placement for the Modern Hebrew language program takes place the two days prior to the beginning of classes each semester. Note: |
|
| Hindi | |
| HIND 1010 | no previous Hindi or Urdu |
| HIND 1020 | HIND 1010 or equivalent, permission of instructor or placement test administered by Hindi/Urdu faculty |
| HIND 2010 | HIND 1020 or equivalent, permission of instructor or placement test administered by Hindi/Urdu faculty |
| HIND 2020 | HIND 2010 or equivalent, permission of instructor or placement test administered by Hindi/Urdu faculty |
Note: The placement tests are given only during the first three weeks of each semester. Interested students should consult the sign-up sheets on the door of B036 New Cabell Hall at the beginning of each semester. |
|
| Italian | |
| ITAL 1010 | no previous Italian or SAT II Subject Test score of < 410 |
| ITAL 1020 | SAT II Subject Test score of 420-510 |
| ITAL 2010 | SAT II Subject Test score of 520-590 |
| ITAL 2020 | SAT II Subject Test score of 600-640 |
Note: An SAT II Subject Test score of > 650 means your Foreign Language Requirement is fulfilled. |
|
| Japanese | |
| JAPN 1010 | no previous Japanese |
| JAPN 1020 | a grade of C or better in JAPN 1010 or equivalent |
| JAPN 2010 | a grade of C or better in JAPN 1020 or equivalent |
| JAPN 2020 | a grade of C or better in JAPN 2010 or equivalent |
Note:
|
|
| Korean | |
All Korean course placement is determined by the Department of East Asian Languages, Literatures and Cultures's Placement Exam. Note: An SAT II Subject Test score of 700 or greater means your Foreign Language Requirement is fulfilled. |
|
| Latin | |
| LATI 1010 | no previous Latin or 1-2 years of high school Latin and an SAT II Subject Test score of < 480 |
| LATI 1020 | LATI 1010 |
| LATI 1030 | 1-2 years of high school Latin and an SAT II Subject Test score of 490-570 or 3+ years of high school Latin and an SAT II Test score of < 570 |
| LATI 2010 | LATI 1020 or LATI 1030, or 2+ years of high school Latin and an SAT II Test score of 580-640 |
| LATI 2020 | LATI 2010 |
Note:
|
|
| Persian | |
| PERS 1010 | no previous Persian |
| PERS 1020 | PERS 1010 or equivalent or placement test administered by Persian faculty |
| PERS 2010 | PERS 1020 or equivalent or placement test administered by Persian faculty |
| PERS 2020 | PERS 2010 or equivalent or placement test administered by Persian faculty |
Note: If you have questions about the placement exam or if you plan to provide high school transcripts for exemption purposes, please contact: Zjaleh Hajibashi, , (434) 924-4641. |
|
| Portuguese | |
| PORT 1110 | working knowledge of another foreign language or some previous knowledge of Portuguese |
| PORT 2120 | PORT 1110 or equivalent |
Note: Completion of PORT 2120 satisfies the Foreign Language Requirement. |
|
| Russian | |
| RUSS 1010 | no previous Russian |
| RUSS 1020 | a grade of C- or better in RUSS 1010 or placement test and permission of instructor |
| RUSS 2010 | a grade of C- or better in RUSS 1020 or RUSS 103 or placement test and permission of instructor |
| RUSS 2020 | a grade of C- or better in RUSS 2010 or placement test and permission of instructor |
Note: Students who, based on previous work in Russian, wish to continue their study should see David Herman, located in New Cabell 103. Placement is normally done at the beginning of each academic year at a time scheduled by the University. |
|
| Spanish | |
| SPAN 1010 | no previous Spanish or permission of the department |
| SPAN 1020 | passing grade in SPAN 1010 at U.Va. or permission of the department |
| SPAN 1060 | 1-2 years of High School Spanish, SAT II Subject Test score of 420-510, Orientation Foreign Language Placement exam score of 0-325, experience in a related foreign language, 1-2 years of High School Spanish or permission of the department |
| SPAN 2010 | passing grade in SPAN 1020 or SPAN 1060, SAT II Subject Test score of 520-590, Orientation Foreign Language Placement exam score of 326-409, 2 or more years of High School Spanish or permission of the department |
| SPAN 2020 | passing grade in SPAN 2010, SAT II Subject Test score of 600-640, Orientation Foreign Language Placement exam score of 410-535, IB Exam score of 5 or 6 (Spanish B, high level only) or permission of the Department |
Note:
|
|
| Tibetan | |
Students who have studied Tibetan language in the past at home or in any institution other than U.Va. should take both the written and oral placement test. A day or two before the actual class should be fine. Note: For more information contact Tsetan Chonjore, Director of Tibetan Language Studies, , New Cabell B022A, (434) 924-3701. |
|
| Urdu | |
| URDU 1010 | no previous Hindi or Urdu |
| URDU 1020 | HIND 1010 or equivalent, permission of instructor, or placement test administered by Hindi/Urdu faculty |
| URDU 2010 | HIND 1020 or equivalent, or permission of instructor, or placement test by Hindi/Urdu faculty |
| URDU 2020 | URDU 2010 or equivalent, or permission of instructor, or placement test by Hindi/Urdu faculty |
Note: The placement tests are given only during the first three weeks of each semester. Interested students should consult the sign-up sheets on the door of B036 New Cabell Hall at the beginning of each semester. |
|