A course waiver in English Studies at the Faculty of Cultural Science, Universitas Padjadjaran, is a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) that allows students to bypass specific required language proficiency courses if they already have sufficient knowledge in the subject. This waiver automatically grants them the highest possible academic credit for the course and exempts them from the obligation to attend or participate in it. 

Course Waiver Requirements

To apply for a course waiver, students must meet several requirements and criteria:

1. Students must have a relevant professional certification for the course they wish to waive, issued by a recognized institution. This may include certifications such as the English Language Test (ELT), the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or other equivalent certifications. The certification must indicate that the student has competencies equal to or greater than the material taught in the course they intend to waive. 
2. The professional certification score must meet the specified checkpoints, as outlined below:

Courses	TOEFL PBT-IPT/ELT/TKBI	TOEFL iBT	IELTS
Basic Grammar	SWE: 45	Writing: 9	Writing: 4,5
Intermediate Grammar	SWE: 50	Writing: 13	Writing: 5,0
Upper-Intermediate Grammar	SWE: 55	Writing: 18	Writing: 6,0
Reading General Interests	RC: 45	Reading: 5	Reading: 4,5
Reading for Gist	RC: 50	Reading: 8	Reading: 5,0
Reading Text of Various Modes	RC: 55	Reading: 13	Reading: 5,5
Reading Scientific Texts	RC: 60	Reading: 18	Reading: 6,0
Laboratory Work: General Interest	LC: 50	Listening: 10	Listening: 5,0
Laboratory Work: Specific Interest	LC: 55	Listening: 15	Listening: 5,5
Laboratory Work: Inferring and Responding	LC: 60	Listening: 18	Listening: 6,0

Course Waiver Procedures

The course waiver procedure in English Studies is a structured and comprehensive procedure that ensures students with relevant knowledge or experience can apply to waive certain courses they have already mastered. The steps in this process are as follows:

1. Students need to make sure they meet all the set requirements, such as achieving the required checkpoint score on the English Language Test (ELT).
2. The department provides a waiver application form, which students must complete and attach supporting documents such as a professional certification language test. This form should be submitted before the deadline, which is usually one month after the new semester starts.
3. The documents will be reviewed, and the students who get the waiver will be instructed to record the waived course in their Study Plan Card (KRS). Only students who fully meet the established criteria will receive waiver approval.

The course waiver policy aims to maximize students’ prior experiences or education. Students can apply for a course waiver starting from their first semester in English Studies at Universitas Padjadjaran.

Benefits of Course Waiver

A course waiver offers a variety of benefits that significantly improve students’ academic performance. These advantages include:

1. By exempting courses they have already mastered, students can avoid unnecessary repetition of material and focus on more challenging or relevant courses that align with their academic and career goals.
2. It helps students accelerate their studies and allows them to allocate their time to areas that require more attention.
3. Students have the opportunity to choose alternative courses that align with their interests or needs, which can specifically support their academic and professional development.
4. With a course waiver, students can reduce the number of courses they are required to take.

ELT (English Language Test)

The ELT, also known as the ELT-TKBI, is designed to assess English language proficiency, focusing on three areas: Listening Comprehension, Structure and Written Expression, and Reading Comprehension. This proficiency test is based on TOEFL standards and can be used to fulfill the administrative requirements for admission to the postgraduate programs at Universitas Padjadjaran or Seleksi Masuk Universitas Padjadjaran (SMUP), as well as for other purposes that proof of English proficiency is required within Universitas Padjadjaran.

Pusat Bahasa, a constituent unit of the Faculty of Cultural Science at Universitas Padjadjaran, administers the ELT. Pusat Bahasa is subdivided into three divisions: the English Center (EC), Bahasa Indonesia untuk Penutur Asing (BIPA), and Bahasa Asing Lainnya (BAL).

For course waivers, students will take the English Language Test (ELT), a test that the English Center (EC) provides. The ELT consists of several subtests. Each subtest has its time limit: Listening Comprehension is 30 minutes, Structure and Written Expression is 25 minutes, and Reading Comprehension is 55 minutes. The validity of ELT results extends for two years from the date of the test. Once the validity period has expired, the results cannot be used for any purposes. 

For more information about ELT (including schedules, registration process, and other FAQs), please refer to the following webpage: ELT-TKBI.

Writer: Zahra Putri Al Hamid