Demonstrating proficiency in English for programmes taught in English
Theatre Academy student selections 2025
You may demonstrate your proficiency in English in one of the following ways.
Matriculation examinations
Applicants can demonstrate their language proficiency in the following ways also without completing the whole matriculation examination (except if the applicant demonstrates their language proficiency with the language used for their International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma):
- English test of the Finnish matriculation examination completed in the advanced syllabus level (A-level language) with a minimum grade of magna cum laude approbatur (M)
- IB (International Baccalaureate) diploma awarded by an IB World School
- diploma completed in Englishpassing grade in the English test (literature / language and literature / literature and performance) on level Aminimum grade of 5 (good) in the English language test on level B
- EB (European Baccalaureate) diploma awarded by a designated European School
- passing grade in English as the L1 languageminimum grade of 7 in English as the L2 or L3 language
- A diploma completed at Deutsche Schule Helsinki:
- passing grade for written English or a minimum grade of 8 for oral English according to the advanced syllabus on a Reifeprüfung (RP) or Deutsches Internationales Abitur (DIA)
Language proficiency certificates and tests
Acceptable language tests include IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, YKI, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency. If not otherwise separately mentioned in connection with the test, an online version of the test is not valid.
IELTS, TOEFL and PTE test results are valid for two years from the test date. The test result of a previously completed language test must be valid on the day the application period starts so that it can be considered proof of the applicant’s proficiency in English. Cambridge and National Certificate of Language Proficiency results are valid indefinitely.
- TOEFL (IBT) with a minimum score of 92. Uniarts Helsinki also accepts the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition with the same scores. Uniarts Helsinki also accepts MyBest Scores for the Toefl test, as long as the results of all sections of the test are valid when applying (the result must not be expired by the start of the application period).
- IELTS (Academic) with a minimum score of 6.5.Uniarts Helsinki also accepts the IELTS Indicator and IELTS Online versions of the Academic test with the same test scores.
- PTE (academic) with a minimum score of 62. Uniarts Helsinki also accepts the PTE Academic Online test with the same score.
- Cambridge English C1 Advanced: The accepted grades are A, B and C
- Cambridge English C2 Proficiency: The accepted grades are A, B, C and Level C1
- National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) in English awarded by the Finnish National Agency for Education where all subtests of the test completed on level 5 (reading comprehension, writing, listening comprehension, speaking). Results from different test occasions may be used.
Other acceptable ways to demonstrate English proficiency
● The language proficiency test is not needed if the applicant has attained qualification in upper secondary education in English in an EU or EEA country or in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, or Switzerland.
● The language proficiency test is not needed if the applicant has completed a bachelor’s degree (or a corresponding degree that gives the eligibility to pursue master’s studies in the country in question), master’s degree, licentiate degree or doctoral degree with English as the language of the degree in an EU or EEA country or in one of the following countries:
- Australia
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Botswana
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Dominica
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Great Britain
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Hong Kong
- India
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Namibia
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Philippines
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Switzerland
- Tanzania
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Uganda
- United States
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
● The language proficiency test is not needed if the applicant has completed a university or a university of applied sciences degree in Finnish or Swedish in Finland, which includes foreign language studies in English in accordance with the decree 794/2004 or 1129/2014. Foreign language studies in English that are included in an incomplete Finnish university/university of applied sciences degree, as well as studies completed in some other manner, can also be approved, provided that the studies comply with the decree. In this case, the applicant must send a transcript of study records to Uniarts Helsinki along with a copy of the degree requirements of the higher education institution in question or some other document that states which language studies are required for the degree.
● Exchange students can also demonstrate their sufficient English skills during their exchange period at Uniarts Helsinki with language studies completed at Uniarts Helsinki:
- Courses in English leading to skill level B2: English 1 and/or English 2; minimum scope of 2 credits, the courses include both written and oral exercises.
- Exchange students also have the possibility to demonstrate their proficiency by participating in an English language proficiency test during their exchange period at Uniarts Helsinki, and more detailed instructions are available from language teachers.