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Lan­guage proficiency re­quire­ment in the degree programme in fine arts

Learn how to prove your language proficiency when applying to degree studies in fine arts.

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Language proficiency requirement, Degree programme in Fine Arts (Bachelor and Master)

Please note that this section will be updated before 2025 admissions.

These language requirements concern the Bachelor and Master in Fine Arts.

To pursue degree studies in fine arts at the Academy of Fine Arts of Uniarts Helsinki, the student must have sufficient proficiency in either Finnish, Swedish or English.

All applicants must prove their proficiency in the language in which they plan to complete their degree, i.e., either Finnish, Swedish or English. The applicant must prove their language proficiency in accordance with the requirements set by the Academy of Fine Arts during the application period. An applicant cannot be considered as eligible to apply if they have not provided acceptable proof of language proficiency during the application period.

An applicant may be considered conditionally eligible only if their prior studies constitute proof of sufficient language proficiency, but the education has not been completed by the end of the application period (e.g. applicants who are about to complete their matriculation examination in the spring or who have not yet completed their bachelor’s degree). In such cases, the applicant must provide the Academy with a study certificate of the education along with the projected graduation date. The education must be completed by the time the applicant accepts the study place in order to be accepted as proof of language proficiency. If the applicant has been deemed conditionally eligible regarding language proficiency, they must provide the Academy with the necessary certificate prior to accepting the study place, or they cannot be accepted as a student.

In the degree programme in fine arts, the primary languages of instruction are Finnish and English. In group teaching, the primary language of tuition is English. Students are entitled to use Finnish and Swedish during courses both orally and in written assignments, unless explicitly stated otherwise in the curriculum, or if this is not possible because of the way in which the teaching is organised.

Demonstrating proficiency in English

Applicants may demonstrate their proficiency in English in the following ways:

  • General education (basic education, upper secondary degree, or vocational degree) completed) or a university degree/university of applied sciences degree completed in English (with English clearly marked as the language of tuition in the degree certificate) in an EU or EEA country or in Switzerland, the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, or New Zealand

  • University degree or a university of applied sciences degree completed in English (with English clearly marked as the language of tuition in the degree certificate) in one of the following countries:
    • Antigua and Barbuda
    • Bahamas
    • Barbados
    • Belize
    • Botswana
    • Cameroon
    • Dominica
    • Eritrea
    • Eswatini
    • Ethiopia
    • Gambia
    • Ghana
    • Grenada
    • Guyana
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Jamaica
    • Kenya
    • Lesotho
    • Liberia
    • Malawi
    • Namibia
    • Nigeria
    • Philippines
    • Rwanda
    • Saint Kitts and Nevis
    • Saint Lucia
    • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
    • Sierra Leone
    • Singapore
    • South Africa
    • Tanzania
    • Trinidad and Tobago
    • Uganda
    • Zambia
    • Zimbabwe
  • University or a university of applied sciences degree completed 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.

  • 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 English
    • passing grade in the English test (literature / language and literature / literature and performance) on level A
    • minimum 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 language
    • minimum 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)


Certificate of a completed language test approved by Uniarts Helsinki (If not otherwise separately mentioned in connection with the test, an online version of the test is not valid; one of the following):

  • TOEFL (IBT)
    • Total score: 71
    • 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). Uniarts Helsinki also accepts the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition with the same scores.
  • IELTS (Academic) Overall Band Score: 5.5.
    • Uniarts Helsinki also accepts the IELTS Indicator with the same scores
  • Cambridge English C2 Proficiency (CPE): The accepted grades are A, B, C and Level C1
  • Cambridge English C1 Advanced (CAE): The accepted grades are A, B, C and Level B2
  • Cambridge English B2 First (FCE): The accepted grades are A, B, C and Level B1.
  • Cambridge English B1 Preliminary (PET): The accepted grades are A, B, and C
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic)
    • Total score: 43
  • The International Certificate (PTE General): The accepted tests are Level 5 (C2), Level 4 (C1), Level 3 (B2) and Level 2 (B1).
  • National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) in English awarded by the Finnish National Agency for Education
    • all subtests of the test completed on level 3(reading comprehension, writing, listening comprehension, speaking)
    • alternatively, a passing grade (different test occasions may be combined) in a minimum of three subtests of the test on the highest level (levels 5 and 6)

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.

Language studies completed during a student exchange period at Uniarts Helsinki (one of the following):

  • Preparatory course in English leading to skill level B1 (scope of 3 credits, the course includes both written and oral exercises) 
  • 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.

Demonstrating proficiency in Finnish

Applicants may demonstrate their proficiency in Finnish in the following ways:

Primary and lower secondary education (ie., basic education), upper secondary education and qualifications that give eligibility for higher education

  • Primary and lower secondary education (basic education), upper secondary education or some other qualification that gives eligibility for higher education completed in Finnish or a passing grade for the Finnish language and literature syllabus or for the Finnish as a second language and literature syllabus as part of mother tongue and literature studies on a school-leaving certificate completed in accordance with the Basic Education Act (628/1998) or the Act on General Upper Secondary Education (629/1998) or in accordance with corresponding studies.
    • Matriculation examination completed in Finnish
    • A school-leaving certificate for primary and lower secondary education (=basic education) or for upper secondary education completed in Finnish, or a passing grade for the Finnish language and literature syllabus or for the Finnish as a second language and literature syllabus as part of mother tongue and literature studies on a primary and lower secondary education (=basic education) certificate or on a general upper secondary education certificate.
    • Initial vocational qualification completed in Finnish
    • Further vocational qualification or specialist vocational qualification completed in Finnish.
    • Other qualification that gives eligibility for higher education and that has been completed in Finnish.
    • A degree from a higher education institution with Finnish as the language of instruction.
  • A passing grade in Finnish studies completed at Kulkuri School of Distance Education, corresponding to the primary and lower secondary education (basic education) syllabus

Applicants can demonstrate their language proficiency in the following ways also without completing the whole matriculation examination:

  • A minimum grade of approbatur (A) in the mother tongue and literature test in Finnish or in the Finnish as a second language and literature test completed as part of the Finnish matriculation examination.
  • A minimum grade of eximia cum laude approbatur (E) in the Finnish as a second language test of the advanced syllabus level completed as part of the Finnish matriculation examination.
  • A grade of laudatur (L) in the Finnish as a second language test of the intermediate syllabus level completed as part of the Finnish matriculation examination.

International matriculation examinations

Applicants can demonstrate their language proficiency in the following ways also without completing the whole matriculation examination:

  • A minimum grade of 2 for A-level, A1-level or A2-level Finnish or a minimum grade of 3 for B-level Finnish attained for an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.
  • A passing grade in Finnish as the L1 or L2 language (a minimum grade of 4.00 completed in or before 2020, or a minimum grade of 5.00 completed in or after 2021) or a minimum grade of 8.00 in Finnish as the ONL language attained for a European Baccalaureate (EB) Diploma.
  • A passing grade (a grade of 4) for the written Finnish as a mother tongue test or a minimum grade of 5 for Finnish as a second language on the CEFR level B2 completed as part of a Reifeprüfung (RP) or Deutsches Internationales Abitur (DIA) Diploma awarded by Deutsche Schule Helsinki.

Language proficiency certificates and tests

  • National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI): a proficiency level of 3 attained for all subtests (reading comprehension, writing, listening comprehension, speaking) of a test completed at the intermediate level. Alternatively, a minimum of three subtests passed for a test completed at the advanced level (proficiency levels 5 and 6). Results from different test occasions may be used.
  • The skill level satisfactory for the oral skills test and the written skills test completed in Finnish for a Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate.
  • A combination of a National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) and a Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate: A proficiency level of 3 attained for the reading comprehension and writing subtests of the National Certificate of Language Proficiency test and the grade “satisfactory” attained in the oral skills test of the Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate test OR a proficiency level of 3 attained for the listening comprehension and speaking subtests of the National Certificate of Language Proficiency test and the grade “satisfactory” attained for the written skills test of the Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate test.

Studies at a higher education institution

Applicants can demonstrate their language proficiency in the following ways also without completing the whole degree at a higher education institution:

  • A written final project completed in Finnish at a Finnish or foreign higher education institution for a degree, with the first-cycle degree (bachelor’s degree) being the minimum degree level.
  • A study module comprising a minimum of 60 ETCS cr / 35 cr according to the old Finnish credit system in the subject of Finnish language (or a corresponding subject) completed at a Finnish or foreign higher education institution.
  • An approved maturity test completed in Finnish at a Finnish higher education institution
  • A language proficiency test in Finnish completed as part of a degree at a Finnish higher education institution or language studies that demonstrate oral and written skills in Finnish (as a second national language), with a minimum grade of ‘good’.

Demonstrating proficiency in Swedish

Applicants may demonstrate their proficiency in Swedish in the following ways:

Primary and lower secondary education (basic education), upper secondary education and qualifications that give eligibility for higher education

  • Primary and lower secondary education (=basic education), upper secondary education or some other qualification that gives eligibility for higher education completed in Swedish or a passing grade for the Swedish language and literature syllabus or for the Swedish as a second language and literature syllabus as part of mother tongue and literature studies on a school-leaving certificate completed in accordance with the Basic Education Act (628/1998) or the Act on General Upper Secondary Education (629/1998) or in accordance with corresponding studies.
    • Matriculation examination completed in Swedish
    • A school-leaving certificate for primary and lower secondary education (=basic education) or for upper secondary education completed in Swedish, or a passing grade for the Swedish language and literature syllabus or for the Swedish as a second language and literature syllabus as part of mother tongue and literature studies on a primary and lower secondary education (=basic education) certificate or on a general upper secondary education certificate.
    • Initial vocational qualification completed in Swedish.
    • Further vocational qualification or specialist vocational qualification completed in Swedish.
    • Other qualification that gives eligibility for higher education and that has been completed in Swedish.
    • A degree from a higher education institution with Swedish as the language of instruction
  • A passing grade in Swedish studies, corresponding to the primary and lower secondary education (=basic education syllabus), completed at Nomadskolan.

Applicants can demonstrate their language proficiency in the following ways also without completing the whole matriculation examination:

  • A minimum grade of approbatur (A) in the mother tongue and literature test in Swedish or in the Swedish as a second language and literature test completed as part of the Finnish matriculation examination
  • A minimum grade of eximia cum laude approbatur (E) in the Swedish as a second language test of the advanced syllabus level completed as part of the Finnish matriculation examination
  • A grade of laudatur (L) in the Swedish as a second language test of the intermediate syllabus level completed as part of the Finnish matriculation examination

International matriculation examinations
Applicants can demonstrate their language proficiency in the following ways also without completing the whole matriculation examination:

  • A minimum grade of 2 for A-level, A1-level or A2-level Swedish or a minimum grade of 3 for B-level Swedish attained for an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.
  • A passing grade in Swedish as the L1 or L2 language (a minimum grade of 4.00 completed in or before 2020, or a minimum grade of 5.00 completed in or after 2021) or a minimum grade of 8.00 in Swedish as the ONL language attained for a European Baccalaureate (EB) Diploma.
  • A passing grade (a minimum grade of 4) for the written test in Swedish attained for a Reifeprüfung (RP) or Deutsches Internationales Abitur (DIA) Diploma completed at Deutsche Schule Helsinki.

Language proficiency certificates and tests

  • National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI): a proficiency level of 3 attained for all subtests (reading comprehension, writing, listening comprehension, speaking) of a test completed at the intermediate level. Alternatively, a minimum of three subtests passed for a test completed at the advanced level (proficiency levels 5 and 6). Results from different test occasions may be used.
  • The minimum skill level satisfactory for the oral skills test and the written skills test completed in Swedish for a Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate.
  • A combination of a National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) and a Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate: A proficiency level of 3 attained for the reading comprehension and writing subtests of the National Certificate of Language Proficiency test and the grade “satisfactory” attained in the oral skills test of the Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate test OR a proficiency level of 3 attained for the listening comprehension and speaking subtests of the National Certificate of Language Proficiency test and the grade “satisfactory” attained for the written skills test of the Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate test.
  • TISUS test (“Test i svenska för universitetsstudier”) with a passing grade in all sections of the test.

Studies at a higher education institution

Applicants can demonstrate their language proficiency in the following ways also without completing the whole degree at a higher education institution:

  • A written final project completed in Swedish at a Finnish or foreign higher education institution for a degree, with the first-cycle degree (=bachelor’s degree) being the minimum degree level.
  • A study module comprising a minimum of 60 ETCS cr / 35 cr according to the old Finnish credit system in the subject of Swedish language (or a corresponding subject) completed at a Finnish or foreign higher education institution.
  • An approved maturity test completed in Swedish at a higher education institution.
  • A language proficiency test in Swedish completed as part of a degree at a Finnish higher education institution or language studies that demonstrate oral and written skills in Swedish (as a second national language), with a minimum grade of ‘good’.

Language proficiency requirement, Master’s degree programme in Fine Arts

Please note that this section will be updated before 2025 admissions.

These language requirements concern the Master in Fine Arts.

To pursue degree studies in fine arts at the Academy of Fine Arts of Uniarts Helsinki, the student must have sufficient proficiency in either Finnish, Swedish or English.

All applicants must prove their proficiency in the language in which they plan to complete their degree, i.e., either Finnish, Swedish or English. The applicant must prove their language proficiency in accordance with the requirements set by the Academy of Fine Arts during the application period. An applicant cannot be considered as eligible to apply if they have not provided acceptable proof of language proficiency during the application period.

An applicant may be considered conditionally eligible only if their prior studies constitute proof of sufficient language proficiency, but the education has not been completed by the end of the application period (e.g. applicants who are about to complete their matriculation examination in the spring or who have not yet completed their bachelor’s degree). In such cases, the applicant must provide the Academy with a study certificate of the education along with the projected graduation date. The education must be completed by the time the applicant accepts the study place in order to be accepted as proof of language proficiency. If the applicant has been deemed conditionally eligible regarding language proficiency, they must provide the Academy with the necessary certificate prior to accepting the study place, or they cannot be accepted as a student.

Most courses at the Academy of Fine Arts are taught either in Finnish or in English. Students are entitled to use Finnish and Swedish during courses both orally and in written assignments, unless explicitly stated otherwise in the curriculum, or if this is not possible because of the way in which the teaching is organised.

Demonstrating proficiency in English

Applicants may demonstrate their proficiency in English in the following ways:

  • General education (basic education, upper secondary degree, or vocational degree) completed in English (with English marked as the language of tuition in the diploma or transcript) in an EU or EEA country or in Switzerland, the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand
  • University degree or a university of applied sciences degree completed in English (with English clearly marked as the language of tuition in the degree certificate) in one of the following countries:
    • Antigua and Barbuda
    • Bahamas
    • Barbados
    • Belize
    • Botswana
    • Cameroon
    • Dominica
    • Eritrea
    • Eswatini
    • Ethiopia
    • Gambia
    • Ghana
    • Grenada
    • Guyana
    • Hong Kong
    • India
    • Jamaica
    • Kenya
    • Lesotho
    • Liberia
    • Malawi
    • Namibia
    • Nigeria
    • Philippines
    • Rwanda
    • Saint Kitts and Nevis
    • Saint Lucia
    • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
    • Sierra Leone
    • Singapore
    • South Africa
    • Tanzania
    • Trinidad and Tobago
    • Uganda
    • Zambia
    • Zimbabwe
  • University degree or a university of applied sciences degree completed in English (with English marked as the language of tuition in the diploma or transcript) in an EU or EEA country or Switzerland, the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand
  • University or a university of applied sciences degree completed 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.
  • 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)
  • International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
    • diploma completed in English
    • passing grade in the English test (literature / language and literature / literature and performance) on level A
    • minimum grade of 5 (good) in the English language test on level B
  • European Baccalaureate (EB) Diploma
    • passing grade in English as the L1 language
    • minimum grade of 7 in English as the L2 or L3 language
  • A Reifeprüfung diploma (from Deutsche Schule Helsinki) can be used as proof of sufficient language skills if the applicant has received a passing grade in the written level A English test (or an equivalent result in Deutsches Internationales Abitur) or a minimum grade of 8 in the oral level A English test
  • Certificate of a completed language test approved by Uniarts Helsinki
    • TOEFL (IBT)
      • Total score: 73
      • Uniarts Helsinki also accepts MyBest Scores for the Toefl test, as long as the results of all sections of the test are valid on the day the application period starts.
      • Uniarts Helsinki also accepts the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition with the same scores.
    • IELTS (Academic)
      • Overall Band Score: 5.5
      • Uniarts Helsinki also accepts the IELTS Indicator with the same scores.
    • Cambridge English C2 Proficiency (CPE): The accepted grades are A, B, C and Level C1
    • Cambridge English C1 Advanced (CAE): The accepted grades are A, B, C and Level B2
    • Cambridge English B2 First (FCE): The accepted grades are A, B, C. Target programmes that use the B1 level also accept the grade of Level B1.
    • Cambridge English B1 Preliminary (PET): The accepted grades are A, B, and C. The test in question is accepted only for application options that accept skill level B1.
    • Pearson Test of English (Academic)
      • Total score: 43
  • The International Certificate (PTE General): the accepted tests are Level 5 (C2), Level 4 (C1), Level 3 (B2), and Level 2 (B1). In application options that accept skill level B1, Level 2 (B1) is also accepted.
  • National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) in English awarded by the Finnish National Agency for Education
    • all subtests of the test completed on level 3 (reading comprehension, writing, listening comprehension, speaking)
    • alternatively, a passing grade (different test occasions may be combined) in a minimum of three subtests of the test on the highest level (levels 5 and 6)

IELTS, TOEFL and PTE test results are valid for two years from the test date. The test result 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 Proficiencyresults are valid indefinitely.

Exchange students can also demonstrate their sufficient English skills during their exchange period at Uniarts Helsinki with language studies completed at Uniarts Helsinki:

  • B1 level: Preparatory course in English leading to skill level B1 (scope of 3 credits, the course includes both written and oral exercises) 
  • B2 level: 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.

Demonstrating proficiency in Finnish

Applicants may demonstrate their proficiency in Finnish in the following ways:

  • Basic education, an upper secondary qualification, or other qualification that gives eligibility for higher education completed in Finnish
  • Passing grade for the syllabus in Finnish as a mother tongue and literature or the syllabus in Finnish as a second language and literature in the subject of mother tongue and literature in the school-leaving certificate for studies completed in accordance with the Basic Education Act (628/1998) or the Act on General Upper Secondary Education (629/1998; 714/2018) or corresponding studies.
  • A university degree or a university of applied sciences degree with Finnish as the language of instruction
  • A university degree or a university of applied sciences degree with Finnish as the major subject 
  • National Certificate of Language Proficiency in Finnish (YKI) awarded by the Finnish National Agency for Education
    • all subtests of the test completed on level 3(reading comprehension, writing, listening comprehension, speaking).
    • alternatively, a passing grade (different test occasions may be combined) in a minimum of three subtests of the test on the highest level (levels 5 and 6)
  • Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate demonstrating oral and written skills in Finnish
    • completed on level ‘satisfactory’
  • A combination of a National Certificate of Language Proficiency and a Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate:
    • Reading comprehension and writing subtests of the National Certificate of Language Proficiency test completed on skill level 3 and the grade “satisfactory” achieved in the oral component of the Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate test OR listening comprehension and speaking subtests of the National Certificate of Language Proficiency test completed on skill level 3 and the grade “satisfactory” achieved in the written component of the Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate test.

Proficiency in Finnish can also be demonstrated with the following study attainments (even without completing the diploma associated with the studies):

  • A passing grade in Finnish completed at Kulkuri School of Distance Education, corresponding to the basic education syllabus
  • Finnish as a mother tongue or Finnish as a second language (S2) test of the Finnish matriculation examination completed with a minimum grade of approbatur (A)
  • Finnish as the second national language test of the Finnish matriculation examination completed on the advanced syllabus level (A-level language) with a minimum grade of eximia cum laude approbatur (E)
  • Finnish as the second national language test of the Finnish matriculation examination completed on the intermediate syllabus level (B-level language) with a grade of laudatur (L)
  • International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma (one of the following):
    • minimum grade of 2 in a Finnish language test on level A, A1 or A2
    • minimum grade of 3 in a Finnish language test on level B.
  • European Baccalaureate (EB) Diploma
    • Passing grade in Finnish as the L1 or L2 language (minimum grade of 4.00 completed in or before 2020, or minimum grade of 5.00 completed in or after 2021)
    • Minimum grade of 8.00 in Finnish as the ONL language
  • Reifeprüfung (RP) or Deutsches Internationales Abitur (DIA) diploma completed at Deutsche Schule Helsinki
    • passing grade (minimum grade of 4) in the written test in Finnish as the mother tongue
    • minimum grade of 5 in Finnish as a second language (S2).
  • University degree studies or university of applied sciences degree studies:
    • which includes a written thesis completed in Finnish for at least a bachelor’s degree
    • which includes a maturity test completed in Finnish at a higher education institution
    • which includes core and intermediate studies (60 ECTS cr/ 35 cr according to the old Finnish credit system) in the Finnish language completed at a higher education institution
    • which includes a language test or language studies in Finnish completed as part of the degree at a higher education institution, demonstrating oral and written skills in Finnish (as the second national language), with a minimum grade of ‘good’.

Demonstrating proficiency in Swedish

Applicants may demonstrate their proficiency in Swedish in the following ways:

  • Basic education, an upper secondary qualification, or other qualification that gives eligibility for higher education completed in Swedish
  • Passing grade for the syllabus in Swedish as a mother tongue and literature or the syllabus in Swedish as a second language and literature in the subject of mother tongue and literature in the school-leaving certificate for studies completed in accordance with the Basic Education Act (628/1998) or the Act on General Upper Secondary Education (629/1998; 714/2018) or corresponding studies.
  • A university degree or a university of applied sciences degree with Swedish as the language of instruction
  • A university degree or a university of applied sciences degree with Swedish / Scandinavian languages as the major subject
  • National Certificate of Language Proficiency in Swedish awarded by the Finnish National Agency for Education
    • all subtests of the test completed on level 3 (reading comprehension, writing, listening comprehension, speaking).
    • alternatively, a passing grade (different test occasions may be combined) in a minimum of three subtests of the test on the highest level (levels 5 and 6)
  • Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate demonstrating oral and written skills in Swedish completed on level ‘satisfactory’.
  • A combination of a National Certificate of Language Proficiency and a Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate:
    • Reading comprehension and writing subtests of the National Certificate of Language Proficiency test completed on skill level 3 and the grade “satisfactory” achieved in the oral component of the Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate test OR listening comprehension and speaking subtests of the National Certificate of Language Proficiency test completed on skill level 3 and the grade “satisfactory” achieved in the written component of the Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate test.

Proficiency in Swedish can also be demonstrated with the following study attainments (even without completing the diploma associated with the studies):

  • A passing grade in Swedish studies completed at Kulkuri School of Distance Education, corresponding to the basic education syllabus
  • Swedish as a mother tongue or Swedish as a second language (S2) test of the Finnish matriculation examination completed with a minimum grade of approbatur (A)
  • Swedish as the second national language test of the Finnish matriculation examination completed on the advanced syllabus level (A-level language) with a minimum grade of eximia cum laude approbatur (E)
  • Swedish as the second national language test of the Finnish matriculation examination completed on the intermediate syllabus level (B-level language) with a grade of laudatur (L)
  • International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
    • minimum grade of 2 in a Swedish language test on level A, A1 or A2
    • minimum grade of 3 in a Swedish language test on level B.
  • European Baccalaureate (EB) Diploma
    • passing grade in Swedish as the L1 or L2 language (minimum grade of 4.00 completed in or before 2020, or minimum grade of 5.00 completed in or after 2021)
    • Minimum grade of 8.00 in Swedish as the ONL language
  • Reifeprüfung (RP) or Deutsches Internationales Abitur (DIA) Diploma
    • Passing grade (minimum grade of 4) in the written test in Swedish
  •  ‘Test i svenska för universitetsstudier’ (TISUS) completed in full in Sweden, with a passing grade in all sections of the test
  • University degree studies or university of applied sciences degree studies:
    • which includes a written thesis completed in Swedish for at least a bachelor’s degree
    • which includes a a maturity test completed in Swedish at a higher education institution
    • which includes core and intermediate studies (60 ECTS cr/ 35 cr according to the old Finnish credit system) in the Swedish language / Scandinavian languages completed at a higher education institution 
    • which includes a language test or language studies in Swedish completed as part of the degree at a higher education institution, demonstrating oral and written skills in Swedish (as the second national language), with a minimum grade of ‘good’.