Language requirements

NB. Information is subject to change.

All applicants of the University of Applied Sciences’ Bachelor’s programmes, including native speakers of English, must demonstrate their English language proficiency. Details on the accepted methods for proving language proficiency can be found on this page. Be sure to review the requirements carefully.

To get invited to the International UAS Exam and be selected by the International UAS Exam selection method, the applicants have to prove their English language skills either by an internationally recognized language test or previous studies.

Additionally, to be selected through the certificate-based selection method on matriculation examination and vocational upper secondary qualification, applicants must also prove their English language skills.

Language requirements may differ between the spring and autumn application periods. Please make sure that you are reviewing the requirements for the correct application period.

Please attach the required document to your Studyinfo application by the relevant deadline:

  • Autumn 2026 Joint Application: by 17 September 2026 at 15:00 Finnish time (UTC/GMT+3)
  • Spring 2027 Joint Application I: by 28 January 2027 at 15:00 Finnish time (UTC/GMT+2)

Selection will be conditional until your certificates have been verified. If the language requirement is not met by the deadline, the selection will be revoked.

Language requirements for Autumn 2026 Joint Application

English language skills can be proved by the following documents:

English language test results:
  • IELTS Academic*: a minimum total score of 6.0 (Test sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking)
  • TOEFL Academic (iBT)*: a minimum total score of 60 for tests taken before 21 January 2026, or a minimum total score of 3.5 for tests taken on or after 21 January 2026 (Test sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing)
  • PTE Academic*: a minimum total score of 55 (Test sections: Speaking and Writing, Reading, and Listening)
  • Cambridge English Scale Score: a minimum total score of 169 (B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency. No other Cambridge language tests are accepted.) (Test sections: Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening, and Speaking)
  • TELC (The European Language Certificate) English B2-C1 university qualification, completed on or after 1 October 2021: minimum of B2 level (Test sections: Listening/Reading/Language Elements, Writing and Speaking)
  • Oxford ELLT Global*: (English Language Level Test), completed on or after 1 July 2023: a minimum total score of 6.0 (Test sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking)
*IELTS Academic UKVI, IELTS Online, PTE Academic Online, PTE Academic UKVI and TOEFL iBT Home Edition and Oxford ELLT Digital are also accepted.

Only the tests listed above will be accepted. No exceptions will be made.

When taking the language test, the applicant should choose the university of applied sciences that uses the International UAS Exam as the recipient of the results, if possible. The test results must be sent to all universities of applied sciences using the International UAS Exam where the applicant has applied. The applicant must also attach a scanned/electric copy of the test result to the application for verification purposes, and notify their unique identifier.

There are no expiration dates, but the language test results must be verifiable from the online verification service of the organiser throughout the period from 31 August to 30 October 2026. The TOEFL test cannot be verified after two years. The IELTS test cannot be verified after three years. If the test scores can no longer be verified, the test is not valid. The applicant should make sure that the test results are not too old. If the applicant is unsure and the test results are more than 2 years old, it is advised to retake the test.
  • National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) English: Grade 4 or higher on all the subtests (speaking, listening comprehension, writing, and reading comprehension)
If applying with the National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI), the unique identifier is not necessary. However, the applicant must attach a scanned/electric copy of the test result to the application for verification purposes.
Higher education degree (Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or an equivalent polytechnic/university of applied science degree) completed in English in one of the following countries:
  • EU/EEA countries or Switzerland
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • New Zealand
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America
A doctoral thesis completed in English in any country also qualifies. If the applicant has completed a doctoral thesis in English, they need to attach the evaluation of the thesis.

The degree must be taught and assessed entirely in English, and the language of instruction must be clearly indicated on the educational documents.

You can also document this by submitting a certificate/letter from your university/educational institution in addition to your official study documentation.

Degrees from international schools or institutions located outside the listed countries, where the degree is completed locally but awarded by an institution from another country, do not qualify. If your degree includes courses or diploma-level qualifications that have been completed outside of the specified countries/area, or courses conducted in a language other than English, the degree might not meet the requirement.

The applicant must attach a certificate of their previous degrees. The applicant must also attach a document that shows the language of the degree and the country of studies.  
Upper secondary degree completed in English in one of the following countries:
  • EU/EEA countries or Switzerland
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • New Zealand
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America
The degree must be taught and assessed entirely in English, and the language of instruction must be clearly indicated on the educational documents.

You can also document this by submitting a certificate/letter from your university/educational institution in addition to your official study documentation.

The degree must also be a qualification that provides eligibility for higher education in the country in which it was awarded.

Degrees from international schools or institutions located outside the listed countries, where the degree is completed locally but awarded by an institution from another country, do not qualify.

The applicant must attach a certificate of their previous degrees. The applicant must also attach a document that shows the language of the degree and the country of studies.
One of the following grades in the Finnish Matriculation Examination, European Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate, or Reifeprüfung/DIA:
  • Finnish Matriculation Examination: English advanced syllabus with a minimum grade C
  • The whole International Baccalaureate diploma or International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) completed in English
  • DP Course Results or IB certificate or IB Final Report completed in English
  • International Baccalaureate final examination: English A HL/SL or English B HL/SL with a minimum grade 4
  • European Baccalaureate: at least grade 6.00 in L2-level English
  • Reifeprüfung/DIA diploma (completed in Finland): at least grade 7 in advanced English
The applicant must attach a certificate of their grades. For qualifications that are visible in the national register, a certificate does not need to be attached, details are received automatically from the national registry for study rights and completed studies.
This instruction applies only to those who will complete one of the following qualifications and graduate in autumn 2026, and who are applying via the International UAS Exam selection method:
  • Finnish matriculation examination: English advanced syllabus with a minimum grade C
  • The whole International Baccalaureate diploma or International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) completed in English
  • DP Course Results or IB certificate or IB Final Report completed in English
  • International Baccalaureate final examination: English A HL/SL or English B HL/SL with a minimum grade 4
  • European Baccalaureate: at least grade 6.00 in L2-level English
  • Reifeprüfung/DIA (completed in Finland): at least grade 7 in advanced English
  • Finnish vocational upper secondary qualification, further vocational qualification, or specialist vocational qualification conducted in English
This instruction does not apply to applicants who are completing any other qualification, or to those who are retaking exams or improving their grades after graduation.

If you are graduating in autumn 2026 and it is not possible to obtain a certificate of your required English language skills (as mentioned above, or a Finnish vocational qualification conducted in English) during the application period, you may still be invited to the International UAS Exam. In this case, the final required proof of English language skills must be submitted by 31 December 2026 at 15:00 Finnish time (UTC/GMT+2).

Language requirements for Spring 2027 Joint Application I

English language skills can be proved by the following documents:

English language test results:
  • IELTS Academic*: a minimum total score of 6.0 (Test sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking)
  • TOEFL Academic (iBT)*: a minimum total score of 60 for tests taken before 21 January 2026, or a minimum total score of 3.5 for tests taken on or after 21 January 2026 (Test sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing)
  • PTE Academic*: a minimum total score of 55 (Test sections: Speaking and Writing, Reading, and Listening)
  • Cambridge English Scale Score: a minimum total score of 169 (B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency. No other Cambridge language tests are accepted.) (Test sections: Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening, and Speaking)
  • TELC (The European Language Certificate) English B2-C1 university qualification, completed on or after 1 October 2021: minimum of B2 level (Test sections: Listening/Reading/Language Elements, Writing and Speaking)
  • Oxford ELLT Global*: (English Language Level Test), completed on or after 1 July 2023: a minimum total score of 6.0 (Test sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking)
*IELTS Academic UKVI, IELTS Online, PTE Academic Online, PTE Academic UKVI and TOEFL iBT Home Edition and Oxford ELLT Digital are also accepted.

Only the tests listed above will be accepted. No exceptions will be made.

When taking the language test, the applicant should choose the university of applied sciences that uses the International UAS Exam as the recipient of the results, if possible. The test results must be sent to all universities of applied sciences using the International UAS Exam where the applicant has applied. The applicant must also attach a scanned/electric copy of the test result to the application for verification purposes, and notify their unique identifier.

There are no expiration dates, but the language test results must be verifiable from the online verification service of the organiser throughout the period from 7 January to 22 March 2027. The TOEFL test cannot be verified after two years. The IELTS test cannot be verified after three years. If the test scores can no longer be verified, the test is not valid. The applicant should make sure that the test results are not too old. If the applicant is unsure and the test results are more than 2 years old, it is advised to retake the test.
  • National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) English: Grade 4 or higher on all the subtests (speaking, listening comprehension, writing, and reading comprehension)
If applying with the National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI), the unique identifier is not necessary. However, the applicant must attach a scanned/electric copy of the test result to the application for verification purposes.
Higher education degree (Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or an equivalent polytechnic/university of applied science degree) completed in English in one of the following countries:
  • EU/EEA countries or Switzerland
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Botswana
  • Cameroon
  • Canada
  • Dominica
  • Eritrea
  • Eswatini
  • Ethiopia
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • 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
  • Tanzania
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Uganda
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe
A doctoral thesis completed in English in any country also qualifies. If the applicant has completed a doctoral thesis in English, they need to attach the evaluation of the thesis.

The degree must be taught and assessed entirely in English, and the language of instruction must be clearly indicated on the educational documents.

You can also document this by submitting a certificate/letter from your university/educational institution in addition to your official study documentation.

Degrees from international schools or institutions located outside the listed countries, where the degree is completed locally but awarded by an institution from another country, do not qualify. If your degree includes courses or diploma-level qualifications that have been completed outside of the specified countries/area, or courses conducted in a language other than English, the degree might not meet the requirement.

The applicant must attach a certificate of their previous degrees. The applicant must also attach a document that shows the language of the degree and the country of studies.  
Upper secondary degree completed in English in one of the following countries:
  • EU/EEA countries or Switzerland
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • New Zealand
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America
The degree must be taught and assessed entirely in English, and the language of instruction must be clearly indicated on the educational documents.

You can also document this by submitting a certificate/letter from your university/educational institution in addition to your official study documentation.

The degree must also be a qualification that provides eligibility for higher education in the country in which it was awarded.

Degrees from international schools or institutions located outside the listed countries, where the degree is completed locally but awarded by an institution from another country, do not qualify.

The applicant must attach a certificate of their previous degrees. The applicant must also attach a document that shows the language of the degree and the country of studies.
One of the following grades in the Finnish Matriculation Examination, European Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate, or Reifeprüfung/DIA:
  • Finnish Matriculation Examination: English advanced syllabus with a minimum grade C
  • The whole International Baccalaureate diploma or International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) completed in English
  • DP Course Results or IB certificate or IB Final Report completed in English
  • International Baccalaureate final examination: English A HL/SL or English B HL/SL with a minimum grade 4
  • European Baccalaureate: at least grade 6.00 in L2-level English
  • Reifeprüfung/DIA diploma (completed in Finland): at least grade 7 in advanced English
The applicant must attach a certificate of their grades. For qualifications that are visible in the national register, a certificate does not need to be attached, details are received automatically from the national registry for study rights and completed studies.
This instruction applies only to those who will complete one of the following qualifications and graduate in spring 2027, and who are applying via the International UAS Exam selection method:
  • Finnish matriculation examination: English advanced syllabus with a minimum grade C
  • The whole International Baccalaureate diploma or International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) completed in English
  • DP Course Results or IB certificate or IB Final Report completed in English
  • International Baccalaureate final examination: English A HL/SL or English B HL/SL with a minimum grade 4
  • European Baccalaureate: at least grade 6.00 in L2-level English
  • Reifeprüfung/DIA (completed in Finland): at least grade 7 in advanced English
  • Finnish vocational upper secondary qualification, further vocational qualification, or specialist vocational qualification conducted in English
This instruction does not apply to applicants who are completing any other qualification, or to those who are retaking exams or improving their grades after graduation.

If you are graduating in spring 2027 and it is not possible to obtain a certificate of your required English language skills (as mentioned above, or a Finnish vocational qualification conducted in English) during the application period, you may still be invited to the International UAS Exam. In this case, the final required proof of English language skills must be submitted by 13 July 2027 at 15:00 Finnish time (UTC/GMT+3).

Valikko