Language requirements for admission / Right to study for a doctoral degree

Applicants must have good English language skills and a certificate that proves those skills.

The University follows the manners of verifying language skills which are defined in the Rector’s decision.

Language skills can be indicated by taking one of the internationally recognized English language tests listed on this page. When taking the test the applicant should  choose University of Turku as a recipient of the results where possible. The applicant must also attach a scanned copy of the test result to the application for verification purposes.

The test result must be available by the end of the application period and it must be available for online verification at the latest 14 days after the end of the application period.

Accepted international English language tests

Applicants must reach the minimum required test results to be considered eligible to the University of Turku. Only the tests listed below will be accepted.No exceptions will be made.

Some test organisers give an expiration date on the tests, the University of Turku does not set any expiration dates, but the language test results must be verifiable from the online verification service of the organiser.

  • The TOEFL test cannot be verified after two years.
  • The PTE test cannot be verified after two years.
  • If the test scores can no longer be verified, the test is not valid and the applicant is advised to retake the test.


TOEFL (IBT) – Test of English as a Foreign Language with a minimum overall score of 90 and the writing test score 20 or more on the internet-based test (IBT). 

  • University of Turku code 9701.
  • MyBest scores are accepted, if the test results are verifiable from the online verification service of the organiser. The TOEFL test cannot be verified after two years.
  • The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is accepted.
  • More information about the TOEFL test
  • Locate a test site

IELTS – International English Language Testing Service test (Academic) with an overall band score of 6.5 and the writing test score 6.0 or more. 

C2 Proficiency (previously CPE) – Cambridge English Qualifications with pass grade "C" or higher.

C1 Advanced (previously CAE) – Cambridge English Qualifications with pass grade "C" or higher.

PTE – Academic test with a minimum overall score of 62 and the writing test score 54 or more.

YKI – Finnish certificate for language proficiency in English with a minimum score of 4 on all four test components (reading and listening comprehension, writing and speaking) in the intermediate level test.

When is a language test not required?

Applicants are exempt from doing an English language test if they hold one of the following:

  • Bachelor’s degree (or higher) or an equivalent degree completed in English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, Switzerland or in an EU/EEA country. 
    • At least half of the degree must be completed in English and the language of instruction of the degree must be clearly indicated in the degree certificate or transcript of records or Diploma Supplement or an official statement from the university issuing the degree. If the language of instruction is not clearly stated, the applicant must provide proof of language skills in one of the other ways accepted by the university.
  • Bachelor's degree (or higher) or an equivalent degree completed in a university or university of applied sciences in Finland.
  • Secondary education completed in English in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United States.
  • Secondary education completed in Finland.

No other degrees or statements of language proficiency will be accepted.

Online studies or studies completed on offshore campuses outside the accepted countries/area cannot be used to indicate language skills, even if the degree-awarding institution is located in one of the accepted countries.

If the degree you use to prove your language skills is different from the one used as a basis for eligibility for the programme, the degree must be earned by the time of application.