Language requirements for Bachelor's Degree Programmes
Applicants must have excellent English language skills and a certificate that proves those skills.
Due to legislative regulations as well as for the University’s reputation and high quality, the criteria of the selection process must be transparent and equal. Uniform admission criteria and ways of proving English language skills in the whole University clarify the selection process from the perspectives of the applicant, representatives of the University, and partners and strengthen its reliability. The ways and detailed criteria of proving English language proficiency at the University of Turku are based on national recommendations.
Read the full Rector's Decision on demonstration of English proficiency in degree student selection here.
If the applicant is selected on the basis of an SAT test, they do not have to provide a separate certificate of English language proficiency.
Language skills can be indicated by taking one of the internationally recognized English language tests listed on this page.
- The test result must be available and attached to the application form by the end of the supplementation period (29 January 2025) for verification purposes.
- The test result must be valid for at least one month after the application time has ended (22 February 2025).
Applicants must reach the minimum required test results to be considered eligible to the University of Turku. No exceptions will be made.
When taking the test please choose University of Turku as a recipient of your results when possible.
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 IELTS test cannot be verified after three years.
- 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 – Test of English as a Foreign Language.
- A minimum overall score of 78 and the writing test score 20 or more on the internet-based test (IBT).
- The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is accepted.
- University of Turku code 9701.
- Combined test scores from different test dates are not accepted (e.g. TOEFL MyBest scores is not accepted).
- More information about the TOEFL test
- Locate a test site
IELTS – International English Language Testing Service test (Academic).
- an overall band score of 6.0. and the writing test score 5.5. or more.
- The IELTS Online test is accepted.
- The IELTS General Training test is not accepted.
- IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted.
- More information about the IELTS test
- Locate a test site
C2 Proficiency (previously CPE) – Cambridge English Qualifications with pass grade A, B or C.
C1 Advanced (previously CAE) – Cambridge English Qualifications with pass grade A, B or C.
PTE – Academic test with a minimum overall score of 54 and the writing test score 42 or more.
- PTE Academic online test is accepted.
- More information about PTE – Pearson Test of English
- Locate a test site
YKI – Finnish certificate for language proficiency in English with a minimum score of 4 in all subtests (reading comprehension, writing, speaking and listening comprehension). You can combine the different examinations.
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 in an English-language programme in EU/EEA country or one of the following countries: Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Dominica, Cameroon, Canada, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Dominica, Eswatini, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica, Kenya, South Africa, United Kingdom, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Switzerland, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, Zimbabwe, Zambia. Degrees completed in other countries regardless of the language of the tuition are not accepted as proof of language skills.*
- Bachelor's (or higher) degree from a university or university of applied sciences in Finland, if the applicant has demonstrated language skills in the English language according to the requirements concerning foreign language studies in Bachelor's and applied university degrees in Finland ( Valtioneuvoston asetus 1039/2013).
- Secondary education in English in an EU/EEA country, Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, the United States or Switzerland. Degrees completed in other countries regardless of the language of the tuition are not accepted as proof of language skills.
- Finnish matriculation examination in English language, minimum grade of magna cum laude approbatur (or a corresponding minimum English language grade of 5 from the International Baccalaureate degree, grade 7.00 from the European Baccalaureate degree or grade 8 from the DIA/Reifeprüfung degree completed in Deutsche Schule Helsinki).
*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 record 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.
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.
No other degrees or statements of language proficiency will be accepted.
