All applicants must demonstrate strong English language skills when applying to our international degree programmes taught in English. Accepted methods of proving English proficiency are listed on this page.
Eligibility for bachelor's degree programmes taught in English is based on one of the following:
- Achieving the minimum required scores in an approved English language test
- Demonstrating language proficiency through a degree completed in English
- Meeting programme-specific language proficiency criteria: SAT score
All supporting documents must be submitted via the online application system by the application deadline. Applicants are responsible for arranging tests and ensuring timely delivery of results. Late submissions will not be accepted.
It is crucial for the admissions process that applicants verify their language skills as required by the programme. Only the methods listed in the programme’s admission requirements are accepted. No waivers to the language proficiency requirement will be granted. Programme-specific requirements can be found on the programme’s website and on Studyinfo.fi.
Accepted language tests
Language proficiency can be demonstrated by taking one of the internationally recognized English language tests listed below. Applicants must upload their test result document to the online application form during the application period. Where possible, select the University of Eastern Finland as the recipient of your test results when taking the test.
TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE certificates are valid for two years from the date they are issued. The test results must be available for online verification from January 7, 2024, onwards. The language test results must be electronically verifiable through the test organizer's online service.
TOEFL iBT: minimum overall score 78 is required
Also TOEFL iBT Home Edition test is accepted.
We require test scores directly (electronically) from ETS. Applicants can order their score reports through their test taker profile by indicating UEF institution's code 9779. Our university does not need any paper documents from the test organizer, as we verify TOEFL test results using ETS's online verification system.
We accept also MyBest Scores. Additional information can be found at ets.org/toefl
IELTS (Academic): minimum overall score 6.0
Also IELTS (Academic) online and UKVI test is accepted, and we accept IELTS One Skill Retake test results.
We accept test scores only directly (electronically) from the IELTS test organizer. On the application form, you must provide the Test Report Form (TRF) number. This number must be entered in full, as results cannot be located otherwise. Additionally, please upload your test results report to the application form.
PTE (Academic): minimum overall score 54
C1 Advanced: minimum score C
C2 Proficiency: minimum score level C1
YKI: A National certificate of language proficiency in English done at level 4 in all different areas. More information of YKI.
Matriculation examinations
English language proficiency can be demonstrated through the following examinations:
- Finnish matriculation examination*, English language (A-language, advanced syllabus) completed with a minimum grade of magna cum laude approbatur (M)
- International Baccalaureate degree (IB):
- diploma completed in English, OR
- successful completion of A level English exam (literature / language and literature / literature and performance), OR
- completion of B level English exam, minimum grade of 5 (good).
- European Baccalaureate (EB) degree:
- L1-language (English) completed successfully, OR
- L2 – or L3 language (English) completed with a minimum grade of 7.
- Reifeprüfung (RP) or DIA degree (German school of Helsinki) Satisfactory completion of both:
- English A written scores completed successfully, AND
- oral score being minimum of 8
*Applicants who prove their English language skills with the Finnish matriculation examination and have completed Finnish matriculation examination in or after 1990 do not need to upload the degree certificate as these are electronically available through Studyinfo
Upper secondary level degree
A language test is not required if the applicant has completed their upper secondary education in English language in EU/EEA -countries, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand or in Switzerland. The applicants from EU/ETA -countries and Switzerland must prove the language of instruction. The medium of instruction must be clearly stated on the educational documents. If the documents do not explicitly mention English as the medium of instruction, applicant must provide an additional official statement issued by a representative of their educational institution confirming this.
The degree/programme must be taught and assessed in English (at least 50 % of the degree must be completed in English). 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 in one of the accepted countries
University level degree
A language test is not required
- if the applicant has completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or higher degree in an English-taught programme in Australia, Canada, Ghana, Ireland, New Zealand, Nigeria, the United Kingdom or the United States. The applicants prove their language skills with their university degree.
A language test is not required
- if the applicant has completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or higher degree in an English-taught programme in EU/EEA -countries, or in one of the following countries:
Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Cameroon, Dominica, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Grenada, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South-Africa, Switzerland, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe. The applicants from these countries must prove the language of instruction. - If the language skills are verified with education degree completed in the above-mentioned countries, the language of instruction must be clearly indicated on the educational documents. Please note: If the documents do not explicitly mention English as the medium of instruction, the applicant must provide an additional official statement issued by a representative of their educational institution confirming this.
The degree/programme must be taught and assessed in English (at least 50 % of the degree must be completed in English). 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 in one of the accepted countries.
Kindly note joint programmes may have variation in the language requirements, please check the programme-specific criteria and instructions.
SAT scores
For certain bachelor's degree programmes, admission is based on SAT scores. These scores also fulfill the English language proficiency requirement for the Data Engineering Programme and Human and Planetary Health Programme. SAT results must be verified through the College Board by 28 January 2026 at 15:00 (EET). Only verified results will be considered by the University of Eastern Finland.
Graduating students
If the English skills are proven with a degree that is not yet completed, it must be the same degree that gives eligibility for the programme. Another incomplete degree cannot be used to verify language skills.