Language proficiency demonstrated in the master’s degree

Belongs to themes:

By selecting a degree programme you are able to see the general content as well as the possible degree programme-specific content. You do not have to select a degree programme to see the Open University's instructions.

NB! Select your own degree programme above to see the possible degree programme-specific instructions.

If you are pursuing a second-cycle (master’s) degree only, if the language of your secondary education is Finnish or Swedish and if you have completed your first-cycle (bachelor’s) degree abroad, you have to demonstrate the language proficiency required by the Government Decree on University Degrees in your master's degree.

If you have completed a first-cycle degree in Finland, you are exempt from demonstrating language proficiency as defined in the Government Decree on University Degrees in your second-cycle degree. However, if your first-cycle degree has been completed in Finland before the degree settings that introduced study weeks, you may need to complete your language studies.

You are also exempt from demonstrating your language proficiency if you have completed your secondary education in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or you have completed your secondary education abroad.

More information on the languages of secondary education is available in the instructions What is my language of secondary education?

Demonstration of language proficiency
Exemption from language requirements

Demonstration of language proficiency

If the language of your secondary education is Finnish, you will have to demonstrate language proficiency in the following ways:

  • Native language: Maturity test completed in the language of secondary education (Finnish), 0 cr
  • Studies in the second national language (Swedish CEFR B1), 3 cr
  • Foreign language 4 cr (starting skill level in English: CEFR B2, in other languages: CEFR B1)

If the language of your secondary education is Swedish, you will have to demonstrate language proficiency in the following ways:

  • Native language: Maturity test completed in the language of secondary education (Swedish), 0 cr
  • Studies in the second national language (Finnish CEFR B1), 3 cr
  • Foreign language 4 cr (starting skill level in English: CEFR B2, in other languages: CEFR B1)

NB! You will be asked to prove your oral and written skills in second national language and foreign language. 

Completion

  • You can complete language studies either by taking a Language Centre course or an exemption examination, or through the recognition of prior learning.
  • If you are studying in an English-language or multilingual master’s programme and your degree language is English, you are not required to demonstrate foreign language proficiency separately. In this case, your diploma will state that you have demonstrated a foreign language proficiency in the English language. For the foreign language course credits (4 cr), please contact us via HelsinkiUni Help.

Exceptions related to second national language

  • If you have been exempted from the second national language in the Finnish general upper secondary school or you have not completed the second national language in the International Baccalaureate, European Baccalaureate, Reifeprüfung or Deutsche Internationale Abitur degree, you do not have to complete Swedish/Finnish studies at the second national language skill level (CEFR B1). Instead, you can study 3 cr Swedish/Finnish as the second national language at a level appropriate for you. In such cases, you should send a copy of your diploma as a secure email to uni-help@helsinki.fi.
  • If you have not completed the Finnish matriculation examination, International Baccalaureate, European Baccalaureate, Reifeprüfung or Deutsche Internationale Abitur degree, you do not have to complete Swedish/Finnish studies at the second national language skill level (CEFR B1). Instead, you can study 3 cr Swedish/Finnish at a level appropriate for you. NB! This instruction is valid from 1.8.2023. In such cases, you should send a copy of your diploma as a secure email to uni-help@helsinki.fi.
  • Please note that in your degree programme’s curricula there might be a decision that all students are required to complete studies in the second national language. In this case, the studies must be completed on the skill level CEFR B1.
  • If you have completed your primary or upper secondary or other secondary education at an educational institution operating in the Åland province, you can seek an exemption from the demonstration of Finnish language proficiency as a second national language. Exemption must be requested by completing the relevant electronic form (in Finnish). Please attach a copy your school diploma to it.

Please take into account that if you do not complete the second native language studies at skill level CEFR B1, you cannot use your degree to demonstrate the second national language proficiency, which is required by act (424/2003) and Government Decree (481/2003, in Finnish) for personnel of public bodies in a bilingual authority and is necessary for your field. If you wish, you may include studies in the second national language in your degree. The University also organises beginner’s courses in Swedish and Finnish.

Exemption from language requirements

It is only possible to get a full or partial (exemption from starting skill level) exemption from the second national language or foreign language skills requirements for a special reason. The decision will be registered in the degree diploma. It is not possible to get exemption from the national language requirements.

If you would like to apply for the exemption, please please contact us via HelsinkiUni Help.