Demonstrating English language proficiency for Bachelor’s programmes

All applicants including native speakers are required to provide proof of English language proficiency in the application process. Please see below for all accepted ways of proving your language skills for University of Lapland’s Bachelor’s programmes. Language skills can be proven with a standardized test or with prior education. There are no exceptions to the requirements below.

These requirements are for the application round of spring 2027.

Language tests

Please find below the approved language tests for demonstrating proficiency in English language, as well as document instructions and requirements. All language test results must arrive at University of Lapland by the application enclosure deadline. It is always the applicant’s responsibility to make necessary testing arrangements and to make sure the test results arrive on time.

Overall score of 6.0 or higher, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each section.

It usually takes at least 13 days for the results of the test to be published after you have taken it. The score will be cross-checked with the database of the organizer of the test.

Upload your test results report to the application form. Please also provide the Test Report Form (TRF) number when requested.

Please note that the test results are valid two (2) years from the test date, and the test result must be valid throughout the entire application period.

Total score of 78 or higher, when the test has been completed before 21 January 2026.

Total score of 4 or higher, with a minimum score of 3.5 in each section, when the test has been completed on or after 21 January 2026.

Upload your TOEFL score report to the online application form. TOEFL language tests must be reported to University of Lapland with the institutional code 8264. Please make sure you use the correct institutional code. University of Lapland will verify the TOEFL results through the online verification system provided by ETS. The scores can be accessed approximately 1-2 weeks after the delivery order has been made.

Please note that the test results are valid two (2) years from the test date, and the test result must be valid throughout the entire application period.

Overall score of 62 or higher, with a minimum score of 61 in the writing section.

Test results are typically available within five working days following the test session. Once you receive your test score, send it to University of Lapland from your PTE account. Choose Finland as the ‘Country’, ‘University of Lapland’ as the ‘Institution’ and click ‘Search’. Then select the university you want to send your results to and confirm your request. After this, University of Lapland should have access to your test results within 48 hours. Be advised that online language test results will only be accepted from the test organizer.

Upload your PTE certificate to the application form. Please also provide your Score Report Code on the application form when requested.

Please note that the test results are valid two (2) years from the test date, and the test result must be valid throughout the entire application period.

C1 Advanced: C

C2 Proficiency: C1

For Cambridge English test results, upload your test certificate to the application form. Please also provide your Statement of Results number when requested. A test certificate without the Statement of Results number is not sufficient for proving your language proficiency.

Please note that only tests taken after 2005 are accepted.

Skill level 4 in all areas: reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Upload a copy of the National Certificate of English Language Proficiency by Finnish National Board of Education to the application form. University of Lapland will verify the results from the test organizer. There is no expiry date for the test results.

Please notice that this test is only available in Finland. National language proficiency certificates from other countries are not accepted.

Other ways of proving language proficiency

A minimum grade of magna cum laude approbatur (M) in English language in the advanced syllabus (A-kieli) is required.

Upload a copy of your Finnish matriculation examination certificate to the electronic application.

If you are completing Finnish matriculation examination in the spring 2027, your language proficiency will be checked when you receive your results.

  • successful completion of the International Baccalaureate Diploma in English; OR
  • successful completion of A Level English (literature / language and literature / literature and performance); OR
  • a minimum score of 5 (good) in B Level English.

Upload a copy of your diploma to the electronic application form. If you intend to complete your degree in the summer of 2027, you must submit a copy of the official grade predictions (Candidate Predicted Grades) provided by your school.

You can order a Transcript of Grades from IBO and ask them to send it to the University of Lapland. University of Lapland will get the final grades electronically from IBO.

  • successful completion of L1 in English, OR
  • a minimum score of 7 at L2 or L3.

Upload a copy of your diploma to the electronic application form. If you intend to complete your degree in the summer of 2027, you must submit a copy of the official grade predictions provided by your school.

  • successful completion of written A Level English OR
  • minimum score of 8 in oral A Level English.

Upload a copy of your four-page certificate to the electronic application form.

If you intend to complete your degree in the spring/summer of 2027, you must submit a copy of the grade page of the certificate, available in advance. If you have completed your examination in the Deutsche Schule Helsinki, please submit also the Finnish-language certificate of equivalence.

You can prove your language skills with secondary education conducted in English in the following countries:

  • EU/EEA countries
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • New Zealand
  • Switzerland
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America

Upload a copy of your diploma/certificate to the electronic application form. Please note that the document must clearly state that the language of education is English. If this is not stated in the certificate, an additional document from the awarding institution confirming the language of instruction is required.

If the original document is not issued in English, Finnish or Swedish, translation to one of these languages is also required.

A Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral degree completed in English in:

  • one of the EU or EEA countries, or
  • Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Cameroon, Canada, Dominica, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, the United Kingdom, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, the Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, the United States, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

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.

Upload a copy of your degree certificate to the electronic application form. Please note that the document must clearly state that the language of education is English. If this is not stated in the certificate, an additional document from the awarding institution confirming the language of instruction is required.

If the original document is not issued in English, Finnish or Swedish, translation to one of these languages is also required.

Last updated: 7.9.2026