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

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 application period (or by the end of the supplementation period of 7 days).
• The test result must be verifiable for at least one month after the application period has ended.

You 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.

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. If the test scores can no longer be verified, the test is not valid and the applicant is advised to retake the test.

• 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.

Applicants who are pursuing a Master's degree or a Doctoral degree at the University of Turku can submit the same language test result as in the previous application for Master's or Doctoral education. The language test results must meet the requirements for a doctoral degree as described below. In this case, the language test result can be accepted even if it can no longer be verified online.

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. 

• The IELTS Online (Academic) 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 "C" or higher.

• More information about the C2 Proficiency test
• Locate a test site

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

• More information about the C1 Advanced test
• Locate a test site

PTE – Academic test with a minimum overall score of 62 and the writing test score 54 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 on all four test components (reading and listening comprehension, writing and speaking) in the intermediate level test.

• More information about YKI
• Locate a test sit

Your are exempt from taking an English language test if you have a Bachelor's degree (or higher) or an equivalent degree in English-language programme in an EU/EEA country or one of the following countries:

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

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.

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.

You are exempt from doing a language test if you have a bachelor's (or higher) degree from a university or university of applied sciences in Finland.

Your are exempt from taking an English language test if you have one of the following:

• Secondary education completed in Finland.
• Secondary education completed in English in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United States. 

Secondary education degrees completed in other countries regardless of the language of the tuition are not accepted as a proof of language skills..