Finnish language study opportunities for international degree students

Are you a beginner in Finnish or have you only studied Finnish for a few courses? The University of Turku offers international degree students high-quality and inspiring Finnish language study opportunities to get started! 

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The best part of studying Finnish at the University of Turku has been the comfort of feeling that I belong and that I’m part of this society and community. Understanding even a bit of a background conversation makes you feel at home.
Nour Mustafa
Master's Student at Univeristy of Turku

At the courses of Centre for Language and Communication Studies (CeLCS), you can learn Finnish from level A0 up to level B1. Courses usually start at the beginning of each semester, in September and January. The picture below show the study path available at CeLCS. You can also find out more information on CeLCS Finnish as a Foreign Language website.

innish as a Foreign Language Courses 2024-27 at Centre for Language and Communication Studies, University of Turku. Picture shows the study path available at CeLCS for Finnish as a Foreign Language starting from A0 and to B1. You can find the same information about courses on the website of Finnish as a Foreign Language, link above, and i

After the level B1, you can continue your Finnish studies at Minor subject of Finnish Language and Culture (for non-native speakers). The Finnish Language and Culture can be studied as a minor subject, or you are also free to participate in individual courses.

You can also get Finnish language guidance related to academic studies or working life from the SIMHE services. The University of Turku SIMHE Services also offers educational and career guidance for the highly educated who have moved to Finland or those planning to pursue higher education.

If you do not know what level your Finnish language skills are at the moment, you can find a proficiency test on the Kielibuusti website. You can also read more about the proficiency levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages CEFR on the Kielibuusti website.

When you are a student at the University of Turku, you can also book an appointment with a Finnish language teacher using Asio and plan your Finnish study path with the teacher. The Finnish language teachers also provide guidance every Wednesday in the Finnish Drop-In. The Finnish Drop-In is available on Wednesdays from 1 to 2 PM (Spring 2025: Weeks 3-22, Exceptions: Not available on April 30th and May 14th)  in the lobby of the Centre of Language and Communication Studies on the second floor of Agora. You can come without an appointment or send your questions in advance to finnishkievi@utu.fi.

Check out below also the free time Finnish language opportunities offered by the University of Turku and the City of Turku! Maybe you want to practice Finnish in a language circle or with a tandem partner?

Finnish language study opportunities at the University of Turku

Finnish as a Foreign Language, A0-B1

Minor subject of Finnish Language and Culture (for non-native speakers), B1+

SIMHE - Education and Guidance Services for Immigrants

Opportunities for studying Finnish language in free time at the University of Turku and in the city of Turku

Supplementary studies after graduating at the University of Turku

After graduating, you can continue your Finnish (and other studies) at the University of Turku for two more years. Read more about supplementary studies after graduation here and apply after graduation!