Faculty of Social Sciences

Language requirements

The University of Helsinki does not arrange basic English courses for international applicants, and the applicants to the Faculty of social sciences are expected to have sufficient skills either in Finnish, Swedish or English when applying. At the university, Finnish is the main language of instruction, whereas Swedish and English are used in some degree programmes, diploma courses and major subjects. In addition to several special programmes, a growing number of lecture series and seminars are offered in English on a regular basis. Moreover, it is usually possible to complete courses through independent study, when no instruction in English is available.

Applicants without a knowledge of Finnish or Swedish languages are asked to provide evidence of their proficiency in English. The accepted tests are:

• A minimum computer-based TOEFL score of 237 (= 580 paper-based examination) is the general requirement. The TOEFL code for the University of Helsinki is 9872.
• Cambridge CPE (levels A,B,C)
• an IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent is also accepted
• Applicants living in Finland may also take a test in English, Swedish or Finnish language arranged by the Language Centre of the University of Helsinki. A minimum level of five, or equivalent proficiency in either English, Swedish or Finnish proven with supporting evidence that meets the criteria expected from an applicant, is required.

It should be emphasised that the University does not accept photocopies of the original score slips: the test score information must come directly from the testing organisation. Applications with photocopied score slips or with otherwise incomplete information on the applicant's English proficiency cannot be processed. These language requirements do not apply to applicants whose native language is English, Swedish or Finnish.

Please also note, that if the language used in the application or appendixes does not meet the criteria expected from an applicant, i.e. that s/he is able to pursue studies leading to a Master´s degree at the Faculty of social sciences, the applicant can not be accepted. Likewise if the language used in the in the application or appendixes conflicts with the score in the language test, the applicant cannot be accepted.

The Faculty of Social Sciences reserves the right to interpret and change the conditions listed above.

It is possible to complete all the degrees offered at the Faculty of Social Sciences in English. However, in most cases it means that a majority of the study units have to be taken as written examination based on books listed at the study guides. The amount of offered lecture-courses varies with the department and with the year. Currently, by far the biggest amount of proper lecture-courses given are held by the department of political science, but most of the departments do not arrange many courses in English and thus most of time the student will find him/herself taking part in a written examination. An up-to-date listing of the courses is available at this site.

Also, if the course requirement books are in Finnish, it is possible to contact teachers in order to choose alternate books, for example in English. Because most of the English-speaking special programmes are designed to support the student's major and therefore have a minor subject status, it is not possible to graduate in them.

In general although a working knowledge of English and also other European languages is quite common among Finns, a basic knowledge of Finnish (or Swedish)is usually essential for everyday life and contacts with people.