Country in which the degree is completed
The language skills required of the applicant can be demonstrated by a higher education degree completed in Finland that provides eligibility to apply for doctoral studies, or another higher education degree of the same or higher level.
Proficiency in English can be demonstrated with a higher education degree that provides eligibility to apply for doctoral studies (or a degree of the same or a higher level) when completed in English in an EU/EEA country or in one of the following countries: Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, 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, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
If you have completed a degree in English in a country that is not mentioned above, the degree unfortunately will not be accepted for proving language proficiency, even if English is a commonly used language in the country in question.
Studies completed on offshore campuses outside the accepted countries cannot be used to indicate language skills, even if the degree-awarding institution is located in one of the accepted countries.
A degree is considered to have been completed in one of the countries listed above if at least 50% of the study units of the completed degree have been completed in the country.
For fully online degrees, the country in which the degree is completed is the country in which the awarding institution is located.
Language of instruction
The teaching language of the degree must have been English, and the thesis must have been written in English. The teaching language must be specified in the educational documents submitted in connection with the application. If the teaching language of the degree is not specified, at least 50% of the study units of the completed degree must have been completed in English.
Demonstrating language skills with an uncompleted degree
If you are demonstrating your language skills with the same degree that verifies your eligibility and the degree is uncompleted at the end time of the application period, your language skills will be verified before admission.
Demonstrating language skills with another higher education degree
You can verify your eligibility with one degree and demonstrate your language skills with another higher education degree of the same or higher level completed in the above-mentioned countries. In that case, you are required to submit educational documents regarding both degrees. The degree that demonstrates language skills is indicated in the Other eligibility for doctoral training field of the application form. In this case, you cannot demonstrate your language skills with an incomplete degree, i.e., you must have graduated with the degree used as proof of your language skills.
