Language requirements in Master's admissions

Minimum score requirements

• IELTS Academic: overall score 6.5, and writing score 5.5.

Aalto University accepts also IELTS Indicator (Academic) test and IELTS Online (Academic) test.
Only IELTS Academic tests are accepted. General-level tests are not accepted.

If you have taken several tests, the best official score that is still valid and received by Aalto University by the deadline will be considered in the admissions. You cannot combine scores from different test dates.

Period of validity of test results

IELTS test results are valid for two years from the date of the test.
For 2024 admissions, test results are valid if the test was taken on or after 30 November 2021.

Submitting the IELTS scores

The official language test scores must arrive at Aalto University Admission Services by 9 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2).

1. Upload a PDF copy of your IELTS test report to your application form, if you have already received the report.
2. Mark your Test Report Form (TRF) number carefully to your application form.
   Make sure to type the number correctly. Your TRF number is required for verifying the scores.*
3. If you have taken the IELTS Indicator test, mark your IELTS Indicator Score ID to the application form.
4. Send your electronic test report to Aalto University in the test administrator's service.
   - When booking the test, you can choose Aalto University as the Recognising Organisation to make your score available to Aalto University. The department is "Admission Services".
   - If you have already taken the test, contact your test centre and request the test administrator to send your electronic test report to Aalto University. See the instructions for sending IELTS results to nominated organisations (electronically) on the test administrator website.

The results are verified electronically.

* You can edit your application form only during the application period from 30 November 2023 to 2 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2).
If you receive your TRF number after 2 January 2024, send it by email to [email protected] and request adding the TRF number to your application form. The message must be received by 9 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2). Type "Master's admissions IELTS TRF number" as the subject of the message.

More information about language test

• test administrator: IELTS (ielts.org)

Minimum score requirements

• TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test): 92, and 22 for Writing

Aalto University accepts also TOEFL iBT® Home Edition test.
Only TOEFL iBT tests are accepted. For example TOEFL Essentials or TOEFL ITP tests are not accepted.

If you have taken several tests, the best official score that is still valid and received by Aalto University by the deadline will be considered in the admissions. You cannot combine scores from different test dates, e.g. TOEFL MyBest scores is not accepted.

Period of validity of test results

TOEFL test results are valid for two years from the date of the test.
For 2024 admissions, test results are valid if the test was taken on or after 30 November 2021.
Note that the test administrator ETS does not send TOEFL results after they have expired.

Submitting the TOEFL scores

The official language test scores must arrive at Aalto University Admission Services by 9 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2) directly from the test administrator. Only official test scores sent by the test administrator are accepted.

1. Request your official score report to be sent from the test administrator to Aalto University reporting code 7364 (Score Report Recipient).
   A department code is not required (or you can choose any department). Aalto University will receive all results sent with the reporting code 7364. Make the reporting request early enough.
2. Type your TOEFL iBT Appointment number to your application form (to "Language proficiency" section of the form). The number has 16 digits (e.g. 0000 0000 xxxx xxxx).
   Note that this is not sufficient for submitting the score, you must request the official score report to be sent with the Aalto University reporting code well in advance of the deadline.

The scores must be received electronically directly from the test administrator by the deadline. Unofficial score reports sent by applicants will not be accepted. The scores are usually available within 1 to 2 weeks of sending the score report request. Contact the test administrator if you have questions about score delivery times.

Aalto University receives the scores via ETS® Data Manager service.

More information about language test

• test administrator: TOEFL (ets.org)

Minimum score requirements

• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE A): 62, and 54 for Writing

PTE A Online test is not accepted. Only PTE A test results taken at an official test center are accepted.

Period of validity of test results

PTE test results are valid for two years from the date of the test.
For 2024 admissions, these test results are valid if the test was taken on or after 30 November 2021.

If you have taken several tests, the best official score that is still valid and received by Aalto University by the deadline will be considered in the admissions. You cannot combine scores from different test dates.

Submitting the PTE scores

The official language test scores must arrive at Aalto University Admission Services by 9 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2).

PTE test scores must be sent via the test administrator’s electronic service.

1. Log in to your PTE account and send your results to Aalto University in the test administrator’s service.
2. Mark your Score Report Code to your application form (to "Language proficiency" section of the form).* 
   The Score Report Code contains 10 characters that are letters and numbers. The code can be found at the top of the report under your name.

* You can edit your application form during the application period from 30 November 2023 to 2 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2). If you receive your Score Report Code after 2 January 2024, send it by email to [email protected] and request adding the code to your application form. The email must be received by 9 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2). Type "Master's admissions PTE Score Report Code" as the subject of the message.

More information about language test

• test administrator: PTE Academic (pearsonpte.com)

Minimum score requirements

• C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English, CAE): A,B or C
• C2 Proficiency (formerly known as Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English, CPE): A,B,C or Level C1

No other Cambridge language tests than C1 Advanced (or CAE) and C2 Proficiency (or CPE) are accepted.

Period of validity of test results

For C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency tests, electronically verifiable tests taken after 2005 are accepted.

Submitting the C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency scores

The official language test scores must arrive at Aalto University Admission Services by 9 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2).

1. Upload a PDF copy of your C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency results report to your application form ("Language proficiency" section on the application form).
2. Mark your test taker's ID number (e.g. ABC1234567), Reference number (e.g. 173YU0034522) and Statement of results number to your application form.
3. Log into the language test administrator's service and share your test results to Aalto University.

The results are verified electronically.

More information about language test

• C1 Advanced (cambridgeesol.org)
• C2 Proficiency (cambridgeesol.org)

An English language test is not required if you have earned a higher education degree taught in Finnish, Swedish or English at a university or university of applied sciences in Finland. The higher education institution must be recognised by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture and it must have the right to award degrees in Finland.

A minimum of one half of the degree must be completed in Finland. 
Note this requirement if your degree includes many transfer credits or if it is an international double or joint degree.

Required documents if your degree is complete

Upload to the application form:

1. Scanned colour copy of the original degree certificate in PDF format.
   Name the file according to format: Degree-certificate-lastname-firstname.
2. Scanned colour copy of the original official transcript of study records in PDF format.
   Name the file according to format: Transcript-lastname-firstname.

The documents must be uploaded to the online application form by 9 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2).

Required documents if your degree is incomplete

If your degree is still incomplete at the application phase, upload to the application form:

1. Scanned colour copy of the original official transcript of study records in PDF format.
   Name the file according to format: Transcript-lastname-firstname.

The document must be uploaded to the online application form by 9 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2).

The degree must be completed and you must graduate by 31 July 2024. A copy of the degree certificate must be submitted according to the instructions by 15 August 2024 at 15.00 (3 pm, GMT +3).

English proficiency can be demonstrated with a higher education degree in an English-medium programme completed at a university or university of applied sciences in:

a European Union (EU) / European Economic Area (EEA) country, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States while residing in that country while studying.

A minimum of one half of the degree must be completed in English in a country and higher education institution that meets the requirements for exemption from taking an English language test. Note this requirement if your degree includes many transfer credits or you have an international double or joint degree.

The degree demonstrating language skills must be at least a three-year bachelor’s degree, at least a one-year master’s degree or a doctoral degree.

The awarding higher education institution has to be a recognised part of the official national education system of the country listed above. It has to be accredited as a degree-granting higher education institution by the country where it is located or by a relevant international organisation (such as UNESCO).

Note the requirement of residing in the country while studying. A degree completed at an offshore campus outside the listed countries is not sufficient for proving your language skills even in case the degree is awarded in one of the listed countries.

The language of the degree must be stated unambiguously in the degree certificate or its appendix, or in the transcript of records or other official document issued by the awarding institution, if the degree is completed in an EU/EEA country (except Ireland), Switzerland or South Africa.

If there are several instruction languages, the document must clearly indicate the amount of studies taken in English. It is not sufficient, if the document states, for example, that the language of instruction is English and French.

Required documents if your degree is complete

Upload to the application form:

1. Scanned colour copy of the original degree certificate in PDF format.
   Name the file according to format: Degree-certificate-lastname-firstname.
2. Scanned colour copy of the original official transcript of study records in PDF format.
   Name the file according to format: Transcript-lastname-firstname.
3. If the language of the degree is not stated unambiguously in the degree certificate or transcript of records, an official document of the language of instruction issued by the awarding institution.
   This requirement concerns degrees completed in an EU/EEA country, Switzerland and South Africa. 

The documents must be uploaded to the online application form by 9 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2).

Required documents if your degree is incomplete

If your degree is still incomplete at the application phase, upload to the application form:

1. Scanned colour copy of the original official transcript of study records in PDF format.
   Name the file according to format: Transcript-lastname-firstname.
2. If the language of the degree is not stated unambiguously in the transcript of records, an official document of the language of instruction issued by the awarding institution. 
   This requirement concerns degrees completed in an EU/EEA country, Switzerland and South Africa. 

The documents must be uploaded to the online application form by 9 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2).

The degree must be completed and you must graduate by 31 July 2024. A copy of the degree certificate must be submitted according to the instructions by 15 August 2024 at 15.00 (3 pm, GMT +3).

Certified hard copy documents after admission results

After the publication of admission results, admitted applicants must submit certified (attested) hard copy documents by the given deadline.

English proficiency can be demonstrated with primary and secondary education in English in:
an EU/EEA country, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, the United Kingdom or the United States while residing in that country.

A minimum of one half of the degree must have been completed in English in a country listed above to be exempted from taking an English language test.

Required documents

Upload to the application form:

1. Scanned colour copy of your school leaving certificate / secondary-school final certificate in PDF format.
2. English as the language of instruction must be stated unambiguously on the certificate, if the degree is completed in an EU/EEA country, Switzerland or South Africa. If the language of instruction is not indicated on the certificate, upload another official document issued by the institution stating the language of instruction.

The documents must be uploaded to the application form by 9 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2).

Certified hard copy documents after admission results

After the publication of admission results, admitted applicants must submit certified (attested) hard copy documents by the given deadline.

Required document

If you demonstrate your English proficiency with exchange studies at Aalto University, upload to the application form:

1. a copy of Aalto University transcript of records or certificate of student status in PDF format.

The program must be an official student exchange program of Aalto University.

The document must be uploaded to the application form by 9 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2).

Required documents for completed Aalto Executive Education MBA, EMBA or DBA

If you prove your English language skills with an MBA, EMBA or DBA awarded by Aalto Executive Education, upload to the application form:

1. Scanned colour copy of the original diploma in PDF format.
   Name the file according to format: Diploma-lastname-firstname.
2. Scanned colour copy of the original official transcript of study records in PDF format.
   Name the file according to format: Transcript-lastname-firstname.

The documents must be uploaded to the online application form by 9 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2).

Required documents if Aalto Executive Education MBA, EMBA or DBA is incomplete

Upload to the application form:

1. Scanned colour copy of the original official transcript of study records in PDF format.
   Name the file according to format: Transcript-lastname-firstname.

The document must be uploaded to the application form by 9 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2).

If your Aalto Executive Education MBA, EMBA or DBA is incomplete at the time of applying, it must be completed and you must graduate by 31 July 2024. A copy of the diploma must be submitted to Admission Services by 15 August 2024 at 15.00 (3 pm, GMT +3).

Required documents for completed CEMS MIM

If you prove your English language skills with a CEMS Master in International Management qualification, upload to the application form:

1. Scanned colour copy of the CEMS Master in International Management diploma in PDF format.
   Name the file according to format: Diploma-lastname-firstname.
2. Scanned colour copy of the CEMS Master in International Management official transcript of study records in PDF format.
   Name the file according to format: Transcript-lastname-firstname.

The documents must be uploaded to the online application form by 9 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2).

Required documents if CEMS MIM is incomplete

Upload to the application form:

1. Scanned copy of a certificate issued by your university in English about studying in the CEMS Master in International Management program.
   Name the file according to format: Certificate-lastname-firstname.
2. Scanned copy of the CEMS MIM official transcript of study records in PDF format.
   Name the file according to format: Transcript-lastname-firstname.

The documents must be uploaded to the application form by 9 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2).

If your CEMS Master in International Management is incomplete at the time of applying, it must be completed and you must graduate by 31 July 2024. A copy of the final diploma must be submitted to Admission Services by 15 August 2024 at 15.00 (3 pm, GMT +3).

You can demonstrate proficiency in Finnish or Swedish with a higher education degree or studies, if you have completed one of the following:

• an approved maturity essay in Finnish for a degree at a higher education institution in Finland or an approved maturity essay in Swedish at a higher education institution.
• as part of a degree at a higher education institution in Finland, a language test in Finnish/Swedish or language studies that serve to demonstrate proficiency in oral and written Finnish/Swedish (as the second national language) with a grade of at least Good.
• an academic thesis (or written final project) written in Finnish/Swedish
  (at a higher education institution in Finland or abroad)
• a study module of at least 60 ECTS credits (or 35 older credits, i.e. ‘study weeks’) in the Finnish/Swedish language as an academic subject
  (at a higher education institution in Finland or abroad)

Required documents

If the proof of proficiency in Finnish/Swedish is the same higher education degree that you apply with in the Master's admissions, it is not necessary to upload an additional attachment to the "Language proficiency" section of the application form. In this case, the degree documents are uploaded to the section "Degree granting eligibility to apply". Tick "University degree taught in Finnish or Swedish" to "Language proficiency" on the application form.

If your proof of proficiency in Finnish/Swedish is some other higher education degree, upload scanned colour copies of the degree certificate and transcript of records in PDF format to the upload attachment section of "University degree taught in Finnish or Swedish".

The documents must be uploaded to the application form by 9 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2).

You can demonstrate Finnish/Swedish proficiency with basic education or upper secondary  school education, if you have one of the following:

• Basic education, an upper secondary school final examination or other examination conferring eligibility for higher education completed in Finnish/Swedish
• The certificate awarded for the studies referred to in the Basic Education Act (628/1998) or the Act on General Upper Secondary Education (629/1998; 714/2018), or studies corresponding to them, with a passing grade in Finnish/Swedish in the subject of "mother tongue and literature" or the "Finnish/Swedish as a second language and literature" syllabus
• passed an amount of studies equivalent to Finland’s basic education syllabus in the subject of Finnish or Swedish through the Kulkuri School of Distance Education / Nomadskolan.

You can demonstrate language proficiency with any of the following studies (without having completed the whole matriculation examination):

• Finland's matriculation examination test of mother tongue and literature in Finnish/Swedish or the ‘Finnish/Swedish as a second language and literature’ test with a grade of at least approbatur (A);
• the test for Finnish/Swedish as the second national language of Finland at the advanced syllabus level, as part of Finland’s matriculation examination, with a grade of at least eximia cum laude approbatur (E);
• the test for Finnish/Swedish as the second national language of Finland at the intermediate syllabus level, as part of Finland’s matriculation examination, with a grade of at least laudatur (L).

Required document

Upload to the application form:

1. Scanned colour copy in PDF format of your school leaving certificate, certificate of graduation or certificate of Finnish matriculation examination that includes the language grade.

The document must be uploaded to the application form by 9 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2).

You can demonstrate your Finnish/Swedish skills without having completed the whole matriculation examination, if you have one of the following:

International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma with one of the following:

• Language A, A1 or A2 syllabus in Finnish/Swedish with a grade of at least 2
• Language B syllabus in Finnish/Swedish with a grade of at least 5

European Baccalaureate (EB) diploma with one of the following:

• Language 1 (L1) or Language 2 (L2) syllabus in Finnish/Swedish with an approved grade
  (a grade of at least 4.00, if the exam is completed before 2021, a grade of at least 5.00, if the exam is completed in 2021 or after)
• Language 3 (ONL) (L3, Other National Language) syllabus in Finnish/Swedish with a grade of at least 8.00

Reifeprüfung (RP) or Deutsche Internationale Abitur (DIA) diploma with one of the following:

• the written test in "Finnish as a mother tongue" with a minimum grade of 4
• the "Finnish as a second language" test at the CEFR level B2 with a minimum grade of 8
• the written test in Swedish with a minimum grade of 4

Required document

Upload to the application form:

1. Scanned colour copy in PDF format of your certificate or diploma that includes the language grade

The document must be uploaded to the application form by 9 January 2024 at 15.00 (GMT +2).

You can demonstrate Finnish/Swedish proficiency with one of the following language tests:

• National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) (Finnish/Swedish) intermediate-level test at a proficiency level of at least 4 in all subtests (reading comprehension, writing, listening comprehension, and speaking).
  Alternatively, completing at least three of the subtests of an advanced-level test (proficiency levels 5 and 6).
  Subtests from different test sittings may be combined.
• Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate (Finnish/Swedish) with a grade of at least Good on the written and oral component.
• A combination of National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) and Civil service language proficiency certificate (VKT), if you have:
  completed the National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) with proficiency level of at least 4 in the reading comprehension and writing subtests, plus the oral component of the Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate with a grade of Good; OR
  completed the National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) at a proficiency level of at least 4 in the listening comprehension and speaking subtests, plus the written component of the Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate (VKT) with a grade of Good.
• TISUS test (Test i svenska för universitetsstudier), if you have passed all parts of the test.

Required document

If you have received your test report, upload a scanned colour copy in PDF format of your test result to the application form.

For the Finnish/Swedish language tests, a certified paper copy of the test result is required. The certified paper copy must be submitted by mail, or you can bring it to Aalto University Admission Services mailbox on campus.
In contrast to the other forms of documentation, National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI), Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate (VKT) or TISUS test certificate must be received by 15 August 2024 15.00 (GMT +2).