Students are required to demonstrate proficiency in both national languages of Finland (Finnish and Swedish) and in English. Foreign students may apply for an exemption of one or both of the national languages and complete other language studies instead. Please read these instructions carefully to find out what your personal language requirements in the degree are.

The national requirement tests and possible preparatory course are completed during the first year of studies; students exempt of the second national language should do the substituting course also during the first year. The course MNGT-A4004 Mastering influence in business communication is completed during the second year of studies. The elective language course is completed during the second or third year of studies.

^{* Complete the ruotsin lähtötasotesti (pre-test of Swedish skills) before enrolling in order to find out whether you need to take a preparatory Swedish course. The preparatory courses LCB-5800 Ruotsinkielinen yritysviestintä 1 or LCB-5803 Ruotsinkielistä yritysviestintää perusteellisesti are placed in the Elective studies module in the personal study plan (PSP/HOPS). Please note that these preparatory courses are not eligible as elective language courses. Read more about studying Swedish below.}

^{** You can find more information of Finnish language tests and preparatory courses in the language centre page: Finska som andra och främmande språk. For Swedish speaking students, the course LC-5000 Kommunicera som expert is recommended as part of the Elective studies module to enhance communication and interaction skills in your mother tongue. Please note that this course is not eligible as elective language course.}

^{*** Please read below of the exemptions.}

National languages Finnish and Swedish

According to the Government Decree on University Degrees, it is mandatory to demonstrate proficiency in both national languages, meaning Finnish and Swedish, in a higher education degree in Finland. The proficiency in your language of education (Koulusivistyskieli in Finnish) is demonstrated with the maturity test written with the bachelor's thesis and the proficiency in the second national language is demonstrated by passing the written and oral tests.

• Your language of education is the national language you have as a mother tongue in the diploma of upper secondary school (lukio in Finnish)
• If you have not graduated from the upper secondary school (lukio in Finnish) or you have completed an international upper secondary school programme or you have completed upper secondary school or corresponding studies abroad, your language of education is the national language you have as a mother tongue in the diploma of comprehensive school (peruskoulu in Finnish)
• If you don't have Finnish or Swedish as a mother tongue neither in upper secondary school nor comperehensive school diploma, the language of education is in most cases not specified: you should apply for determination of your proficiency requirements. Please read more of how the Language of education is determined at the language centre pages and below on Exemptions of the language requirements

If your language of education is Finnish, the other national language is Swedish. If your language of education is Swedish, the other national language is Finnish.

Studies in a foreign language: English

According to the Government Decree on University Degrees, it is mandatory to demonstrate proficiency in at least one foreign language. Language proficiency must enable monitoring progress in your own field and operating in an international setting. All students demonstrate this proficiency with the mandatory course in English Business Communication MNGT-A4004 Mastering influence in business communication.

Elective language course

The Bachelor's degree includes a 3 credit elective language course. The elective course may be

• A course in Finnish or Swedish* (see below the heading Finnish/Swedish)
• Advanced course in the other national language (Swedish)** (see below the heading Swedish)
• A language course in any foreign language, provided by the School of Business (see bewlow the heading English Business Communication) or Aalto language centre
• A language course in another university e.g. via JOO-studies

*  Applies to students whose language of education is not Finnish or Swedish
** Applies to students whose language of education is Finnish

Please note that courses in your language of education (such as LC-5000 Kommunicera som expert for Swedish-speaking students), courses preparing to the language requirement tests, courses in Intercultural Communication or other courses that are not language courses even though provided by the language centre are not eligible for elective language studies. Please read more under Elective language studies.

Exemptions of the language requirements

Read more under During your studies > Applications.

English Business Communication (EBC), offered by Aalto BIZ Department of Management Studies, focuses on essential communication skills required in international business.  

In addition to the mandatory course MNGT-A4004 Mastering influence in business communication, one course in English Business Communication can be included in the mandatory language and communication studies. English Business Communication studies can also be included in the elective studies of the BSc degree.

Language of instruction: English

Structure of studies

English Business Communication consists of one core and one elective course for the B.Sc. degree. On completion of the core course the student can complete the elective course.

Core course (mandatory)

1) Registration for all teaching periods is open before the start of the fall term, please check the registration times in Sisu.
Second year Bachelor students will also been sent an email about registration instructions in the summer.
The C1 starting level of the course means the course fulfils the language requirement for exchange studies.

Elective course

Finnish

Proficiency in Finnish is a key to understanding and enjoying Finnish culture and society. In many workplaces Finnish is an important language although the official working language of many international Finnish companies is English. Proficiency in Finnish is often a central factor in recruitment, career advancement and success in working life. In addition, knowledge in a rare language such as Finnish may be an advantage in international working life.

The following Finnish courses may be completed to substitute the National language requirements tests and they are also eligible as elective language studies if your language of education is not Finnish or Swedish.

Finnish as a second language and as a foreign language

More information about studying Finnish here.

Swedish

These instructions apply to students whose language of education is not Swedish. Please note that courses in your language of education are not eligible to compulsory language studies. Swedish-speaking students cannot therefore complete Swedish studies towards the language studies of the degree.

To enhance Swedish-speaking students' communication and interaction skills in Swedish, the language centre offers the course LC-5000 Kommunicera som expert, which we recommend. This and other elective Swedish studies are placed in Elective studies module for Swedish-speaking students.

Students with Swedish as a second national language

Sweden is one of Finland’s most important trading partners, and therefore Swedish proficiency is crucial in the world of work. In fact, the value of Swedish skills is second only to English, and the higher the position applied for, the greater the importance of Swedish in career advancement. The importance of Swedish in working life has risen even further due to increased Nordic integration. Additionally, public servants in positions requiring an academic degree and located in bilingual jurisdictions are required by law to possess the Swedish skills necessary for their field.

The National language requirement tests are mandatory part of the degree for students not exempted of them. Language centre offers courses that prepare for the tests and participating in them is highly recommended. Before enrolling to tests or to courses, please complete ruotsin lähtötasotesti (pre-test of Swedish skills), which recommends a suitable preparatory course for you or in some cases suggests taking the tests directly. Preparatory courses are placed in the Elective studies module in the personal study plan (PSP/HOPS). Please note that these preparatory courses are not eligible as elective language courses.

Compulsory studies

^{*Complete the ruotsin lähtötasotesti (pre-test of Swedish skills) before enrolling in order to find out whether you need to take a preparatory Swedish course. The preparatory courses LCB-5800 Ruotsinkielinen yritysviestintä 1 or LCB-5803 Ruotsinkielistä yritysviestintää perusteellisesti are placed in the Elective studies module in the personal study plan (PSP/HOPS). Please note that these preparatory courses are not eligible as elective language courses.}

Swedish courses eligible for elective language studies

^{*  Kursen är avsedda för studerande med svenska som modersmål/skolbildningsspråk. Kurserna är även lämpliga för tvåspråkiga studerande (finska och svenska) samt övriga studerande med mycket goda kunskaper i svenska. Kurssi toteutetaan lähiopetuksena periodeina IV–V. The course can also be completed as self study (3–5op), please contact the teacher for more information.}

Swedish courses eligible for elective studies module

^{* Prepares for the National language requirement tests}

Foreign students

The following Swedish courses may be completed to substitute the National language requirements tests and they are also eligible as elective language studies if your language of education is not Finnish or Swedish.

Swedish for International Students

 ^{*) Provided by Hanken School of Economics}

The bachelor's degree includes 3 credits of elective language studies which can be completed either by supplementing the language studies of the degree in English and other national language of Finland, or by completing 3 credits in another foreign language. Elective language studies can include either elective courses in English business communication (see above) provided by the School of Business, courses in Swedish (does not apply to students whose language of education is Swedish, see above), courses in Finnish (does not apply to students whose language of education is Finnish, see above), or language studies offered by the Language Center (listed below; the teaching language for each course should be checked separately).

• Spanish 2022-2024
• Japanese 2022-2024
• Chinese 2022-2024
• Portuguese 2022-2024
• French 2022-2024
• German 2022-2024
• Russian 2022-2024
• Other language and communication studies in the Bachelor's degree

Starting level

When describing the starting level of language courses, the European framework (CEFR = Common European Framework of Reference) levels of language proficience A1-A2-B1-B2-C1-C2 are used. A level is for the basic level of language studies, B level is a more advanced language proficiency and C level is the most proficient level of language knowledge.

Foreign language courses are chosen based on the student's own interests and goals. In English Business Communication and Swedish studies all School of Business students begin from the same level: MNGT-A4004 Mastering Influence in Business Communication is level C1 and Ruotsinkielinen yritysviestintä 1 (for students whose language of education is Finnish) B1. In other foreign languages, everyone begins their studies from their own starting level depending on previously acquired language proficiency.

The starting level of a language course is mentioned in the course description in the field CEFR level. Most courses also have a goal level defined.

Spanish is the official language of 19 countries, and around 400 million people speak it as their native language. It is also the official language for several international organisations, among others the UN. Spanish-speaking countries are a huge market and economic area that is becoming more and more interesting to Finnish companies. Anyone doing business in Spain and Latin America will benefit greatly from the knowledge of the language and culture.

Spanish courses can be included in the language and communications studies of a BSc in Business degree or in the elective studies, beginning from the student's skill level. You can start your Spanish studies here at Aalto with any course depending on your language proficiency acquired prior.

It is also possible to include Spanish courses in the minor Multilingual Business Communication and in elective studies in both BSc and MSc degrees. Please find more information on the pages for those study modules. Each course can be included in the degree only once.

Structure of studies

More information about studying Spanish.

Structure of studies

More information about studying Japanese.

China is a key market for Finnish business, and Chinese businesses are continually expanding their operations in Finland. Leading companies of different fields are looking to recruit employees with knowledge of Chinese language and culture. Persons with proficiency in Chinese have good opportunities for doing business in China.

Chinese courses can be included in the language and communications studies of a BSc in Business degree or to elective studies, beginning from the student's skill level.

Structure of studies

For Chinese 1, 2, 3 and 4 it is recommended to pair the with courses on Chinese characters. Chinese character courses by themselves cannot be included in language and communication studies.

More information about studying Chinese.

Portuguese is among the most spoken languages in the world. Spoken in Portugal and Brazil as well as many African countries, Portuguese has over 200 million speakers worldwide. Brazil is increasingly important for Finland as market region, and in business, having a knowledge of the language and culture is a great asset.

Portuguese courses can be included in the language and communications studies of a BSc in Business degree or to elective studies, beginning from the student's skill level.

Structure of studies

More information about studying Portuguese.

A good knowledge of French is in demand in many areas of business due to the French market opening to Finnish companies via language skills and knowledge of customs and the country. Many large corporations and international institutions have their headquarters in Paris. The French language is important in the United Nations where third of the speeches are held in French. The Council of Europe is located in Strasbourg. Along English, French is the first official working language in the European Union. By studying French, you can conventiently learn also widely used scientific and other terms based on Latin.

French courses can be included in the language and communications studies of a BSc in Business degree or to elective studies, beginning from the student's skill level. You can start your French studies here at Aalto with any course depending on your language proficiency acquired prior.

It is also possible to include French courses in the minor Multilingual Business Communication and in elective studies in both BSc and MSc degrees. Please find more information on the pages of those study modules. Each course can be included in the degree only once.

Structure of studies

More information about studying French.

The position of the German language in Europe is undeniable as it is the native language of around 100 million Europeans. In economic life, German is an important tool since Germany is one of Finland's biggest trading partners. The German courses at Aalto University offer versatile opportunities to study German and learn skills needed in operating in challenging international positions.

German courses can be included in the language and communications studies of a BSc in Business degree or to elective studies beginning from the student's knowledge level.

It is also possible in both BSc and MSc level degrees to include German courses in the minor Multilingual Business Communication (both BSc or MSc level degrees) and in elective studies. Look for more information on the pages for those study modules. All courses can be included in the degree only once.

Structure of studies

More information about studying German.

Russian skills and knowledge have a special significance in Finland. Russia is one of Finland's most significant trading partners, and the intercommunication between the two countries is lively also in several other areas. Especially staff in exporting companies are expected to have a good knowledge of the Russian language and environment. Russian is also suitable for those who are seeking international positions because business degree holders with Russian skills are also in demand outside of Finland. Russian is commonly spoken also in many other Eastern European countries, and it is one of the official language of the UN. Students also have the opportunity to specialize in Russian economy.

Master's School in Russian and East European Studies

Aalto University is one of 12 Finnish universities participating in the Master’s School in Russian and East European Studies (ExpREES), a specialisation programme of advanced studies for a master's degree. Through ExpREES you can add special expertise to your major in your own area and in related disciplines. The application period is generally in March. Further information here.

Studying Russian

Russian courses can be included in the language and communications studies of a BSc in Business degree or to elective studies, beginning from the student's skill level.

It is also possible in to include Russian courses in the minor Multilingual Business Communication and in elective studies in both BSc and MSc degrees. Please find more information on the pages for those study modules. Each course can be included in the degree only once.

Russian as a native language

Students with Russian as their native language or an equivalent knowledge in Russian can include courses LC-8591 Russian 9 Russian Business Communication for Native Speakers A and LC-8592 Venäjä 9 Russian Business Communication for Native Speakers B in their degree. They can't take courses meant for students with Russian as a foreign language. Native language Russian courses are usually taught every two academic years. Taking part in the courses requires at least a satisfactory knowledge of Finnish.

Structure of studies

Russian as a foreign language

Russian as a native language

More information about studying Russian.

• Language center offers the minor Multilingual Business Communication (24 cr) that can be included into either a BSc or MSc level degree.
• Language and cumminication studies can be included in the degree electives. All Language Center courses are accepted there. Aalto School of Business students also have the opportunity to apply for other universities' or universities of applied sciences' language courses using the JOO flexible study right.