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Students demonstrate proficiency in either of Finland’s national languages (Finnish or Swedish) by taking a written and an oral test to show their knowledge and ability to communicate within their field. The skills tested are evaluated with three possible outcomes: Good, Satisfactory or Fail. The Language Centre offers preparatory courses for the Swedish and the Finnish exams. Information about exemptions from the language proficiency requirements is given at the bottom of this page. 

School of Business and schools of technology

Swedish, 2 cr:

• Tests for second national language proficiency: (1 cr) and (1 cr), which are completed in connection with basic level courses (LC-5003 or LC-5004). Students with advanced proficiency in Swedish can simply take the tests, without the preparatory courses, to receive the credits (see registration instructions and additional information in the course description in Sisu).
• Good or satisfactory writing skills in Swedish, as demonstrated in the Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate (VKT), are supplemented with an oral test completed at the Language Centre.

Finnish, 2 cr:

• Tests for second national language proficiency: (1 cr) and (1 cr). More about the tests can be found on .
• Good or satisfactory writing skills in Finnish, as demonstrated in the Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate (VKT), are supplemented with an oral test completed at the Language Centre.

School of Arts, Design and Architecture

Swedish, 3 cr:

• National language proficiency test, written Swedish (2 cr) and oral test (1 op), which are completed in connection with basic level courses (LC-5003 or LC-5004). Students with advanced proficiency in Swedish can simply take the tests, without the preparatory courses, to receive the credits (see registration instructions and additional information in the course description in Sisu).
• Good or satisfactory writing skills in Swedish, as demonstrated in the Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate (VKT), are supplemented with an oral test completed at the Language Centre.

Finnish, 3 cr:

• Tests for second national language proficiency: (2 cr) and . More about the tests can be found on .
• Good or satisfactory writing skills in Finnish, as demonstrated in the Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate (VKT), are supplemented with an oral test completed at the Language Centre.

Exemption from demonstrating proficiency in second national language

Students who received an exemption from second national language studies in their earlier schooling, with a document certifying the exemption, may refer to the document and be released from the requirement to demonstrate proficiency in the language in question. Also, students who indicated Finnish or Swedish as their language of education (i.e. the language of their primary and secondary school education) but who did not complete the required syllabus of second national language studies in upper secondary school (i.e. at least 5 second national language courses), as marked in the school-leaving certificate, may refer to their earlier incompletion of syllabus studies and receive an exemption from the second national language requirement. Applications for exemption from the second national language requirement are processed in the student’s home school at Aalto.

A student with an exemption may need to complete other language studies in place of the exempted studies, depending on the student’s degree requirements. Students for whom neither Finnish nor Swedish could be indicated as the language of education may still take the examination for Finnish or Swedish as a second national language, if they wish. On successfully completing the exam, such students will receive a mark of their study attainment. However, students with neither Finnish nor Swedish as a language of education cannot receive a mark in their degree certificate supplement regarding the demonstration of language proficiency specified in section 6(1) of the Finnish Language Act (424/2003).

Additionally, technology and arts students who completed their primary / upper secondary education in the Ã…land Islands receive, upon application, an exemption from demonstrating proficiency in Finnish as the second national language (decree 841/2000, section 3).

Students can receive more details about the grounds and the application methods for receiving an exemption by contacting their own school’s Learning Services.

Students who are considering applying for an exemption from second national language studies should note that absence of second national language proficiency in their degree certificate may affect their employment prospects, particularly for government positions. Demonstrating second national language proficiency after higher education typically requires completing the Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate (VKT), which is fee-based and may be challenging without adequate language skills. For this reason, the Language Centre strongly recommends that students complete their second national language studies during their time of university studies.

Exemptions from language requirements

Credit transfer

Students who demonstrated language and communication skills in their second national language during previous higher education studies or as part of a previously completed university degree must submit a transcript of records or their earlier degree certificate when applying for a credit transfer. The transcript or certificate must mention either Valtioneuvoston asetus suomen ja ruotsin kielen taidon osoittamisesta valtionhallinnossa 12.6.2003/481 (the government decree on the demonstration of proficiency in Finnish or Swedish in state administration) or a second national language course description that mentions the Act on the Knowledge of Languages Required of Personnel in Public Bodies (424/2003).

A student who has demonstrated satisfactory or good proficiency in written language and communication skills in a second national language by completing the Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate (VKT) must supplement the certificate by completing the Language Centre’s oral test.

What cannot be credited?

The course Professional Swedish () offered by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences cannot be accepted as a substitute for the studies or examinations in Swedish as the second national language that form part of a degree at Aalto University.

The reason is that the course does not meet Aalto University's assessment and demonstration requirements for verifying proficiency in Swedish as the second national language required for a university degree. At Aalto University, students' written and oral language proficiency is assessed separately, and the assessment verifies the student's individual competence in written production, oral communication, and interaction skills.

As the mode of completion of the course does not enable a reliable and verified assessment of the language proficiency required for a degree according to Aalto University's practices, the course cannot be accepted as a substitute for the studies or examinations in Swedish as the second national language that form part of a degree at Aalto University. Effective from 1 October 2026. The online course used as the basis for credit transfer must be completed by 31 August 2026, and the application for credit transfer must be submitted no later than 30 September 2026. If a student has completed a Finnish higher education degree before this date and that degree includes studies in the second national language, the language proficiency demonstrated through the degree will be recognised in accordance with standard practices.