Language policy for studies and degrees

The instruction belongs to the following themes

By selecting a degree programme you are able to see the general content as well as the possible degree programme-specific content.

General information on the University’s language policy

The Language Policy of the University of Helsinki (PDF) encourages reflection on language use in the University’s teaching, research and public engagement. The guiding principle of the policy is to conduct University activities inclusively for everyone in the University community. The central aims include combining bilingual (Finnish- and Swedish-language) activities with internationalisation, agreeing on the shared practices of language use and making the most of the linguistic variety present in the University. You can find information on language-aware teaching and tips on how to take linguistic diversity into account in your teaching, as well as support for strengthening the Swedish language in Finnish- and Swedish-language degree programmes on the websites Language-aware teaching and Toolbox for promoting bilingualism.

Section 11 of the Universities Act stipulates that the languages of instruction and degrees at the University of Helsinki are Finnish and Swedish. Under the above Act, the University can also use another language for instruction and degrees.

When establishing a degree programme, the rector of the University decides on the language(s) in which students can complete a degree in the programme. The curriculum of the degree programme, decided by the Faculty Council, defines the languages of instruction and study of the courses. The necessary clarifications are made in the teaching programme, which is decided by the degree programme steering group.

Languages of study

The language of study refers to the language in which the student completes the credit in question. The language of study may be different from the language of instruction or the student’s native language. Only one language can be recorded as the language of study in the student information system for each course you assess as a teacher. If a course consists of several components completed in different languages, the language of study for the course is the language in which the component with the greatest workload was completed. If the components completed in different languages have an equal workload, you as the assessor decide which language is recorded as the language of study.

Students can use Finnish or Swedish to complete their studies and can obtain written examinations and other study-related assignments in the language requested by them, that is, Finnish or Swedish. However, the nature of a degree programme or course (e.g., language studies) may require that students must complete studies in a certain language. Similarly, students pursuing a degree in English must complete the majority of their studies in English.

The languages of instruction and study in degree programmes

Finnish- and Swedish-language degree programmes offer instruction in Finnish or Swedish, and students complete their studies mainly in the same language. However, a degree programme may include instruction in English, Finnish or Swedish, in which case students can complete studies in Finnish, Swedish or, possibly, English. In language subjects, the language of instruction and study may be other than Finnish, Swedish or English.

In English-language degree programmes, instruction is given in English, and students must complete their studies in English. They must complete at least 75% of all the studies to be included in their degree in English and must write their theses in English.

In Swedish-language degree programmes, instruction is given in Swedish, and students must complete their studies in Swedish. They must complete at least 75% of all the studies to be included in their degree in Swedish and must write their theses in Swedish.

In multilingual degree programmes, instruction is, as a rule, given in English, and students may complete their studies in Finnish, Swedish or English, depending on the language of their degree. If they complete their degree in English, they must complete at least 75% of the studies to be included in their degree in English and must write their theses in English.

Finnish- and Swedish-language degree programmes may offer the opportunity to complete a bilingual degree (Finnish and Swedish, or Swedish and Finnish). As a rule, students must complete studies in the language of instruction. 

Languages of examination tasks and answers

Unless the nature of the examined discipline or teaching requires otherwise, students are entitled to use Finnish or Swedish in completing their studies, and written examinations and other study-related assignments will be provided in the language requested by the student, in other words, Finnish or Swedish.

In English-language degree programmes, examination tasks are provided in English, and students must complete them in English.

In Swedish-language degree programmes, examination tasks are given in Swedish, and students must complete them in Swedish.

In language subjects, examination tasks are usually given in the language in question, and students must complete them in the same language.

As a rule, tasks included in examinations connected to teaching are given in the language in which the teaching was provided.

  • If teaching has been provided in Finnish, Swedish-language students may request and receive the examination tasks in both Swedish and Finnish and answer them in Swedish. However, they must submit a notification about this well in advance, at least 10 days before the examination session. The student’s own notification is sufficient.
  • If teaching has been provided in Swedish, examination tasks are given in Swedish. Finnish-speaking students can answer the questions in Finnish or Swedish.
  • If teaching has been provided in more than one language, tasks can be given in the language of the relevant part of teaching.
  • If teaching in a Finnish- or Swedish-language or a multilingual degree programme has been given in English, examination tasks are given in English. Students can complete the tasks in Finnish, Swedish or English if they are completing a degree in Finnish or Swedish. However, they must complete the tasks in English if they are completing an English-language degree in a multilingual degree programme.
  • If a student is completing a bilingual degree (Finnish and Swedish, or Swedish and Finnish), examination tasks are, as a rule, given and completed in the language in which teaching was provided.

University of Helsinki employees (with a valid work contract) and units can have revised free of charge their examination questions in Swedish at the Language Centre’s Language Services (requires login with university username), if the examiner is a non-native speaker of Swedish. Please note that clients placing a language revision order are responsible for the accuracy of special terminology in the relevant discipline or field.

Language of degrees

The University offers degrees in Finnish, Swedish and English.

  • In Finnish- and Swedish-language degree programmes, the languages of the students’ degrees are Finnish and/or Swedish.
  • In multilingual degree programmes, the language of the students’ degrees is Finnish, Swedish or English. The English skills of students completing an English-language degree are examined before they begin their studies.
  • In an English-language degree programme, the language of the students’ degrees is English.
  • In a Swedish-language degree programme, the language of the students’ degrees is Swedish.

Students may have the opportunity to complete a bilingual degree (requires login with university username) in a degree programme. In such cases, the languages of their degrees are Finnish and Swedish, or Swedish and Finnish.

Further information and links

Universities Act (unofficial English translation) in Finlex Internet service

Regulations on Degrees and the Protection of Students’ Rights at the University of Helsinki (requires login with university username)

Guidelines for degrees and studies at the University of Helsinki, Rector’s Decision HY/3220/00.00.06.00/2021, 21 June 2021 (requires login with university username)

Language guidelines for Master’s programmes at the University of Helsinki, Rector’s Decision 45/2016, 27 April 2016 (requires login with university username)

Changing the language of degrees in a multilingual master’s programme (in Finnish), Director of Development’s Decision HY/162/00.00.06.02/2019, 8 February 2019 (requires login with university username)

University of Helsinki principles for examinations, Rector’s Decision HY/5740/00.00.06.00/2022, 14 June 2022 (requires login with university username)

Maturity tests for bachelor’s degrees

Maturity tests for master’s degrees

Toolbox for promoting bilingualism

See also the Instructions for Students

You will find related content for students in the Studies Service.