English language requirements

All applicants are required to prove their English language skills in this application in one of the ways listed on this web page.

Proof of English is mandatory and an application can not be submitted without this. Please see the accepted ways below. Duolingo tests or medium of instruction certificates are not accepted.

SAT minimum score

  • SAT minimum score of 480 points in the Evidence based reading and writing part

Language certificates and minimum requirements

  • Cambridge ESOL’s tests B2 First (First Certificate in English) Cambridge Advanced:
    • minimum score 170
    • include your Candidate ID and Candidate Secret number when sending your results to Arcada
  • Pearson Test of English Academic or Academic online:
    • minimum score 51
    • results are accepted only when sent through the online PTE account
    • valid for two years
  • IELTS or IELTS online ; academic:
    • one skill retake test is accepted
    • minimum overall band score 6.0
    • valid for three years
  • TOEFL Internet-based or Home Edition test:
    • minimum score 67
    • test result must arrive directly from the Educational Testing Service
    • Arcada's TOEFL code 5724
    • valid for two years
  • Oxford ELLT Global :
    • from 1 July 2023 onwards: minimi score 6.0 (Test sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking)
    • Digital Oxford ELLT Global also accepted

The language certificate must be verifiable in the database by 28 May 2026. Tests that can not be verified will not be accepted. 

Arcada strives to accept electronic copies of language certificates submitted directly from the testing organisation. Please request your score report to be submitted to Arcada UAS when you register for the Cambridge, Pearson or TOEFL tests.

Certificates/diplomas from Estonia, India, Latvia or Vietnam

Those who are eligible to apply with their upper secondary/high school/12-year education certificate/diploma from Estonia, India, Latvia or Vietnam can prove their English language skills if they meet the following criteria:

Estonia:

  • Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus: minimum grade 4 in English

India:

  • All India Senior School Certificate (AISSC) from Central 
    Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) or Indian School Certificate 
    (ISC) from Council for the Indian School Certificate (CISCE): minimum grade 60% 
    in English

Latvia:

  • Atestāts par vispārējo vidējo izglītību: minimum grade 7 in English

Vietnam:

  • Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Trung Học Phổ Thông: minimum grade 7.0 in English

Other ways to prove English language proficiency

  • Finnish matriculation examination, grade C in the advanced syllabus test in the English language. If you have completed the Finnish matriculation examination before 1990 you must submit a certificate of language proficiency in case your matriculation score does not meet the requirements.
  • Finnish vocational education completed in English
  • IB Education : International Baccalaureate diploma or certitifate completed at an IB school. An IB diploma and certificate that is completed during spring/summer 2026 is accepted as proof of English skills.
  • Completed European Baccalaureate Education with medium of instruction being English or a minimum grade of 6.00 in L2 English
  • Reifeprüfung/DIA diploma, with a minimum grade of 7 in advanced English
  • An upper secondary level certificate or a bachelor’s or master’s degree completed in English in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa, excluding online degrees and offshore campuses. A minimum 60% of the of the degree must have been completed on location in one of the before mentioned countries.
  • Bachelor’s or master’s degree completed in English in an EU/EEA country, excluding online degrees and offshore campuses. A minimum of 60% of the degree must have been completed on location in one of the EU/EEA countries.