English language requirements

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.

ACT minimum score

• ACT minimum score of 22 points in the English Language Arts (ELA) part

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 Cambridge Advanced (B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency. No other Cambridge language tests are accepted.):
  • minimum score 169
  • include your Candidate ID and Candidate Secret number when sending your results to Arcada
  • Test sections: Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening, and Speaking
• 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 or 3.5 according to tests completed after January 2026
  • test result must arrive directly from the Educational Testing Service
  • Arcada's TOEFL code 5724
  • valid for two years
• Oxford ELLT Global or Oxford ELLT Digital
  • from 1 July 2023 onwards: minimum overall score 6.0 (Test sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking)
  • Arcada's code ARCADA10 gives a 10% discount on the test fee
  • Oxford ELLT Digital - Student Guide
  • Oxford ELLT Global - Student Guide
  • Oxford ELLT Portal Guide
• National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) English
  • Grade 4 or higher in all the subtests (speaking, listening comprehension, writing, and reading comprehension)
  • The unique identifier is not necessary, but the applicant must attach an electronic copy of the test result to the application for verification purposes.

The language certificate must be verifiable in the database by 26 April 2027. 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, Germany, India, Latvia, Poland, South Africa or Vietnam

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

Estonia:

• Gümnaasiumi lõputunnistus: minimum grade 3 in B2 English

Germany

• Allgemeine Hochschulreife: minimum grade 7 in advanced 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

Poland:

• Świadectwo dojrzałości completed through Egzamin maturalny after 2005: minimum grade 70% in English Extended Level or Bilingual Level or
• for applicants graduating during summer 2027: minimum grade 5 in English

South Africa (if applying through certificate-based selection method):

• South African National Senior Certificate: minimum grade 5 or 60% in English

Vietnam:

• Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Trung Học Phổ Thông: minimum grade 7.5 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 certificate completed at an IB school. An IB diploma and certificate that is completed during spring/summer 2027 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 completed in Finland, 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.