Language studies

Language and communication skills courses at Arcada are provided by lecturers in The Arcada Language Unit. We provide courses in the obligatory languages – Swedish, Finnish and English. 

In addition, the Language Unit also assesses students' knowledge of the domestic languages and the results are stated in their degree certificates in accordance with section 6 of the Act on the Knowledge of Languages Required of Personnel in Public Bodies (424/2003).

Languages as Part of Professional Studies

All students in the Swedish language study programmes are required to complete five credits each in Swedish, Finnish, and English. In the English language programmes, students whose language of schooling is a national language (Swedish or Finnish) are likewise required to complete five credits each in Swedish, Finnish, and English. Students in the English language programmes who received their schooling abroad or in another language are required to complete ten credits in Swedish and five credits in English as part of the common language studies.

Language studies at other universities 

Irrespective of the study programme, students can choose language courses as development studies. A development studies package encompasses at least 15 credits (the main rule is that all 15 credits are earned in the same language and not as a combination of, e.g. 3 x 5 credits in language courses for beginners). 

If you have no prior knowledge of Finnish, we encourage you to take at least 15 credits of beginner-level Finnish to help facilitate your integration into the labour market. Arcada offers three courses in Finnish for Beginners to help you improve your Finnish skills.

Through co-operation with Hanken External link, the Swedish School of Economics, Arcada students can study e.g. Spanish, German, French. Arcada has an agreement with Hanken, so you can register for their language courses via Sisu. Use the search function in Sisu External link and make sure to click on Cross-institutional studies. In the menu Cross-institutional network, choose Language Studies Arcada Hanken. There is a limited number of spots for Arcada students at Hanken, so make sure to register in good time and remember to check when the registration period for the course closes.

Kivanet External link and Unitandem External linkare two networks for language studies at universities in Finland.

It is possible to complete language studies through other organisers or universities as well. To get language studies credited at Arcada, you might need to take a level test at Arcada. Please, contact contact the head of the language unit if you find an interesting course that you want to include in your studies. 

Finnish courses completed as self-studies via, e.g., Campus Online or other providers without number grading can be accredited at Arcada only after demonstrating your skills in a level test at Arcada. 

Upcoming level tests will be held on 
Wednesday, 27 August 2025, from 12:00 to 14:00 in room B328.

Please contact the Finnish teacher, Minna Lehtola, via email if you wish to participate. After passing the level test, you can apply for ECTS accreditation based on your studies at another university.

Exemption

A student in the Swedish language programmes at Arcada who has received his/her education in Åland or in a country other than Finland may apply to be exempted from courses in Finnish. The exemption concerns the attainment requirements for courses in Finnish, not the credits that should be earned in Finnish courses that form part of the compulsory language requirements of the study programme. The exemption shall be noted in the degree certificate. It is important that the student is aware that the requirements for officially certified language competence are then not fulfilled.

The head of the language unit grant exemptions from the proficiency requirement in Finnish for students who have received their school education in Åland or abroad, or for students who have had a customized curriculum in previous language studies. Apply for an exemption through this form External link. In other cases, the principal has the authority to grant any dispensation from language studies. Always initiate a discussion with the head of the language unit.

Re-exams for language courses

Upcoming re-exams and level tests will be held on 
Wednesday, 27 August 2025, from 12:00 to 14:00 in room B328.

Please contact the Finnish teacher, Minna Lehtola, via email if you wish to participate. After passing the level test, you can apply for ECTS accreditation based on your studies at another university.

Writing Guide and Writing Support

Remember to always keep Arcada’s Writing Guide at hand when you write. The more you read the guide and actively follow its advice, the easier your writing process will become.

You are welcome to join Arcada’s writing workshops. Every week, we are available to support you with various writing tasks in English, as well as in Swedish and Finnish. You will benefit most from the workshops if you attend early in your studies and at the beginning of a writing process.