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Scoring in certificate-based admissions in 2023–2025

What is certificate-based admission?

Applicants who have completed

  • the Finnish matriculation examination,
  • International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma,
  • European School’s European Baccalaureate (EB) diploma or
  • Reifeprüfung (RP) diploma or Deutsches Internationales Abitur (DIA) diploma in Finland

are considered in certificate-based admissions.

In certificate-based admissions, the applicants’ matriculation examination certificates are scored, and applicants who have received the highest certificate scores are admitted. This page explains more about the scoring of matriculation examination certificates.

You can read about other possible admission procedures in the admission criteria for each programme in Studyinfo.

All applicants must also prove sufficient language proficiency. Read more about proving language proficiency.

Field-specific scoring in certificate-based admissions

Scoring of the matriculation examination certificate

The certificate points are calculated based on your matriculation examination grades, using the combination of subjects for which you score the highest points. The matriculation examinations considered in certificate-based admissions are the Finnish matriculation examination, IB and EB diplomas and RP and DIA diplomas completed in Finland.

The criteria for certificate-based admissions consist of four parts:

  • subjects for which points are scored,
  • scoring table,
  • threshold criteria, if any, and
  • possible minimum number of points.

The same subjects for which points are scored and the same scoring table are used for all programmes in the same field. Note, however, that these may also differ between similar fields. Possible threshold criteria and minimum number of points within the same field may vary by programme.

Subjects for which points are scored

In certificate-based admissions, the number of matriculation examination subjects for which the applicants score points vary by field. A maximum of six matriculation examination subjects can be taken into account.

  • You may only score points once for each subject.
  • If you are missing any of the subjects for which points are scored, you will receive zero points for that subject. You may still be admitted if the points you received from other subjects are sufficient for admission.
  • No points are awarded for the Finnish matriculation examination’s tests in natural sciences and humanities taken before 2006.
  • The grades of individual matriculation examination tests are taken into account in the scoring, as long as you have completed one of the matriculation examinations taken into account in certificate-based admissions in their entirety. For example, applicants with an IB diploma can take tests in individual Finnish matriculation examination subjects, thus obtaining certificate points for the subjects in question.

The field-specific pages for scoring in certificate-based admissions explain from which subjects you can score points in each field.

Mother tongue

  • In all fields, applicants score points for mother tongue.
  • As mother tongue is accepted Finnish as mother tongue, Swedish as mother tongue, Sámi as mother tongue, Finnish as a second language and Swedish as a second language. A few programmes have restrictions on which subjects are taken into account as mother tongue. These exceptions are included in the information on the programmes in question.
  • If you have taken the test in two native-level languages, one of them is taken into account as an advanced syllabus in a language.

Mathematics

  • In mathematics, you may score points either for the basic syllabus or the advanced syllabus.

Languages

  • You may score points for syllabuses of the same level in several languages (advanced, intermediate, basic) if the points system specified by the field allows this.

Example: In certificate-based admissions to the programme, five subjects are taken into account, consisting of mother tongue and any other four subjects. The applicant has taken the matriculation examination tests in Finnish as mother tongue, advanced syllabus in Swedish, advanced syllabus in English, basic syllabus in French and biology. In certificate-based admissions to the programme in question, the applicant scores points for all subjects in which they have taken the test.

Scoring table

The scoring table shows how many points you receive for each subject. Scoring tables vary slightly by field. As a result, you may receive a different number of points for the same subject when applying to different fields. The maximum number of certificate points also varies by field, depending on the type of scoring table used.

On the field-specific pages for scoring in certificate-based admissions, you can find a scoring table for each field.

Threshold criteria

Threshold criteria indicate if you need to have a specific matriculation examination test taken in order to be considered in certificate-based admissions. In addition, a threshold criterion often specifies the minimum grade that you must have for the matriculation examination test in question.

Threshold criteria are programme-specific. There may be more than one threshold criterion for a programme.  However, threshold criteria are not used for all programmes.

The field-specific pages for scoring in certificate-based admissions describe the threshold criteria for each programme.

Threshold criteria, example 1

If the threshold criterion for a programme is achieving grade M in chemistry, the applicant has to achieve at least grade M in the matriculation examination test. If the applicant has not taken the test in chemistry or their grade in this test is A, B or C, they cannot be admitted through certificate-based admissions to the programme in question.

Threshold criteria, example 2

If mother tongue has been specified as a threshold criterion, it means the test in Finnish as mother tongue, Swedish as mother tongue, Sámi as mother tongue, Finnish as a second language or Swedish as a second language. If Finnish as mother tongue, Swedish as mother tongue or Sámi as mother tongue has been specified as a threshold criterion, this only refers to the test in mother tongue syllabus of the language in question. In this case, an applicant who has taken the test in Finnish as a second language or Swedish as a second language does not meet the criterion.

Minimum number of points

You can only be admitted in certificate-based admissions if you receive at least the minimum number of certificate points. Note that reaching the minimum number of points does not mean that you will be admitted, but your points will be compared to those of other applicants, and applicants who have received the highest scores are admitted. The minimum number of points is programme-specific. All programmes have not specified a separate minimum number of points.

The possible minimum number of points is indicated in the admission criteria for each programme in Studyinfo.

Finnish or Swedish as a second language (S2/R2) compared to mother tongue and literature

Finnish or Swedish as a second language is seen as equal to mother tongue and literature in university admissions. The decision is based on the Act on the Matriculation Examination (502/2019), which states that “The [matriculation examination] test consisting of language and literature in the mother tongue can only be taken in Finnish, Swedish or Saami. Aside from the Finnish and Swedish tests intended for those whose mother tongue is Finnish or Swedish, tests may be organised based on a language and literature syllabus for Finnish or Swedish as a second language.”

However, it should be noted that three aspects must be taken into account when comparing S2 or R2 to mother tongue and literature:

  1. Scoring S2/R2 in certificate-based admissions in the same way as mother tongue and literature.
  2. Equal status of S2/R2 as a threshold criterion with mother tongue and literature in certificate-based admission.
  3. Demonstrating language proficiency with the S2/R2 matriculation examination.

1.      Scoring S2/R2 in certificate-based admissions in the same way as mother tongue and literature

In certificate-based admission, S2/R2 will generally be scored in the same way as mother tongue and literature in the certificate-based admissions of 2024-2025. However, there are few exceptions in scoring in the degree programmes of University of Helsinki in 2024-2025:

  • In Pohjoismaiset kielet (ruotsi toisena kotimaisena kielenä), only Finnish as mother tongue will be accepted as mother tongue.
  • In Nordiska språk (svenska som modersmål) och nordisk litteratur, only Swedish as mother tongue will be accepted as mother tongue.
  • In Suomen kieli ja kulttuuri, only Finnish as a second language will be accepted as mother tongue.
  • In Suomen kieli ja suomalais-ugrilaiset kielet ja kulttuurit sekä kotimainen kirjallisuus, only Finnish as a mother tongue will be accepted as mother tongue.
  • In Venäjä vieraana kielenä, only Finnish, Swedish or Sámi as mother tongue will be accepted as mother tongue.

2.      Equal status of S2/R2 as a threshold criterion with mother tongue and literature in certificate-based admission

In the threshold criteria, tests of mother tongue and literature in Finnish/Swedish are mainly comparable to S2/R2 tests. In other words, if mother tongue and literature are defined as the threshold criterion, it refers to mother tongue and literature tests in Finnish, Swedish or Sámi as well as the following tests: Finnish as a second language and literature or Swedish as a second language and literature. There will be a few exceptions to this in 2024-2025.

Exceptions in 2024-2025:

  • In the University of Helsinki degree programme Nordiska språk (svenska som modersmål) och nordisk litteratur, the threshold criterion is at least grade M in Swedish as mother tongue. In other words, any grade in R2 cannot fulfil the criterion.
  • In the University of Helsinki degree programme Suomen kieli ja kulttuuri, the threshold criterion is at least grade M in Finnish as a second language.
  • In the University of Helsinki degree programme Suomen kieli ja suomalais-ugrilaiset kielet ja kulttuurit sekä kotimainen kirjallisuus, the threshold criterion is at least grade M in Finnish as mother tongue.
  • In the University of Jyväskylä degree programme Kieliasiantuntija, suomen kieli, the threshold criterion is at least grade M in Finnish as mother tongue or at least grade L in Finnish as a second language or at least grade L in Finnish as a second national language.
  • In the University of Jyväskylä degree programme Suomen kielen ja kirjallisuuden aineenopettaja, the threshold criterion is at least grade M in Finnish as mother tongue or at least grade L in Finnish as a second language or at least grade L in Finnish as a second national language.
  • In the University of Tampere degree programme Suomen kieli, the threshold criterion is at least grade M in Finnish as mother tongue or at least grade E in Finnish as a second language.
  • In the University of Turku degree programme Kirjallisuustieteet, the threshold criterion is at least grade M in Finnish as mother tongue.

3.      Demonstrating language proficiency with the S2/R2 matriculation examination

All applicants must demonstrate their language proficiency in the language of the programme (Finnish, Swedish or English). Usually, language proficiency is demonstrated with the matriculation examination.

Language proficiency may in most cases be demonstrated with a passing (at least grade A) Finnish/Swedish mother tongue and literature test or S2/R2 test in all programmes. If the applicant has not taken any of these tests, check the admission criteria published in Studyinfo to see how to demonstrate your language proficiency.

Points for EB, IB, RP and DIA diplomas

The grades achieved in a European School’s European Baccalaureate (EB) and International Baccalaureate (IB) as well as a Reifeprüfung (RP) diploma and Deutsches Internationales Abitur (DIA) diploma completed in Finland are converted into corresponding Finnish matriculation examination grades.

European Baccalaureate (EB) degree correspondence tables

You may receive points for all subjects in which you have completed tests in writing and/or orally.

To assess EB diplomas, two recommendation on correspondence are used:

  • for those who took the diploma in 2021 and later, the new recommendation is followed, and
  • for those who took the diploma in 2020 or earlier, the old recommendation is followed.

The grades of Final marks included in the EB diploma correspond to Finnish matriculation examination grades as set out in the following tables.

The correspondence of grades: applicants who have taken the diploma in 2021 or later

Final mark in EB diploma (applicants who have taken the diploma in 2021 or later)
Corresponding Finnish matriculation examination grade
9.00–10.00
laudatur (L)
8.00–8.99
eximia cum laude approbatur (E)
7.00–7.99
magna cum laude approbatur (M)
6.00–6.99
cum laude approbatur (C)
5.50–5.99
lubenter approbatur (B)
5.00–5.49
approbatur (A)

The correspondence of grades: applicants who have taken the diploma in 2020 or earlier

Final mark in EB diploma (applicants who have taken the diploma in 2020 or earlier)
Corresponding Finnish matriculation examination grade
9.00–10.00
laudatur (L)
8.00–8.99
eximia cum laude approbatur (E)
7.00–7.99
magna cum laude approbatur (M)
6.00–6.99
cum laude approbatur (C)
5.00–5.99
lubenter approbatur (B)
4.00–4.99
approbatur (A)

Correspondence of subjects

Points for natural sciences and humanities subjects in EB diploma are scored as shown in the scoring tables of each degree programme.

Points for subjects in EB diplomas that do not have equivalents in the Finnish matriculation examination are scored as “Other natural science and humanities subjects in EB, IB, RP and DIA diplomas” in the scoring tables.

Other subjects in EB diploma correspond to Finnish matriculation examination subjects as follows.

EB diploma subject
Corresponding Finnish matriculation examination subject
L1 syllabus in a language
mother tongue
L2 syllabus in a language, Other National Language
advanced syllabus in a language
L3 syllabus in a language
intermediate syllabus in a language
L4 syllabus in a language,
L5 syllabus in a language
basic syllabus in a language
advanced syllabus in mathematics (5h)
advanced syllabus in mathematics
basic syllabus in mathematics (3h)
basic syllabus in mathematics

Threshold criteria

The threshold criteria of the degree programmes are given as Finnish matriculation examination grades. As a rule, marks achieved in EB diplomas are also converted into corresponding Finnish matriculation examination grades when examining the fulfilment of threshold criteria. Some of the degree programmes in languages are an exception to this rule, and in these cases, the threshold criteria are given separately as EB diploma marks.

International Baccalaureate (IB) degree correspondence tables

Correspondence of grades

The grades included in the IB diploma correspond to Finnish matriculation examination grades as set out in the following table.

Final grade in IB diploma
Corresponding Finnish matriculation examination grade
7
laudatur (L)
6
eximia cum laude approbatur (E)
5
magna cum laude approbatur (M)
4
cum laude approbatur (C)
3
lubenter approbatur (B)
2
approbatur (A)

Correspondence of subjects

Points for natural sciences and humanities subjects in IB diploma are scored as shown in the scoring tables of each degree programme.

Points for subjects in IB diplomas that do not have equivalents in the Finnish matriculation examination are scored as “Other natural science and humanities subjects in EB, IB, RP and DIA diplomas” in the scoring tables.

Other subjects in IB diploma correspond to Finnish matriculation examination subjects as follows.

IB diploma subject
Corresponding Finnish matriculation examination subject
A syllabus in a language
mother tongue
A syllabus in a language (not the same as mother tongue),
B syllabus in a language
advanced syllabus in a language
AB syllabus in a language
basic syllabus in a language
Mathematics: Analysis and approaches HL,
Mathematics: Applications and interpretation HL,
Mathematics: Analysis and approaches SL,
Further Mathematics,
Mathematics HL,
Mathematics SL,
Mathematical methods
advanced syllabus in mathematics
Mathematics: Applications and interpretation SL,
Mathematical Studies
basic syllabus in mathematics

Threshold criteria

The threshold criteria of the degree programmes are given as Finnish matriculation examination grades. As a rule, grades achieved in IB diplomas are also converted into corresponding Finnish matriculation examination grades when examining the fulfilment of threshold criteria. Some of the degree programmes in languages are an exception to this rule, and in these cases, the threshold criteria are given separately as IB diploma grades.

Reifeprüfung (RP) degree and Deutsches Internationales Abitur (DIA) degree correspondence tables

Only RP and DIA diplomas taken in Finland are considered in certificate-based admission.

Correspondence of grades

The scores for tests included in the RP and DIA diplomas correspond to Finnish matriculation examination grades as set out in the following table.

Test score in RP and DIA diplomas
Corresponding Finnish matriculation examination grade
13–15
laudatur (L)
10–12
eximia cum laude approbatur (E)
8–9
magna cum laude approbatur (M)
7
cum laude approbatur (C)
5–6
lubenter approbatur (B)
4
approbatur (A)

Correspondence of subjects

Points for natural sciences and humanities subjects in RP and DIA diplomas are scored as shown in the scoring tables of each degree programme.

Points for subjects in RP and DIA diplomas that do not have equivalents in the Finnish matriculation examination are scored as “Other natural science and humanities subjects in EB, IB, RP and DIA diplomas” in the scoring tables.

Other subjects in RP and DIA diploma tests correspond to Finnish matriculation examination subjects as follows.

RP and DIA diploma subject
Corresponding Finnish matriculation examination subject
mother tongue: Finnish or German
mother tongue
Finnish or German (not the same as mother tongue), English
advanced syllabus in a language
B1 syllabus in a language
intermediate syllabus in a language
B2 or B3 syllabus in a language
basic syllabus in a language
mathematics
advanced syllabus in mathematics
mathematics in a certificate of correspondence
basic syllabus in mathematics

If the subjects for which points are scored are not included in the subjects the applicant has taken for the diplomas, the points will be based on a certificate of correspondence issued by Deutche Schule Helsinki.

Threshold criteria

The threshold criteria of the degree programmes are given as Finnish matriculation examination grades. As a rule, points achieved in RP and DIA diplomas are also converted into corresponding Finnish matriculation examination grades when examining the fulfilment of threshold criteria. Some of the degree programmes in languages are an exception to this rule, and in these cases, the threshold criteria are given separately as RP and DIA diploma points.