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:
- Scoring S2/R2 in certificate-based admissions in the same way as mother tongue and literature.
- Equal status of S2/R2 as a threshold criterion with mother tongue and literature in certificate-based admission.
- 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
From 2026 onwards, S2/R2 will be scored the same way as mother tongue and literature in the certificate-based admissions of all degree programmes.
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 from 2026 onwards:
- In the University of Helsinki degree programme Suomen kieli ja suomalais-ugrilaiset kielet ja kulttuurit sekä kotimainen kirjallisuus, only grade M in the test Finnish as mother tongue and literature may fulfil the threshold criterion.
- In the University of Helsinki degree programme Suomen kieli ja kulttuuri, only grade M in the test Finnish as a second language and culture (S2) or grade M in the test Finnish as a second national language, advanced syllabus, may fulfil the threshold criterion.
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.
