- Helsinki master's
- IELTS 6.5 (W 6.0)
- Aalto master's
- IELTS 6.5 (W 6.0)
- IELTS fee
- €404
- Residence permit test
- None set
The residence permit leaves English to your university
The Finnish Immigration Service requires a residence permit for studies longer than 90 days: you must be accepted to a Finnish institution, show sufficient funds and, from outside the EU/EEA, the means to pay tuition fees, and hold insurance. It names no English test. Studyinfo tells applicants to check language requirements with the institution before applying. Students may work an average of 30 hours a week.
What Finnish universities ask for
| University / level | IELTS | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
| University of Helsinki, international master's | IELTS Academic 6.5, writing 6.0 | PTE Academic 62, 54 in each skill |
| Aalto University, master's | IELTS Academic 6.5, writing 6.0 | PTE Academic 68, writing 61 |
Both accept IELTS for UKVI, IELTS Online (Academic) and One Skill Retake, but not General Training; results are valid for two years. Helsinki also accepts PTE Academic UKVI; Aalto accepts PTE Academic Online and PTE Academic UKVI. Aalto's TOEFL iBT requirement from 21 January 2026 is 4.5 overall with 4.0 in each section.
IELTS fee in Finland
| Test | Finnbrit, Helsinki (British Council) |
|---|---|
| IELTS on computer (Academic or General Training) | €404 |
| IELTS for UKVI on computer | €432 |
| IELTS Life Skills A1 / B1 | €260 |
The IELTS centre finder lists one test centre in Finland, the Finnish-British Society (Finnbrit) in Helsinki, on computer with One Skill Retake, plus IELTS Online.
BandLadder pricing in EUR for Finland
BandLadder in EUR
One-time access, no automatic renewal. Free practice needs no card. Prices are shown in your currency at checkout as well.
| Plan | Access | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sprint Pass | 7 days | EUR 5.99 |
| Quick Pass | 15 days | EUR 9.99 |
| Boost | 30 days | EUR 16.99 |
| Professional | 60 days | EUR 28.99 |
| Professional | 90 days | EUR 36.99 |
Start preparing for Finland
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Practice IELTS Academic →Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score is required for Finnish universities?+
The University of Helsinki and Aalto University both ask IELTS Academic 6.5 with at least 6.0 in writing for master's programmes.
What IELTS score is required for a Finland study visa?+
None. The Finnish Immigration Service asks for a study place, funds, tuition-fee means and insurance; English is set by the university.
IELTS vs PTE for Finland?+
Both are accepted. The IELTS bar is the same at Helsinki and Aalto (6.5, writing 6.0), while PTE differs: 62 with 54 each at Helsinki, 68 with writing 61 at Aalto. PTE is €74 cheaper (€330).
How much is the IELTS fee in Finland?+
€404 for IELTS on computer and €432 for IELTS for UKVI at Finnbrit in Helsinki, checked 30 September 2026.
Official sources
Reviewed 30 September 2026. This guide helps you plan test preparation; check the current rules for your own program.
- Finnish Immigration Service: studying in Finland
- Studyinfo: how to apply for bachelor's and master's
- University of Helsinki: proving your English language skills
- Aalto University: language requirements in master's admissions
- IELTS: British Council, Finnbrit Helsinki fees
- Pearson: test centres and fees (price finder)
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