Requesting an exemption from language studies – total exemption

Exemption from language studies can be granted if you have received education in a language other than Finnish or Swedish (including sign language education), or if you have received education abroad, or if you have a severe dyslexia diagnosed by a specialist and certified by a doctor, or if you have no previous Swedish or English language studies. The request is made immediately at the beginning of your studies after discussion with your language teacher and your PSP coach. In this case, you will have to complete an equivalent number of credits of other language studies.

Applying for a partial exemption from the language proficiency requirements – partial exemption

You can apply for a partial exemption from the language proficiency requirements if you have taken a second home language and/or a foreign language course and, despite two attempts, you have not achieved the written and/or oral language proficiency requirements in the second home language (minimum grade of satisfactory 1) or in the foreign language (minimum grade of satisfactory 1). You can make a request after discussing the matter with your language teacher and your PSP coach. However, in order to be able to make a request, you must have made progress towards language proficiency in accordance with a plan drawn up with your language teacher.

The request for exemption from language studies must include an explanation on:

• the language of instruction and the country of instruction, and
• the reasons why the exemption should be granted.

For language requirements, the request for exemption must include an explanation of the reasons for the exemption:

• the study of the language concerned,
• achievements in relation to the language proficiency requirements,
• how you have made efforts to promote the learning of the language concerned; and
• the reasons why an exemption should be granted.

The application is accompanied by a statement from the language teacher. When you request an exemption, contact your language teacher and ask for a statement. The language teacher will give their opinion:

• an assessment of your language skills and your ability to achieve the required level of proficiency,
• an assessment of your academic record and performance in the language concerned, and
• a proposal to grant or refuse the exemption.

The Director of Education decides whether to grant an exemption on the basis of a proposal from the language teacher.

The student office will inform you and the language teacher of the decision. A positive decision will be notified by email and a negative decision by letter. The language teacher will make the necessary entries in Peppi. The decision will be filed at the student office.

Exemption from the language studies or language requirements for the degree is indicated on the diploma.

Exemption from language studies – total exemption

If you are exempted from language studies according to the Humak curriculum, you must complete the number of credits corresponding to the exemption in other language studies at the UAS level in 5-credit blocks by completing a basic and a further course in the same language. Arrange to take these courses in consultation with your language teacher and your PSP coach.

Exemption from language requirements – partial exemption

If you are granted a language exemption, you will participate in the language studies covered by the curriculum. Complete the course assignments and final exam as agreed with your language teacher. In this case, the mark will be ‘passed’ (you have attended the language course).