Language Tests and Certificates

Erasmus+ students are provided with an access to Online Language Support (OLS) before their mobility period. On the OLS platform, students can take an optional language test in the language used in studying at the host country. Students will receive information on how to access the OLS platform after they have confirmed their exchange in SoleMOVE.

OLS test gives you a result according to the CEFR scaling System: A1 (lowest), A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2 (highest). You can also choose several language courses on the platform e.g. to practice or learn the language of your host country. Note that the platform is new and the availability of language courses is limited but more courses are added with time. The language courses available are in German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Greek, Dutch, Polish, Czech, Danish or Swedish, Bulgarian, Croatian, Hungarian, Romanian, Slovak, Estonian, Irish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese and Slovenian.

If you are going on Erasmus+ Exchange but have not received access to OLS Test, please check your Junk Email. In case of problems, please contact international.office(at)oulu.fi

When applying to destinations inside or outside Europe, students are often required to get a CEFR Language Certificate from the Language and Communication Services if their destination does not specifically require TOEFL or IELTS test. Language and Communication Services offers two different types of certificate: 1) one that is written based on the courses the student has studied at the Language and Communication Services and 2) one that is written based on the CEFR exam. Check which certificate is accepted for the specific destination coordinated by the Academic Affairs.

Important! CERF language tests are organised only3-4 times per semester. For information on the test dates, fees and how to register to the test on the Language and Communication pages.

TOEFL and IELTS are probably the most well known and recognized language tests. TOEFL iBT and IELTS can both be taken as online test or on site in Helsinki several times per year.

More information about the TOEFL iBT test and the available test dates can be found from www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/register/.

IELTS test in Finland is organised by the Finnbrit in Helsinki. Test costs EUR 365 and the results are available 13 days after taking the test. Sign up for the test can be done through IELTS Online registration system.