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Assessment of language skills in Vocational Qualification

Your English and Finnish language proficiency will be assessed if we are uncertain about your language skills. Omnia wants to ensure that your language skills are sufficient for the education.

On this page:

Language skill requirements

English language

The degrees offered by Omnia require a certain level of proficiency in the English language. The language level requirement varies between levels B1 and B2 depending on the degree. The required language proficiency level in the degrees is determined according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (coe.int)

Level B1 Functional basic language skills

You can participate relatively easily in everyday communication situations. You understand the main points of clear, standard language messages or normal-paced speech. You can briefly express your opinions and plans and also give reasons and explanations for them. You can describe your experiences and your past as well as your future plans.

Language proficiency level B1 is required in the following Vocational Upper Secondary Qualifications:

  • Vocational Qualification in Cleaning and Property Services
  • Vocational Qualification in Restaurant and Catering Services

Language proficiency level B1 is required in the following Further Vocational Qualifications 

  • Further Vocational Qualification in Restaurant Customer Service
  • Further Vocational Qualification in Tourism Services

Level B2 Functional independent language skills

You can participate in discussions of relatively complex topics, both concrete and abstract, including technical subjects related to your own profession. You are fluent enough that you can regularly interact with native speakers with relative ease. You can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

Language proficiency level B2 is required in the following Vocational Upper Secondary Qualifications:

  • Vocational qualification in Business
  • Vocational qualification in Social and Health Care

Finnish language

In English language degrees at Omnia, a certain level of proficiency in the Finnish language is required. In most degrees, the required language proficiency level is B1.1. In some degrees, the level is A2.1 or A2.2. The required language proficiency level in the degrees is determined according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (coe.int)

Level A2.1 Initial stage of basic language skills

You can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. You are able to introduce yourself and others and you can ask and answer questions about personal details. You can communicate in a simple manner as long as the other person speaks slowly and clearly and is ready to help.

Language proficiency level A2.1 is required in the following Vocational Upper Secondary Qualifications:

  • Vocational Qualification in Business

Level A2.2 Developing basic language skills

You are able to participate in discussions related to everyday situations. You are able to talk about yourself and topics closely related to daily life. You are able to communicate in simple and routine situations. You are able to write and understand simple and short messages about everyday life.

Language proficiency level A2.2 is required in the following Vocational Upper Secondary Qualifications:

  • Vocational Qualification in Cleaning and Property Services
  • Vocational Qualification in Restaurant and Catering

Additionally, in the training programs designed for foreign applicants for vocational upper secondary qualification in the food industry as well as in the hair and beauty care industry, the language proficiency requirement is A2.2.

Level B1 Functional basic language skills

You are able to participate quite effortlessly in everyday communication situations. You understand the main points of clear, standard messages or nearly normal-paced speech. You can briefly express your opinions and plans, and describe your experiences as well as past and future events.

Certificates exempting from language testing

You can be exempted from the language test if you provide the required certificates of your English or Finnish language proficiency.

Vocational qualifications in English, required levels B1 and B2

Applicants’ English skills are assessed.

The following certificates are accepted as proof of sufficient English language skills:

  • National Certificate of language proficiency in English language (YKI), at least level 4, Intermediate (in all parts).
  • Basic education certificate from Finland completed in English.* 
  • Finnish upper secondary school certificate or vocational school certificate in which the language of instruction was English. 
  • Finnish higher education degree where the language of instruction was English. 
  • Grade C or higher in English in the Finnish Matriculation Examination at advanced syllabus level (A-level).

* If you are studying in basic education and you will graduate before the studies you are applying for start, please send us the study councellor’s statement and a transcript of your records.

You can attach your language certificate to your application or send it to haku@omnia.fi.

The certificates do not expire.

Vocational qualifications in Finnish, level B1.1

Applicants’ Finnish skills are assessed.

  • A certificate of basic education completed in Finnish.*
  • YKI certificate with all four areas on at least level 3.
  • Certificate of integration training, VALMA, TUVA or Skills Centre for Immigrants, where all four areas are at least B1.1.
  • Certificate of general upper secondary education, vocational qualification, university or university of applied sciences degree completed in Finnish.

* If you are studying in basic education in Finnish, and you will graduate before the studies you are applying for start, please send us the study councellor’s statement and a transcript of your records.

You can attach your language certificate to your application or send it to haku@omnia.fi

Vocational qualifications in Finnish and preparatory education, TUVA, level A2.1 or A2.2

Applicants’ Finnish skills are assessed.

  • A certificate of basic education completed in Finnish.* 
  • YKI certificate with at least two areas on at least level 3.
  • Certificate of integration training, VALMA, TUVA or Skills Centre for Immigrants, where all four areas are at least A2.1 or A2.2. 
  • Certificate of general upper secondary education, vocational qualification, university or university of applied sciences degree completed in Finnish.

* If you are studying in basic education in Finnish, and you will graduate before the studies you are applying for start, please send us the study councellor’s statement and a transcript of your records.

You can attach your language certificate to your application or send it to haku@omnia.fi

Submitting the certificates

Submit a copy of the certificate to one of the following:

  • As an attachment to the application form
  • To Omnia Service Centre (Kirkkokatu 16 A, 02070 Espoo)
  • As an attachment to a secure email (smail.omnia.fi)

We will confirm by email whether you are exempted from the language test based on the certificates.

Language skill assessment

We invite you to a language test if we cannot verify your language skills based on the certificate. You will receive an invitation by email.

Please note! The language tests can only be completed at Omnia campuses in Espoo, Finland.

The test includes tasks for text comprehension and writing at first. If you pass this written part successfully, you will be invited for an oral language proficiency assessment if necessary. In that, you will have a brief conversation with a teacher.

Your application will be rejected if

  • you do not provide us with the aforementioned certificate or
  • you do not participate in the language test or
  • your English language skills are not sufficient for the education based on the test.

For further information: haku@omnia.fi

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