Certificates

Candidates applying with a non-Finnish qualification, need to send a copy of the certificate to the admissions office of the polytechnic/UAS of their first choice. Also you need to include an official translation of the educational certificate into English, Swedish or Finnish. The translator must sign and stamp the translation. If you used the online application, you were given an applicant code.

In order to demonstrate eligibility to polytechnic/UAS studies, an applicant applying with a non-Finnish certificate must provide a copy of the original certificate to the admissions office of his or her first-choice polytechnic/UAS by the set date. The polytechnic/UAS will then decide on the applicant's eligibility for all options expressed in the application. In addition, an official Finnish, Swedish or English translation of the certificate must be provided, if the certificate is not written in one of these languages. The translation must include the translator signature and stamp. The certificate copies must be posted or delivered to the admissions office by 20 february 2009 at 4.15 pm Finnish time, faxed or scanned copies are not accepted. If you used the online application, you were given an applicant code. Please write down the code to the copies, this will help the admissions office to process your attachments..

Polytechnics/UAS accept only final certificates awarded by a national and regional bodies granting educational certificates. Therefore various other documents such as "Testimonials", "Statements of Results", "Examination Results" or "Result Slips" are not considered as official certificates.

Applicant who is not a citizen of an EU/EEA -country must provide proof of his/her English language skills by 20 February 2009 at 4.15 pm at the latest to the admissions office of his/her first preference polytechnic/UAS. In order to prove the applicant's English language skills, he/she must provide one of the following minimum requirements: IELTS score academic level 5,5 or TOEFL score 550 paper-based test/ 213 computer-based/ 79-80 internet -based test, or grade C in the Finnish matriculation examination in advanced level English (IB-examination grade 4 completed in Finland, Reifeprüfung -examination grade 7 completed in Finland or EB-examination grade 6.00-6.95), or skills level 4 in English in the Finnish general language examination.

Both TOEFL and IELTS test results are valid for two years. The Finnish general language examination does not have a set date of validity. TOEFL score results are only accepted directly from the Educational Testing Service.

In addition, primary and secondary school education in English completed in Great Britain, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia or New Zealand or Bachelor's or Master's degree completed in English in one of these countries, is also accepted as a demonstration of sufficient English language skills.

Please write down the code to the copies, this will help the admissions office to process your attachments.

As an international student, especially from Africa, i will suggest you do the TOEFL test, (Test Of English as a Foriegn Language). I know most people encounter some problems with registering for this test, i will suggest you visit the test organiser website directly to get more informations on how to register in your country.

For Nigerian, i know in Lagos there are some schools, that are TOEFL accredited to organise the test, i remember i did mine in a school at Abagon close in Victoria Island.

I will also suggest you do the computer based test because you will need the result of the test to apply for admission by January 2009, to prove your English language skill.

Two major Examination/ Test result you will need for the application and admission process are:

SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL CERTIFICATE (WASSCE)
TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (TOEFL)

Addition of other result can be an advantage, but with these two document, then you are qualified to study here. I will include other information later.

Note some UAS will not organise entrance examination next year, i strongly suggest you contact the UAS you are interest in studying, to know more information about their program for next year, so you will not be stressing yourself on assumptions