Language Certificates for Humanities Students
Note: If you are a student from another faculty, please check the Language Centre webpages to find out who to contact.
If you are a humanities student, and you need a language certificate:
1. Use the CEFR descriptors to think about your own skills. What levels are you (A1-C2) in each skill area?
2. Send me an email, telling me about the certificate you need. This should include where you are going on exchange, what is required in terms of language level in English, which certificate we need to use (does the university you are going to have its own certificate, or do we use the UTU certificate?), and when you need the certificate by. This email should be in English, in the style of a formal email.
You can find some help and advice on letter writing here.
IMPORTANT NOTE: We get very busy at some points in the year. Please make sure you send the first email as soon as you know that you need a certificate, so that the process can be done in time.
3. I will then arrange a time to visit me in Agora. Bring with you evidence of your language level, for example essays, summary writing, or evidence of presentations given (including a video recording if possible) in English. This visit can take up to 30 minutes, as you may need to take a short test if the evidence you bring does not provide enough information to assess your level.
Exemptions and Recognition of Prior Learning (AHOT)
For some courses it is possible to apply for an exemption from the course, based on the recognition of previous experiences or studies.
Pathway 1: AHOT
If you have studied courses elsewhere which you think covered the same topics at the same level as one of our courses, you can apply to have that recognised through the AHOT process. Please see the information here (https://intranet.utu.fi/fi/yksikot/kielikeskus/opiskelu/nayttokokeet-ja-ahot/Sivut/home.aspx) or contact Katja Arola (katja.arola[at]utu.fi).
Pathway 2: Recognition of non-formal or informal learning
English for Academic and Professional Skills
For the English Academic and Professional Skills I and II courses (for all faculties), it is sometimes possible to be granted an exemption if a student already has the skills in academic English which the courses will cover (please read the course descriptions carefully). See here for further details (https://intranet.utu.fi/fi/yksikot/kielikeskus/opiskelu/nayttokokeet-ja-ahot/Sivut/non-formaali-ahot.aspx).
To demonstrate these skills, a student applying for an exemption should collect evidence of their academic and professional English skills in a portfolio. Instructions for how to complete this portfolio will be given to you by the teacher in charge of the course. First, write them a letter justifying your reasons for wanting the exemption with as much detail as possible, following the conventions of formal letter writing. If the teacher thinks that you have a good case for exemption, they will then tell you how to proceed with the portfolio, and agree a deadline with you.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is an individual process, which will change on a case-by-case basis, depending on the kind of evidence the student can provide, and the kind of experience that they have. Not all exemption portfolios will look the same, but all will provide the teacher with the evidence needed to prove the necessary language level.
Oral Communication Skills Courses
For students who began their studies before xxxx, it may also be possible to be given an exemption from an oral communication skills course. These exemptions are granted in special cases where the student already has extensive skills and experience in using academic and professional English. If you feel you meet this criteria then email Suzanne Collins (suzcol@utu.fi) to discuss your case individually.
