Language Requirements and Selection Criteria

• Language Requirements
• Selection Criteria

Language Requirements

The language requirements for student exchanges in different countries are listed on this page.

As a proof of a good command of English, the applicant must usually take a language test (American universities accept the TOEFL test, each institution defines its own score requirements).

Argentina: a good command of Spanish

Australia: a good command of English - TOEFL may be required

Austria: a good command of German

Barbados: a good command of English - TOEFL may be required

Brazil: a satisfactory command of Portuguese or a good command of Spanish.

Canada: a good command of English or French depending on the host university. Each host university may have its own requirements concerning proof of language proficiency.

Chile: a good command of Spanish

China, Hong Kong: a good command of English (especially in Chinese University of Hong Kong, CUHK) and at least an elementary course in Chinese taken before the start of the exchange period, except for CUCN, where only a good command of English is sufficient

Estonia: a good command of Estonian if studying in Estonian in Tartu or a good command of English if studying in English

Germany: a good command of German

India: a good command of English

Jamaica: a good command of English

Japan: a good command of English and an elementary course in Japanese.  Very few courses are taught in English in these partner universities, especially in Ochanomizu University

Korea: a good command of English. Those having at least an elementary knowledge of Korean will be given priority.

Mexico: a good command of Spanish. In addition, applicants to Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey are expected to have a good command of English.

Russia: a satisfactory command of Russian, except for the Plekhanov Academy: a good command of English and an elementary course in Russian.

South Africa: a good command of English.

Taiwan: a good command of English and at least an elementary course in Chinese taken before the start of the exchange period.

United   States: a good command of English. Michigan Technological University, University of North   Carolina Exchange Program and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University require all applicants who are non-native speakers of English to successfully complete a TOEFL test. Depending on the applicant's field of study, a GRE or GMAT test may also be required. The University of Oregon and The University of Texas at Austin usually do not require a TOEFL test from students of the University of Tampere if the applicants can otherwise demonstrate good command of English. A GRE or GMAT test may however be required depending on the field and level of study. Test scores are not yet required during this application period but those nominated for an exchange may submit them later.

Ukraine: a satisfactory command of Russian or Ukrainian

Selection Criteria

Bilateral exchange agreements, NORDLYS, FIRST, CREPUQ, UNC-EP, ISEP

At UTA, the selection is made based on the following criteria:

- requirements of the receiving institution (for example language requirements)
- requirements of UTA

• motivation letter and study plan: the usefulness of studies completed in the receiving institution relative to your own degree and future career
• possibility to study abroad later during your studies
• previous exchange periods (might be a positive or a negative thing depending on the destination) and earlier grants from UTA
• studies completed (good progress in studies, approx. 30 credits / semester)
• grades
• field of study: we aim at sending abroad students from all schools and all degree programmes (if possible)

The exchange period is guaranteed only after the official acceptance by the receiving institution!


Erasmus exchange, school level bilateral agreements, NORDPLUS

At UTA, the selection is made based on the following criteria:

- based on the field of study of the Erasmus agreement: priority is given to the students of the degree programme in question (if the field of study is not specified, priority is given to the students of the school in question)
- requirements of the receiving institution (for example language requirements)
- requirements of UTA

• motivation letter and study plan: the usefulness of studies completed in the receiving institution relative to your own degree and future career
• studies completed (good progress in studies, approx. 30 credits / semester)
• grades            

The exchange period is guaranteed only after the official acceptance by the receiving institution!
In addition, please check the possible school level requirements from the web site of each school!