Applying to Finnish Research Universities

Finnish research universities

The Finnish university degree system includes the first cycle (lower academic / Bachelor’s) degree and  the second cycle (higher academic / Master’s) degree.

•Bachelor’s  degree: 3 years of full-time study, 180 credit

•Master’s degree: 2 years of full-time study, 120 credits

There are 14 research universities in Finland, located in different parts of the country.

Application times

One applies via joint application system Opintopolku/Studyinfo:

https://opintopolku.fi/konfo/fi  (if you want to use the system in Finnish)

      or 

https://opintopolku.fi/konfo/en/ if you want to use the system in English)

There are three application periods:

First application period takes place in January: most of the education in English and University of the Arts

• You can apply to 6 places at the maximum. 

• You can set the programmes in any order and you can be accepted to several study programmes. 

Second application period takes place in March: education in Finnish and Swedish

• You can apply to 6 places at the maximum. 

• You have to set programmes in order of preference on the application form. This order is binding and you cannot change it after the application period has ended.

• You can be accepted to one study programme.

Third application period takes place in September: limited number of programmes available in Finnish, Swedish and English.

Some universities (eg University of Helsinki) use also separate application system for some programmes (eg Science programme). 

Selection methods

Applicants are selected either based:

1) on the grades in the IB diploma (field specific, check from Opintopolku/Studyinfo) or 

2) Entrance exam (in Finnish/Swedish) or

3) SAT test

There might also be assignments that you have to complete beforehand (especially when applying to the field of arts & culture).

Good to know

One place per student provision: 

A student may accept only one study place in a degree programme in Finland leading to a higher education degree (universities of applied sciences and universities) during any one academic term !!

Application quotas:

• Research universities use two quotas for applicants:

1.for students who haven’t confirmed a study place in Finnish universities or universities of applied science

2.for students who have confirmed a study place 

If you have confirmed a study place in Finland, then you will have to apply in quota 2. This quota is a smaller one. You need to carefully reflect whether it’s wise to confirm a place that is not your first choice.