Scoring applications in the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
Information on scoring applications in the following master's programmes of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry. Check the scoring for your degree programme below.

Scoring an application

Follow these instructions if you are applying to one of the following master's programmes:

  • Master's Programme in Agricultural, Environmental and Resource Economics
  • Master's Programme in Agricultural Sciences
  • Master's Programme in Food Sciences
  • Master's Programme in Forest Sciences
  • Master's Programme in Human Nutrition and Food-Related Behaviour
  • Master's Programme in Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology

You can receive a maximum of 30 points for your application. You must score at least 6 points in each assessment category to be admitted. If you fail to get the required minimum points for any assessment category, the subsequent categories will not be scored.

The categories affecting admission will be assessed in the following order:

      1. Applicability of previously completed studies to the master’s programme
      2. Previous study performance
      3. Motivation letter

      Based on the content and scope of your previous studies, the master's programme will assess the level of your knowledge and skills for pursuing studies in the master’s programme and study track for which you are applying. The applicability of your previous studies will be scored on a scale of 6 to 10 (always whole numbers).

      Master’s Programme in Human Nutrition and Food-Related Behaviour: The applicability of your previous studies will be scored according to the studies you have completed by the end of the application period. More information about the relevant study fields for each study track can be found on the programme’s webpage.

      The master's programmes have created the descriptions of the scoring used when assessing the applicability of previous studies. The applicability of previous studies will be assessed on the following scale:

        • excellent applicability: 10 points
        • very good applicability, in addition to the previous degree, an applicant has completed other relevant university-level studies: 9 points
        • very good applicability: 8 points
        • sufficient applicability, in addition to the previous degree, an applicant has completed other relevant university-level studies: 7 points
        • sufficient applicability: 6 points
        • applicability of the previous studies is not sufficient: 0 points

        If your previous studies are not applicable to the master’s programme, your application will receive 0 points for the applicability of your previous studies. In this case, your previous study performance and motivation will not be assessed.

        Your performance in applicable previous studies will be scored on a scale of 6 to 10 (always whole numbers). If the grading scale used is not five-tiered, the grade will be converted to the scale before scoring.

        Your study performance will be assessed on the following scale:

          • studies completed with a grade of 4.75 or higher: 10 points
          • studies completed with a grade of 4.25 – lower than 4.75: 9 points
          • studies completed with a grade of 3.75 – lower than 4.25: 8 points
          • studies completed with a grade of 3.25 – lower than 3.75: 7 points
          • studies completed with a grade of 2.75 – lower than 3.25: 6 points
          • studies completed with a grade of under 2.75: 0 points

          If you get 0 points for your study performance, your motivation will not be assessed.

          Your motivation to pursue a master’s degree in the master’s programme you are applying for will be assessed with the help of your motivation letter. 

          The motivation letter must be written on the application form.

          On the form, you must answer all of the questions below. Your motivation letter will be scored on the basis of your answers. You can obtain 0 – 10 points for your motivation letter.

          In the motivation letter you will answer the following questions:

          • Why do you want to study in this Master's Programme?
          • How do your previous studies enable you to succeed in the studies of this Master's Programme?
          • How do the studies of this Master's Programme complement and broaden your previous studies?
          • How do the studies in this Master’s Programme support your professional and academic goals and interests?

          If you are applying to one of the master's programmes listed below, the number of characters in each answer is limited to a maximum of 1,500 (including spaces). You will write a separate answer to each question. The answer to each question can be given 0–2.5 points.

          • Master's Programme in Agricultural, Environmental and Resource Economics
          • Master's Programme in Agricultural Sciences
          • Master's Programme in Forest Sciences
          • Master's Programme in Human Nutrition and Food-Related Behaviour
          • Master's Programme in Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology

          If you are applying to the Master's Programme in Food Sciences, the number of characters is limited to a maximum of 6,000 (including spaces). You will write a single answer. You can get 0–10 points for your motivation letter.

          The language of the motivation letter will be considered in the overall assessment of the application. To be admitted, your motivation letter should be well written and coherent in content.

          If you have chosen English as your language of the degree, you have to write your motivation letter in English.

          If you have chosen Finnish or Swedish as your language of the degree, you may to write your motivation letter in Finnish or Swedish but also in English.

          If two or more applicants receive the same score, their mutual ranking will be determined primarily by their points for the applicability of their previous studies, secondarily for their previous academic performance and thirdly for their motivation.