Applicants will be ranked on the basis of the following criteria:

1. Total points for all assessed categories
2. Points for the applicability of previous studies serving as grounds for application
3. Points for study performance
4. Points for motivation and a study plan, if any
5. Points for the portfolio (only in the Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning)

If you fail to get the minimum score required in any of the categories, the other categories will not be assessed.

The criteria are applied in the order stated above.

The scope and content of your previous studies will be used to assess the sufficiency of your knowledge and skills to study in the master’s programme you are applying for. If you were asked in the application to choose a preferred study track, this selection will be considered in the assessment.

The applicability of the previous studies serving as grounds for application will be scored as follows:

• If the applicability of your studies is excellent, you get 10 points.
• If the applicability of your studies is very good, you get 8-9 points.
• If the applicability of your studies is good, you get 6-7 points.
• If the applicability of your studies is moderate, you get 4-5 points.
• If the applicability of your studies is poor, you get 1-3 points.
• If your studies are inapplicable, you get 0 points.

Academic performance in your previous studies serving as grounds for application is scored on the basis of grades as follows:

• If the grade for your applicable previous studies is 4.75 or higher, you get 10 points.
• If the grade for your applicable previous studies is 4.25 – lower than 4.75, you get 9 points.
• If the grade for your applicable previous studies is 3.75 – lower than 4.25, you get 8 points.
• If the grade for your applicable previous studies is 3.25 – lower than 3.75, you get 7 points.
• If the grade for your applicable previous studies is 2.83 – lower than 3.25, you get 6 points.
• If the grade for your applicable previous studies is 2.50 – lower than 2.83, you get 5 points.
• If the grade for your applicable previous studies is 2.17 – lower than 2.50, you get 4 points.
• If the grade for your applicable previous studies is 1.83 – lower than 2.17, you get 3 points.
• If the grade for your applicable previous studies is 1.50 – lower than 1.83, you get 2 points.
• If the grade for your applicable previous studies is 1.17 – lower than 1.50, you get 1 point.
• If the grade for your applicable previous studies is below 1.17, you get 0 points.

If the grading scale used is not five-tiered, the grade will be converted for the scale before scoring.

In addition, the quality of your previous studies serving as grounds for application will be assessed as a whole, taking also into consideration the level of the university where these studies were completed. Particular attention will be paid to studies listed in programme-specific admission criteria, taking also into account the overall grade of your degree. A maximum of 6 points can be given on the basis of this assessment. However, for the category ‘Academic performance in the studies serving as grounds for application’, you can get a maximum of 12 points.

You must write a motivation letter on the application form. The motivation letter is used to assess your motivation to complete a master's degree in the master's programme you are applying for.

In the motivation letter, you must explain why you are applying for the master’s programme and how your previous studies would support successful studies in the programme. The content of the motivation letter is specified by the questions on the application form. A study plan can also be requested to be included in the motivation letter. A maximum of 6 points can be given for the motivation letter.

The motivation letter must not exceed the length stated on the application form. The part exceeding the limit will not be assessed.

The quality of the language of the motivation letter will also be taken into account. Your motivation letter must be well written and coherent in content. You must write the motivation letter in the language in which you intend to complete the degree.

If you are applying for the Master's Programme in Urban Studies and Planning, you must enclose with their application an academic or professional portfolio, which must contain at least four work samples.

One of the samples must be related to the thesis of your first-cycle degree:

• If your thesis is completed by the end of the application period, the sample must be a summary of the thesis.
• If your thesis is not completed by the end of the application period, the sample must include the heading of your thesis, the thesis plan and a description of the progress of the thesis process up to submitting the application.

The rest of the samples must be relevant to the study track you are applying for and introduce your skills as diversely as possible.

Work samples can include:

• Essays
• Learning journals
• Cartographic work samples
• Research projects
• Descriptions of field work experience
• Laboratory work samples
• Design work samples

If any of your samples are the result of groupwork, you must clearly indicate your part and role in the project.

Your portfolio will be scored as follows:

• If your portfolio is excellent, you get 4 points.
• If your portfolio is very good, you get 3 points.
• If your portfolio is good, you get 2 points.
• If your portfolio is satisfactory or passable, you get 1 point.
• If your portfolio is poor, you get 0 points.

Write your portfolio in English. It is also acceptable to present the summary of your Bachelor's thesis as well as the work samples in Finnish or Swedish, if you are lacking work samples in English.

Please note that you cannot be admitted to the Master’s Programme if you do not submit a portfolio.

Upload your portfolio in the application system after you have submitted the online application form. The portfolio must be uploaded as a single PDF-file, and the size of the file should not exceed 20 MB. The deadline for submitting the portfolio is 15 January 2021 by 15:00h Finnish time.  Do not send the portfolio by email, regular mail or courier services.