How to apply to international master's programmes

Do you want to apply to an International Master’s Programme at the University of Helsinki? This quick guide gives you a general overview of the application process.

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A quick guide to the application process

The international Master’s programmes at the University of Helsinki have only one application period per year. Please note that the online application form is available only during the application period. 

The application period for studies starting in autumn 2024 is from 1 Dec 2023 at 8:00 (UTC+2) to 3 Jan 2024 at 15:00 (UTC+2). To keep updated about the application dates and process, sign up for our Admissions Newsletter.

The academic year always begins on 1 August.

You can explore the list of our 36 International Master's Programmes and visit their websites to learn more.

To be eligible to apply to a master’s programme, you must have completed a first-cycle (bachelor's or equivalentdegree. 

If you complete your first-cycle degree only after the application period ends, you can still apply as long as you fulfil the other admission criteria. If you are offered a student place, it will be conditional and you must submit proof of your graduation by the date given in the admission criteria. 

Please note that each Master’s programme has its own criteria on what studies you must have completed previously. Your degree does not always necessarily be from the field of your prospective master’s programme, but you must have completed a sufficient amount of some relevant post-secondary level studies. 

You must also meet the degree programme-specific language requirements. Find out more about proving your language proficiency.

The admission criteria and other programme-specific application information is available in the Finnish national education portal Studyinfo.fi. You can find a direct link on the programme websites or search for your prospective degree programme directly at Studyinfo.fi.

You can find out what attachments you have to send by reading the programme-specific admission criteria at Studyinfo!

Once you have submitted your application you will receive an message with detailed information about what attachments you need to send us. Please read this message carefully and follow the instructions to the letter.

When applying to an International Master’s Programme, you have to submit all the required documents as instructed. Please note that if you do not follow the instructions, it might lead to a rejection of your application.

If the documents describing your previous education are in a language other than English, Finnish or Swedish, you must submit authorised translations of these.

Make sure that all your application attachments are officially certified and submitted correctly.

Please take into consideration that it takes time to complete a language test, if necessary, obtain your educational documents and get them officially certified. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you start preparing these matters well before the application period begins.

All applications for the International Master’s Programmes must be submitted in the electronic application system during the application period. 

When the application period opens on 1 Dec 2023 at 8:00 (UTC+2), you will be able to submit your application in the University of Helsinki Master's applications system.

The deadline to submit your application is on 3 Jan 2024 at 15:00 (UTC+2), but we recommend applying well before the deadline. Then you have more time to react should your documents have deficiencies.

If needed, you may supplement your application attachments until 24 Jan 2024 at 15:00 (UTC+2). Attachments received after this date will not be processed.

If you are liable to pay tuition fees, you can apply for a scholarship at the same time when applying to an International Master’s Programme. There are no separate scholarship application forms. Information about tuition fees and the scholarship programme.

After you have submitted your application and the required attachments, the application is processed as follows: 

  • Minimum requirements
    Admission Services checks that your application and its attachments meet the predetermined minimum requirements. 
  • Academic assessment
    If your application meets the predetermined minimum requirements, Admission Services will send it for assessment by the relevant degree programme.
  • Admission results
    Admission results for this application round will be published at the latest on 15 Apr 2024.

Find out more in detail what happens after you have submitted your application.

Good luck with the application process!

How to submit your application form