Application guide for master's degree programmes

Studying in Finland suits students who enjoy independence and taking initiative. Students have considerable freedom to plan their curriculum. However, this freedom comes with responsibility: no one will regularly check your progress or ensure you keep up with the pace.

If you are considering applying, it is important to know that tuition fees apply to non-EU/EEA students, and scholarships are not available for the first year. In addition to tuition fees, you need to have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses, which are approximately 800–1,000 EUR per month in Turku. While part-time work is allowed, it cannot be guaranteed alongside studies.

You are an eligible applicant for Master-level studies if

• you have a nationally recognized first cycle degree – typically a bachelor’s degree – from an accredited institution of higher education
• please note that Higher National Diplomas (HND) and post-graduate diplomas are not considered equivalent to bachelor's degrees (or master's) and thus they are not accepted,
• your degree corresponds to at least 180 ECTS (European credits) or to three years of full-time study,
• your degree gives eligibility to master level studies in the country where it was issued,
• your degree is in a relevant field in regard to the master’s degree programme that you are applying to. Please check the programme page for detailed degree requirements.

If you are graduating after the application deadline, you may still apply.

• Your possible admittance is conditional until you have graduated and submitted the degree certificate and transcript of records to University of Turku.
• The degree certificate and transcript of records must reach University of Turku by 11 August 2026, at 15:00 (local time in Finland).
• If you apply for a master's degree programme, you must attach your most recent transcript of records in the application form during the application period in January.

All applicants must have excellent English language skills and a document that proves those skills.

> Language requirements for Master's Degree Programmes

• Detailed admission criteria: In September, the updated admission criteria for January intake is published in Studyinfo.
• Language test: Several months before the application deadline. Majority of applicants must take a language test to prove their English language skills. To attach the test result by the application period deadline, the test usually needs to be taken several months before the application period.
• Application period: 7–21 January 2026, 3:00 p.m. GMT+2 (Finnish time). Your application must be submitted to the electronic system by the application deadline. Enclosures must be attached to the application form within one week of the application deadline (28 January 2026, 3:00 pm Finnish time).

If you would like to be reminded of important dates and receive invitations for information webinars, subscribe to the monthly Future with UTU applicant newsletter!

Before applying, take time to gather detailed information to ensure the programme is the right fit for you – and to strengthen your application.

Explore the Study Guide
Review the course details carefully to see if the programme matches your academic background, learning preferences, and future goals. You can find the link to Study Guide on the programme webpage.

Chat with current students
Connect with students in your chosen programme or from your country via Unibuddy to gain first-hand insights about studying at our university. Talk to a current student!

Meet advisors online
Participate in webinars and Virtual Open Week sessions to learn directly from admissions staff and study advisors. You will hear key information about the application process and receive tips to prepare a strong application. See upcoming events and subscribe to our monthly applicant newsletter to get invitations!

A degree certificate is a document issued by an institution to a student who has successfully completed all studies included in the degree. The student has graduated. The degree certificate should include the name of the institution awarding the degree, the issuing date, and the name of the person to whom the degree certificate has been issued and what title/degree the person has been awarded.

University of Turku requires the original degree certificate (in the original language) AND an official English, Finnish or Swedish translation of the degree certificate. An English-language Diploma Supplement can be accepted as a translation of the degree certificate if it includes the same information as the degree certificate. 

During the application period we require that you attach scans of the original documents to the application form. You do not need to send the documents by mail.

For graduates from Finnish institutions the verification of the validity of the degrees can be done online, but during the application process it is required that a scan of the documents is attached. It is not enough to state that you have graduated from a specific institution, you must scan the degree certificate and transcript of records in the same way as is required from all applicants.

If you have not graduated by the end of the application period, you must attach a current transcript of records.

The official Transcript of Records should include the following information:

• full titles of the study units that the student has completed for the degree
• completion times of study units (or at the very least the overall study time at the institution)
• grades obtained
• credits awarded
• information on the grading scale used at the institution at the time of study
• If you have not yet graduated: The Transcript of Records must include the name of the degree that will be awarded to you when you graduate (Bachelor of .., Master of.., etc.)

The transcript must cover the full length of studies. If the degree includes course units that the student has completed at another institution and the transferred credits are not indicated in detail in the Transcript of Records, a separate Transcript of Records regarding the transferred credits must be submitted. 

University of Turku requires the original transcript of study records (in the original language) AND an official English, Finnish or Swedish translation of the transcript of records. An English-language Diploma Supplement can be accepted as a translation of the transcript of records if it includes the same information as the transcript. 

During the application period we require that you attach scans of the original documents to the application form. You do not need to send the documents by mail.

For graduates from Finnish institutions the verification of the validity of the degrees can be done online, but during the application process it is required that a scan of the documents is attached. It is not enough to state that you have graduated from a specific institution, you must scan the degree certificate and transcript of records in the same way as is required from all applicants.

A temporary (provisional) degree certificate is a document issued by an institution to a student who has been awarded or conferred an academic degree. The temporary degree certificate is issued as a replacement for the final degree certificate, e.g. in case the final degree certificate cannot be given to the student immediately after studies have been completed due to technical or administrative reasons. The temporary degree certificate must include:

• the name of the institution awarding the degree
• the date of awarding/conferral of the degree
• the name of the person to whom the temporary degree certificate has been issued
• the academic title/degree the person has been awarded.

It is important to note that a document stating only that the student has completed all courses of the degree is not sufficient as a temporary degree certificate. A statement of results or a temporary degree certificate can be accepted for one year after the date of graduation after which the applicant must provide a final degree certificate.

If you have completed your degree in an institution that submits official transcripts of records or degree certificates electronically, please see electronic documents. The electronic documents must have either a verification code/link through which the document can be verified using an electronic verification service, or include another official verification proving that the document was issued by the awarding institution (e.g. an electronic signature by the awarding institution). The electronic documents fulfilling the above-mentioned requirements must be attached to the application form during the application period. 

A screenshot from institution’s study system or an electronic document downloaded by the student without an official verification are not accepted.

Please check here the options for proving your language skills. 

A scan / photo of your passport's information page or national ID card is required for identification purposes.

If you have a Finnish residence permit a scan / photo of both sides of the permit card will also be required.

Programmes may also ask for documents other than those mentioned above, such as motivation letters or self-introduction videos. Please view the programme's page and admission criteria, and follow the instructions given in the application form.

The application fee (100 €) is collected from applicants from countries outside EU/EEA seeking education leading to a degree in higher education. Please see further information at Studyinfo.  

Remember to scan the original colour documents issued by your previous institution. You do not need external verifications, such as apostilles, at this stage.

• Remember that certified true copies are not considered as originals unless given by the awarding institution or Finnish Digital and Population Data Services Agency.

If you have completed your degree in an institution that only submits official transcripts of records electronically (e-transcripts), please see electronic transcripts.

You can supplement your application until 28 January 2026, 3:00 p.m. GMT+2.

After you have submitted your application along with the relevant documents, University of Turku will verify your language skills and educational documents. If your application fulfills the general admission criteria it will be further evaluated by the programmes you applied to. The programmes will perform an academic assessment and carry out student selections.

The results are published 26 March 2026. All applicants will be notified of the decision by email. If you are admitted, you will receive the admission offer  by email. A student may accept only one study place leading to a higher education degree in Finland in education that begins in the same academic term.

If you receive an admission offer, you can see further information, such as step-by-step instructions and deadlines, on our website information for admitted students.

If you are admitted, you need to submit your original degree documents for verification according to country-specific requirements upon starting your studies.

• If you are admitted and have proven your eligibility with a degree from a higher education institution (Bachelor's or Master's degree) you must submit the documents according to these country specific requirements.

With good preparation you can be one of the admitted applicants of the University of Turku! To ensure there are no obstacles in your relocation, prepare your possible move to Turku as early as possible.

Take a look at matters such as the residence permit process, housing options, and arriving in Finland on our admitted students information page.