How and when to apply

Do you want to apply for an International Degree Programme at University of Turku? Here you will find a guide about the application process, and learn the important dates for intake. 

The application period for studies starting in August 2025 will be open 8 January - 22 January 2025. To get prepared for applying, read through this page carefully.

There is one intake per year and studies begin in the following August. The application form will be available in the Studyinfo.fi online portal only during the application period. It is not possible to apply outside the application period.

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.

Using the same application form, you may also apply for a tuition fee scholarship, in case you would be required to pay for tuition upon admittance.

Join our webinar on 10 October at 14–15.30 Finnish time: 
Future with UTU – Applying to the University of Turku

Some programmes may have their own deadlines: always read the programme webpage carefully.

Who can apply

Eligibility for applying for Master's degrees

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,
  • 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.
Eligibility for applying for Bachelor's degrees

You are an eligible applicant for Bachelor-level studies if you have one of the following qualifications:

  • the Finnish matriculation examination 
  • the International Baccalaureate (IB) 
  • the European Baccalaureate (EB) 
  • Reifeprüfung/Die Deutsche Internationale Abiturprüfung in Finland 
  • any other comparable upper secondary educational qualification which provides eligibility to University-level Bachelor’s studies in the country in question 
  • an applicant with a higher degree than the ones mentioned will also be considered eligible. 

In addition to the degree requirement you must also fulfill the language requirements of the University to be eligible. Please also note that in order to be admitted you may also need to fulfill programme specific requirements e.g. SAT test or motivation letter.

Are you applying with an incomplete degree?

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

  • Your possible admittance is conditional until you submit proof of your graduation to University of Turku.
  • The degree certificate and transcript of records must reach University of Turku by 11 August 2025, 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.

If you apply for a Bachelor's degree programme, you must attach a statement from your home institution stating the expected date of graduation in the application form during the application period.

How to apply

Step 1: Before applying
  1. Find the right study programme for you - see the full list of International Degree Programmes or use our Degree Finder.
  2. View the admission criteria for the programme(s) you wish to apply to, and make sure you are eligible. You may also see the questions on the application form  and see how the application form looks like by watching the tutorial video.
  3. Participate in an internationally recognized language test to prove your English skills (if needed) well in advance.
  4. Make sure you have the required educational documents available before you apply.

See also the “Language requirements” and "Required documents" sections on this page and read information on the application process (pdf).

Step 2: Fill in and submit the application form online

The application form is only available during the application period (8 - 22 January 2025, 3:00 p.m. GMT+2). Before the application period starts, you can see the application form questions on this page.

  1. You can find a link to the application form on the page of the programme you wish to apply to. The application is submitted at www.studyinfo.fi
  2. Fill in the application. You may apply for up to six (6) programmes included in the joint application. You may apply to a maximum of three (3) programmes at University of Turku during one application period. You may apply for both the study programme and scholarship at the same time.
    • All questions on University of Turku's section on the application form must be answered in English, unless stated otherwise in the question. 
    • You cannot edit your answers after the application period has ended (incl. possible motivational questions that form a motivation letter).
  3. Upload your scanned documents on the form.
    • Remember to scan the original documents issued by your previous institution. You do not need external verifications, such as apostilles, at this stage.
    • If you have completed your degree in an institution that only submits official transcripts of records electronically (e-transcripts), please see electronic transcripts.
  4. Check that you have filled in everything correctly and send the form online.
  5. After you have submitted your application you will get a confirmation email that your application has been received.
  6. NB! You do not have to send any documents in paper form, or by email.

Please note! Your application must be submitted to the electronic system by the application deadline. All of the relevant enclosures must be attached to the application form within one week of the application deadline. 

The language test result must be attached to the application form and be available for online verification at the latest by the end of the supplementation period. The language test result must be valid for at least one month after the application time has ended (22 February 2025).

Step 3: Admission results

After you have submitted your application along with the relevant documents, University of Turku will verify your language skills and educational documents. The programmes will perform an academic assessment and carry out student selections.

The results are published 2 April 2025. All applicants will be notified of the decision by email. If you are admitted, you will receive the admission offer and the possible scholarship letter 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.

 

Step 4: Start your studies at UTU

If you have been admitted, you will receive an admission letter. Accept the study place and possible scholarship by the date and time given in the admission letter. The final deadline for accepting the study place is 10 July 2025 at 15:00 (Finnish time). More information for admitted students here!

Also please remember to read the general information on admission!

Language requirements

Applicants must have excellent English language skills and a certificate that proves those skills. Read more on the links below.

 

Required educational documents

Degree certificate

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 which 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 (or an English-language Diploma Supplement concerning graduates from European universities) of 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.

Transcript of study 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 should be submitted. If you have completed your degree in an institution that only submits official Transcripts of Records electronically (e-transcripts), please see electronic transcripts.

University of Turku requires original transcript of study records (in the original language) AND an official English, Finnish or Swedish translation (or an English-language Diploma Supplement concerning graduates from European universities) of the Transcript of Records.

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.

Temporary (provisional) degree certificate

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.

Country or programme specific documents

Programmes may also ask for documents other than those mentioned above. Please view the programme's website and follow the instructions given in the application form.

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.

If you are admitted, you need to submit the original paper documents 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 paper documents according to these country specific requirements.
  • If you are admitted and have proven your eligibility with upper secondary credentials you must submit the paper documents according to these country specific requirements.

Tutorial: How to apply to the University of Turku at Studyinfo.fi?

Important note: Please remember to check the deadlines on the top of this page and always read the programme-specific admission requirements in Studyinfo.

Advice for applying to international Master's programmes – interview with Admission Services