How to apply?

1. Check the application period

There are two ways to apply to a higher education degree programmes in Finland: joint application or separate application. Most programmes at the University of Eastern Finland have only one application period in January each year. Joint programmes may have their own application periods and procedures. The online application is accessible only during the application period, so be sure to check the dates.

2. Choose your programme

Review our list of Bachelor's degree programmes or the list of Master's degree programmes by field. You can also find all available study programs in Finland on the Studyinfo portal, where you can search for suitable options. 

3. Check the admission requirements

Ensure you meet the program-specific admission criteria. Pay attention to language requirements - do you need to take a language test? If so, register early for tests like TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, or PTE Academic.

4. Gather your documents

Each program provides details on the required documents, which can also be found on Studyinfo. Prepare your documents well before the application period begins. If your educational documents are in a language other than English, Finnish, or Swedish, include official translations.

5. Submit the application

Application forms are available only during the specified application period. You can submit one application form, which allows to apply to up to six different programs.  The documents are added as electronic copies or scanned attachments along with your online application. Follow the instructions provided in Studyinfo. Ensure all documents are uploaded by the deadline, as email attachments are not accepted. After submitting, you will receive a confirmation email, which includes a link for making changes to your application during the application period. You may upload documents for up to seven days after the application window closes. Check deadlines very carefully!

6. After submitting your application

The admission team will start checking the applications after the application window closes. We will assess the eligibility and authenticity of educational certificates and language tests for all applicants. After you have been accepted, you must remember to verify your documents. This process includes verifying information with previous educational institutions. Please learn more about the verification process.

Questions?

If you have any questions about completing your application or uploading documents, please contact our admissions office at admissions@uef.fi or by phone at +358 29 445 8990.

General information on different kinds of documents and attachments

To verify your eligibility, you must upload copies of your educational documents, proof of language proficiency, and any other program-specific attachments to your electronic application. On this page you can read more about types of documents. 

If your documents are issued in a language other than English, Finnish, or Swedish, official translations into one of these languages are required. All translations must be completed by either the degree-awarding institution or an authorized translator. Each page of the translation must bear the translator’s stamp and/or signature. Official translations must be exact copies of the original documents. Self-translated documents will not be accepted.

Degree certificate (higher education)

A degree certificate is a document issued by an institution to a student who has successfully completed all the required studies for a degree. It confirms the student has graduated. The degree certificate should include the name of the awarding institution, the date of issue, the recipient's name, and the title/degree conferred.

Upper secondary/ High school education certificate

A school-leaving certificate from upper secondary school refers to a certificate or diploma issued to a student who has completed the full upper secondary school. The upper secondary educational qualification gives eligibility to apply for higher education (university-level bachelor’s studies) in your home country. 

Temporary (provisional) degree certificate

A temporary (provisional) degree certificate is a document issued by an institution to a student who has been awarded an academic degree. It serves as a substitute for the official degree certificate when the latter cannot be issued immediately after the completion of studies due to technical or administrative reasons. The certificate should include the name of the awarding institution, the date of issue, the recipient's name, and the title/degree conferred.

Please note: If a certificate only confirms the completion of all courses but does not verify the award or conferral of the degree, it will not be accepted as a temporary or provisional degree certificate.

Top-up degree and dual/ joint degrees 

If your degree consists of studies completed at multiple institutions, for example a higher national diploma (HND) and a one-year bachelor’s degree, you must submit educational documents (transcript of records and degree certificate) that cover all your studies.

Dual/ Joint degrees are programmes where usually two or more universities jointly run a programme and they either award one diploma together, or all partners award their own diplomas at end of the programme. If you receive two or more diplomas at the end of your programme, you can choose which one or ones you submit.

Transcript of records

The transcript of records should include the following information:

• Full titles of the units completed for the degree
• Completion dates of study units (or at least the overall study period at the institution)
• Grades obtained
• Credits awarded
• Information on the grading scale used by the institution at the time of study

The transcript must cover the entire duration of the studies. If the degree includes courses completed at another institution and the transferred credits are not detailed in the main transcript, a separate transcript for those transferred credits must be submitted. University of Eastern Finland only accepts official transcripts of records. 

Copy of passport or residence permit card 

Upload a copy of your passport's ID page or your ID card, or upload copies of both sides of your residence permit card to the online application.

University of Eastern Finland charges tuition fees for degree students studying in English, if they are not citizens of the EU/EEA or Switzerland. If you select English as the language of instruction on the application form, you are liable to pay the tuition fee unless you can prove exemption.

You are exempt from paying the tuition fee if:

1. You are a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland: Upload a copy of your passport's ID page or your ID card to the application system. Your passport or ID card must be valid when the semester begins on 1 August 2025.
2. You are a non-EU/EEA or Swiss citizen but hold a residence permit (type A or P) in Finland: Upload copies of both sides of your residence permit card to the application system. Your residence permit must be valid when the semester starts on 1 August 2025.
   • Exception: A type A residence permit issued for study purposes in Finland does not exempt you from paying the tuition fee.

Programme-specific documents

Programs may also require additional documents, such as reference letters, academic recommendations, motivation letters, or CVs. Please refer to the program's website and follow the instructions provided on Studyinfo.

Country-specific documents (verification after admittance)

During the application period, you are required to attach scans of the original documents to the application form. You do not need to send the documents by post.

After you have been admitted, you must submit the original documents (paper or electronic) according to the country-specific requirements by the set deadlines.

During the application period

Scanned copies are required at the application stage; paper copies are not necessary. You must upload copies of your educational documents, proof of language proficiency, and any other program-specific attachments to your electronic application. Follow the instructions provided on Studyinfo, and ensure all documents are uploaded by the specified deadline. Make sure each document is uploaded to the correct section of the application form.

There are certain standards for uploading electronic documents:

• We accept scanned copies of original degree certificates and transcripts, along with translations when required.
• Please scan original documents carefully, always in color, and include all pages. Blurry, discolored, or flawed scans will not be accepted. PDF format is recommended to ensure compatibility across all operating systems.
• Recommended file types: PDF or JPEG; max. file size: 1.0 GB.

After receiving the acceptance letter

All newly accepted students must verify the educational documents submitted with their application. Admission personnel will evaluate the eligibility and authenticity of your certificates. There are several ways to submit documents for verification:

1. Educational documents shared through electronic credential services
2. Electronically signed or verified educational documents
3. Educational documents sent by e-mail by the awarding institution
4. Educational paper documents sent by post

Read the general instructions on verification process. Be sure to check for country-specific requirements. If the country where your degree was issued is not on the list, you are required to follow the general verification instructions. Please note: preparing your educational documents may take time, so it's important to start the process early.

Your verified educational documents must be submitted to the University of Eastern by 30^th of May 2025. If the verification is not completed in the required manner by this deadline, the conditionally granted study right will be canceled.

Please note that educational documents are not returned to the applicants.

Not graduated as yet? 

The programmes will also conditionally accept applicants who have not graduated by the end of the application period. Remember to scan all required application attachments on your online application during the application period. Temporary (provisional) degree certificates are also accepted at application stage.

Conditionally accepted applicants are required to:

1) indicate their expected graduation date in their application

2) submit the latest official transcript of records by the end of the application period

3) provide the final officially certified degree certificate to the University of Eastern Finland within the set deadlines. Make sure to check the deadlines on our website.