The next application period for the Master’s degree programmes will be arranged between 1st of November and 15th of December. The application process takes place at Studyinfo.fi. The application process is free of charge for all applicants. Applicants can be admitted if they meet eligibility requirements, submit a valid application, attach required documents and successfully pass the entrance exam and the interview. The entrance exam is organized individually online.
You can also apply with GMAT and GRE scores. Those applying with GRE and GMAT test results do not attend the entrance exam or interview. More information on this in the selection methods section here when you click on the degree programme you are interested in.
Eligibility criteria
- A higher education degree (Bachelor´s diploma) completed outside the EU/EEA area.
- Furthermore, applicants are always obliged to have at least two years of work experience, gained after obtaining the Bachelor´s degree (applicants can accumulate work experience until the end of July 2025).
- Applicants are also required to submit a proof of English language proficiency. Those applying with GRE or GMAT test results do not need to submit a proof of language proficiency.
- a higher education degree in computer science or similar subject completed in one of the universities or universities of applied sciences in Finland
- a higher education degree in computer science or similar subject completed in one of the European Union or the European Economic Area countries.
- a higher education degree in computer science or similar subject completed outside the EU/EEA-area countries.
Applicants are obliged to have at least two years of work experience, gained after obtaining the Bachelor´s degree (applicants can accumulate work experience until the end of July 2025).
Applicants are also required to submit a proof of English language proficiency. Those applying with GRE or GMAT test results do not need to submit a proof of language proficiency.
Language requirements
English language skills can be proved by the following documents (Those applying with GRE and GMAT test results do not need to submit a proof of language proficiency.):
- English language test results:
- IELTS Academic*: a minimum total score of 6.0 (Test sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking)
- TOEFL Academic (iBT)*: a minimum total score of 60 (Test sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing)
- PTE Academic*: a minimum total score of 55 (Test sections: Speaking and Writing, Reading, and Listening)
- Cambridge English Scale Score: a minimum total score of 169 (Test sections: Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening, and Speaking)
- National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) English: Grade 4 or higher on all the subtests (speaking, listening comprehension, writing, and reading comprehension)
- Higher education degree completed in English in an EU/EEA country, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, or the United States, or a doctoral thesis completed in English in any country
- Upper secondary degree completed in English in an EU/EEA country, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, or the United States
- One of the following grades in the Finnish Matriculation Examination, European Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate, or Reifeprüfung/DIA completed in Finland:
- Finnish Matriculation Examination: English advanced syllabus with a minimum grade C
- The whole International Baccalaureate degree completed in English
- International Baccalaureate final examination: English A HL/SL or English B HL/SL with a minimum grade 4
- European Baccalaureate: at least grade 6.00 in L2-level English
- Reifeprüfung/DIA diploma completed in Finland: at least grade 7 in advanced English
- Certificate of higher education degree completed in Finland
* IELTS Academic UKVI, IELTS Online, PTE Academic Online, PTE Academic UKVI and TOEFL iBT Home Edition are also accepted.
Only the tests listed above will be accepted. No exceptions will be made.
There are no expiration dates, but the language test results must be verifiable from the online verification service of the organiser until 31st of March 2025. The TOEFL test cannot be verified after two years. The IELTS test cannot be verified after three years. If the test scores can no longer be verified, the test is not valid. The applicant should make sure that the test results are not too old. If the applicant is unsure and the test results are more than 2 years old, it is advised to retake the test.
Point 1 above:
- When taking the language test, the applicant should choose the university of applied sciences that uses the International UAS Exam as the recipient of the results, if possible. The results must be at least sent to the university of applied sciences that is listed highest on the list of targeted study programmes in the application form. If possible, the test results should be sent to every university of applied sciences using the International UAS Exam where the applicant has applied to. The applicant must also attach a scanned/electric copy of the test result to the application for verification purposes, and notify their unique identifier.
Point 2 above:
- If applying with the National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI), the unique identifier is not necessary. However, the applicant must attach a scanned/electric copy of the test result to the application for verification purposes.
Points 3-4 above:
- The applicant must attach a certificate of their previous degrees. The applicant must also attach a document that shows the language of the degree and the country of studies.
- The degree/programme must be taught and assessed entirely in English. The language of instruction must be clearly indicated on the educational documents.
- If the applicant’s degree includes courses or diploma-level qualifications that have been completed outside of the specified countries/area, or courses conducted in a language other than English, the degree might not meet the requirement.
- If the applicant has completed a doctoral thesis in English, they need to attach the evaluation of the thesis.
Point 5 above:
- The applicant must attach a certificate of their grades.
Point 6 above:
- The applicant must attach a certificate to prove they are studying for one of the mentioned degrees or about to graduate during the autumn season from one of the mentioned degrees.
Filling the application
Applicants start the application process by filling an online application form during the application period at Studyinfo.fi. When filling the application form, applicants are advised to double-check if the given postal address is up to date and the given email address is functional. A functional email address is particularly important in order to be able to contact applicants later on with decisions and further guidelines. The email address provided in the application form will be taken as official channel of communication and will not be changed later in the process. Once the application has successfully been registered, including an official copy of the higher education degree certificate, applicants receive an application number. If an application number is received, applicants do not have to contact Centria’s Admissions office to confirm if the application has arrived.
A link to the application form can be found below. Please remember that it will be possible to fill and submit the application only when the application is ongoing.
Admission results
Admission results will be announced in March at the latest. All accepted applicants will be informed about their admission by e-mail. It is essential to apply with a valid email address so the results are able to reach the applicants. After being admitted, in order to be able to start their studies, applicants still have to accept the study place by logging into Studyinfo.fi and accepting the offered study place. If applicants have problems using the Internet and accessing the Studyinfo.fi, a pdf form can be provided by the Admissions office. By accepting the study place, applicants also register themselves as a present for the first academic year. If applicants wish to register as absent, they have to check the Enrolment section of Centria’s website to see if they are eligible to apply for such status and consult it further with the Admissions office.
In case an applicant believes a mistake has been made in student selection, they may file a claim for adjustment after the publication of the student selection results.
Claims for adjustment have to be filed within 14 days after the publication of results. Appeal based on personal circumstances will not be considered as valid reason for appeal. Student admission decision can be changed only in those cases where it is clearly shown that the UAS has not followed the student admission criteria. Therefore, the claim of adjustment must be well-grounded and it should contain accurate information on where the UAS has not followed the criteria.
Claim for adjustment can be delivered via email to admissions@centria.fi or by post
Admissions Office
Centria University of Applied Sciences
Talonpojankatu 2
67100 Kokkola
FINLAND
Tuition fee payment
After accepting the study place, applicants receive an email with tuition fee payment instructions. More information about the tuition fees can be found here.
Residence permit
If an applicant does not have a Finnish residence permit, we advise starting the residence permit process as soon as possible, after accepting the study place or in case of an applicant from a NON-EU/EEA country – after accepting the study place and paying the tuition fee. It is possible to do so at the nearest Finnish consulate or embassy after getting the notice of acceptance letter. The precondition for obtaining a residence permit is a letter of acceptance from the university, a tuition fee payment confirmation (if the applicant is obliged to pay the tuition fees), a valid health insurance coverage with a reliable and solvent company or institution, as well as a prove of sufficient funds in order to be able to self-support a student life in Finland. Further information can be found on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service.
Admissions Services
If you have further questions do not hesitate to contact Centria’s Admissions Services. If you are contacting the Admissions Services and you already have an application number, please state it in your email to ease the recognition process.