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Applying with education completed outside EU/EEA-area

Did your previous studies take place outside EU/EEA-area? Find the detailed information on how you can apply to our Master’s degree programmes on this page.

The next application period for the Master’s degree programmes will be arranged between 1 February and 29 February 2024. 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.

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 2024).
  • Applicants are also required to submit a proof of English 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 2024).

Applicants are also required to submit a proof of English language proficiency.

Language requirements

English language skills can be proved by the following documents:

1. Language test results

2. National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) English: Proficiency level 4 on all the subtests (reading, writing, listening and speaking).

3. Higher education degree completed in English in an EU/EEA country, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, or the United States

4. Upper secondary degree completed in English in an EU/EEA country, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, or the United States

5. One of the following grade cases in Finnish Matriculation Examination, European Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate or Reifeprüfung/DIA

6. Certificate of higher education degree completed in Finland

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 by May 31st 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.

How to get a student’s residence permit in Finland? Video guide by Finnish Immigration Service
Two Centria employees sitting at a table and laughing together

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.