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IT students Sumiya Chowdhury ja Sadikshya Satyal

Bachelor of Engineering, Information Technology

We offer a bachelor’s degree programme in Information Technology. This is perfect for you who want to become a professional software engineer or IT expert. Our studies will prepare you for plenty of interesting work opportunities in the future.

Degree: Bachelor of Engineering

Study type: Blended learning / daytime studies

Duration: 4 years, 240 credits

Tuition fee for non-EU/EEA citizens: 9500 €

Application period opens: 03.01.2024 at 08:00

Application period closes: 17.01.2024 at 15:00

Studies start in autumn 2024

Teaching language: English

Daytime studies

  • Campus: Talonpojankatu 2, Kokkola
  • Best suited for international applicants who want to study in Finland
  • Places: 20

Blended learning

  • Campus: Campus Allegro, Pietarsaari
  • Best suited for applicants who are already in Finland
  • Places: 10

Programme description

The field of information technology is continuously growing and developing, but it is also a creative field where small companies and even individual entrepreneurs can develop successful products and services. In our area, there are plenty of exciting work possibilities for IT experts. Our education gives you the readiness to work in different software engineering or IT related tasks and positions. Your future occupational title could be, for example, a software developer or software engineer.

The degree programme in Information Technology provides you with extensive knowledge in software engineering and communications. The studies will start from the basics, so previous knowledge or experience from the IT sector is not required. Besides this, you will acquire a strong know-how in natural sciences, language and communication skills and project management. During your studies, you will also gain more expertise in programming and software design. You will learn to use various IT-related hardware and software, for example Raspberry, Arduino, Microsoft Visual Studio, Jira and Git, which are also used by companies in real life.

In addition to theoretical studies, you will do practical assignments and participate in different projects. For example, you will spend your 3rd and 4th year studying in Centria’s software factory, where you can practise previously learned subjects by participating in RDI or other customer projects. The work is often done in teams in the IT field, so you will also learn teamwork and project working skills during your studies.

The engineer’s work is very practically oriented. All professional studies contain a lot of learning by doing. In our area, many successful companies need experts who understand the possibilities of digitalization. The companies also help us to develop the degree programme and the content of it. Company representatives visit us as guest lecturers and offer work placements, thesis projects and other projects for students. These projects are an excellent way to show your expertise and possibly get a summer job later in one of the companies. We also cooperate with international parties, such as Cisco, Microsoft, Amazon and ESRI.

Daytime studies

Studying at Centria UAS is very practical, and you will get many chances to participate in real-life projects together with working life representatives. We have very active co-operation with companies, and the studies include visits to companies and guest lecturers from companies. In addition, practical training and student projects are part of the studies. During the work placement, you can increase your know-how in an actual work environment. This provides a great opportunity to show your expertise to a potential employer and to get a summer job, for example. You can also practise your skills in our software factory and IT laboratory. 

The engineering studies in information technology consist of core studies, profiling studies, which include specialization studies, optional studies, work placement and a thesis. The scope is 240 ECTS, and the length of the degree is around 4 years.

Core competence 155 ECTS 

  • Career building
  • Mathematics
  • Sciences
  • Language studies and Communication Skills
  • Business skills
  • Information technology studies
  • Fundamentals of programming
  • Software engineering
  • Web development
  • Electronics and Internet of Things

Profiling competence 85 ECTS 

  • Enabling technologies
  • Advanced professional studies
  • Optional studies
  • Students can choose to study one of the following:
    • Software factory  
    • Cloud systems and networking 

Practical training 30 ECTS 

Bachelor’s Thesis 15 ECTS

You can find the curriculum here.

You can specialise either in software factory or cloud systems and networking. You can choose your specialisation during the second study year.

In the software factory module, you will learn to master the most important programming languages and learn how to use your expertise in real-life software development projects. You will learn to design web and mobile applications and practical skills on how to implement software that meets customer requirements. You will have access to our modern software development environments, where you will work with other students, customers and teachers to develop and deploy sustainable applications. 

In the cloud systems and networking module, you will deepen your expertise in communications. You can participate in study modules offered by Cisco. During your studies, you deepen your know-how as an administrator and a developer of cloud services. As for the cloud services, you will familiarize yourself with the Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure environments and their certificates. You will have plenty of job opportunities in the future. Your future occupational titles could be, for example, a developer or administrator of data communications networks. 

The bachelor’s degree programme in Information Technology is conducted in English as daytime studies. The contact classes are arranged on our Talonpojankatu campus in Kokkola on weekdays between 8 am – 6 pm. During your first study year, all the classes require presence on campus. However, the percentage of contact teaching diminishes during the following study years: in the 2nd year, 75 % is contact teaching on campus, in the 3rd year, 50 % is contact teaching on campus, and during your 4th study year and especially in the spring semester, you will concentrate on finishing your thesis project. Through this arrangement, we try to offer our students a smooth transition into working life.

First joint application 2024

Joint Application period is from 3 to 17 January 2024.

Centria University of Applied Sciences uses the following student selection methods during the first joint application 2024: 

International University of Applied Sciences (UAS) Exam: 75% of study places

Certificate-based selection (Finnish Matriculation Examination, IB, EB, RP/DIA): 25% of study places

International University of Applied Sciences (UAS) Exam

International UAS Exam is a joint digital entrance exam of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS), used for selecting students to English-conducted study programmes leading to a Bachelor’s degree.

The entrance examination assesses the applicants’ abilities to study at UAS. The entrance examination does not contain any pre-reading materials or pre-tasks.

Every applicant must submit a document of the English language skills and a valid identification document on the Studyinfo’s application form. Please check the approved documents at UASinfo.fi.

Language requirements during joint application 2024

In order to be invited to the International UAS Exam and to be selected based on the International UAS Exam selection method, the applicants have to prove their English language skills either by an internationally recognized language test or previous studies. Please, check the accepted documents here.

Identification documents during joint application 2024

The applicant needs a valid, acceptable identification document to be able to participate in the International UAS Exam. Please, check the accepted documents here. (Notice: only a passport is accepted from the applicants outside EU/EEA).

Please notice: the UASinfo.fi -website will be updated before the new year for the 2024 application.

More information about admission criteria on the UASinfo website.

NB. Changes may occur.

Certificate-based selection (Finnish Matriculation Examination, IB, EB, RP/DIA)

It’s possible to be selected through certificate-based student selection if you have: 

  • A minimum grade C in advanced English (degree programmes in the field of business and engineering)
  • A minimum grade C in advanced English and basic syllabus grade C or advanced syllabus grade A in Mathematics (degree programmes in the field of engineering)

SAT application

Applicants who in their past have completed the SAT tests (new version taken after March 2016) can also apply in our SAT application round on 1st November 2023 – 17th January 2024. Please read more information and the admission criteria here.  

Blended learning

Studying at Centria UAS is very practical, and you will get many chances to participate in real-life projects together with working-life representatives. In addition, practical training is part of the studies. During the practical training, you can increase your know-how in an actual work environment. Practical training is a great way to show your expertise to a potential employer and get a summer job, for example. You can also practice your skills in our software factory and IT laboratory. 

The engineering studies in information technology consist of core studies, profiling studies, which include specialisation studies, optional studies, work placement and a thesis. The scope is 240 ECTS, and the length of the degree is around 4 years. 

Core competence 155 ECTS 

  • Career building
  • Mathematics
  • Sciences
  • Language studies and Communication Skills
  • Business skills
  • Information technology studies
  • Fundamentals of programming
  • Software engineering
  • Web development
  • Electronics and Internet of Things

Profiling competence 85 ECTS 

  • Enabling technologies
  • Advanced professional studies
  • Optional studies
  • Students can choose to study one of the following:
    • Software factory  
    • Cloud systems and networking 

Practical training 30 ECTS 

Bachelor’s Thesis 15 ECTS

You can find the curriculum here.

In the degree programme, you can specialise in either software factory or cloud systems and networking. You can choose your specialisation during the second study year. 

In the software factory module, you will learn to master the most important programming languages and learn how to use your expertise in real-life software development projects. You will learn to design web and mobile applications and practical skills on how to implement software that meets customer requirements. You will have access to our modern software development environments, where you will work with other students, customers and teachers to develop and deploy sustainable applications. 

In the cloud systems and networking module, you will deepen your expertise in communications. You can participate in study modules offered by Cisco. During your studies, you deepen your know-how as an administrator and a developer of cloud services. As for the cloud services, you will familiarize yourself with the Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure environments and their certificates. You will have plenty of job opportunities in the future. Your future occupational titles could be, for example, a developer or administrator of data communications networks. 

The degree programme in Information Technology in Pietarsaari is conducted in English as blended learning.

Blended learning includes less contact teaching than daytime studies. Online contact teaching is organised in the evenings between 4 pm – 8 pm. Studies include intensive contact teaching periods on campus. On-campus periods are organised usually once per month, and the periods last 1–2 days. Students can do independent assignments and group work on campus. It is also possible to attend online contact teaching on campus.

First joint application 2024

Joint Application period is from 3 to 17 January 2024.

Centria University of Applied Sciences uses the following student selection methods during the first joint application 2024: 

International University of Applied Sciences (UAS) Exam: 75% of study places

Certificate-based selection (Finnish Matriculation Examination, IB, EB, RP/DIA): 25% of study places

International University of Applied Sciences (UAS) Exam

International UAS Exam is a joint digital entrance exam of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS), used for selecting students to English-conducted study programmes leading to a Bachelor’s degree.

The entrance examination assesses the applicants’ abilities to study at UAS. The entrance examination does not contain any pre-reading materials or pre-tasks.

Every applicant must submit a document of the English language skills and a valid identification document on the Studyinfo’s application form. Please check the approved documents at UASinfo.fi.

Language requirements during joint application 2024

In order to be invited to the International UAS Exam and to be selected based on the International UAS Exam selection method, the applicants have to prove their English language skills either by an internationally recognized language test or previous studies. Please, check the accepted documents here.

Identification documents during joint application 2024

The applicant needs a valid, acceptable identification document to be able to participate in the International UAS Exam. Please, check the accepted documents here. (Notice: only a passport is accepted from the applicants outside EU/EEA).

Please notice: the UASinfo.fi -website will be updated before the new year for the 2024 application.

More information about admission criteria on the UASinfo website.

NB. Changes may occur.

Certificate-based selection (Finnish Matriculation Examination, IB, EB, RP/DIA)

It’s possible to be selected through certificate-based student selection if you have: 

  • A minimum grade C in advanced English (degree programmes in the field of business and engineering)
  • A minimum grade C in advanced English and basic syllabus grade C or advanced syllabus grade A in Mathematics (degree programmes in the field of engineering)

SAT application

Applicants who in their past have completed the SAT tests (new version taken after March 2016) can also apply in our SAT application round on 1st November 2023 – 17th January 2024. Please read more information and the admission criteria here.  

Additional information

The degree programme in information technology gives you a wide understanding of the opportunities that technology offers, but also of its limitations. You are able to develop IT solutions that are user-friendly, sustainable and economical and less energy-dependent. 

After completing the degree 

  • you have a strong know-how of information technology and communication. 
  • you have good analysis & management skills as well as problem-solving skills. 
  • you know different information technology equipment and applications and can use them in practice. 
  • you command the techniques and the developing methods related to the field. 
  • you can design and can carry out applications for different purposes that meet the needs of the customer. 
  • you know the methods and tools that are used in the project work. 
  • you have strong language skills that are required in international working life. 

Centria is one of the most international universities of applied sciences in Finland. Our students represent about 40 different countries from around the world, and you can feel the international atmosphere on our campuses. 

We have around 130 partner universities, and if you are interested, you can study for a semester or a full academic year in one of the partner universities. Shorter exchanges are possible as well. Some of our students also do their work placement period abroad or in some international company. 

Some of the courses are offered together with other IT student groups. It means that you have a great opportunity to practice your language and communication skills and get to know people from all over the world. 

The bachelor’s thesis is a large (15 ECTS) development or research project that usually takes place during the last study year. The purpose of the thesis is to prove that you have a good command of software engineering-related theory and processes, and you can apply these in practice. The students usually do their thesis directly for a specific company, either independently or with a fellow student. The thesis project, together with the work placement, introduces the student to practical work-life duties already during their studies. It is also the first step towards the first permanent position for many of our students. 

Some typical planning and development projects are, e.g. planning and conducting a quality assurance manual, marketing plan, business plan, orientation plan, directive, process or production line. The thesis project is a chance to show the skills that you have acquired during your studies. To become an expert, the student needs opportunities to solve authentic problems of the profession. 

Conducting the thesis requires systematic, planned and justifiable work to reach the set aims. The thesis work is a process that compiles orientation, planning and implementation of the topic, reporting and assessment. All these make an integrated entity. The thesis is like a business card for the student and can be utilized in publication archives and workplaces when the student proceeds into a professional career.

In the online library Theseus www.theseus.fi all the previously completed bachelor’s theses are available for everyone.

The world needs more skilled IT experts, and therefore our students have excellent work opportunities ahead of themselves. The degree programme in Information Technology gives the freshly graduated IT engineer the readiness to work in versatile positions in different companies in Finland and abroad.

IT Engineers have a wide range of working possibilities. The most used occupational titles are 

  • Software designer 
  • Software engineer 
  • R&D Engineer 
  • IT Manager 
  • Security expert 
  • Network Systems Administrator 
  • Network specialist or  
  • CEO of your start-up company. 

After you have completed your bachelor’s degree and you have gained at least two years of work experience, you can apply to our master’s degree programme in Information Technology.  You can also continue your studies at another university in Finland or abroad. 

In Centria IT Lab the students work in teams and complete challenging software development projects for different companies. Students are in charge of the projects and their completion by themselves. Students also control the timetables and steer work.

Students that participate in the Centria IT Lab will earn ECTS. The Centria IT Lab aims to develop students’ work-life skills and know-how.

Centria IT Lab uses tools that are commonly used in software development.

Please notice that some applicants are obligated to pay tuition fees. If you are not an EU/EEA citizen or if you do not have a document that exempts you from paying the tuition fees, you are obliged to pay them.

Please note that Centria UAS uses Flywire to accept payments from international students worldwide. This is the only accepted way to pay the tuition fee. Centria does not approach students with any other payment methods. Please only use the payment link provided in the conditional offer letter.

More information about the tuition fees and scholarships can be found here.

How to apply


Joint application 3.–17.1.2024

While the application is open you can apply to the degree programme in Studyinfo.


Applying with SAT scores

The next application period for degree programmes conducted in English for applicants who in their past have completed the SAT tests (new version taken after March 2016), will be arranged between 1 November 2023 and 17 January 2024.


Applying during transfer application 1.-15.5.2024

It is possible to apply to Centria UAS during the transfer application period if a student wants to transfer from one field of study to another within Centria UAS or a student wants to transfer from another Finnish university of applied sciences to Centria.


Applying with open UAS studies 1.–30.4.2024 and 1.–31.10.2024

Students who have completed studies in the Open University of Applied Sciences (UAS) may use the open UAS pathway to apply for degree student status.


Applying with an incomplete degree 1.–30.4.2024 and 1.–31.10.2024

If you have studied in Centria UAS or in another university in Finland but you have not yet finished your degree, you can re-apply for the same or related degree programme to finish your degree.


Check your eligibility

following education will give applicants eligibility to apply for Bachelor´s programmes:

  • the studies required for graduating from the Finnish upper secondary school or a Matriculation Ex-amination;
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB) degree;
  • a European Baccalaureate (EB) Diploma;
  • a Reifeprüfung (RP) or Deutsche Internationale Abitur (DIA) degree;
  • a Finnish vocational upper secondary qualification covering 120 credits or 180 competence points or a corresponding earlier Finnish vocational degree covering at least 80 credits;
  • a Finnish post-secondary or higher vocational level diploma;
  • a Finnish vocational upper secondary qualification or a further or specialist vocational qualification as a competence-based qualification, or a comparable previous qualification;
  • a foreign qualification that provides eligibility for higher education studies in the country in question;
  • Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree.

Contact us

Do you have questions about studying in the degree programme, studying in Finland or the practicalities of the application process? Please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Centrians sitting on the amphi stairs

How to reach us

If you want to know more about studies in the programme, you can contact our Education Export team or fill out a contact form and they will get back to you.

If you have a question about the practical application process, you can contact our Admissions services.

Student Stories

  • – Ihtasham Hassan, Student

    pakistani student wearing a scarf looking at camera in computer classroom

    Centria is a friendly University and every student should come here. Centria will listen to you and give you time. The studies are really good.

  • – Sumiya Chowdhury & Sadikshya Satyal, Students

    You get to improve your communication, learn new things and you get a little bit of adventure also.

    Centria is a beautiful place to learn. It’s got very friendly and supportive environment.

    Sumiya Chowdhury & Sadikshya Satyal, International Students
  • – Jessica Suarez, Donát Salamon, Students

    We come to the campus, and it feels so free. There are places where you can just go sit together and study or chill. – Donát

    I think Centria gives you the tools to study at your own rhythm. – Jessica

  • – Anna Eloranta, Student

    I think that studying in English is good. Many of the coding languages are based on English. We have English classes in the studies too, where we learn to speak more formally and grammatically correct.

The Information Technology programme provides you with extensive knowledge of software engineering and communications. The field of information technology is continuously growing and developing, but it is also a creative field where also small companies and even individual entrepreneurs can develop successful products and services.

Henry Paananen, Head of the Degree Programme

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