Arcada believes in flexible learning paths that lead to competencies for future working life. This is one of the reasons why Arcada belongs to the top five Finnish UAS’s for employment after graduation.
Table of Contents
Overview
Arcada University of Applied Sciences is a modern, multi-professional university of applied sciences in Helsinki. The campus is located in the beautiful surroundings of Arabianranta on the coast of the Baltic Sea. Arcada offers high-quality practice-oriented programs at both bachelor’s and master’s levels. Arcada is one of the most popular study options for international students to study business administration and technology in Finland. In 2017, Arcada was ranked first in the yearly ranking of best universities of applied sciences in Finland.
Arcada is truly international, with over 40 different nationalities represented among its 2,500 students and 200 employees. In fact, Arcada is the most international university of applied sciences in Finland in relation to its size, with more than 90 partner universities across the globe. Arcada takes part in numerous international research projects and exchange programs and is a member of various networks within education and research.
August/September 2024
Bachelor’s: 27.11.2023 – 16.02.2024
Master’s: 27.12.2023 – 12.01.2024
Bachelor’s: 9 500 € / year
Master’s: 11 000 € / year
Arcada’s modern campus offers excellent facilities. From quiet corners and collaborative spaces to cafes, a well-equipped gym, and even a sauna. In addition to being the hub for student affairs on campus, the student union house offers a variety of activities, services, and facilities that attract both old and new students. Having all faculties around one campus allows for multi-disciplinary collaborations. It is also a great way to meet new students and professors from diverse backgrounds.
CAMPUS ADDRESS
Jan-Magnus Janssonin aukio 1
00560 Helsinki
Finland
WEBSITE
Finland is a safe and equal society which is also reflected and highly valued within Arcada’s walls as well. In 2011, Arcada passed the Quality Audit by the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre, FINEEC. Moreover, the Ministry of Education and Culture closely oversees the quality of teaching in all higher education institutions in Finland, including Arcada University of Applied Sciences.
STUDY PROGRAMS
Arcada offers high quality, practice-oriented higher education at both bachelor’s and master’s levels. The university has two bachelor’s degrees and three master’s degree programs in English.
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Bachelor's degree programs
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Master's degree programs
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Credits
The duration of the studies and earned credits depend on the program. However, below you’ll find an overview of the total ECTS for the given degree programs.
Bachelor’s degrees
- Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business
- 3.5 years = 210 ECTS
- Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical and Sustainability Engineering,
- 4 years = 240 ECTS
Master’s degrees
- Master of Engineering in Big Data Analytics
- 1 year = 60 ECTS
- Master of Business Administration in International Business Management
- 1.5 years = 90 ECTS
- Master of Culture and Arts in Media Management
- 1 year = 60 ECTS
- Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business
Admission criteria
The application process is fast and simple. Students are pre-screened by Edunation on a first come, first served basis. If you fulfill the eligibility requirements, the university will invite you for an online exam or grants you direct admission, depending on which application method is used in the study program. Online exams are conducted on a continuous basis during the application period.
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Guaranteed admission for bachelor's degree
Our Pathway to Finland program offers guaranteed access to bachelor’s degree programs at Arcada.
Admission requirements:
- High school diploma / Higher Secondary Education
- Transcript of records
- Proof of English proficiency
- Copy of passport ID page
Students are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Admissions requirements for bachelor's degree
Make sure you have all the following documents ready when you fill out the application form.
Requirements
- Copy of the final/official higher secondary school certificate or vocational qualification
- Transcript of Records with a GPA 50% or above. This is required to be able to apply through Edunation.
- Valid Passport ID
- Proof of English language proficiency
- SAT test or OMPT Test
- Submit a copy of your SAT or OMPT score report. You must therefore have taken the SAT test, and already received your score before you can apply.
Note: Original certificates must be shown when arriving in Finland.
Educational Background
Must have completed upper secondary education which gives eligibility for higher education studies in your own country
Language Requirements
One of the following English language certificates:
- IELTS : min. 6.0
- PTE – Academic or Academic online: min. 51
- Must be sent through the online PTE account
- TOEFL – Internet-based or Home Edition test: min. 79
- test result must arrive directly from the Educational Testing Service
- Arcada’s TOEFL code 5724
- Cambridge ESOL’s tests – B2 First Cambridge Advanced: min. 170
- include your Candidate ID and Candidate Secret number when sending your results to Arcada
- An upper secondary level certificate or a bachelor’s or master’s degree completed in English in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa. With a minimum 60% of the degree must have been completed on location in one of the before mentioned countries.
Please request your score report to be submitted to Arcada UAS when you register for the Cambridge, Pearson or TOEFL tests. Also IELTS test takers can request the result to be sent to Arcada directly but as results can be verified online, a paper copy of test result is accepted.
Selection Method
1) SAT test score and proof of English language proficiency
- Total minimum score: 1100 points
- Reading, writing and language test: Minimum score 500 points
- Math: Minimum score 500 points for International Business; 550 points for Mechanical and Sustainable Engineering
- The essay included in the SAT test is not required when applying to Arcada. Subject test is not accepted.
Validity:
- Only the new version of the SAT test (completed after March 2016) is accepted.
- Order your SAT score to Arcada so that it can be verified by 28 February 2024 at the latest.
- All SAT test scores are verified through the SAT database.
- Arcada’s SAT code is 7151.
Visit International SAT dates and deadlines for more details.
2) OMPT test score and proof of English language proficiency
- Pass requirement: 55 % for either test
- International Business : OMPT-A test
- Mechanical and Sustainable Engineering : OMPT-G test
- When registering for the test, order the score to be sent directly to Arcada.
- Scores must be verifiable by 28th February 2024
Note: An applicant applying to both International Business and Mechanical and Sustainable Engineering must take two separate OMPT tests, and also participate in two separate interviews.
Visit OMPT test for more details.
Online Interview:
When the verified result meets or exceeds the requirement, the application proceeds to the interview stage, with invitations sent via email. Detailed information and requirements will be given in the invitation that is sent to the applicant. There is no material to read in preparation for the interview/group discussion
The schedule for the interviews will be published on this web page closer to the application period and is subject to change based on ARCADA’s instructions.
Prepare for the online interview
Note: All documents need to be translated to English, Finnish or Swedish, if the original document is in none of those languages. The translations need to be signed and stamped by the translator.
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Admissions requirements for master's degree
Make sure you have all the following documents ready when you fill out the application form.
Master of Engineering in Big Data Analytics
Educational background
Applicants who have completed a qualification outside Finland must submit the following documents to Edunation:
- Copy of bachelor’s degree certificate from a related field, prior studies must include a minimum of 30 ECTS in programming subjects
- Copy of the transcript of academic records
Note: Original copies must be shown when arriving in Finland.
Proof of nationality
- Copy of passport ID page
Note: You will need a valid passport when you apply for a visa or residence permit.
Work certificate
- Employment certificate(s) with a minimum of 2 years of work experience
And one of the following options:
GRE test + motivation letter
- Quantitative Reasoning: at least 150 points
- Verbal Reasoning: at least 150 points
- Analytical writing: minimum score 4
Arcada’s GRE code is 2523. Please use this code when requesting your score to be sent to Arcada.
OR
Prior master-level studies within the field + motivation letter
Previous 30 ECTS programming studies in Big Data Analytics at an advanced (master) level. In addition, you should submit a motivational letter.
The letter of motivation should be 2.5 to 3 pages of text on the following topics:
- A vision on future possibilities associated with big data analytics
- A vision of own role and career as an expert in the transition towards analytics-driven intelligent services
- A proposal for a programming or service creation challenge you would like to study as part of your master’s thesis
Note: All documents need to be translated to English, if the original document is not in English. The translations need to be signed and stamped by an authorized translator.
Master of Business Administration in International Business Management
Educational background
Applicants who have completed a qualification outside Finland must submit the following documents to Edunation:
- Copy of bachelor’s degree certificate from a related field, prior studies must include a minimum of 40 ECTS in business studies
- Copy of the transcript of academic records
Note: Original copies must be shown when arriving in Finland.
Proof of nationality
- Copy of passport ID page
Note: You will need a valid passport when you apply for a visa or residence permit.
GMAT/GRE
- Minimum GMAT score 500 or equivalent GRE score.
Arcada’s GRE code is 2523. Please use this code when requesting your score to be sent to Arcada.
Motivational letter
In the motivational letter you should explain your reasons for applying to this programme, including a presentation of yourself and how you see the programme supporting your future career, and how you envision the world of business to change in the foreseeable future.
Personal motivation video
In the video you should introduce yourself, your prior studies and relevant work and/or other experiences, including a discussion on some business-related topic of specific interest to you.
Work Certificate
- Employment certificate(s) with a minimum of 2 years of work experience
Note: All documents need to be translated to English, if the original document is not in English. The translations need to be signed and stamped by an authorized translator.
Master of Culture and Arts in Media Management
Educational background
Applicants who have completed a qualification outside Finland must submit the following documents to Edunation:
- Copy of bachelor’s degree certificate from a related field such as Media and Communications, Arts and Culture Management, Business Management, Media and Information Technology, Art&Design, Advertising, Literature, Culture Studies or Entertainment Law.
- Copy of the transcript of academic records
Note: Original copies must be shown when arriving in Finland.
Proof of nationality
- Copy of passport ID page
Note: You will need a valid passport when you apply for a visa or residence permit.
Work Certificate
- Employment certificate(s) with a minimum of 2 years of work experience
MA research proposal and motivational video
1) a written document in the form of a preliminary MA research proposal
Write an essay of no more than 1000 words. Outline your interests in the form of a proposal for your potential master thesis. Further information on the thesis proposal will be published on this web page closer to application.
2) a personal video
Produce a motivational video that highlights your professional and educational background in the fields of media and management.
Note: All documents need to be translated to English, if the original document is not in English. The translations need to be signed and stamped by an authorized translator.
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Application instructions
Read our general page about how to apply to study in Finland.
Tuition Fees & Scholarship
Tuition Fees
All Finnish higher education institutions charge tuition fees for degrees taught in English. The tuition fees apply to applicants from countries outside the EU/EEA.
Bachelor’s degrees
Studies starting in 2024
- 9 500 € per academic year
Studies starting in 2023 or earlier
- 8 500 € per academic year
Master’s degrees
Studies starting in 2024
- 11 000 € per academic year
In case the student is unable to complete the degree within the given time frame, the student needs to pay 5 500 euros per each extra semester until the degree is completed.
Studies starting in 2023 or earlier
- 10 000 euros for a programme consisting of 60 ECTS
- 11 000 euros for a programme consisting of 90 ECTS
In case the student is unable to complete the degree within the given time frame, the student needs to pay 4 000 euros per each extra semester until the degree is completed.
Scholarships
Early Bird Discount
Applicants who accept their study place and pay the fee within 14 days after receiving notification of a study place offer, receive an early bird discount of 3,000 € for the first academic year.
The discount applies to both bachelor’s and master’s students who are admitted in 2024.
Bachelor’s degrees
Scholarships are only awarded to bachelor students who have studied at least one academic year at Arcada. Students who have completed an average of 55 ECTS per academic year with a grade point average of 4.5 during their studies at Arcada can, upon request, be granted a scholarship corresponding to 40 percent of the tuition fee for the upcoming academic year.
The changes come into force on 1 January 2024 and affect students who start their studies in 2024 or later. Students who have started their studies in 2023 or earlier are not affected by these changes.
Master’s degrees
Unfortunately, no scholarships are offered for master’s level studies.
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