Arcada University of Applied Sciences

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.

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.

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.

Read our general page about how to apply to study in Finland.