Please note that this information does not apply to the admission to regular master’s programmes (e.g. those in the National Joint Application/Gemensamma ansökan/Yhteishaku).
There is one intake per year to our international master’s degree programmes, the application period is open 8 January 2020 – 22 January 2020 for studies starting the following August.
Who can apply?
You are an eligible applicant if
- you have a nationally recognized bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution of higher education
- you have a degree in a, for the master’s degree programme, relevant field
- you fulfill the language requirements
If you are graduating after the application deadline, you may apply on the condition that the required application documents are submitted and arrive at Åbo Akademi by 31 July 2020 at 3:00 pm (Helsinki time).
How to apply
Step 1. Check the requirements!
Read carefully the general instructions regarding the academic and English language requirements as well as the programme specific admission requirements. Make sure that you fulfill both the academic and language requirements as well as the programme specific requirement before applying.
If you need to take a language test, book and take one well in advance.
Step 2. Collect the required enclosures and scan them
At the application stage we require only scanned enclosures (in color and pdf format) attached to the online application. We require the following enclosures:
- Original Bachelor’s degree certificate and relevant Master’s degree certificate
Note that if you are applying with a for the programme relevant master’s degree you will always need to also enclose your bachelor’s degree certificate. - Translation of original degree certificate(s) in English, Swedish or Finnish.
- Original transcript of records of all higher education studies completed so far, including present studies, in the original language.
- Translation of original transcripts of records to English, Swedish or Finnish.
- A diploma supplement must be enclosed when available.
- Proof of language skills in English, please see information about language requirements
- Copy of passport (information page containing the applicant’s name, date of birth, nationality and photo)
- Residence permit (for non-EU/EEA-applicants residing in Finland or some other EU country on a more permanent basis, both sides needed)
- Any other enclosure required by the programme (please see the programme presentations) or relevant for the application
Remember to check the requirements for the enclosures. Please also check the country-specific requirements, all admitted applicants and applicants on the waiting list must follow this requirements first and foremost, before the general requirements for providing documents (see step 6).
Applicants who have not completed their Bachelor’s degree by the application deadline must in the application state the expected graduation date and enclose the transcript of records of all studies completed so far. If admitted a certified true copy of the degree awarded must reach Åbo Akademi University by 31 July 2020 at 3:00 pm (Helsinki time).
Step 3. Apply online at www.studyinfo.fi
Search for the Master’s Programme of your choice. You can apply for up to six (6) study programmes, note though that you may accept only one study place leading to a higher education degree in Finland during one academic term (1.8.-31.12. or 1.1.-31.7.).
In addition to personal information (e.g. name, date of birth, address etc.), the application form includes questions regarding your educational history as well as language proficiency. You will also need to complete questions that the International Master’s Programme(s) have formulated. These questions are given to test the applicant’s motivation for the studies. Sometimes the programmes also ask for specific information. Please read through the questions carefully and reserve some time to answer.
The answers to some of the questions in the application form are also assessed by the scholarship granting committee. You will find more information in the application form itself.
The application form as well as the questions should be answered in English.
Note that the online application is open only during the application period.
Step 4. Scholarships
Åbo Akademi University offers scholarships for students who are subject to the tuition fee. To apply for a scholarship, simply indicate “yes” in the appropriate question on your application form.
Step 5. Check and submit your application within the given deadline!
You will be able to update the information in your application until the application deadline. You should be able to follow up with your status at Studyinfo.fi (MyStudyinfo.fi).
The admission decisions will be published at Studyinfo.fi by 31.3.2020.
Step 6. Certified hard copies by 15 April 2020 – only for admitted applicants and applicants on the waiting list
All applicants who receive a study entitlement offer will be conditionally admitted and need to send certified hard copies of the following documents:
- Original transcripts of all higher education studies completed so far (including present studies)
- Translation of original transcripts in English, Swedish or Finnish
- Original Bachelor’s degree certificate and relevant Master’s degree certificate
Note that if you are applying with a for the programme relevant master’s degree you will always need to also enclose your bachelor’s degree certificate - Translation of degree certificate(s) in English, Swedish or Finnish
Note the country-specific requirements. See also instructions regarding the enclosures.
The documents are to be received by 15 April 2020 at 3:00pm (Helsinki time) at:
Åbo Akademi University/Admission
Johanna Quiroz-Schauman
Tavastgatan 13
20500 ÅBO, FINLAND
NOTE that if you have graduated before the application period and have a Finnish degree, you will not need to send certified copies of your degree as your documents are verified through the national database.
Questions related to the admission process can be e-mailed to admission@abo.fi prior to the admission deadline. Note that due to Christmas holidays and New year it might take longer for us to get back to you.
Step 7. Verification of original documents
We will require all admitted applicants to submit their original degree certificates and transcript of records, including original translations, of the documents for verification upon arrival in Finland.
Applying to a Joint Programme
The Master’s Degree Programme in Biomedical Imaging is a joint programme offered by both Åbo Akademi University and the University of Turku. The Master’s Programme in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research is a joint programme given by both Åbo Akademi University and the University of Tampere. In order to increase the chances of being admitted to these programmes, applicants are advised to apply to both Åbo Akademi University and the partner university. Note that in order to do so you must complete separate application forms for each programme and send in the application forms with separate sets of enclosures. This is due to the fact that the applications will be processed at both universities. You will also need to put the programmes you have applied to in order of preference (this is done by answering a question related to the order of preference in the online application form).