Who Can Apply?
Requirements for Bachelor's Degree Studies
General Eligibility for Bachelor's Degree Studies
To fulfill the general eligibility requirements for Bachelor's degree studies at a University of Applied Sciences, you have completed at least one of the following:
- the studies required for graduating from a Finnish upper secondary school or a Matriculation Examination;
- 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;
- a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree.
Bachelor's Degree Programmes with specific eligibility requirements
The following Bachelor's degree programmes diverge from the requirements on general eligibility and have more specific requirements:
- Bachelor of Engineering, Information Technology: The basic educational requirement is at least two years of higher education degree studies with a scope of 120 credits (ECTS), in addition to general eligibility. The prior studies should be in the field of Engineering or Technology.
- Bachelor of Natural Resources, Sustainable Coastal Management: The basic educational requirement is at least two years of higher education degree studies with a scope of 120 credits (ECTS), in addition to general eligibility. The prior studies may be in Natural Resources or the Environment, Business and Economics, Technology or Biology.
- Bachelor of Engineering, Maritime Technology, blended studies: Eligibility to apply is conferred by a Watchkeeping Engine Officer degree or another comparable STCW approved Watchkeeping Engine Officer degree (i.e. Navy, Coast Guard).
- Bachelor of Maritime Management, Maritime Management, Captain, blended studies: Eligibility to apply is conferred by a Watchkeeping Deck Officer degree or another comparable STCW approved Watchkeeping Deck Officer degree (i.e. Navy, Coast Guard).
- Bachelor of Culture and Arts, Fine Arts: The basic educational requirement is at least two years of higher education degree studies with a scope of 120 credits (ECTS) within a relevant field, in addition to general eligibility.
English Language Requirements
You need to have good English language skills. In order to be successful in your studies, your English language skills should be at least at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
More information about language requirements will be published during autumn 2024.
Note! For Bachelor's degree programmes that use the International UAS Exam as selection method a document of the English language skills must be submitted in the application form. Detailed information about the language requirements for the International UAS Exam will be updated during autumn 2024 at UASinfo.fi.
Other Requirements
An identification document must be submitted with your application. The documents accepted as proof of identity are:
- passport,
- Finnish identity card with a photo issued by the police,
- Finnish driver’s licence,
- EU/EEA country identity card with a photo.
Note! For Bachelor's degree programmes that use the International UAS Exam as selection method there are specific requirements regarding the identification document. Please check the approved documents at UASinfo.fi The UASinfo.fi -website will be updated during the autumn 2024 for the 2025 application.
Health and Safety: Some degree programmes have specific requirements concerning health and safety, see details under specific programmes.
Admission as a Refugee
If an applicant is a refugee, asylum-seeker, or is in a refugee-like situation and is unable to upload documentary evidence of their qualification(s), a University of Applied Sciences may invite the applicant to sit an entrance examination. The applicant must have an official decision attesting to their refugee status (a decision on asylum or a residence permit granted on the basis of a need for protection). The applicant must upload a copy of such decision in the online application form by the deadline for uploading application attachments.
Discretionary admission
Discretionary admission is used in the International UAS Exam selection. This means that the applicant may get admission without the general eligibility (in SAT or exam selection methods), if the UAS considers the applicant to have the needed knowledge and skills otherwise.
Admissions Office
Admissions Services
PO BOX 6
FI-65201 Vaasa, Finland
Tel + 358 (0)6 328 5055
E-mail: admissions@novia.fi
Securemail service: securemail.novia.fi
Did you find us after the application period?
Our Open UAS is open to everyone. You can study courses from our Bachelor degree curricula as an open student (non-degree studies). You can complete courses while waiting for the next application for degree studies.