Frequently asked questions about student admissions in Sibelius Academy
Last updated on 23 January 2023
General questions concerning applying
Q: How do I apply?
A: All applicants must fill in an electronic application form through the Studyinfo application system. In addition, other materials might be required, such as appendices or pre-examination assignments, depending on the degree programme you are applying to. Be sure to check out detailed information on applying from the admissions guides.
Q: Is there a separate admissions process for international applicants?
A: Sibelius Academy welcomes international applicants to our programmes. Domestic and international applicants go through the same admissions process and follow the same guidelines.
Q: Do I have to know Finnish to apply to Sibelius Academy?
A: Only our Music Education programme requires skills in Finnish or Swedish. All other programmes are offered also in English and you do not need to know Finnish to be able to apply. Please note, that all applicants must have command of the language of tuition used in the programme. You must demonstrate your English, Finnish, or Swedish language skills during the application phase.
See also: Do you have to know Finnish in order to study with us?
Q: Is there an age limit for undergraduate and/or graduate education?
A: There is no age limit for applicants. Students who have completed an appropriate education required for the programme in question are eligible.
Q: Are there fees for degree studies or the application?
A: From 1st August 2017 onwards, Uniarts Helsinki charges tuition fees from non-EU and non-EEA students studying for a degree in English. The fee is the same for bachelor- and master-level students. Read more about the tuition fees
In addition, all students pay the annual mandatory Student Union membership fee (ca 115€) that entitles you to sizeable discounts, which help alleviate some costs of living (such as a part of public transportation and meals at school cafeterias). NOTE! The university does not offer housing or free meals. Students are responsible for managing their costs of living. The university does not offer scholarships for living expenses.
Q: Am I allowed to apply to more than one programme during the same application period?
A: You can apply for up to six programmes during one application period. You can be offered several study places in joint application in spring. Please note that you may accept only one study place leading to a higher education degree in Finland in education that begins in the same academic term. This rule applies to all higher education.
NOTE! During one application period, you can only apply for either the 2.5-year or the 5.5-year programme of a single main subject, or main instrument.
Q: Will I receive extra credit based on school grades, matriculation examination results, or art diplomas?
A: Students are admitted based on their success on the entrance examination and possible preliminary assignments only.
Q: Does Uniarts Helsinki accept transfer students from other universities?
A: Uniarts Helsinki does not have a separate transfer student application process. Everybody applies for the right to complete a degree by using the Finnish national joint application system Studyinfo.
Read more about the transfer study practices
Q: Can I register as absent for the first academic year?
A: According to the Universities Act, a first-year student may register as absent for the academic year for statutory reasons. Read more about registration as absent during the first study year
Q: Where can I get more information about studying in the Sibelius Academy?
A: Please see a) the programme-specific information pages and b) the study guide for course descriptions.
Q: May I submit entrance examination assignments by submitting a document containing a link to Dropbox, Google Drive or any similar cloud service?
A: No. We only accept the submission methods listed in our instructions. Any services in which files can be edited after the deadline are not accepted.
Programme-specific questions
Music Technology
Q: The admissions guide states the following: “The portfolio must include at least one sound recording, or one video recording. The excerpts of your works must be compiled as one single file that should not exceed 10 minutes of material.” Does this mean that the audio and video samples must be compiled into a single file with a maximum length of 10 minutes, or can the the audio and video samples be compiled into separate files with a maximum length of 10 minutes per file?
A: All material must be submitted as a single file with a maximum length of 10 minutes.