Apply to the degree programme in Music Technology (Bachelor + Master)
Admissions guide to the 5.5-year Music Technology programme.
Applicants to the Music Technology programme are asked to select on the application form to which of the three possible study profiles they apply to:
- Recording Arts
- Film and Game Music Producer
- Creative Electronic Music Practices.
An applicant can select only one profile. Students for each profile are selected in separate admissions groups. Click here to read more about the study profiles.
While the application form will not be graded as such, you are advised to complete it with meticulous care. The Entrance Examination Board will base its evaluation on the information given in the application form, and an incomplete form might have an effect to the evaluation of different sections.
Next application period
Attention! The next application period for the Music Technology programme is scheduled for 2025. The admissions guide will be updated on this page in October-November 2024.
Who can apply?
A person with the background education required for the degree programme in question and sufficient language skills may apply for studies.
In addition, a person who completes the required background education after the end of the application period, but no later than 11 July 2024 at 3 pm EEST is eligible to apply. In that case, the admission decision is conditional until the applicant submits a certificate of the completed degree or other studies required for eligibility. If the applicant fails to submit the certificate by said deadline, the study place will be cancelled.
The Sibelius Academy may, at its discretion, also accept a temporary certificate issued by the educational institution if it indicates that the applicant has completed all studies required for the degree and will receive the degree certificate later.
Sibelius Academy will check every applicant’s eligibility before the entrance examination.
Students are admitted to the Sibelius Academy based on their performance in the entrance examination. Certificate-based admissions or quotas for first-time applicants are not in place.
Combined bachelor’s and master’s degrees (3 + 2.5 years)
A person who has completed at least one of the following is eligible to apply:
- The Finnish Matriculation Examination
- An International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma
- A European Baccalaureate (EB) diploma at a European School
- A Reifeprüfung or Deutsches Internationales Abitur (RP / DIA) diploma
- A Finnish vocational upper secondary qualification, a further vocational qualification, or a specialist vocational qualification defined under the Act on Vocational Education and Training
- A foreign degree or qualification that makes you eligible for corresponding higher education in the awarding country
- A Cambridge Advanced International Certificate (AICE)
- A degree at a Finnish higher education institution or a degree abroad corresponding to at least a bachelor’s degree.
In addition, a person who has been granted the right to study in a university in Finland is eligible to apply.
Other exceptions to eligibility
The applicant cannot apply for both 5.5-year and 2.5-year programmes of a single major subject or main instrument in the same year. However, if the applicant submits an application to both programmes, the Sibelius Academy will
- take account of the application for the 2.5-year programme if the applicant is eligible for it, or
- take account of the application for the 5.5-year programme if the applicant is not eligible for the 2.5-year programme.
If the applicant has completed a higher education degree at the Sibelius Academy, they cannot apply for the same main subject again, or the same main instrument in the case of Classical Music Performance.
The student admission for bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes applies to applicants who do not have a valid right to study at Uniarts Helsinki at the beginning of the applied right to study, with the exception of persons who have the vice rector’s permission to complete two degrees simultaneously. A degree student registered at Uniarts Helsinki may apply for a change of right to study within the Sibelius Academy or between academies. There are separate instructions for applying for a change of the right to study and for applying for a permission to complete two degrees simultaneously. More information about the rule of one study right can be found here.
Language requirements
The languages of tuition in the Music Technology programme are Finnish, Swedish, and English. You must demonstrate your language proficiency in one of the above-mentioned languages by the given deadline. However, the majority of group tuition at the Sibelius Academy is provided in Finnish or English. The status of English is very pronounced within the Music Technology programme.
How to apply
Submit your application in the spring’s first joint application period from 3 to 17 January 2024 by 3pm EET in the Studyinfo portal.
Click here to read instruction on how to fill the application form. Please note that you do not need to register in Studyinfo portal before completing the application form.
Submit the supporting documents and any advance assignments in accordance with the instructions provided.
Supporting documents
Submit the supporting documents via the Studyinfo portal as PDF files by 3pm EET on 24 January 2024. If the documents are not in Finnish, Swedish, or English, append a translation by an authorised translator into one of these languages.
Documents required from all applicants:
- Degree certificate of the background education and a transcript of study records
If you complete your degree after the end of the application period, it is adequate to submit the degree certificate by 3pm EEST on 11 July 2024. However, all applicants must submit a transcript of records during the application period.
In case of a foreign degree, the Sibelius Academy may request clarification on the degree’s status within the awarding country’s education system.
- Certificate demonstrating language proficiency
If you demonstrate your language proficiency based on your previous studies, the degree certificate or its appendix must clearly indicate the language in which the degree was completed. The degree demonstrating language proficiency must be completed by 3pm EEST on 11 July 2024.
You will NOT need to submit a certificate of your prior education (degree certificate, transcript of records) or language proficiency if they are based on one of the following:
- You have completed the Finnish matriculation examination in 1990 or later.
- You have completed a Finnish vocational upper secondary qualification in 2017 or later.
- You have completed a Finnish further vocational qualification or specialist vocational qualification in 2018 or later.
In the above cases, we will receive your information from the electronic qualification register. If necessary, the Sibelius Academy will ask you for further information by e-mail.
Applicants applying for an entrance examination which includes sections that are organized remotely or by video recording shall also be required to:
- Official proof of identity
Append a copy of your passport, EU identity card or Finnish driving licence to your application.
Applicants to programmes organised in English are also required to submit:
- A document exempting from tuition fees
If you apply to study in English, you will be liable to pay tuition fees unless you submit a document indicating that you are exempt. For more information on tuition fees, see Tuition fees and scholarships.
Refugees, persons in a refugee-like situation and asylum seekers:
If you are unable to submit documentary evidence of your degree, you may still be deemed eligible to apply. Submit a reliable report on the completed degree that grants you eligibility to apply and an additional report explaining why the documents are not available. In addition, submit an official decision on your refugee status (asylum decision or residence permit based on protection, or a proof that such an application is pending). Submit the required documents by email to the Admissions Office by 24 January 2024 3pm EET. The Sibelius Academy will make a decision on your eligibility based on the submitted report. Applicants with refugee status must provide proof of their language skills required for the studies in one of the ways specified in the selection criteria (in Language requirements).
Advance assignments
Any advance assignments are mentioned in the target programme’s admissions criteria. The advance assignments must be submitted as attachments to the application.
The advance assignments must clearly state the applicant’s name and the programme to which they relate. Do not submit any other advance assignments than the ones requested. Upload the materials to the Studyinfo portal as early as possible. Large files may take several hours to upload.
Entrance examinations
You can be invited to the entrance examinations if:
- you have submitted an electronic application form and the required attachments at Studyinfo portal, and
- Sibelius Academy deems you eligible based on the submitted documents.
The implementation of the entrance examinations for each programme is described in the programme’s admission criteria. The entrance examination schedules of separate programmes may overlap. If the applicant has applied for multiple programmes, they must choose which examinations they attend in case of overlaps.
A programme’s entrance examination may consist of several phases and contain multiple sub-tests. If the applicant fails to pass all the compulsory sub-tests for the entrance examination or the applicant’s entrance examinations do not meet the requirements set for them, they cannot be admitted as a student.
The Sibelius Academy will send applicants instructions for participation in entrance examinations in the entrance examination invitation. The exact times for individual entrance examinations are confirmed at the latest in the morning of the entrance examination day. Individual examination times cannot be changed except for compelling reasons not attributable to the applicant. Such reasons include the matriculation examination (or a corresponding event) and an accident or sudden illness (a medical certificate is required). In such cases, the examination time can only be rescheduled within the limits of the Entrance Examination Board’s working timetables.
The entrance examination is a closed event attended by the applicant, the Entrance Examination Board and the agreed assistants (for example, an accompanist, a training choir, a board assistant or the applicant’s assistant). Entrance examinations may not be recorded.
If you wish to cancel your participation in the entrance examination, notify the Sibelius Academy Admissions Office by email as soon as possible.
Individual arrangements in the entrance examination
If you require individual arrangements in the entrance examination because of a sensory or physical disability or other corresponding reason, more information on individual arrangements can be found here.
First stage: Advance assignments
Submit the following advance assignments via Studyinfo portal no later than 25 January 2023 (at 3pm EET):
1) A work demonstration in the form of a portfolio
- The portfolio documents your artistic work with excerpts of musical works or other music technological works. 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.
- The accepted formats are mp3, mp4 (video: H.264 or x.264 codec, audio: AAC). Note! Links to Youtube/Vimeo or other than the mentioned file formats are not accepted.
2) A project description form
- The portfolio must include a completed project description form presenting in writing each of the works you show excerpts of in the portfolio. The form must include unambiguous information about your role and responsibilities and other participants’ roles in the production of the material. You are also required to describe the significance of the material in your artistic production.
- [Project description form]
3) A motivation letter
- Write a motivation letter of not more than two A4 pages addressed to the Entrance Examination Board explaining your choice of study profile and justifying it with your background studies and activities, as well as with your focus of interest for the development of your career and where you see yourself working in the future.
The Entrance Examination Board will evaluate your portfolio for diversity, originality, and quality of execution. In your project description form the Entrance Examination Board will consider your self-assessment ability, your analysis of your role in producing the material, and your ability to verbalise the artistic and technical choices you have made
Based on the scores given for the first stage, the Board will invite some of the applicants to the second stage of the entrance examination. Information on the results of the first stage will be sent by email.
Second stage
The second stage of the entrance examination consists of a written examination of music and technology via a remote connection. You will need a computer with a stable Internet connection for the second stage. The second stage is organized on 21 March 2023.
In the written examination of music and technology, you will demonstrate your learning and deduction abilities, and basic knowledge of technology and music, for example, on the basis of recommended literature. The exam includes open-ended questions that you will answer in writing.
Recommended literature:
For all applicants:
- Introduction to Live Sound Reinforcement The Science, the Art, and the Practice by Teddy Boyce
- Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook By Gary Davis & Ralph Jones
Profile-specific literature:
Recording Arts profile:
- David Miles Huber, Robert E. Runstein. “Modern Recording Techniques (9th ed.)”. Routledge, 2017, Chapter 2.
Film and Game Music Producer profile:
- Deutsch, Stephen. “The soundtrack (putting music in its place).” The Soundtrack 1.1 (2007): 3-13.
Creative Electronic Music Practices profile:
- Davies, Hugh. “A History of Sampling.” Organised Sound, vol. 1, no. 1, 1996, pp. 3–11.
- Chavez, Maria, and Kristina Warren. “A Sound Artist’s Breakdown of Field Recording over History.” Organised Sound, vol. 27, no. 1, 2022, pp. 41–43.
Based on the scores given for the second stage, the Board will invite approximately 40 applicants to the third stage of the entrance examination. Information on the results of the second stage will be sent by email.
Third stage
The third stage of the entrance examination will be held on site at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki between 3-12 May 2023. Note! The exact dates when each invited applicant needs to be present in Helsinki will be announced by the Sibelius Academy at latest in the invitation to the third stage.
The third stage of the entrance examination includes the following sub-tests:
- Workshops
- Instrument or voice audition
- Interview
Workshops
The workshops include practical assignments and discussions in group or by yourself, studio assignments, and other sound-related assignments. In these assignments, the factors to be assessed include your aptitude for group work, the technical and creative solutions you select, and for the analysis and communication of aural perceptions.
Instrument or voice audition
The instrument of the audition can be an orchestral or soloist instrument used in western classical music, jazz, ethnic music, popular music, or electronic or other device used in musical performance. The Sibelius Academy will not provide any other instruments than a piano and a drum kit to the audition. The Sibelius Academy will not provide an accompanist for the applicants. You may bring one (1) accompanist with you to the entrance examination if you wish. You will be responsible for obtaining the accompanist.
The Entrance Examination board will evaluate the instrument or voice audition on technical proficiency, performative qualities, and sonic, rhythmic, harmonic and melodic sensibilities. The length of the audition is 7 to10 minutes. The Entrance Examination Board will call for an end if the audition exceeds the 10 minutes. Please note that the setting up and taking down of any setup you use must be included in the maximum time given to you for the entrance examination. If necessary, you may arrive ahead of time to make preparations.
Interview
Before the interview, the Entrance Examination Board will examine your portfolio and project description form more closely. The Board may also ask you questions about your performances in other sub-tests in the entrance examination.
In the interview, the Entrance Examination Board will assess your chances to succeed in studies of the Music Technology programme and later in the work tasks to which the programme qualifies. Your communication skills and clarity of presentation will also be evaluated.
Entrance examination assessment
Applicants’ performance in the entrance examinations is assessed by programme-specifically appointed Entrance Examination Boards. The boards assess the knowledge, skills and capabilities of each applicant and their capacity to complete the degree studies within the normative duration for the completion of a degree. The assessment takes account of how the applicant’s previous education and experience reflects in their competence and assesses their competence in relation to the objectives set in the curriculum.
In addition, the Entrance Examination Board for Music Technology will assess, based on the applicant’s performances, the applicant’s basic capabilities in music and music technology. Also, the applicant’s educability, and motivation for music technology studies in particular are assessed.
Other things to be assessed in the sub-tests are also described in the entrance examination descriptions for sub-tests.
Scoring of the entrance examination
The Board will assess the applicant’s performance in all sub-tests by giving points. The assessment of the portfolio is based on both its content and the accompanying project description. The scores for the third stage will determine the final student selection.
First stage:
In the first stage, the components of the entrance examination are weighted as follows:
- Portfolio, project description form, motivation letter 100 %
Second stage:
In the second stage, the components of the entrance examination are weighted as follows:
- Written examination of music and technology 50 %
- Portfolio & project description form 50%
Third stage:
In the third stage, the components of the entrance examination are weighted as follows for each of the three profiles:
Recording Arts Profile (RAP)
- Workshops 25 %
- Instrument or voice audition 25 %
- Interview 50 %
Film and Game Music Producer Profile (FGMP)
- Workshops 35 %
- Instrument or voice audition 15 %
- Interview 50 %
Creative Electronic Music Practices (CEMP)
- Workshops 35 %
- Instrument or voice audition 25 %
- Interview 40 %
The score for the third stage will remain the applicant’s final score.
Admissions results
The Entrance Examination boards rank the applicants of each programme based on their entrance examination score. The final decision on students admitted to the programmes and those placed on the waiting list is made by the dean of the Sibelius Academy.
A study place is offered to highest scoring applicants who meet the selection criteria. Applicants ranked behind the admitted students may be placed on a waiting list in the order of their score. The waiting lists are either programme-specific or group-specific if there are several groups in a single programme. A study place will become vacant and can be offered to an applicant on a waiting list only if one of the applicants admitted to the same degree programme (or group) chooses not to accept the study place, or if someone who has been conditionally admitted fails to submit the necessary documents by the end of the deadline.
If there are no applicants who meet the admissions criteria, some programmes may choose not to admit new students. If a specific degree programme does not admit any new students, applicants to that programme cannot be placed on a waiting list.
Announcement of results
Admission results, including the names of the applicants who have given the permission to have their names published online, will be published on the Uniarts Helsinki website. In addition, each applicant can view their situation in the Studyinfo portal. Admitted applicants and those placed on the waiting list are informed of the results by email.
Feedback
Applicants may request feedback on their entrance examination performance. The feedback provides the applicant with information on how the evaluation criteria stated in the admission criteria were applied in the assessment of their entrance examination. Instructions for requesting feedback will be published on the Uniarts Helsinki website in connection with the publication of the admission decision.
Rectification procedure
If you believe that the Sibelius Academy has acted contrary to its admission criteria, you can request for rectification to the student admission decision from the Sibelius Academy in writing within 14 days of the publication of the admission results.
The rectification procedure is not intended as a means for receiving feedback, asking for further information about the admission or requesting unjustified re-evaluation.
More information about the rectification process can be found here.
Accepting the offered study place and starting your studies
An offer of admission can be accepted either via the Studyinfo system or by filling in the confirmation form attached to the letter of acceptance and by delivering it to the admissions office. You must accept your study place by the given deadline. If the confirmation arrives late, it will not be considered.
Accepting an offer of admission is a binding choice, which cannot be changed or cancelled later on.
You must also register as attending at the Sibelius Academy before the academic year begins – more information will be sent to you along with your acceptance letter.
First-year studies begin in mid-August with an orientation period that is compulsory for all new students.
Questions or comments?
You can contact us via e-mail at siba.admissions@uniarts.fi.
If you have any questions, please check first if your question has been already answered on our frequently asked questions page. This page will be updated constantly. Please check it regularly to see if new questions have been answered. Please note that in principle we do not explain the entrance examination assignments. The instructions are in the admissions guide.
If you have any questions regarding student life at the Sibelius Academy or in Helsinki, you can contact our Student Ambassadors at siba.student.ambassadors@uniarts.fi.
The Sibelius Academy Admissions Chat
What is it like to study at the Sibelius Academy and live in Helsinki? How do you apply to the Sibelius Academy? We answered these questions among others in our Admissions chat broadcast in November 2023. The recording of the event is available on Sibelius Academy’s Instagram account. Please click here to open the recording.