Apply to the master’s programme in Arts Management, Society and Creative Entrepreneurship
Admissions guide for the 2-year Arts Management, Society and Creative Entrepreneurship programme.
[Update 11 December 2023: Added a missing section “How to apply” to the admissions guide.]
The Master’s degree programme in Arts Management, Society and Creative Entrepreneurship leading to the Master of Arts degree (MA) is 2 years in duration, 120 credits in total.
Admissions schedule 2024
- Application period: Send your application in Studyinfo portal between 3 January 2024 8 am EET and 17 January 2024 3 pm EET
- Submit required attachments and possible advance assignments at latest 24 January 2024 3 pm EET
- Sibelius Academy confirms your eligibility to apply at latest 16 February 2024
- Submit second stage assignments (only General Selection Group) by 8 March 2024 3pm EET
- Second stage interviews between 18 and 22 March 2024
- Applicants demonstrating their language skills with a language skills certificate: Submit your test result certificate at latest 26 March 2024 3 pm EET
- Sibelius Academy publishes admissions results 5 April 2024
- Confirm your study place at latest 11 July 2024 3 pm EEST:
- Officially accept your study place
- Register for the academic year
- Conditionally admitted applicants: Submit the required degree certificate
- Students who are required to pay tuition fees: Pay your tuition fee
- Waiting list procedure ends 30 July 2024 3 pm EEST
- New students’ studies begin in August 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.
Master of Arts degree (2 years)
A person who has completed at least one of the following is eligible to apply:
- an applicable lower university degree
- an applicable university of applied sciences degree
- an applicable foreign degree that provides eligibility for corresponding higher education studies in the awarding country.
For the Arts Management, Society and Creative Entrepreneurship programme a qualification in any field is applicable.
Besides relevant background education, applicants are required to have some working experience, preferably in the field of arts management or related fields. The work experience can include internships and voluntary work.
The Sibelius Academy may require that a person admitted to study towards a master’s degree complete complementary studies of a scope equivalent to a maximum of one year of studies in addition to the minimum number of ECTS credits required by the degree programme in order for them to attain the skills required in the training. In principle, complementary studies must be completed in the first year of study, and they must be included in the student’s personal study plan. The applicant is informed of the complementary studies required of them in connection with the admission decision. Such complementary studies must be mentioned in the programme’s admissions proposal.
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 degree programme, major subject or main instrument again.
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 on the rule of one study right can be found here.
Language requirements
The language of tuition in the Arts Management, Society and Creative Entrepreneurship programme is English. You must demonstrate your language proficiency in English by the given deadline.
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.
Arts Management, Society and Creative Entrepreneurship entrance examinations
In the Arts Management, Society and Creative Entrepreneurship programme, there are two separate selection groups for applicants:
- General selection group for all applicants
- Open University selection group (for those who have completed the required path studies at Uniarts Helsinki’s Open University).
Both selection groups have unique admissions criteria and therefore, they are not comparable. On the application form you must select which selection group you apply in. You can select only one group.
General selection group for all applicants
First stage: Advance assignments
The first stage of the examination consists of the following three advance assignments.
Write your name on all advance assignments. If you fail to submit all advance assignments or if you have not provided the assignments in the required format, you will not be considered for the second stage of the examination.
Submit the following assignments to the Sibelius Academy via the Studyinfo portal by 24 January 2024 3pm EET (Finnish time):
- Motivation essay
The motivation essay must be written in English and consist of max. 1,000 words. The essay should feature the following content:
- Your work or other practical experience in arts management or related fields. Also write about your most essential learning experiences through work experience in the field.
- In your opinion, what are the most interesting aspects and themes in arts management.
- Reasons why you are interested in the master’s degree programme in Arts Management, Society and Creative Entrepreneurship and its curriculum, as well as why you are interested in the Sibelius Academy, Uniarts Helsinki.
- Your vision of the future of the arts management field and the role you are planning to play in it.
- Your experience, interests, and ideas in the academic research of arts management (if any).
- Your experience and skills in writing academic English
- CV in English with specific details of arts management related work experience and studies (max. two pages)
- Academic written text not older than 10 years
Choose a sample from an academic text you have written (no longer than 2.000 words / three pages). If the sample is longer than 2.000 words, please choose only a part of it, that is not longer than the set limit. Note! You can choose only one sample.
The sample text can be:
- from a journal article, book, conference proceedings, collection, or other public forum. Submit a copy of it in PDF format. The sample should include the information of the publication (title of the article, publication information, web link, if available).
- an Internet article, blog text, or other form of academic open access forum. Submit a link to your article and a copy of it in PDF format.
- a completed course essay (or part of it). Submit a copy of the text (in PDF format), including the title, the name of the course, the name of the responsible teacher, the year of completion and the name of the institution.
- a part of a completed bachelor’s or master’s thesis. Provide the title of the thesis, year of completion, name of the supervisor, and name of the institution. Submit only a part of the thesis in PDF format.
The preferred language of your academic written text is English. If the text is not in English, you must submit a translation of it into English along with the text in original language. The translation does not need to be made by an authorized translator.
Based on the scores given for the first stage, the Entrance Examination Board will invite a part of the applicants to the second stage of the entrance examination. Invitations to the second stage will be sent by email.
Second stage
The second stage of the examination consists of an illustration of an arts organization ecosystem and an interview.
Illustration of an arts organization ecosystem
Please choose an existing arts organization and draw a map of an ecosystem the organization is part of. It can be a Civil Society Organization (NGO), collective, informal organization, public institution, private company, start-up, or other cultural community, regardless of its size. Please illustrate the ecosystem of the chosen arts organization on local, national/regional, and international levels; including the main stakeholders and networks linked to the chosen arts organization – the partners, collaborators, public bodies, local and supranational bodies, etc. You can draw your map on paper or use computer or internet tools. However, you must submit your illustration in the PDF format (no more than 3 pages).
Submit the illustration to the Sibelius Academy via the Studyinfo portal no later than 8 March 2024 3pm EET (Finnish time).
Interview
The interview will be arranged via a remote connection (in Zoom), and it will last up to 40 minutes. The interviews are organized between 18 and 22 March 2024.
The illustration of an arts organization ecosystem submitted for the second stage and the first stage assignments will be discussed during the interview.
The interview will be conducted in English.
Open University selection group
Applicants who have completed 20 credits of arts management studies in Uniarts Helsinki’s Open University are able to apply in the Open University selection group. Please click here to read more about the Open University application path.
First stage: Advance assignments
The first stage of the examination consists of the following four advance assignments. Submit them to the Sibelius Academy via Studyinfo portal no later than 24 January 2024 at 3pm EET (Finnish time):
- CV in English with specific details of arts management related work experience and studies (max. two pages)
- Motivation essay
The motivation essay must be written in English and consist of max. 1,000 words. The essay should feature the following content:
- Reflect on your Open University studies and what you learned from them. Also describe why you wish to complete a whole degree in arts management.
- Reasons why you are interested in the master’s degree programme in Arts Management, Society and Creative Entrepreneurship and its curriculum, as well as why you are interested in the Sibelius Academy, Uniarts Helsinki.
- Your vision of the future of the arts management field and the role you are planning to play in it.
- Your experience, interests, and ideas in the academic research of arts management (if any).
- Your experience and skills in writing academic English.
3. Academic written text not older than 10 years
Choose a sample from an academic text you have written (no longer than 2.000 words / three pages). If the sample is longer than 2.000 words, choose only a part of it that is not longer than the set limit. Note! You can choose only one sample.
The sample text can be:
- from a journal article, book, conference proceedings, collection, or other public forum. Submit a copy of it in PDF format. The sample should include the information of the publication (title of the article, publication information, web link, if available).
- an Internet article, blog text, or other form of academic open access forum. Submit a link to your article and copy of it in PDF format.
- a completed course essay (or part of it). The essay could be written on one of your completed courses at Uniarts Helsinki’s Open University. Submit a copy of the text (in PDF format), the including title, the name of the course, the name of the responsible teacher, the year of completion and the name of the institution.
- a part of a completed bachelor’s or master’s thesis. Provide the title of the thesis, year of completion, name of the supervisor, and name of the institution. Submit only a part of the thesis.
The preferred language of your academic written text is English. If the text is not in English, you must submit a translation of it into English along with the text in original language. The translation does not need to be made by an authorized translator.
4. Certificate of your completed Open University studies
Submit a certificate of completed Open University path studies. Partially completed path studies are not accepted.
All eligible applicants in the Open University selection group are invited to take part in the second stage of the entrance examination. However, if you fail to deliver the abovementioned documents by the given deadline, you will not receive an invitation to the second stage of the examination.
Second stage
The second stage of the examination consists of an interview.
Interview
The interview will be arranged via a remote connection (in Zoom), and it will last up to 30 minutes. The interviews are organized between 18 and 22 March 2024.
The interview will be conducted in English.
Entrance examination assessment
General selection group
The Sibelius Academy’s general assessment criteria is not applied in the Arts Management, Society and Creative Entrepreneurship entrance examinations.
In the first stage, the quality of the content of your CV and motivation essay will be assessed. In the academic written text, the Entrance Examination Board will assess the academic writing skills of the applicant.
In the Reflective academic essay, the Entrance Examination Board will assess the quality of the content and the structure of your essay (introduction and conclusion), developing arguments, relevance, critical/analytical thinking and writing style.
In the second stage, the Entrance Examination Board will evaluate the quality of the content of the illustration (understanding of arts management field). In the interview, the Entrance Examination Board will assess the depth, clarity and quality of the applicant’s answers, their communication skills, suitability, and motivation for studies, as well as their understanding of arts management by discussing the illustration of an art organization.
For educability, the Entrance Examination Board will assess the applicant’s ability to complete the degree studies in the normative duration for the completion of a degree in accordance with the Universities Act (2 years in the case of Arts Management, Society and Creative Entrepreneurship).
Scoring of the entrance examination (general selection group)
Your entrance examination and its subparts will be graded on a scale of 1-5.
The components of the entrance examination are weighted as follows:
- Advance assignments (Motivation essay, CV, and Academic written text) 40 %
- Illustration of an arts organization ecosystem 10 %
- Interview 50 %
Open University selection group
The Sibelius Academy’s general assessment criteria is not applied in the Arts Management, Society and Creative Entrepreneurship entrance examinations.
In the CV, motivation essay and academic written text the Entrance Examination Board will assess the content and structure of your writing (relevance, critical/analytical thinking). Your writing skills will also be assessed.
In the interview, the Entrance Examination Board will assess the depth, the clarity and quality of the applicant’s answers, their communication skills, suitability, and motivation for the studies, as well as their understanding of the arts management field.
For educability, the Entrance Examination Board will assess the applicant’s ability to complete their degree studies in the normative duration for the completion of a degree in accordance with the Universities Act (2 years in the case of Arts Management, Society and Creative Entrepreneurship).
Scoring of the entrance examination (Open University selection group)
The entrance examination and its components will be graded on a scale of 1-5.
The components of the entrance examination are weighted as follows:
- CV, Motivation essay and Academic written text 60 %
- Interview 40 %
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.