Apply to the master’s programme in Music Business
First joint application to higher education, spring 2025. Admissions schedule, required certificates and advance assignments as well as information about participating in the entrance examinations.
The Master’s degree programme in Music Business leading to the Master of Arts degree (MA) is 2 years in duration, 120 credits in total.
Admissions schedule
NOTE! The next application period for this programme is scheduled for 2027. The admissions guide will be updated on this page in October-November 2026. The admissions requirements underneath are for the year 2025 and are no longer valid.
Language requirements
The language of tuition in the Music Business programme is English. You must demonstrate your language proficiency in English by the given deadline.
Music Business entrance examination
The entrance examination has two stages:
- First stage: Advance assignments
- Second stage: Interview
Both stages will be conducted remotely.
First stage: Advance assignments
The first stage of the examination consists of two advance assignments. Submit the following advance assignments to the Sibelius Academy via the Studyinfo portal no later than at 3pm EET (Finnish time) on 29 January 2025:
1) Motivation Essay in English
You are required to compose a motivation essay in English, not exceeding 1,000 words.
The Music Business programme is structured around three main tracks:
- Artistic
- Industry (managerial, economic, and business)
- Academic (research-based)
Each track provides a distinctive approach and perspective to the field of music business, enabling students to customize their academic journey to align with their career aspirations.
In your motivation essay, please outline your vision for your learning experience within one or more of these tracks. Reflect on your primary areas of interest and detail how you plan to refine and expand your skills, knowledge, and professional practice by participating in our program.
Your essay should address the following elements:
- Professional and practical experience: Describe your work or other relevant experiences within the music or music industry fields. Highlight the most significant and impactful experiences that have shaped your professional growth and understanding of the industry.
- Industry insights: Discuss the aspects and themes you find most compelling in the global music industry. Explain why these areas captivate your interest and how they influence your perspective on the future of the music business.
- Future vision and role: Elaborate on your vision for the future of the music business. Specify the role you intend to play and the contributions you aspire to make within this evolving industry.
- Critical issues in Finnish music industry and export: Identify and discuss the pressing challenges you see in the development of the Finnish music industry, with particular emphasis on music export. Provide insights into how you perceive these issues and any potential strategies to address them.
- Interest in the programme and institution: Clarify your motivations for applying to the master’s degree program in Music Business. Discuss what specifically draws you to the curriculum and why you are eager to join the Sibelius Academy at Uniarts Helsinki.
- Academic interests and experience: Share your background, interests, and experiences in academic research and writing, if applicable. Describe any academic projects or research endeavors you have undertaken and how they have prepared you for advanced studies.
- Communication skills: Reflect on your communication skills, emphasizing your ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences, both within academic settings and the broader music industry.
2) CV in English (max. 2 pages) with specific details of music business related experience and studies
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 e-mail.
Second stage
The second stage of the examination consists of an interview.
Interview
The interview will be arranged via a remote connection, and it will last up to 40 minutes. The interviews are organized between 28 March and 3 April 2025. The interview will be conducted in English.
More information on the content of the interview will be sent to the applicants that are selected for the second stage of the entrance examination.
Entrance examination assessment
The Sibelius Academy’s general assessment criteria is not applied in the Music Business entrance examinations.
In the first stage, the quality of the content of your CV and motivation essay will be assessed.
In the second stage, the Entrance Examination Board will evaluate the depth, clarity and quality of your answers, your communication skills, suitability, educability, and motivation for studies, as well as your understanding of the music business.
For educability, the Entrance Examination Board will assess your 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 Music Business).
Scoring of the entrance examination
The entrance examination and its sub-parts will be graded on a scale of 1–5.
The components of the entrance examination are weighted as follows:
- Advance assignments (motivation essay, CV) 30 %
- Interview 70 %
Questions or comments?
You can contact us via e-mail at siba.admissions@uniarts.fi.
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
Thinking of applying to the Sibelius Academy? Save the date and join our interactive Admissions Chat on the Sibelius Academy Instagram Live on Wednesday, 26 November 2025 at 7 PM (Finnish time). You will meet our students and staff, explore our study options, learn how to apply – and get answers to your most important questions in real time.
More info: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/sibeliusacademy/