How to apply for exchange studies at the Theatre Academy
Application information for the academic year 2023-24. Find out if you can apply and how is it done.
Who can apply?
We accept exchange applications from all Erasmus+ programme eligible institutions. In addition, students from institutions that have a Bilateral Agreement with Uniarts Helsinki’s Theatre Academy, are eligible to apply. Please contact your home institution’s international office to find out whether you can apply for an exchange study period at the Theatre Academy.
Application schedule and semester dates
Application schedule for the academic year 2023-2024
Application deadlines are:
- The application period for the autumn term 2023 or the academic year 2023-2024 is from March 1 to March 31, 2023
- The application period for the spring term 2024 is from September 15 to October 16, 2023.
Academic calendar 2023-2024
- Autumn term 2023, first and last day of teaching: 7 August – 21 December
- Spring term 2024, first and last day of teaching: 8 January – 20 June
Academic calendar 2022-2023
- Autumn term 2022, first and last day of teaching: 8 August – 20 December
- Spring term 2023, first and last day of teaching: 9 January – 18 June
Application guidelines
Submit your application in the EASY application system at aec.dreamapply.com by the deadline.
The application system allows you to save a draft of the application and continue editing it later. Make sure that you submit the application by the deadline.
Once you have submitted the application, your home institution’s coordinator will receive an email requesting to confirm your application. This confirmation in the application system replaces our previous process of nominations. We no longer require prior nominations by email.
In the application system, choose “Academy of Fine Arts and Theatre Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki” as your destination institution. If you are not able to find us in the EASY application system or if you do not find your home institution either, please email us at teak.international@uniarts.fi and enquire about the possibility to apply.
You can apply to the Theatre Academy either for the autumn term, spring term or full academic year. The maximum length of exchange studies at the Theatre Academy is two terms within one study cycle (Bachelor/Master/Doctoral).
In the application, you must specify which study programme in the Theatre Academy you are applying for. It is also possible to apply for more than one programme. The availability of studies in English varies yearly and from programme to another. Once accepted, exchange students are advised to take individual courses from other programmes besides their main programme of study. Theatre Academy students can also take courses from other Uniarts Helsinki academies. We offer a great variety of studies in the field of arts that you can select for your learning agreement.
Different study options are presented on the Uniarts Helsinki website and course information is published in our Study Guide. Please note that autumn term’s teaching is confirmed by 15 May and spring term’s teaching by 31 October, which means the information might not be up-to-date during the application period.
In order to become a successful applicant, you should have some previous studies in the subject(s) you are planning to study at the Theatre Academy.
You should have good competence (at least B2) in the language you are going to study in. For most exchange students the language of studies is English.
Only a very limited number of exchange students are accepted each term. Students are selected based on their applications and the availability of studies in English.
Study programmes open for applications
Below you can find information on which study programmes are open for exchange applications for the academic year 2023-2024.
Please note that if you wish to apply for spring semester 2024, the application period will be in the autumn 2023.
Acting (BA and MA) – two study programmes
In the Theatre Academy, there are two programmes in Acting, both are five-year programmes, with BA studies and MA studies. One of the programmes has Finnish as the main language of teaching and the other has Swedish.
The acting programme (in Finnish) is open for exchange applications only for spring term 2024.
The acting programme (in Swedish) is open for applications for the spring term 2024. The courses will be in Swedish which means that the applicant has to be able to speak Swedish or other Scandinavian languages. The exchange student will be enrolled with the 1st year class at Theatre Academy.
For more info on the two programmes, see their website:
Acting in Finnish
Acting in Swedish
In general, about 4 workshops (one or two weeks) are offered every year that are in English. In addition, there are usually weekly classes in movement (dance, acrobatics) and voice training (signing) that our exchange students can also join.
Choreography (MA)
The MA programme in Choreography is not open for applications for the academic year 2023-2024.
Dance (BA)
The BA programme in dance is open for applications for the spring semester 2024. Exchange student will be enrolled with the 2nd year class at Theatre Academy.
Dance Performance (MA)
The MA programme in Dance Performance is open for applications for the spring semester 2024. Exchange student will participate in teaching for 1st year MA students.
Dance Pedagogy (MA)
The MA programme in Dance Pedagogy is not open for applications for the academic year 2023-2024.
Theatre Pedagogy (MA)
The MA programme in Theatre Pedagogy is not open for applications for the academic year 2023-2024.
Dramaturgy (BA and MA) and Comparative Dramaturgy and Performance Research (MA)
In the field of dramaturgy, Theatre Academy has two programmes: a five-year programme in Dramaturgy and Playwriting and an English MA programme in Comparative Dramaturgy and Performance Research.
The MA programme in Comparative Dramaturgy and Performance Research is open for applications for the spring term 2024.
Degree Programme in Dramaturgy and Playwriting is not open for applications for the academic year 2023-2024.
Directing (BA and MA)
The directing programme is open for applications for the spring term 2024.
Design for the Performing Arts (BA and MA)
The study programme in Design for the Performing Arts is a new programme in the Uniarts Helsinki. In the programme, scenography is treated as a versatile area of art and design that is linked to contemporary performance. Read more on about the degree programme in Design for the Performing Arts on the website.
The programme is not open for applications for the academic year 2023-2024.
Lighting Design (BA and MA)
The programme in Lighting Design is not open for applications for the academic year 2023-2024.
Sound Design (BA and MA)
The programme in Sound Design is not open for applications for the academic year 2023-2024.
Live Art and Performance Studies (LAPS) (MA)
This programme is an English master’s programme that combines performance theory with live art and performance art. The MA programme in LAPS is open for applications for the spring term 2024. Exchange student will participate in teaching for 1st year MA students.
Doctoral Programme of Artistic Research in Performing Arts
Theatre Academy’s doctoral programme is open for applications for the academic year 2023-2024.
Required documents and videos
The online application form will be open 15 September – 16 October (11.59 pm Finnish time).
Before filling in the online application, please prepare the following material required for the application.
Motivational letter
- Describe why you would like to study specifically in the study programme you have chosen, and what are your expectations and goals for the studies at Theatre Academy.
- If you are applying to more than one study programme, please explain it in your motivational letter.
- Choreography and Dance applicants: in the letter, make a connection to your video recording.
- In the application system, the maximum length for the motivational letter is 3500 characters.
Curriculum Vitae
- Maximum 2 pages, in PDF format
- Please name the document in the following way: “Lastname_CV”
- In the CV, describe your previous studies, work experience, projects, and other relevant information.
Copy of an official ID
- Scan of your passport or other official ID with a photo
A preliminary study plan
- You will need to make a preliminary study plan in the application system. In the plan, list the study units you would like to take during your exchange.
- The course catalogues for the Theatre Academy study programmes are available here: https://opinto-opas.uniarts.fi/en/theatre-academy/13746/e. In some BA & MA programmes all courses listed in the study guide are not available every academic year. In the section “study programmes open for applications” is mentioned which class exchange student will be participating.
- The plan is preliminary, it will give us an idea of your interests. There will be changes to it before your learning agreement is approved.
- In addition to your chosen study programme, you can also apply for courses listed in the catalogues under Uniarts optional studies, Theatre Academy Elective studies and Studies for exchange students.
Creative portfolio – Scenography / Design / Live Art and Performance Art students
- Format: a link to a website or a pdf file
- Name the PDF portfolio in the following way: “Lastname_portfolio”
- The creative portfolio should showcase your own work and interest as a designer / performance artist.
- The maximum size for a portfolio in PDF format is 20 MB. Please pay close attention to the quality and size of the pictures.
Text sample OR a video – Dramaturgy (BA and MA) and Comparative Dramaturgy and Performance Research (MA)
Text sample:
- Max. 10 pages, in PDF format
- Please name the document followingly: “Lastname_text sample”
- Applicant can decide the genre without restrictions
Video
- Insert a link to an online video / a video file.
Summary of research plan – doctoral students
- Maximum 2 pages, in PDF format
- Please name the document as follows: “Lastname_Research plan”
- Include the background, objectives, methods and main references of your doctoral research project.
Media Files
Applicants in Dance or Choreography: Insert a link to an online video or upload a video file. The video should show your own work and interest as a choreographer or dancer. In your motivational letter, discuss the video recording.
For applicants in Dramaturgy (BA and MA) and Comparative Dramaturgy and Performance Research (MA): Insert a link to an online video / a video file (OR a text sample, see instructions above).
Applicants in other study programmes: to accompany your motivational letter, you can include a media file or a link to an online content that illustrates an example of your previous artistic work or production.
Evaluation and final decisions
We will only evaluate applications that have been completed in full and submitted through the online application system within the deadline. The final decision will be based on the quality of the application and on the availability of study places and courses in English.
The applications for the autumn term and the whole academic year will be evaluated in April–May. We will notify both the applicant and the coordinator of the sending institution about the decision in May.
The applications for the spring term will be evaluated in October. We will notify both the applicant and the coordinator of the sending institution of the decision in November.
We request that accepted students confirm their exchange in May / November. Once the student has confirmed the exchange, we will send a letter of acceptance by email.
Short-term mobilities
We also accept students for short-term mobility periods. These short-term exchanges are usually organized within existing networks such as Norteas or through other institutional collaboration. Short-term mobilities are only available to students from our existing partner institutions. Please note that we are able to accept only a very limited number of students for short-term studies.
The mobility period can be 5-30 days, but usually it lasts 1-2 weeks. You also must receive funding (Erasmus+/Nordplus) from your home university for your mobility period.
There is no application form for the short-term mobility because they are usually agreed individually and through the coordination of teaching staff. If you are coming to a single course or other short-term mobility, please contact Theatre Academy’s International relations coordinator at the latest two months before the planned mobility period. You need to inform us of your planned mobility period and who is the responsible teacher.
Contact International Relations staff
If you have questions about the application process, please contact us at teak.international@uniarts.fi.