Jazz, admissions guide to the 2.5-year education (master)
First joint application to higher education, spring 2027. Admissions schedule, required certificates and advance assignments as well as information about participating in the entrance examinations.
Degree programme information
There are two main subject options in the Jazz programme: instrument or vocal studies, and jazz composition.
- Name of the programme in the Studyinfo portal:
- Master’s Admission: Jazz / Instrument or Voice, Master of Music (2.5 yr)
- Master’s Admission: Jazz Composition, Master of Music (2.5 yr)
- Target degree and duration of studies: Master of Music (MMus), 2.5 years
- Languages of instruction and degree: Finnish, Swedish, English
- Tuition fees: €28,000 per academic year for non-EU and non-EEA students who study in English
- Academy unit: Sibelius Academy
Admissions schedule 2027
Submitting your application and required attachments
- Application period starts on 7 January 2027 at 8:00 and ends on 21 January 2027 at 15:00 EET (Finnish time)
- Fill in and send your application in Studyinfo portal
- Submit the required supporting documents in the Studyinfo portal no later than on 28 January 2027 at 15:00 EET (Finnish time)
- Deliver the required certificates of your prior education
- Deliver the certificate demonstrating your language skills
- Deliver any required advance assignments
- Deliver your proof of identity
- You will be notified of your eligibility to apply by email no later than 19 February 2027
Entrance examinations
- The entrance examination will be conducted using video recordings and other possible entrance examination assignments submitted online. Submit your assignments in the Studyinfo portal no later than on 28 January 2027 at 15:00 EET (Finnish time)
Admissions results and accepting the offered study place
- Admissions results are published 15 April 2027
- Confirm your study place no later than on 13 July 2027 at 15:00 EEST (Finnish time)
- Officially accept your study place
- Register for the academic year
- If you’re admitted conditionally, deliver the required degree certificate
- If you are are required to pay tuition fees, pay your tuition fee
- New students start their studies with an orientation period in August 2027
Who can apply?
The right to complete a degree at Uniarts Helsinki can be obtained only by participating in an entrance examination process. 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 used.
You are eligible to apply if you meet the degree programme’s educational requirements and have sufficient language skills.
The Sibelius Academy will verify each applicant’s eligibility before the entrance examination.
Required educational background
You are eligible to apply for education leading to the Master of Music degree (2.5 years) if you have completed at least one of the following:
- A lower university degree in music (Bachelor)
- A university of applied sciences degree in music
- A foreign degree or qualification in music that gives eligibility for corresponding higher education studies in the awarding country
- A lower university degree in another field and, additionally, higher education studies in music.
The Sibelius Academy may require a student admitted to a master’s degree programme to complete complementary studies — up to the equivalent of one year of study — in addition to the minimum number of ECTS credits required by the programme, in order for them to attain the skills required in the programme. In principle, complementary studies must be completed in the first year of study and included in the student’s personal study plan. If you are required to complete complementary studies, you will be notified in connection with the admission decision.
Your educability is also taken into consideration in the admissions process and assessment. The new degree must provide you with sufficient new competence. Master’s programmes are intended for applicants who do not already hold a master’s degree in the field in question. If you already have a degree of the equivalent level, we primarily encourage you to pursue study opportunities in continuous learning, continuing education, or doctoral education.
Your eligibility if you graduate after the application deadline
Applicants who receive their degree certificate in the spring after the application deadline are deemed conditionally eligible to apply. The decision on your admittance is conditional until you submit a certificate of your completed degree or other studies required for eligibility. Submit the certificate to the Sibelius Academy no later than 13 July 2027 at 15:00 EEST (Finnish time). If you fail to submit the certificate by the given deadline, the study place offered to you will be cancelled.
The Sibelius Academy may, at its discretion, also accept a temporary certificate issued by the educational institution if it indicates that you have completed all studies required for the degree and will without a doubt receive the official degree certificate later.
Language requirements
The language of instruction and degree in the programme is Finnish, Swedish, and English. You must demonstrate your language skills in one of the above-mentioned languages by the given deadline. However, most of the group instruction at the Sibelius Academy is taught in Finnish or English.
You must demonstrate your language skills in accordance with Language skills requirement A. Uniarts Helsinki’s language requirements and accepted methods of demonstrating your language skills can be found here:
- Note! You may demonstrate your skills in Swedish by providing proof of having completed your qualification that gives eligibility for higher education in any of the Scandinavian languages (Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, or Faroese).
Submit a certificate demonstrating your language skills to the Sibelius Academy no later than 28 January 2027 at 15:00 EET (Finnish time). For more information, please see the section “Required attachments” in this admissions guide.
If you do not demonstrate your language skills by the given deadline, you will not be granted the right to study at the Sibelius Academy.
Other exceptions to eligibility
You cannot apply for both the 5.5-year and the 2.5-year programmes in the same main subject or main instrument in the same year. However, if you do submit applications to both, the Sibelius Academy will:
- consider the application for the 2.5-year programme if you are eligible for it; or
- consider the application for the 5.5-year programme if you are not eligible for the 2.5-year programme.
If you have completed a higher education degree at the Sibelius Academy, you cannot reapply to study the same main subject (or, in the case of Classical Music Performance, the same main instrument) from which you graduated.
Student admissions to the bachelor’s and master’s programmes are intended for applicants who do not have a valid right to study at Uniarts Helsinki at the time the new study right begins. Separate instructions are available for applying for a change of study right. More information on applying for a change of study right can be found here.
Submitting your application and required attachments
Electronic application form in the Studyinfo portal
Complete the electronic application form during the spring’s 2027 first joint application period, between 7 and 21 January 2027 by 15:00 EET (Finnish time), in the Studyinfo portal. Please note that you do not need to register in the Studyinfo portal before filling in the application form. More information on how to fill in the application form can be found here.
You may only submit one application form during the application period. If you submit multiple applications, only the most recent one will be considered, and all previous applications will be cancelled. The Sibelius Academy will not notify you of cancelled applications.
Application fee
Applicants from outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland are required to pay an application fee in order to apply to higher education studies. If you are from outside the aforementioned area and are applying for a bachelor’s or master’s degree programme in Finland, you must pay the application fee.
The application fee is 100 euros, and it is collected by the Finnish National Agency for Education.
Paying the application fee ensures that your application will be processed as described in this admission guide. However, paying the fee does not guarantee admissions to studies.
More information on the application fee can be found here.
Required attachments
If your certificates are in a language other than Finnish, Swedish, or English, you must also include an official translation in one of these languages. Accepted translations include those made by an authorised translator or an official certificate attachment issued by the institution (such as a Diploma Supplement). Self-made or other unofficial translations will not be accepted.
If you are a refugee applicant or in a position comparable to a refugee and are unable to provide documentary evidence of your qualifications, you may still be deemed eligible to apply. More information can be found on our website here.
Submit the following supporting documents to the Sibelius Academy via the Studyinfo portal as PDF files no later than 28 January 2027 at 15:00 EET (Finnish time):
1) Degree certificate
Attach a copy of your degree certificate to your application. If your degree will be awarded only after the application period has ended, it is sufficient to submit a copy of your degree certificate to the Sibelius Academy as soon as possible, but no later than 13 July 2027 at 15:00 EEST (Finnish time).
The degree certificate must be officially signed and/or stamped by the educational institution. Electronic signatures must be verifiable beyond doubt.
Note! You do not need to submit a copy of your degree certificate if:
- You have completed the Finnish matriculation examination in 1990 or later; or
- You have completed a Finnish vocational upper secondary qualification in 2017 or later; or
- You have completed a Finnish further vocational qualification or specialist vocational qualification in 2018 or later; or
- You are a candidate for the Finnish Matriculation Examination in spring 2027.
In the above cases, your information will be retrieved from the electronic qualification register. If necessary, the Sibelius Academy will contact you by email for additional information.
In case of a foreign degree, the Sibelius Academy may request further clarification regarding the status of the degree within the education system of the awarding country.
2) Transcript of records from your prior education
If you are applying to a 2.5-year or a 2-year master’s programme at the Sibelius Academy, attach a copy of your transcript of records or another official list of the courses included in your degree to your application.
The transcript of records must be officially signed and/or stamped by the educational institution. Electronic signatures must be verifiable beyond doubt.
3) Certificate demonstrating language skills
Attach a certificate of your language skills in the language in which you are applying to study to your application.
- If you demonstrate your language skills with your prior studies, submit a copy of your degree certificate and its attachments (e.g. Diploma Supplement), or another official document accepted under the language requirements that proves your language proficiency. The degree certificate or its attachments must clearly indicate the language in which the degree was completed.
If you have not yet completed the degree and you cannot demonstrate your language skills with another prior degree, you will be considered conditionally eligible. In this case, you must submit to the Sibelius Academy, by the given deadline, a certificate of enrolment/studies for the degree in question together with an estimated graduation date. The degree used to demonstrate your language skills must be completed no later than 13 July 2027 at 15:00 EEST (Finnish time) in order to be considered in the spring 2027 admissions. Please submit the final degree certificate to the Sibelius Academy as soon as possible, but no later than the above-mentioned deadline. - If you cannot demonstrate your language skills with your prior studies, you must submit a language test result that meets the Sibelius Academy’s language requirements. Submit the test result that meets the language requirements to the Sibelius Academy no later than 28 January 2027 at 15:00 EET (Finnish time).
4) Official proof of identity
Attach a copy of your passport, EU identity card, or Finnish driving license to your application. This document will be used to verify your identity in the parts of the entrance examination conducted remotely or via video recordings.
5) A document exempting you from tuition fees
If you are applying to study in English, you will be considered liable to pay the tuition fee until you submit a document exempting you from the fee to the Sibelius Academy. More information on tuition fees can be found on our website here.
Individual arrangements in the entrance examination
If you require special arrangements in the entrance examination because of a sensory or physical disability, illness or other corresponding reason, you must apply for individual arrangements by filling in a separate application form.
Submit your application for individual arrangements to the Sibelius Academy no later than 28 January 2027 at 15:00 EET (Finnish time). More information on individual arrangements can be found here.
Invitation to the examination and taking part in the entrance examinations
You may be invited to the entrance examinations if:
- You have submitted your electronic application and the required attachments to the Studyinfo portal by the given deadline; and
- the Sibelius Academy has deemed you eligible to apply based on the documents you have submitted.
Your eligibility will be assessed based on your application, certificates, possible advance assignments, and other submitted documentation. If your application and its required attachments meet the minimum requirements, it will proceed to academic evaluation.
The implementation of the entrance examinations for each programme is described in the programme-specific admissions guide. Entrance examination schedules for different programmes may overlap. If you have applied to multiple programmes, you will need to choose which examination to attend in such cases.
The entrance examination may consist of several stages, each of which may include multiple sub-tests. If you do not submit all the required entrance examination assignments, fail to successfully complete all compulsory sub-tests included in the examination, or your entrance examination assignments or performances do not meet the requirements, you cannot be admitted as a student.
The Sibelius Academy will send you instructions for participating in the entrance examinations along with the entrance examination invitation. Exact times for individual entrance examinations will be confirmed no later than the morning of the examination day. Individual examination times can only be changed for compelling reasons beyond the applicant’s control. Such reasons include the Finnish matriculation examination (or an equivalent event), as well as accidents or sudden illness (a medical certificate is required). In these cases, rescheduling is only possible within the working timetable of the Entrance Examination Board.
The entrance examination is a closed event attended by you, the Entrance Examination Board, and designated assistants (such as an accompanist, a rehearsal choir, a board assistant, or your own assistant). Entrance examination performances may not be recorded.
If you wish to cancel your participation in the entrance examination, please notify the Sibelius Academy Admissions Office by email as soon as possible.
Entrance examinations
Jazz (instrument or voice) entrance examination
The 2.5-year Jazz (instrument or voice) programme has three different study orientation options. On the application form, you must indicate which of the three study orientation options you wish to apply for:
- Instrumentalist/vocalist orientation
- Pedagogical orientation
- Research orientation
You may only select one study orientation option. The selected study orientation option affects your study path. New students will be admitted in a separate admission group for each study orientation option.
The entrance examination will be conducted using video recordings and other possible entrance examination assignments submitted online. The entrance examination may also include an interview, which will be conducted via a remote connection. In addition to the video recordings, you may also provide links to online material along with your application. The Entrance Examination Board will take these into consideration in the assessment at its discretion.
Instrumentalist/vocalist orientation option
Submit the following video recordings to the Sibelius Academy via the Studyinfo portal no later than on 28 January 2027 at 15:00 EET (Finnish time):
1) Instrument/voice audition
Programme for the video recording:
- A freely selected jazz composition or, for example, a composition of your own. The piece must be played or sung from memory, with or without lyrics. Name the video recording as follows: lastname_firstname_freelyselected.
- A freely selected solo transcription played solo or with a metronome (max. 2 minutes). Name the video recording as follows: lastname_firstname_transcription. Label the video with the name of the song, soloist, and recording.
- A compulsory piece:
- For instrumentalists: “U.M.M.G.” (B. Strayhorn). The piece must be played from memory.
- For vocalists: “Without A Song” (V. Youmans/B. Rose/E. Eliscu) or “I’ll Be Seeing You” (S. Fain/I. Kahal). The piece must be sung from memory.
- Name the video recording as follows: lastname_firstname_compulsory.
Use an accompanying rhythm section on the video recording or, alternatively, a backing track. You are responsible for finding an accompanying ensemble to play on the recording, if needed.
An individual piece must be recorded as a continuous and unedited take. However, not all pieces need to be recorded in the same session. Individual pieces may be submitted as separate video files via the Studyinfo system; you do not need to edit your entire audition into a single video file.
Play or sing facing the camera so that your hands are visible at all times. The video must not be shot from too far away. You must be seen in the video all the way from the head to the knees.
2) Introduction video
Briefly introduce yourself in Finnish, Swedish, or English (your background, prior education, motivation for applying to the Sibelius Academy and jazz music studies). The duration of the introduction is 3–4 minutes. You can attach the introduction to the beginning of your instrument/voice audition video or deliver it as a separate file. If you submit the introduction as a separate file, name the video recording as follows: lastname_firstname_introduction.
In addition to the aforementioned entrance examination assignments, the Entrance Examination Board may invite some applicants to an interview. The interviews are conducted via a remote connection.
Pedagogical orientation option
Submit the following video recordings to the Sibelius Academy via the Studyinfo portal no later than on 28 January 2027 at 15:00 EET (Finnish time):
1) Teaching demonstration
The duration of the individual lesson or lecture-form teaching demonstration must be 15–20 minutes. The topic may be selected freely but must be related to jazz. We recommend that you use your own instrument during the demonstration. Name the video recording as follows: lastname_firstname_teachingdemonstration.
2) Instrument/voice audition
Perform the following compulsory piece on your main instrument:
- For instrumentalists: “U.M.M.G.” (B. Strayhorn). The piece must be played from memory.
- For vocalists: “Without A Song” (V. Youmans/B. Rose/E. Eliscu) or “I’ll Be Seeing You” (S. Fain/I. Kahal). The piece must be sung from memory.
Name the video recording as follows: lastname_firstname_audition.
Use an accompanying rhythm section on the video recording or, alternatively, a backing track. You are responsible for finding an accompanying ensemble to play on the recording, if needed.
The piece must be recorded as a continuous and unedited take.
Play or sing facing the camera so that your hands are visible at all times. The video must not be shot from too far away. You must be seen in the video all the way from the head to the knees.
3) Introduction video
Briefly introduce yourself in Finnish, Swedish or English (your background, prior education, motivation for applying to the Sibelius Academy and jazz music studies). The duration of the introduction is 3–4 minutes. You can attach the introduction to the beginning of your instrument/voice audition video or deliver it as a separate file. If you submit the introduction as a separate file, name the video recording as follows: lastname_firstname_introduction.
In addition to the aforementioned entrance examination assignments, the Entrance Examination Board may invite some applicants to an interview. The interviews are conducted via a remote connection.
Research orientation option
Submit the following entrance examination assignments to the Sibelius Academy via the Studyinfo portal no later than on 28 January 2027 at 15:00 EET (Finnish time):
1) Research sample
Present your preliminary research plan for your master’s level studies along with a sample of an earlier research paper (e.g. your final project for your bachelor’s degree). Submit this as a PDF file. Name your document as follows: lastname_firstname_researchsample.
2) Instrument/voice audition
Perform the following compulsory piece on your main instrument:
- For instrumentalists: “U.M.M.G.” (B. Strayhorn). The piece must be played from memory.
- For vocalists: “Without A Song” (V. Youmans/B. Rose/E. Eliscu) or “I’ll Be Seeing You” (S. Fain/I. Kahal). The piece must be sung from memory.
Name the video recording as follows: lastname_firstname_audition.
Use an accompanying rhythm section on the video recording or, alternatively, a backing track. You are responsible for finding an accompanying ensemble to play on the recording, if needed.
The piece must be recorded as a continuous and unedited take.
Play or sing facing the camera so that your hands are visible at all times. The video must not be shot from too far away. You must be seen in the video all the way from the head to the knees.
3) Introduction video
Briefly introduce yourself in Finnish, Swedish or English (your background, prior education, motivation for applying to the Sibelius Academy and jazz music studies). The duration of the introduction is 3–4 minutes. You can attach the introduction to the beginning of your instrument/voice audition video or deliver it as a separate file. If you submit the introduction as a separate file, name the video recording as follows: lastname_firstname_introduction.
In addition to the aforementioned entrance examination assignments, the Entrance Examination Board may invite some of the applicants to an interview. The interviews are conducted via a remote connection.
Jazz Composition entrance examination
The 2.5-year programme in Jazz Composition has three different study orientation options. On the application form, you must indicate which of the three study orientation options you wish to apply for:
- Artistic orientation
- Pedagogical orientation
- Research orientation
You may only select one study orientation option. The selected study orientation option affects your study path. New students will be admitted in a separate admission group for each study orientation option.
The entrance examination will be conducted using video recordings and other possible entrance examination assignments submitted online. The entrance examination may also include an interview, which will be conducted via a remote connection. In addition to the video recordings, you may also provide links to online material along with your application. The Entrance Examination Board will take these into consideration in the assessment at its discretion.
Artistic orientation option
Submit the following entrance examination assignments to the Sibelius Academy via the Studyinfo portal no later than on 28 January 2027 at 15:00 EET (Finnish time):
1) CV. Name your CV as follows: lastname_firstname_cv.
2) Two (2) composition assignments, both as sheet music and a recording:
- An arrangement of: “Chega De Saudade” (A. C. Jobim). Line-up: big band.
- A composition by you for a line-up of your choice. A lead sheet for the composition will also suffice.
Name your composition assignments as follows: lastname_firstname_compositionassignment_piecename_sheet/recording.
The arrangement must reflect your ability to explore tonal melody and functional harmony while demonstrating a basic command of writing for a big band.
The recommended file format for the audio recording is mp3. Note! Links to streaming or cloud services will not be accepted for assessment. The composition assignments’ recording does not necessarily have to be made with an ensemble. The score must be non-transposed.
The Entrance Examination Board requests that the composition assignment be submitted in all of the following formats: the original notation software file, PDF, and MusicXML file. In the Studyinfo system, you cannot submit original notation software files or MusicXML files. If you submit composition assignments in these file formats, contact the Sibelius Academy Admissions Office as early as possible regarding an alternative channel for submitting assignments.
The page size of the composition assignments may be no larger than A3.
3) Instrument/voice audition
Perform a piece chosen from the Entrance Examination Board’s list of 20 well-known jazz compositions:
- A Beautiful Friendship
- A Night In Tunisia
- Beatrice
- Blame It on My Youth
- Chega De Saudade
- Evidence
- Firm Roots
- How Deep Is The Ocean
- I Didn’t Know What Time It Was
- If I Should Lose You
- I Remember You
- Just in Time
- Just Of Those Things
- Like Someone In Love
- Pent Up House
- Scrapple From The Apple
- Social Call
- U.M.M.G.
- We’ll Be Together Again
- You Stepped Out Of A Dream
The piece must be played or sung from memory. The stylistic interpretation can be freely selected (for example, swing, latin, bebop, rock jazz, free jazz, etc.). For singers, an interpretation of the melody is sufficient.
Use an accompanying rhythm section on the video recording or, alternatively, a backing track. You are responsible for finding an accompanying ensemble to play on the recording, if needed. Name the video recording as follows: lastname_firstname_audition.
The piece must be recorded as a continuous and unedited take.
Play or sing facing the camera so that your hands are visible at all times. The video must not be shot from too far away. You must be seen in the video all the way from the head to the knees.
4) Introduction video
Introduce yourself briefly in Finnish, Swedish, or English (background, education, motivation for applying to the Sibelius Academy and the jazz composition programme). The duration of the introduction is 3–4 minutes. You may attach the introduction to the beginning of your instrument/voice audition or submit it as a separate file. If you submit the introduction as a separate file, name the video recording as follows: lastname_firstname_introduction.
In addition to the aforementioned entrance examination assignments, the Entrance Examination Board may invite some of the applicants to an interview. The interviews are conducted via a remote connection.
Pedagogical orientation option
Submit the following entrance examination assignments s to the Sibelius Academy via the Studyinfo portal no later than on 28 January 2027 at 15:00 EET (Finnish time):
1) Teaching demonstration
The duration of the individual lesson or lecture-form teaching demonstration must be 15–20 minutes. The topic may be selected freely but must be related to jazz. We recommend that you use your own instrument during the demonstration. Name the video recording as follows: lastname_firstname_teachingdemonstration.
2) Two (2) composition assignments, both as sheet music and a recording:
- An arrangement of: “Chega De Saudade” (A. C. Jobim).
Line-up: at least 4 wind instruments and a rhythm section. - A composition by you for a line-up of your choice. A lead sheet for the composition will also suffice.
Name your composition assignments as follows: lastname_firstname_compositionassignment_piecename_sheet/recording.
The arrangement must reflect your ability to explore tonal melody and functional harmony.
The recommended file format for the audio recording is mp3. Note! Links to streaming or cloud services will not be accepted for assessment. The composition assignments’ recording does not necessarily have to be made with an ensemble. The score must be non-transposed.
The Entrance Examination Board requests that the composition assignment be submitted in all of the following formats: the original notation software file, PDF, and MusicXML file. In the Studyinfo system, you cannot submit original notation software files or MusicXML files. If you submit composition assignments in these file formats, contact the Sibelius Academy Admissions Office as early as possible regarding an alternative channel for submitting assignments.
The page size of the composition assignments may be no larger than A3.
3) Introduction video
Introduce yourself briefly in Finnish, Swedish, or English (background, education, motivation for applying to the Sibelius Academy and the jazz composition programme). The duration of the introduction is 3–4 minutes. You may attach the introduction to the beginning of your instrument/voice audition or submit it as a separate file. If you submit the introduction as a separate file, name the video recording as follows: lastname_firstname_introduction.
In addition to the aforementioned entrance examination assignments, the Entrance Examination Board may invite some of the applicants to an interview. The interviews are conducted via a remote connection.
Research orientation option
Submit the following entrance examination assignments to the Sibelius Academy via the Studyinfo portal no later than on 28 January 2027 at 15:00 EET (Finnish time):
1) Research sample
Present your preliminary research plan for your master’s level studies along with a sample of an earlier research paper (e.g. your final project for your bachelor’s degree). Submit this as a PDF file. Name the file as follows: lastname_firstname_researchsample.
2) Two (2) composition assignments, both as sheet music and a recording:
- An arrangement of: “Chega De Saudade” (A. C. Jobim).
Line-up: at least 4 wind instruments and a rhythm section. - A composition by you for a line-up of your choice. A lead sheet for the composition will also suffice.
Name your composition assignments as follows: lastname_firstname_compositionassignment_piecename_sheet/recording.
The arrangement must reflect your ability to explore tonal melody and functional harmony.
The recommended file format for the audio recording is mp3. Note! Links to streaming or cloud services will not be accepted for assessment. The composition assignments’ recording does not necessarily have to be made with an ensemble. The score must be non-transposed.
The Entrance Examination Board requests that the composition assignment be submitted in all of the following formats: the original notation software file, PDF, and MusicXML file. In the Studyinfo system, you cannot submit original notation software files or MusicXML files. If you submit composition assignments in these file formats, contact the Sibelius Academy Admissions Office as early as possible regarding an alternative channel for submitting assignments.
The page size of the composition assignments may be no larger than A3.
3) Introduction video
Introduce yourself briefly in Finnish, Swedish, or English (background, education, motivation for applying to the Sibelius Academy and the jazz composition programme). The duration of the introduction is 3–4 minutes. You may attach the introduction to the beginning of your instrument/voice audition or submit it as a separate file. If you submit the introduction as a separate file, name the video recording as follows: lastname_firstname_introduction.
In addition to the aforementioned entrance examination assignments, the Entrance Examination Board may invite some of the applicants to an interview. The interviews are conducted via a remote connection.
Entrance examination assessment
Applicants’ performance in the entrance examinations is assessed by Entrance Examination Boards appointed specifically for each programme.
Based on your entrance examination performance, the Entrance Examination Board evaluates your knowledge, skills, and capabilities, as well as your ability to complete the degree studies within the programme’s normative duration. The assessment takes into account how your previous education and experience are reflected in your competence, and compares your competence to the objectives set in the curriculum.
When assessing your educability, it is also considered that the new degree must provide you with a sufficient amount of additional competence. Degree programmes at Sibelius Academy are primarily intended for applicants who have not previously completed a Finnish higher education degree of the same or higher level.
If you have not previously completed a Finnish higher education degree at the same or higher level as the degree programme you are applying for, you will be awarded an additional 5% of the maximum points for the programme, which will be added to final points on your entrance examination. Your right to be awarded additional points will be verified in the final admissions phase, and the points will be added to the final total score before the admissions decision. When awarding additional points, any degrees completed by or prior to the end of the application period will be taken into account.
However, a previously completed higher education degree of the same or higher level does not prevent applicants from applying to the degree programme.
Assessment criteria for Jazz
In addition, for the instrumentalist/vocalist orientation option of the 2.5-year master’s degree programme in jazz (instrument or voice), the Entrance Examination Board will assess your command of jazz-oriented tonality and rhythms, ensemble playing skills, and musical vision for jazz. During the interview, the Entrance Examination Board will assess your study motivation and ability to express your views on your future and dreams as an artist.
In addition, for the pedaogical orientation option of the 2.5-year master’s degree programme in jazz (instrument or voice), the Entrance Examination Board will also assess your expertise in jazz music, pedagogical content, interaction in a teaching situation, and verbal presentation skills. In your instrument or voice audition, the Entrance Examination Board will assess your command of jazz-oriented tonality and rhythms, ensemble playing skills, and musical vision for jazz. In the interview, the Entrance Examination Board will assess your study motivation and ability to express your views on your future and dreams as a teacher and an artist.
In addition, for the research orientation option in the 2.5-year master’s degree programme in jazz (instrument or voice), the Entrance Examination Board will also assess your expertise in jazz music, your analytical capabilities and the clarity and flow of the text you write. In your instrument or voice audition, the Entrance Examination Board will assess your command of jazz-oriented tonality and rhythms, ensemble playing skills, and musical vision for jazz. In the interview, the Entrance Examination Board will assess your study motivation and ability to express your views on your future and dreams as a reasearching artist.
In addition, in the entrance examination for the artistic orientation option in the 2.5-year master’s degree programme jazz composition, the Entrance Examination Board will assess the melodic-harmonic clarity of your compositions and arrangements, their overall form, and your knowledge of the jazz music tradition.
In addition, in the entrance examination for the pedagogical orientation option in the 2.5-year master’s degree programme jazz composition, the Entrance Examination Board will assess your expertise in jazz music, pedagogical content, interaction in a teaching situation, and verbal presentation skills. The Entrance Examination Board will also assess the melodic-harmonic clarity of your compositions and arrangements, their overall form, and your knowledge of the jazz music tradition.
In addition, in the entrance examination for the research orientation option in the 2.5-year master’s degree programme jazz composition, the Entrance Examination Board will assess your expertise in jazz music, your analytical capabilities and the clarity and flow of the text you write. The Entrance Examination Board will also assess the melodic-harmonic clarity of your compositions and arrangements, their overall form, and your knowledge of the jazz music tradition.
Scoring of the entrance examination
The Entrance Examination Board will assess your performances as a whole on a scale of 0 to 25 points.
Admissions results
For each degree programme, the Entrance Examination Boards will rank the applicants according to their performance in the entrance examination. 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.
Applicants with the highest scores who meet the admission criteria will be offered a study place. Those ranked next, based on their scores, may be placed on a waiting list should a study place become available later. The waiting lists are either programme-specific or group-specific, if the programme has several groups.
A study place may become available to an applicant on the waiting list only if a selected applicant for the programme (or group) declines the offered study place or a conditionally admitted applicant fails to submit the required certificate by the deadline. If no applicants were placed on the waiting list at the time of the admission decision, it is not possible to place anyone on the waiting list later during the same admission round, even if some admitted applicants do not accept their study place.
If no applicants meet the admission criteria, some programmes may choose not to admit new students. If a degree programme does not admit any new students, no applicants can be placed on a waiting list.
Announcement of results
Admission results will be published on the Uniarts Helsinki website and will include the names of the applicants who have given the permission in their application to have their names published online. In addition, you can view your situation in the Studyinfo portal.
Admitted applicants and those placed on the waiting list are informed of the results by email on the day the admission results are published. Other applicants will not be notified of the results by email.
Feedback
You may request feedback on your entrance examination performance. The feedback provides you with information on how the evaluation criteria stated in the admission criteria were applied in the assessment of your 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 purpose of a written request for rectification is to give you the possibility to request for rectification if there is a reason to believe that there has been an error in the decision-making process. The admission decision can be corrected only if the Sibelius Academy has made an error in the selection procedure and the error justifies the correction of the admission decision.
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 on the rectification procedure can be found here.
Accepting the offered study place and starting your studies
You must accept your study place no later than on 13 July 2027 at 15:00 EEST (Finnish time). 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 can accept only one offer of admission per academic term. More information on how to accept an offer of admission can be found here.
The One Study Right Rule
The One Study Right Rule refers to the legislative amendments that entered into force on 1 August 2026. Under these amendments, a student’s study rights at the same or lower level will be terminated if they accept a new study right leading to a degree. The rule applies only to study rights at Finnish higher education institutions.
This means that if you accept a new study place, you will lose your existing study rights at the same or lower level. When accepting the study place, you are shown which study rights will end as a result. The decision to accept the new study place – and thereby to terminate previous study rights – is binding. The decision cannot be reversed afterwards.
More information on the One Study Right Rule can be found here.
Tuition fees
Uniarts Helsinki charges an annual tuition fee to students who come from countries outside of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland and are studying for a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in a foreign language. At the Sibelius Academy, tuition fees apply to applicants applying to study in English.
More information on tuition fees at Uniarts Helsinki can be found here.
Starting your studies
First-year studies begin in mid-August with an orientation period that is compulsory for all new students. New students are sent more detailed information on the start of their studies attached to their letter of acceptance.
You must register as attending at the Sibelius Academy according to the instructions provided in your letter of acceptance. You can register as absent for the first year of studies only under certain statutory circumstances. Apply for the right to be absent in writing before the end of the registration period. Include documentation supporting your right to be absent with your application. More information on registering as absent for the first year of studies can be found here.
Questions or comments?
You can contact us via Uniarts Help form.
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 University of the Arts Helsinki, at the Sibelius Academy? What’s it like to live in Helsinki, the second northernmost capital in the world? How do you apply to the Sibelius Academy? We will answer these questions among others in our Admissions Chat broadcast on 2 December 2026 at 19:00 EET (Finnish time) on Instagram (@sibeliusacademy).
Please also remember the online webinar about studying in Finland and applying to Finnish higher education. The webinar is held on 10 December 2026 at 14:00 EET (Finnish time) and it is arranged by the Finnish National Agency for Education. For more information, please see Study in Finland website.