Kantele, Classical Music Performance, 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
Degree studies with kantele as a main instrument are a part of the Classical Music Performance programme.
- Name of the programme in the Studyinfo portal: Master’s Admission: Classical Music Performance / Kantele, 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 5 March 2027
Entrance examinations
- Submit the first-stage entrance examination assignments in the Studyinfo portal no later than 17 March 2027 at 15:00 EET (Finnish time)
- The second stage will be held on site at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki on 3 May 2027
Admissions results and accepting the offered study place
- Admissions results are published 31 May 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.
Advance assignments
Applicants for this programme are not required to complete advance assignments. All applicants who have submitted their applications by the deadline and who have been found to be eligible will be invited to the entrance examination.
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.
Kantele entrance examination
The entrance examination consists of two stages. The first stage consists of submitting a video recording and a motivation letter and the second stage is held on site at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.
The entrance examination for kantele-related instruments (kannel, kokle, kankles, gusli) is the same as for kantele, while considering the programme’s suitability for each instrument. If necessary, you may contact siba.vamuphkkvalinnat@uniarts.fi to confirm the suitability of the programme.
First stage
Submit the following entrance examination assignments to the Sibelius Academy via the Studyinfo portal no later than on 17 March 2027 at 15:00 EET (Finnish time):
1) A video recording on which you perform a repertoire of your choice with a duration of approx. 15 minutes.
- The compositions performed must be solo works. All compositions must be performed without accompaniment.
- The degree of difficulty of the compositions must correspond to the Sibelius Academy’s A or B repertoire list for kantele
- Name your video recording as follows: lastname_firstname_videorecording. If you have multiple files, include the name of the composition in the filename.
- The video recording must have been filmed within the 12 months prior to the deadline for the video submission
- You must include details of the works performed and of the date of recording with your application materials (for example in a separate PDF file, submitted with the recording)
An individual composition must be recorded as a continuous and unedited take. However, not all compositions need to be recorded in the same session. Individual compositions may be submitted as separate video files via the Studyinfo portal; you do not need to edit your entire audition into a single video file.
You must play facing the camera so that your face and hands are visible at all times. The video must not be shot from too far away. You must be fully visible in the frame.
2) A motivation letter (at least one A4 page)
- In the letter, answer the following questions: Why do you want to become a kantele professional? What kinds of goals and ideas do you have related to studies at the Sibelius Academy of Uniarts Helsinki as well as musicianship and artistic identity?
- The motivation letter must be written in Finnish or English
- Name your document as follows: lastname_firstname_motivation
Based on the scores given for the first stage, the Entrance Examination Board will invite applicants to the second stage of the entrance examination. Information on the results of the first stage will be sent by e-mail.
Second stage
The second stage of the entrance examination will be held on site at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki on 3 May 2027.
Programme for the second stage of the entrance examination:
1) Musical acquisition assignment (sent via email no later than two weeks before the entrance examination)
2) Programme of your choice
- In the second stage, perform a repertoire with a duration of approximately 30 minutes. The degree of difficulty of the compositions must correspond to the Sibelius Academy’s A or B repertoire list for kantele.
- Choose works that demonstrate your skills and expertise in a versatile way
- The repertoire must include one extensive work or parts of a work
- The repertoire must include a composition from the Baroque period and one of the following etudes by Leonid Bashmakov: Presto, Vivo, or Resoluto (from the Six ètudes collection)
- All compositions performed must be solo works. All compositions must be performed without accompaniment.
- All compositions except the musical acquisition assignment and kantele works composed after 1990 must be performed from memory.
3) Interview
The Entrance Examination Board will interview you in connection with the instrument audition.
The Entrance Examination Board may, at its discretion, listen to only a portion of the programme.
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.
In addition, the Entrance Examination Board for kantele will assess, based on your performances, your command of your instrument, musical perception skills, expression, musical comprehension, understanding of the styles of different periods, and artistic and technical development potential.
Scoring of the entrance examination
In the first stage of the entrance examination, the Entrance Examination Board will score your performances on a scale of 0–1 points and in the second stage on a scale of 0–25 points.
The points in the second stage are based on an overall assessment of your entrance examination performances in both stages. The score for the second stage will remain your final score.
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.