Programme-specific criteria for international programmes

Both international and Finnish applicants are eligible for admission if they have completed a bachelor’s or master's degree in an appropriate field. In the rolling admission the background degree cannot be awarded in Finland. In the joint admission all degree-awarding countries are allowed.

The studies lead to a Master of Science degree in Economics and Business Administration.

Applicants must fulfill all the following requirements to be considered for admission to the Master’s Programme in Finance:

1. Scope of the degree

• A recognized 3- or 4-year bachelor’s degree at a higher education institution. The degree must be considered equivalent to a Finnish bachelor’s degree.

2. Suitability of the background education

• A bachelor’s degree in business administration in the field of finance or banking
• If the applicant does not have one of these degrees, the background education is considered suitable if the degree includes min. 20 % of academic business studies, or at least 35 ECTS (or equivalent) of academic business studies have been completed outside of the degree. The academic business studies must consist of one or several of the following: corporate finance, investments, derivatives, financial mgt, financial markets, financial reporting, banking, financial modeling.

3. Applicant’s overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) in previous degree, including the thesis or final report if applicable, must be at least 3,00/5 (ECTS grading).

4. English language proficiency as instructed in the admission criteria

Both international and Finnish applicants are eligible for admission if they have completed a bachelor’s or master's degree in an appropriate field. In the rolling admission the background degree cannot be awarded in Finland. In the joint admission all degree-awarding countries are allowed.

The studies lead to a Master of Science degree in Economics and Business Administration.

Applicants must fulfill all the following requirements to be considered for admission to the Master’s Programme in International Business – Sustainable Global Business:

1. Scope of the degree

• A recognized 3- or 4-year bachelor’s degree at a higher education institution. The degree must be considered equivalent to a Finnish bachelor’s degree.

2. Suitability of the background education

• A bachelor’s degree in business administration in the field of international business, brand management, consumer behavior, cross-cultural management, digital marketing, human resource management, international marketing, management, marketing, organizational leadership or supply chain management
• If the applicant does not have one of these degrees, the background education is considered suitable if the degree includes min. 20 % academic business studies, or at least 35 ECTS (or equivalent) of academic business studies have been completed outside of the degree. The academic business studies must consist of courses in one or several of the following fields: international business, marketing, HR management, strategic management.

3. Applicant’s overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) in previous degree, including the thesis or final report if applicable, must be at least 3,00/5 (ECTS grading).

4. English language proficiency as instructed in the admission criteria

Both international and Finnish applicants are eligible for admission if they have completed a bachelor’s or master's degree in an appropriate field. In the rolling admission the background degree cannot be awarded in Finland. In the joint admission all degree-awarding countries are allowed.

The studies lead to a Master of Science degree in Economics and Business Administration.

Applicants must fulfill all the following requirements to be considered for admission to the Master’s Programme in Strategic Business Development:

1. Scope of the degree

• A recognized 3- or 4-year bachelor’s degree at a higher education institution. The degree must be considered equivalent to a Finnish bachelor’s degree.

2. Suitability of the background education

• A bachelor’s degree in business administration in the field of accounting, auditing, banking, brand management, business administration, business analytics, business law, consumer behavior, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability, cross-cultural management, digital marketing, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, human resource management, industrial management (business degree), innovation and product development, international business, international marketing, management, marketing, operations management, organizational behavior, organizational leadership, project management, sales management, strategic management or supply chain management.
• If the applicant does not have one of these degrees, the background education is considered suitable if the degree includes min. 20 % academic business studies, or at least 35 ECTS (or equivalent) of academic business studies have been completed outside of the degree. The academic business studies must consist of courses in one or several of the following fields: accounting and finance, HR management, strategic management, international business, entrepreneurship and marketing.

3. Applicant’s overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) in previous degree, including the thesis or final report if applicable, must be at least 3,00/5 (ECTS grading).

4. English language proficiency as instructed in the admission criteria

Both international and Finnish applicants are eligible for admission if they have completed a bachelor’s or master's degree in an appropriate field. In the rolling admission the background degree cannot be awarded in Finland. In the joint admission all degree-awarding countries are allowed.

The studies in both majors lead to a degree of Master of Science in Technology.

Applicants to any of the majors under the Master’s Programme in Electrical and Energy Engineering must fulfill all the following requirements to be considered for admission to the programme:

1. Scope of the degree 

• A recognized 3- or 4-year bachelor’s degree at a higher education institution (HEI) which is considered equivalent to a Finnish bachelor’s degree. 

2. Applicant’s overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) in previous degree, including the thesis or final report if applicable, must be at least 3,00/5 (ECTS grading).

3. Language proficiency as instructed in the admission criteria

• Proficiency in English, if the language of instruction selected is English
• Proficiency in Finnish, if the language of instruction selected is Finnish

In addition to these, the applicant’s prior degree/studies must be considered suitable to the major the applicant applies to in order to be considered for admission. Please see the appropriate degrees and fields in each major below.

Electrical Engineering

Suitability of the background education:

• The appropriate fields are electrical engineering, energy engineering, power systems engineering, renewable energy engineering, robotics engineering, electronic engineering, mechatronics engineering, computer engineering, network engineering, telecommunications engineering. A degree in business studies is generally not an appropriate degree.
• Degrees from the following fields may be also suitable if the degree has included enough courses in electrical engineering and power systems / power electronics: applied engineering, automotive engineering, aviation engineering, computer science, computing, control engineering, cyber security, data science, financial engineering, industrial engineering, information technology, manufacturing/production engineering, marine engineering/naval architecture, mechanical engineering, operations engineering, optical engineering/optical sciences and engineering, safety engineering, software engineering, systems engineering, thermal engineering/science.

Energy Engineering

Suitability of the background education:

• The appropriate fields are energy engineering, electrical engineering, electronic engineering, renewable energy engineering, power systems engineering, robotics engineering, automation engineering, acoustical/sound engineering, aeronautical engineering, aerospace engineering, astronautical engineering, automotive engineering, aviation engineering, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, manufacturing/production engineering, marine engineering or naval architecture, mechatronics engineering, mining engineering, network engineering, nuclear engineering, ocean engineering, petroleum engineering,  process engineering, production technology or machine shop engineering, safety engineering, structural engineering, systems engineering, thermal engineering/science, transportation engineering. A degree in business studies is generally not an appropriate degree.
• Degrees from the following fields may be also suitable if the degree has given wide knowledge of engineering mathematics, physics and thermodynamics but also understanding of technical/drawings/ documentation, fundamental knowledge of chemistry and object-oriented programming: agricultural engineering, air treatment engineering, applied engineering, architectural engineering, biochemical engineering, chemistry, civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, computing, construction management, control engineering, cyber security, data science, ecological engineering, fire (protection) and safety engineering, industrial engineering, information technology, management science/engineering, materials science and engineering, mathematics, metallurgical engineering, nanoengineering, operations engineering, optical engineering/optical sciences and engineering, physics, plastics engineering, software engineering, soil treatment engineering, statistics, supply chain management/engineering, telecommunications engineering, waste management engineering, water (resources) engineering, water treatment engineering.

Both international and Finnish applicants are eligible for admission if they have completed a bachelor’s or master's degree in an appropriate field. In the rolling admission the background degree cannot be awarded in Finland. In the joint admission all degree-awarding countries are allowed.

Applicants to any of the majors under the Master’s Programme in Industrial Engineering and Management must fulfill all the following requirements to be considered for admission to the programme:

1. Scope of the degree 

• A recognized 3- or 4-year bachelor’s degree at a higher education institution (HEI) which is considered equivalent to a Finnish bachelor’s degree. 

2. Applicant’s overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) in previous degree, including the thesis or final report if applicable, must be at least 3,00/5 (ECTS grading).

3. English language proficiency as instructed in the admission criteria

In addition to these, the applicant’s prior degree/studies must be considered suitable to the major the applicant applies to in order to be considered for admission. Please see the appropriate degrees and fields in each major below.

Industrial Management

The studies lead to a Master of Science degree in Economics and Business Administration.

Suitability of the background education: 

• The appropriate fields are industrial management (business degree), supply chain management, innovation and product development, operations management, project management, strategic management, business analytics, econometrics, economics, finance, international marketing, management.
• A BSc in Systems Engineering or Industrial Engineering is also suitable but accepted applicants must complete supplementary academic business studies in their MSc Econ. & Bus. Admin. degree as specified in the curriculum.
• If the applicant does not have one of these degrees mentioned above, the background education is considered suitable if the degree includes min. 20 % of academic business studies, or at least 35 ECTS (or equivalent) of academic business studies have been completed outside of the degree. The academic business studies must consist of one or several of the following: accounting and finance, economics, operations management, information systems, business law, HR management, strategic management, international business, entrepreneurship and marketing.

Industrial Systems Analytics

The studies lead to a degree of Master of Science in Technology.

Suitability of the background education:

• The appropriate fields are software engineering, cyber security, data science, information management, information technology, systems engineering, industrial engineering, operations engineering, supply chain management or engineering, applied engineering, automotive engineering, control engineering, electrical engineering, electronic engineering, energy engineering, environmental engineering, financial engineering, management science or engineering, manufacturing or production engineering, mathematics, mechanical engineering, mechatronics engineering, production technology or machine shop engineering, renewable energy engineering, robotics engineering, statistics, transportation engineering. A degree in business studies is generally not an appropriate degree.
• A BSc in Business in industrial management, operations management, business informatics and information systems are also suitable but accepted applicants must complete supplementary studies in their MSc Tech degree as specified in the curriculum.

Strategic Project Management

This major is taught in the city of Seinäjoki. The studies lead to a degree of Master of Science in Technology.

Suitability of the background education:

• The appropriate fields are acoustical/sound engineering, aeronautical engineering, aerospace engineering, applied engineering, astronautical engineering, automation engineering, automotive engineering, aviation engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, computing, construction management, control engineering, cyber security, data science, digital technology, electrical engineering, electronic(s) engineering, energy engineering, industrial engineering, information management, information networks, information technology, management science or engineering, manufacturing or production engineering, marine engineering or naval architecture, materials science and engineering, mechatronics/mechatronical engineering, metallurgical engineering, metallurgy engineering, network engineering, nuclear engineering, ocean engineering, operations engineering, optical engineering/optical sciences and engineering, paper science and engineering, petroleum engineering, plastics engineering, power systems engineering, process engineering, production technology or machine shop engineering, renewable energy engineering, robotics engineering, software engineering, structural engineering, supply chain management/engineering, systems engineering, telecommunications engineering, thermal engineering/science, transportation engineering, water (resources) engineering, wood processing technology. A degree in business studies is generally not an appropriate degree.
• A BSc in Business in industrial management, operations management, business informatics and information systems are also suitable but accepted applicants must complete supplementary studies in their MSc Tech degree as specified in the curriculum.

Both international and Finnish applicants are eligible for admission if they have completed a bachelor’s or master's degree in an appropriate field. In the rolling admission the background degree cannot be awarded in Finland. In the joint admission all degree-awarding countries are allowed.

Applicants to any of the majors under the Master’s Programme in Computing Sciences must fulfill all the following requirements to be considered for admission to the programme:

1. Scope of the degree 

• A recognized 3- or 4-year bachelor’s degree at a higher education institution (HEI) which is considered equivalent to a Finnish bachelor’s degree. 

2. Applicant’s overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) in previous degree, including the thesis or final report if applicable, must be at least 3,00/5 (ECTS grading).

3. Language proficiency as instructed in the admission criteria

• Proficiency in English in the following majors: Sustainable and Autonomous Systems, Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering, Automation and Robotics
• Proficiency in Finnish in the following majors: Automaatio ja tietotekniikka, Tietojärjestelmätiede

In addition to these, the applicant’s prior degree/studies must be considered suitable to the major the applicant applies to in order to be considered for admission. Please see the appropriate degrees and fields in each major below.

Sustainable and Autonomous Systems

The studies lead to a degree of Master of Science in Technology.

Suitability of the background education:

• The appropriate fields are computer engineering, electrical engineering, electronic(s) engineering, mechatronics/mechatronical engineering, network engineering, power systems engineering, telecommunications engineering, renewable energy engineering, robotics engineering, control engineering, digital technology and information networks.
• Degrees in optical engineering/optical sciences and engineering, software engineering, computer science, industrial engineering, financial engineering, mechanical engineering, fire (protection) and safety engineering, management science/engineering, manufacturing/production engineering, operations engineering, safety engineering, supply chain management/engineering, systems engineering, acoustical/sound engineering, aeronautical engineering, automation engineering, aerospace engineering, astronautical engineering, automotive engineering, aviation engineering, energy engineering, marine engineering/naval architecture, ocean engineering, production technology / machine shop engineering, thermal engineering/science, agricultural engineering, applied engineering, computing, multimedia, cyber security, data science, information systems (business degree), information technology and information management can be considered suitable if they meet the following conditions:
  1. At least three courses in mathematics such as: Mathematics (or Calculus) 1, Mathematics (or Calculus) 2, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations. Some universities have linear algebra and differential equations in one course, which is acceptable.
  2. At least one course in programming fundamentals
  3. At least One course in Linear system theory (or Control Theory/Engineering)
  4. At least one course in probability theory (or statistics)
• Applicants with other degrees are not eligible.

Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering

The studies lead to a degree of Master of Science in Technology.

Suitability of the background education:

• The appropriate fields are computer engineering, electrical engineering, electronic(s) engineering, mechatronics/mechatronical engineering, network engineering, software engineering, telecommunications engineering, computer science, data science, cyber security, information technology, control engineering, computing.
• Degrees in optical engineering / optical sciences and engineering, power systems engineering, industrial engineering, financial engineering, management science/engineering, manufacturing/production engineering, operations engineering, safety engineering, supply chain management/engineering, systems engineering, acoustical/sound engineering, automation engineering, aerospace engineering, renewable energy engineering, robotics engineering, applied engineering, mathematics, statistics, business informatics (business degree), information systems (business degree), digital technology, information networks, multimedia and information management can be considered suitable if they meet the specified conditions:
   
  1. Students with engineering degree must have completed at least the following courses or equivalent to be considered eligible:
     • At least two courses from Mathematics and Statistics (such as Linear Algebra or Calculus, Probability Theory or Statistics with topics like random variables or probability distributions)
     • At least a course in database concepts. The course might have terms like “Data Modeling”, “SQL”, “Database Design”, or general data management principles – also called “Database Management Systems” (DBMS) or similar.
     • At least one course in programming fundamentals (course might contain terms like “Programming”, “Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)”, “Java”, “Python”, “Data Structures”, “Algorithms”, or “Compiler Design”, or similar.
  2. Students with a BSc in Business Informatics, Information Systems, Mathematics or Statistics must have completed at least the following courses or equivalent to be considered eligible:
     • At least two courses from Mathematics and Statistics, such as Linear Algebra or Calculus; Probability Theory or Statistics with topics like random variables or probability distributions
     • Applicants must complete supplementary studies in e.g. mathematics, database concepts, programming fundamentals in their MSc Tech degree as specified in the curriculum.

Automation and Robotics / Automaatio ja tietotekniikka

Automation and Robotics is taught in the city of Pori in English. Automaatio ja tietotekniikka is taught in the city of Vaasa with Finnish as the language of instruction.

The studies lead to a degree of Master of Science in Technology.

Suitability of the background education:

• The appropriate fields are automation engineering, robotics engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, electronic(s) engineering, mechatronics/mechatronical engineering, software engineering, telecommunications engineering, computer science, data science, cyber security, information technology, control engineering, computing, digital technology. A degree in business studies is generally not an appropriate degree.
• Degrees in process engineering, network engineering, optical engineering/optical sciences and engineering, power systems engineering, industrial engineering, systems engineering, aeronautical engineering, aerospace engineering, automotive engineering, production technology or machine ship engineering, applied engineering, mathematics, statistics, information networks, multimedia, and information management can be considered suitable if they meet the following conditions:
  1. Mathematics: Min. two courses in mathematics from the following categories:
     •    Linear algebra course (the course title mentions "linear algebra")
     •    Statistics course (with the title mentioning "statistics," "probability," or "random variables")
     •    Course covering complex numbers and transformations (with the title mentioning "complex variables," "complex transforms," or "signals and systems")
  2. Programming: At least two different courses that mention any of the following terms: "programming," "object-oriented," "oop," "algorithms," or "compiler"
  3. Electronics: One course in electronics mentioning any of the following terms: “digital design”, “logic design”, “electronics”, “circuits” or “vlsi”

Tietojärjestelmätiede

The language of instruction is Finnish. The studies lead to a Master of Science degree in Economics and Business Administration.

Suitability of the background education:

• The appropriate fields are information systems (business degree), computer science (business or technology degree), information technology, software engineering, computer engineering, cyber security, information networks, technical communication, multimedia, information management, systems engineering and industrial management.
• If the applicant does not have one of these degrees, the background education is considered suitable if the degree includes at least 20 ECTS (or equivalent) of academic information systems studies or those studies have been completed outside of the degree (e.g. in open university).
• If the applicant's previous degree is from a field of other than business administration, accepted applicants must complete supplementary academic business studies in their MSc Econ. & Bus. Admin. degree as specified in the curriculum.

The 30 study places in the Bachelor Programme are divided between two admission groups (10 in separate admission and 20 in rolling admission). If there are not enough applicants who meet the minimum requirements in one of the admission groups, these unfilled study places can be transferred to the other admission group if there is excess of qualified applicants.

English language proficiency needs to be met by all applicants who apply to programmes with English as the language of instruction.

Separate admission

You are eligible to apply through separate admission if you have completed or will complete during spring 2025 one of the following qualifications:

• Finnish matriculation examination
• International Baccalaureate diploma (IB), completed in an accredited IB school
• European Baccalaureate examination (EB), completed in an accredited EB school
• Deutsches Internationales Abitur diploma (DIA) or Reifeprüfung diploma (RP) in Finland

Applicant is eligible in this selection group only if she or he has passed the mathematics degree (basic or advanced) in Finnish matriculation examination or an equivalent IB, EB or DIA/RP degree.

Applicants will be scored based on the points obtained in the Finnish matriculation examination, IB-, EB- or DIA-/RP-degrees. 

Applicants receive points based on the following subjects:

• mother tongue
• language: advanced, intermediate or basic level, that gives the highest points for the applicant
• mathematics: basic or advanced level
• two other subjects, that give the highest points for the applicant

Points are calculated according to the following national scoring guidelines

• Scoring based on points obtained in the Finnish matriculation examination (business studies) https://yliopistovalinnat.fi/en/scoring-in-certificate-basedadmissions-in-2023-2025/business-studies
• Scoring based on points obtained in the IB, EB or DIA/RP degree https://yliopistovalinnat.fi/en/scoring-in-certificate-basedadmissions-in-2023-2025/business-studies

If two or more applicants score the same number of total points, their order shall be determined based on points received from

1. points received from the mathematics degree (basic or advanced)
2. points received from the mother tongue degree
3. points received from the advanced level language degree, that gives the highest points
4. points received from one of the following degrees (that gives the highest points to the applicant): Religion/Ethics, Psychology, Philosophy, History, Social Studies, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography or Health Education.
5. points received from any other remaining degree that gives the next highest points to the applicant.

In case after this there are still two or more equal applicants considered for the last study place available, all will be accepted.

The points of applicants who finish their IB degree in the spring 2025 are calculated based on their Candidate Predicted Grades. The points of applicants who finish their EB degree in the spring 2025 are calculated based 5 on the official predicted grades. If you are accepted based on predicted grades, the selection is conditional until you submit an official certificate of the final grades to University of Vaasa. If the points calculated based on the final grades are lower than the points calculated based on the predicted grades, the admission offer may be revoked. If the final score is higher than the predicted grades or preliminary marks, you may be admitted to a study option for which the predicted score had been insufficient.

Rolling admission

You are eligible to apply if you have completed or will complete during spring 2025 the following qualification:

• Upper secondary education completed outside Finland (general or vocational), e.g. a high school diploma. The qualification has to give eligibility to university-level studies in the country in question. The level of education and qualification must correspond to the Finnish education that provide eligibility to apply for 180 ECTS Bachelor’s degree.

The evaluation is based on the educational documents of the upper secondary degree; university-level documents are not considered in the academic evaluation.

All attachments need to be uploaded to application by the time of applying. If all required enclosures are not submitted to the application form by the time of applying, the application will be rejected.

Applicants who have not yet graduated can apply to the programme and be conditionally accepted as long as they graduate by the 10.7.2025. If the applicant has not yet graduated by the time of applying, the applicant is required to submit an officially certified copy of individual certificates for each school year or semester of the degree. The application will be assessed based on the grades in these certificates. You can be conditionally accepted, and you will need to graduate with required grades by the deadline. Evidence of the completed upper secondary education degree needs to be presented to the University by 10.7.2025 at 15:00 (UTC+3).

In addition, if the country-specific requirements apply to you, you must submit your most recent transcript of records according to these requirements by the deadline 10.7.2025. If the applicant does not meet these requirements by the deadline, the study place will be cancelled.

To be considered for admission, the applicant must have completed their secondary schooling and fulfill the respective qualification. The overall qualification result/grade must be considered very good to excellent including a high grade in mathematics. The required level corresponds to approximately 31-33 points in the IB diploma. Applicants must also have the equivalent of an IB mathematics grade of standard level 5 or higher level 4. 

The upper secondary degree certificate must be evaluated within a certain scale. Pass/failed subject will not be taken into consideration. The degree certificate must also contain detailed information about the grading system of the certificate. If the University of Vaasa is unable to verify the evaluation scale from the certificates submitted by the applicant, the application will be rejected.

In the rolling admission, the first applicants who satisfy all the admission criteria will be admitted in the order thay apply until the intake is full. Rolling admission may close before the end date announced, if the intake is full before.