Frequently asked questions about student admissions at the Sibelius Academy
Please note that this page applies only to admissions to bachelor's and master's level studies.
General questions about applying
Q: Do I have to know Finnish to apply to Sibelius Academy?
Only our Music Education and Cultural Study of Music programmes require skills in Finnish and/or Swedish. All other programmes are offered also in English and you do not need to know Finnish to be able to apply. Please note, that all applicants must have command of the language of tuition used in the programme. You must demonstrate your English, Finnish, or Swedish language skills during the application phase. Read more about language requirements at the Sibelius Academy here.
Read more about Sibelius Academy’s study languages here.
Q: Is there an age limit for undergraduate and/or graduate education?
There is no age limit for applicants. Students who have completed an appropriate education required for the programme in question are eligible.
Q: Are there fees for degree studies?
Uniarts Helsinki charges tuition fees from non-EU and non-EEA students studying for a degree in English. The fee is the same for bachelor- and master-level students. Read more about the tuition fees.
In addition, all students pay the annual mandatory Student Union membership fee that entitles you to sizeable discounts, which help alleviate some costs of living (such as a part of public transportation and meals at school cafeterias). Read more about the Student Union fee here.
NOTE! The university does not offer housing or free meals. Students are responsible for managing their costs of living. The university does not offer scholarships for living expenses.
Q: Sibelius Academy students admitted to bachelor’s programmes are automatically granted the study right to complete a master’s degree in the same programme as well. Is it possible to complete only the bachelor’s degree?
Yes. However, almost all Sibelius Academy students continue their studies at the master’s level after completing the bachelor’s degree. In Finland, university students usually complete both degrees.
Preparing your application and the admissions process
Q: When are the annual admissions guides published?
The admissions guides for each round of admissions are published on our website by the end of the previous November. The year to which the guide applies is always mentioned at the top of the admissions guide.
Q: How do I apply?
All applicants must fill in an electronic application form through the Studyinfo application system. In addition, other materials might be required, such as appendices or advance assignments, depending on the degree programme you are applying to. Be sure to check out detailed information on applying from the admissions guides.
Q: Is there a separate admissions process for international applicants?
Domestic and international applicants go through the same admissions process and follow the same guidelines. Applicants from all countries are welcome to apply to the Sibelius Academy.
Q: Does Uniarts Helsinki accept transfer students from other universities?
No, Uniarts Helsinki does not have a separate transfer student application process. Everybody applies for the right to complete a degree by using the Finnish national joint application system Studyinfo. Read more about our transfer study practices here.
Q: Am I allowed to apply to more than one programme during the same application period?
You can apply for up to six programmes during one application period. You can be offered several study places in joint application in spring. Please note that you may accept only one study place leading to a higher education degree in Finland in education that begins in the same academic term. This rule applies to all higher education.
NOTE! During one application period, you can only apply for either the 2.5-year or the 5.5-year programme of a single main subject or main instrument.
Q: Will I receive points in the entrance examination based on school grades, matriculation examination results or art diplomas?
No. Applicants are assessed based only on their performance in the entrance examination.
Q: Do I need an Apostille for my documents?
No. Sibelius Academy does not require an Apostille.
Q: May I submit entrance examination assignments through Dropbox, Google Drive or a similar cloud service?
No. We only accept the submission methods listed in our instructions. Any services in which files can be edited after the deadline are not accepted.
Studying in Sibelius Academy
Q: If I am granted a study place, can I postpone starting my studies? Can I register as absent for my first academic year?
According to the Finnish Universities Act, a first-year student may register as absent only for statutory reasons. Read more about registration as absent for the first study year here.
Q: Can I transfer credits from earlier education?
Yes, students can apply for credit transfer of their previous higher education studies.
Q: Where can I get more information about studies at the Sibelius Academy?
For information about our study programmes, please see the programme-specific information pages. For the curricula and courses, check the study guide.
Q: Where can I get information about student life and studying at the Sibelius Academy? Can I get in touch with current students about their experiences?
A good place to start is the “Interested in studying at the Sibelius Academy?” page.
In addition, our Student Ambassadors are happy to answer any questions you may have regarding studying and student life in the Sibelius Academy and Helsinki, or even give you a tour of our campus. To get in touch with our Student Ambassadors, you can send an email to siba.student.ambassadors@uniarts.fi.