Joint application

• Application opens: 31 August 2026 at 8.00 am UTC+3.
• Application closes: 10 September 2026 at 3.00 pm UTC+3.
• Higher education institutions publish admission results gradually according to their own schedules. Applicants will receive a notice of result by email when all results have been published 19 November 2026. You can see your admission results through My Studyinfo -service if you have access to it (Finnish personal ID number and online banking credentials, mobile certificate or an electronic ID-card needed).
• The deadline for accepting the offer of admission is 26 November 2026.
• If you are required to pay tuition fee, also the tuition fee must be paid by the same deadline 26 November 2026. The Early Bird scholarship is not available in the autumn joint application.
• Studies begin in spring semester 2027.

You can apply to most degree programmes leading to a university of applied sciences bachelor’s degree if you meet the general eligibility requirements. You can apply for the bachelor’s studies with an upper secondary school level qualification that provides general eligibility for higher education studies in the country in question, or with a prior bachelor’s or master’s degree.

See the programme-specific admission criteria and the required application documents on Studyinfo by clicking the programme name below.

• Bachelor of Business Administration, Digital International Business
• Bachelor of Culture and Arts, Game Art, full-time studies
• Bachelor of Culture and Arts, Game Art, online studies
• Bachelor of Engineering, Game Technologies

You can apply to a Master’s degree programme if you have completed

• an appropriate UAS bachelor’s degree or another appropriate higher education degree and
• at least two years of work experience in a relevant field after completing the higher education degree. As a relevant field is regarded both the field being applied to and the field of the previous higher education degree.

As regards to the appropriate degrees and relevant work experience, the requirements are confirmed separately for each programme and application round. Generally a prior bachelor’s degree in the same field of study is required.

See the programme-specific admission criteria and the required application documents on Studyinfo by clicking the programme name below.

• Master of Business Administration, International Business Management, full-time studies
• Master of Business Administration, International Business Management, part-time studies
• Master of Engineering, Digital Industry and AI
• Master of Engineering, Electrical Engineering Product Development
• Master of Engineering, Strategic Supply Chain Management
• Master of Social Services and Health Care, Disaster Management

Game Art: English language skills are assessed in the exam.

Digital International Business and Game Technologies: Proof of English language skills is required from all applicants. The UAS exam information

Disaster Management: Proof of English language skills is required from all applicants.

The applicants have to prove their English language skills either by an internationally recognized language test or by previous studies. When using previous studies as a proof of proficiency in English language, the acceptable studies are either a higher education degree or an upper secondary degree completed in one of the following countries: an EU/EEA country, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, or the United States. Please note that your degree must be taught and assessed entirely in English. Degrees from international schools or institutions located outside the listed countries, where the degree is completed locally but awarded by an institution from another country, do not qualify.

The acceptable language certificates are:

IELTS Academic

Minimum requirement: total score of 6.0 (Test sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking)

IELTS Academic UKVI and IELTS Online are also accepted.

Required documents: The official IELTS score report must be uploaded to the application form and the IELTS Test report form number provided. The test results must be verifiable from the online verification service of the test organizer throughout the period from 31 August to 30 October 2026. IELTS scores are valid for three years.

TOEFL Academic (iBT)

Minimum requirement: a minimum total score of 60 for tests taken before 21 January 2026, or a minimum total score of 3.5 for tests taken on or after 21 January 2026 (Test sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing)

TOEFL iBT Home Edition is also accepted.

Required documents: The TOEFL score report must be uploaded to the application form and the TOEFL Appointment number provided. TOEFL scores are valid for two years.

PTE Academic

Minimum requirement: total score of 55 (Test sections: Speaking and Writing, Reading, and Listening)

PTE Academic Online and PTE Academic UKVI are also accepted.

Required documents: The PTE score report must be uploaded to the application form and the PTE Score report code provided. The test results must be verifiable from the online verification service of the test organizer the language test results must be verifiable from the online verification service of the organiser throughout the period from 31 August to 30 October 2026. PTE scores are valid for two years.

Cambridge English Scale Sore

Minimum requirement: a minimum total score of 169 (B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency. No other Cambridge language tests are accepted.) (Test sections: Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening, and Speaking).

Required documents: The relevant certificate must be uploaded to the application form and the Statement of Results number provided. The test results must be verifiable from the online verification service of the test organizer throughout the period from 31 August to 30 October 2026.

Oxford ELLT (English Language Level Test)

Minimum requirement: a minimum total score of 6.0 (Test sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking)

The Oxford ELLT (English Language Level Test) is accepted if it is completed on or after 1 July 2023.

Required documents: The Oxford ELLT certificate must be uploaded to the application form. The Test taker number and Certificate reference number must be provided. The test results must be verifiable from the online verification service of the test organizer throughout the period from 31 August to 30 October 2026.

TELC (The European Language Certificate) English B2-C1 university qualification

Minimum requirement: English B2-C1 university qualification, completed on or after 1 October 2021: minimum of B2 level (Test sections: Listening/Reading/Language Elements, Writing and Speaking).

Required documents: The TELC certificate must be uploaded to the application form and the Attendee ID provided. The test results must be verifiable from the online verification service of the test organizer throughout the period from 31 August to 30 October 2026.

National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) English

Minimum requirement: Grade 4 or higher on all the subtests (speaking, listening comprehension, writing, and reading comprehension)

Required documents: The relevant YKI certificate.

Upper secondary degree completed in English in an EU/EEA country, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, or the United States

The upper secondary degree must be completed in English in one of the following countries:

• any EU/EEA country
• Australia
• Canada
• New Zealand
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom or
• the United States

Please note that your degree must be taught and assessed entirely in English. The degree must also be a qualification that provides eligibility for higher education in the country in which it was awarded.

Degrees completed in English in other countries than the ones listed above are not accepted as proof of English language skills. Degrees from international schools or institutions located outside the listed countries, where the degree is completed locally but awarded by an institution from another country, do not qualify.

The member countries of the European Union (EU) are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

European Economic Area (EEA) consists of the member countries of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

Required documents: The relevant degree certificate and transcript of records, also a document that shows the language of the degree and the country of studies.

The language of instruction must be clearly stated on official documents (also in cases where the official language of the degree awarding country is English). You can also document this by submitting a certificate/letter from your university / educational institution in addition to your official study documentation. If the applicant’s degree includes courses conducted in a language other than English, the degree might not meet the requirement.

Higher education degree completed in English in an EU/EEA country, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, or the United States

The higher education degree must be completed in English in one of the following countries:

• any EU/EEA country
• Australia
• Canada
• New Zealand
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom or
• the United States

A doctoral thesis completed in English in any country is also accepted as proof of English language skills.

Please note that your degree must be taught and assessed entirely in English. Degrees completed in English in other countries than the ones listed above are not accepted as proof of English language skills. Degrees from international schools or institutions located outside the listed countries, where the degree is completed locally but awarded by an institution from another country, do not qualify.

The member countries of the European Union (EU) are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

European Economic Area (EEA) consists of the member countries of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

Required documents: The relevant degree certificate and transcript of records, also a document that shows the language of the degree and the country of studies. For doctoral thesis in English, the evaluation of the thesis is required.

The language of instruction must be clearly stated on official documents (also in cases where the official language of the degree awarding country is English). You can also document this by submitting a certificate/letter from your university / educational institution in addition to your official study documentation. If the applicant’s degree includes courses conducted in a language other than English, the degree might not meet the requirement.

Finnish Matriculation Examination, European Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate, or Reifeprüfung/DIA completed in Finland

One of the following grades in the Finnish Matriculation Examination, European Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate, or Reifeprüfung/DIA completed in Finland:

• Finnish Matriculation Examination: English advanced syllabus with a minimum grade C
• The whole International Baccalaureate diploma or International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) completed in English
• DP Course Results, IB certificate or IB Final Report completed in English
• International Baccalaureate final examination: English A HL/SL or English B HL/SL with a minimum grade 4
• European Baccalaureate: at least grade 6.00 in L2-level English
• Reifeprüfung/DIA diploma completed in Finland: at least grade 7 in advanced English

Required documents: The final diploma or a certificate of grades. Exception: Certificate is not required for the Finnish Matriculation Examination grade, this information is verified from the national register.

Applicants graduating in 2026

You can use an unfinished degree as a proof of English language skills only if you are completing one of the following degrees/are graduating in autumn 2026:

• Finnish matriculation examination
• The whole International Baccalaureate diploma or International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) completed in English
• DP Course Results or IB certificate or IB Final Report completed in English
• International Baccalaureate final examination: English A HL/SL or English B HL/SL with a minimum grade 4
• European Baccalaureate
• Reifeprüfung/DIA completed in Finland
• Finnish vocational upper secondary qualification, further vocational qualification, or specialist vocational qualification conducted in English.

Required document: certificate to prove you are studying for one of the mentioned degrees or are about to graduate during year 2026 from one of the mentioned degrees.

The final certificate as a proof of English language skills must be submitted by 31 December 2026 UTC+2. The possible student selection is conditional until the certificate has been verified. If the language requirement is not met, the selection will be revoked.

If you apply with other degree than the ones listed above and are graduating during 2026, you are required to have other certificate of English language skills when applying.

At Xamk, discretionary admission is used only in the field of culture, Game Art bachelor’s degree programme. Other degree programmes in English at Xamk do not use discretionary admission.

Discretionary admission means that Xamk may invite applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirement, to the entrance exam, if their skills and knowledge are considered sufficient.

Discretion only concerns the eligibility to apply. Discretionary applicants are included in the student selection process in the same way as other applicants and follow the regular procedure for applying.

If you wish to apply as a discretionary applicant, please follow these instructions:

1. Check the eligibility criteria at Studyinfo service.
2. Submit your application form on Studyinfo service during the application period.
3. If you do not meet the eligibility criteria attach the following documents to your application on:
   • copies of the certificates you wish to invoke to
   • a cover letter shortly explaining why your application should be considered in discretionary admission.
4. The deadline for the attachments is 17 September 2026, 3 pm.

You can apply for the bachelor’s studies with an upper secondary school level qualification that provides general eligibility for higher education studies in the country in question, or with a prior bachelor’s or master’s degree.

You can apply to bachelor’s programmes with a transcript of records if you are able to upload your final graduation certificate or certificate of graduation (and an official translation into English, Finnish or Swedish if applicable) to your application form or information about your graduation in KOSKI service is available by 31 December 2026, 3 pm.

The required documents include

• passport, EU/EEA country identity card with a photo or Finnish driver’s license
• document exempting from application / tuition fees (if applicable), see exempting documents on Xamk website
• degree certificate and transcript of records / statement of marks for the eligible qualification
• official translation of all documents that have not originally been written in English, Finnish or Swedish
• certificate of change of name (if applicable): if your name on the qualification certificates is not the same as your name on your passport, a certificate of change of name is required (e.g. certificate of marriage).
• proof of English language skills, see the requirements (Digital International Business, Game Technologies)

The required documents include

• passport, EU/EEA country identity card with a photo or Finnish driver’s license
• document exempting from application / tuition fees (if applicable), see exempting documents on Xamk website
• degree certificate and transcript of records / statement of marks for the eligible qualification
• work certificates (minimum 2 years / 24 months) from the field after graduation
• official translation of all documents that have not originally been written in English, Finnish or Swedish
• certificate of change of name (if applicable): if your name on the qualification certificates is not the same as your name on your passport, a certificate of change of name is required (e.g. certificate of marriage).
• proof of English language skills, the acceptable language certificates are listed on the section Language requirements (Disaster Management).

Additional requirements for work certificates

The work experience can be accumulated from the date of award of the higher education degree and obtained no later than 31 December 2026.

You must provide a work certificate written by the employer and confirmed by the employer’s signature/stamp as proof of employment. The work certificate must include the date of issue/signature, date when the employment has started and ended, contact information for the employer, tasks and work hours in case of part-time employment. If the employment is continuing, a temporary work certificate (including a date of issue/signature) must be provided. If the original work certificate has been written in any other language than Finnish, Swedish or English, you must in addition upload a copy of an authorized translation of the work certificate in one of the before-mentioned languages to your application form.

In addition, please note that

• Work contracts, offer letters or pay slips are not acceptable work certificates.
• Entrepreneurship is accepted as work experience if you can produce a certificate attesting that you have been covered under the statutory YEL or MYEL pension scheme in Finland. Enterprising activities abroad should be substantiated with comparable official documents.
• Work experience is counted in full months. Part-time work is converted into its full-time equivalent: 150 hours or 20 working days lasting at least 7 hours per day correspond to one month of work.
• Work experience does not have to be continuous or obtained working for the same employer. The amount of work experience considered for simultaneous employments may not exceed the amount considered for full-time employment.
• Military or non-military national service, women’s voluntary military service or child-care leave will not be counted towards work experience.

If you are a refugee or a person in a refugee-like situation, you can apply to degree programmes in a regular manner.

However, if you are unable to submit documentary evidence of your qualification, please contact the Admission Services. You will be asked to complete a background check form. On the grounds of the check requested from you, the degree programme at Xamk will decide whether the evidence of a previous degree is sufficient and whether you are invited to participate in an entrance examination.

Please note that without the required certificates, you cannot be considered for admission in the certificate-based selection method. You can still be admitted to the studies based on entrance examination result.