Which Master’s Degree Programmes Can You Apply for? Prior Degrees and Degree Titles Explained

There are several different practices regarding both eligibility requirements and degree titles. Not all programmes require the same educational background, and the degree title is not always determined in the same way.

For this reason, it is important to understand what kinds of options exist in Master’s level UAS studies and how your prior education affects both your eligibility to apply and the degree title you will receive after graduation.

Three Different Eligibility Practices for Master’s Level UAS Programmes

Applying to a Master’s level UAS programme always requires a relevant prior degree and at least two years of work experience gained after completing that degree. However, the exact eligibility requirements vary between programmes.

Some Master’s programmes require a very specific prior degree, while others accept several clearly defined prior degrees – and some accept any UAS Bachelor’s degree.

Below you can read more about the different eligibility practices.

1) Programmes That Require One Specific Prior Degree

Some Master’s level UAS programmes are designed very specifically for professionals within a certain field. In these programmes, the eligibility requirement is limited to one specific degree or a very narrow group of degrees, because the studies are built directly on in-depth expertise in that field.

These programmes are particularly suitable for you if you want to deepen your professional competence, strengthen your expertise or advance to more demanding roles within a familiar field.

2) Programmes That Accept Several Specifically Defined Prior Degrees

Many Master’s level UAS programmes are designed to meet the needs of professionals from different educational backgrounds. In these programmes, several predefined prior degrees are accepted, as the studies combine expertise and perspectives from multiple fields.

The common denominator is sufficient foundational knowledge in the field, on which the Master’s level studies build further – often from the perspective of development, leadership or expert work.

This makes these programmes a flexible option, for example for professionals from different backgrounds who work in similar development or supervisory roles and benefit from multidisciplinary learning.

3) Programmes Open to Applicants with Any UAS Bachelor’s Degree

Some Master’s level UAS programmes have very broad eligibility criteria. These programmes are open to applicants with any Bachelor’s degree from a university of applied sciences, regardless of field.

In such programmes, the focus is typically on skills that are applicable across sectors, such as leadership, development or project management competencies. Students often come from diverse professional backgrounds, which enriches peer learning and collaboration.

How to Find a Suitable Master’s Level UAS Programme and Check the Requirements

Multidisciplinary Master’s level UAS programmes are listed on Xamk’s website under all the fields for which the programme is intended. This allows applicants to encounter programmes outside their own original field as part of the offering – such as a cyber security Master’s programme suitable for paramedics – without it being an error.

In addition, multidisciplinary programmes are grouped separately under the multidisciplinary filter, making them easier to find.

The prior degree requirements of each Master’s level UAS programme can be checked most easily on the programme’s own webpage. From there, the Applying and admission criteria link takes you to Studyinfo.fi, where the detailed selection criteria are available via the Read the admission criteria button.

What Degree Title Will You Receive After Completing a Master’s Level UAS Degree?

In practice, the degree title indicates the type of professional expertise the programme primarily qualifies you for. It is an important part of your professional profile, for example when applying for jobs and advancing your career.

The Degree Title Is Usually Based on Your Prior Degree – but Not Always

In Master’s level UAS programmes, the degree title is most often determined by the applicant’s prior degree. This means that the degree title usually continues the logical progression of the earlier UAS Bachelor’s degree and deepens that expertise to a more advanced level.

However, the degree title cannot always be based directly on the applicant’s own prior degree. Master’s level UAS degree titles are linked to the UAS Bachelor’s degrees for which Xamk has degree-awarding authority. If your prior degree does not fall within this scope, the degree title will be selected from those degree titles that Xamk is authorised to award.

In addition, some programmes have a set of predefined degree titles from which graduating students receive their degree. In such cases, the degree title is selected from these options regardless of the prior degree, if the student’s educational background does not directly correspond to any of the available titles.

One Programme, One Degree Title for All Students

In some Master’s level UAS programmes, the degree title is the same for all students, regardless of their prior degree.

In these cases, the programme is typically built around a specific competence area, and the degree title describes the content of the programme and the type of expertise it aims to develop – rather than reflecting the diverse educational backgrounds of the students.

How Can You Check the Degree Title of Your Programme?

The easiest and most reliable way to check the degree title of a Master’s level UAS programme is always on a programme-specific basis.

Up-to-date information is primarily available on the programme’s own webpage, where the degree title is clearly stated as part of the basic programme information. There you can quickly see which degree title the programme awards and whether it applies in the same way to all students.

The degree titles are also listed in the study  guide, which provides more detailed information on the structure, objectives and degree-related details of the programme.

If You Are Unsure, You Can Always Ask!

Remember that you can always contact Xamk’s applicant services if you have any questions related to admission criteria or the application process.