Applicants graduated before the application deadline

You need to attach a copy of the certificate/the final graduation diploma to your application by 24 January 2024 15.00 Finnish time if you have completed any of the following education:  

• Finnish Vocational upper secondary qalification completed before year 2017
• Finnish Further or Specialist Qualification completed before year 2018
• Finnish Matriculation examination completed before year 1990
• Finnish upper secondary school syllabus
• Finnish vocational upper secondary qualification completed in Åland
• International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, European Baccalaureate (EB) diploma or Reiferprüfung (RP)/ Deutsches Internationales Abitur (DIA) diploma
• Higher secondary school certificate completed outside Finland (e.g. high school diploma)
• Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, postgraduate licentiate and doctoral degrees completed outside Finland

Note! If the degree certificate is not in English, Finnish or Swedish, also attach its official translation. The official translation needs to have translator´s signature and stamp. If you are a refugee or in refugee like situation and cannot submit documentary evidence of your qualification, you can submit a copy of the decision on asylum or a residence permit granted on the basis of a need for protection. Document must be delivered to the Admission Services of your first choice by 24 January 2024.

Applicants graduating in spring 2024 after the application deadline

You need to attach a copy of the certificate/the final graduation diploma to your application by 24 January 2024 15.00 Finnish time if you are completing any of the following education:

• If you are completing your higher secondary education OR a bachelor’s, master’s, postgraduate licentiate or doctoral degree outside Finland in spring 2024, attach a transcript of study records or other certificate provided by the learning institution that states the degree/qualification you are completing to your application. It should also state the scope of the degree and estimated date of graduation. The certificate should be provided with the official stamp of the educational institution and must be signed and clarified by an educational institution representative including a representative's title.

You need to attach a copy of the certificate/the final graduation diploma to your application by 3 April 2024 15.00 Finnish time if you are completing any of the following International Matriculation examination in spring 2024:

• IB diploma/EB diploma: If you are completing your education in the spring 2024, attach a transcript of study records (Predicted Grades) or other certificate provided by the learning institution that states the degree/qualification you are completing to your application. It should also state the scope of the degree and estimated date of graduation. The certificate should be provided with the official stamp of the educational institution and must be signed and clarified by an educational institution representative including a representative's title.

You need to attach a copy of the certificate/the final graduation diploma to your application by 30 April 2024 15.00 Finnish time if you are completing following International Matriculation examination in spring 2024:

• DIA degree: attach a copy of the final graduation certificate which states the final grades.

Applicants completing their vocational upper secondary qualification in spring 2024 in Åland:

• attach a certificate to your application form by 14 May 2024 in order to be taken into account in the certificate-based student selection. Certificate must contain the following information: final parcial performances, weighted average grade and confirmation of graduation.

Note! If you are accepted as a student and completed any of the following education in spring 2024 you need to submit the documents required by 11 July 2024 by 15.00 (UTC/GMT +3)

• Finnish general upper secondary school syllabus: The final graduation certificate
• Finnish vocational upper secondary qualification completed in Åland
• EB diploma
• IB Diploma Programme (DP) Results
• DIA diploma
• Higher secondary education outside Finland: The final graduation certificate and its official translation
• Bachelor's, Master's, postgraduate licentiate or doctoral degree completed outside Finland - The final graduation certificate and its official translation

Applicants graduated before the application deadline

You need to attach a copy of the certificate/the final graduation diploma to your application by 21 September 2023 15.00 Finnish time if you have completed any of the following education:

• Finnish Vocational upper secondary qalification completed before year 2017
• Finnish Further or Specialist Qualification completed before year 2018
• Finnish Matriculation examination completed before year 1990
• Finnish upper secondary school syllabus
• Finnish vocational upper secondary qualification completed in Åland
• International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, European Baccalaureate (EB) diploma or Reiferprüfung (RP)/ Deutsches Internationales Abitur (DIA) diploma
• Higher secondary school certificate completed outside Finland (e.g. high school diploma)
• Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, postgraduate licentiate and doctoral degrees completed outside Finland

Note! If the degree certificate is not in English, Finnish or Swedish, also attach its official translation. The official translation needs to have translator´s signature and stamp.

If you are a refugee or in refugee like situation and cannot submit documentary evidence of your qualification, you can submit a copy of the decision on asylum or a residence permit granted on the basis of a need for protection. Document must be delivered to the Admission Services of your first choice by 21 September 2023.

Applicants graduating in autumn 2023 after the application deadline

You need to attach a copy of the certificate/the final graduation diploma to your application by 21 September 2023 15.00 Finnish time if you are completing any of the following education:

• If you are completing your higher secondary education OR a bachelor’s, master’s, postgraduate licentiate or doctoral degree outside Finland in autumn 2023, attach a transcript of study records or other certificate provided by the learning institution that states the degree/qualification you are completing to your application. It should also state the scope of the degree and estimated date of graduation. The certificate should be provided with the official stamp of the educational institution and must be signed and clarified by an educational institution representative including a representative's title.

You need to attach a copy of the certificate/the final graduation diploma to your application by 21 September 2023 15.00 Finnish time if you are completing any of the following International Matriculation examination in autumn 2023:

• IB diploma/EB diploma: If you are completing your education in the autumn 2023, attach a transcript of study records (Predicted Grades) or other certificate provided by the learning institution that states the degree/qualification you are completing to your application. It should also state the scope of the degree and estimated date of graduation. The certificate should be provided with the official stamp of the educational institution and must be signed and clarified by an educational institution representative including a representative's title.
• DIA degree: attach a copy of the final graduation certificate which states the final grades.

Applicants completing their vocational upper secondary qualification in autumn 2023 in Åland:

• attach a certificate to your application form by 10 October 2023 in order to be taken into account in the certificate-based student selection. Certificate must contain the following information: final parcial performances, weighted average grade and confirmation of graduation.

Note! If you are accepted as a student and completed any of the following education in autumn 2023 you need to submit the documents required by 27 December 2023 by 15.00 (UTC/GMT +3)

• Finnish general upper secondary school syllabus: The final graduation certificate
• Finnish vocational upper secondary qualification completed in Åland
• EB diploma
• IB Diploma Programme (DP) Results
• Higher secondary education outside Finland: The final graduation certificate and its official translation
• Bachelor's, Master's, postgraduate licentiate or doctoral degree completed outside Finland - The final graduation certificate and its official translation

Social services and health care

Health and functional capacity requirements determined here apply to students admitted to study social services and health care.

In social services and health care, studies include working with client groups requiring special protection, thus ethical requirements and requirements on patient or client safety are essential. Health and functional capacity of students shall be such that they are capable of performing assignments and practical training related to their studies. Studying and working in these professions requires sufficient physical, mental and social capacity.

Prerequisites for student admission are assessed when studies include requirements related to the safety of minors or patient or client safety (Universities of Applied Sciences Act, Section 33).

Obstacles to student admission may include, for instance, the following:

• severe rash and/or allergy to e.g. medicinal products and detergents
• severe sensory disability affecting functional capacity
• psychological disorder or severe mental health disorder
• substance abuse/drug abuse or misuse of prescription drugs during the last two years
• limited social functional capacity which makes it difficult to work with people
• long-term illness or physical injury limiting participation in studies and practical training

A restriction related to health or functional capacity does not prevent students from being admitted if the effects of the restriction can be reasonably eliminated, for example by making special arrangements. The severity of the obstacle and its treatment status are taken into account when assessing the applicant's suitability as a student in the degree programme concerned.

Based on the applicant's notification filed at the application stage, the university of applied sciences may require more detailed health status information to assess whether the student will be able to manage the studies and which reasonable support measures may be required.

Information to the applicant:

Students involved in practical training in social services and health care operational units shall be vaccinated against measles and chicken pox or have acquired immunity to them from natural infection, and those treating infants shall be vaccinated against whooping cough. In addition, annual influenza vaccination is required. (Section 48 of the Communicable Diseases Act 1227/2016). The required vaccinations are free of charge for students in social services and health care. Please check your vaccination status in good time.

Social services and health care sector is not suitable for individuals convicted of one of the following: offences against children, sexual offences, violent offences, crimes against freedom, or drug offences.

A criminal record extract shall be submitted for completing assignments or practical training relating to studies, if they involve work with minors.

Further specifications for certain degree programmes:

Sports and exercise

Health and functional capacity requirements for sports and exercise students

Health and functional capacity of applicants of sports and exercise sector must be such that the students are able to perform the practical assignments and practical training related to their studies. Studying and working in these professions requires sufficient psychological and social capacity. Restrictions in physical functional capacity may affect practical assignments given during studies and practical training.

At the request of the university of applied sciences, applicants shall provide information on their health and functional capacity as required for student admission, as well as information on any previous decisions to revoke their right to study. University of applied sciences may request presentation of a criminal record extract in advance if future learning situations and practical training substantially involve work with minors.

University of applied sciences may oblige a student to present a drug testing certificate if there is reason to suspect that the student is under the influence of drugs in learning situations or practical training relating to the studies, or that the student has a drug addiction.

The suitability of students shall be assessed throughout their studies.

Individuals applying for sports and exercise studies should note that:

• studying and working in these professions requires good mental balance
• the sector is not suitable for persons with substance abuse/drug abuse or prescription drug misuse during the last two years
• the sector is not suitable for persons convicted of one of the following: offences against children, sexual offences, violent offences, crimes against freedom, or drug offences (Universities of Applied Sciences Act, Section 33).

A restriction related to health or functional capacity does not prevent students from being admitted if the effects of the restriction can be reasonably eliminated, for example by making special arrangements. The purpose is not to impose unnecessary obstacles to access to education for applicants with disabilities or applicants with physical, mental or social impairments. Restrictions apply only in situations where it is clear that the applicant’s health or functional capacity may endanger the safety of minors or client safety. (Universities of Applied Sciences Act, Sections 26, 27 and 33).

University of applied sciences may revoke a conditional study place:

• if the certificates are not submitted within the time limit indicated by the university of applied sciences;
• if the applicant has provided incorrect personal information or has failed to provide essential information;
• if it is evident that the student does not fulfil the prerequisites for admission in regard of his or her state of health or functional capacity. (Universities of Applied Sciences Act 932/2014)

University of applied sciences may subsequently revoke the right to study (Universities of Applied Sciences Act 932/2014):

• if it is evident that the student does not fulfil the prerequisites for admission in regard of his or her state of health or functional capacity;
• if the student has concealed a prior decision to revoke the right to study;
• if the student has repeatedly or seriously endangered another person's health or safety in their studies and thus proven to be unsuitable to perform practical assignments or practical training relating to studies;
• If the studies or practical training relating to studies substantially require work with minors, the university of applied sciences may revoke the right to study on grounds of serious offences referred to in the Universities of Applied Sciences Act or the Universities Act.

Humanities and education

Health and functional capacity requirements for humanities and education students

In humanities and education, interpreter and community pedagogue studies involve working with minors and with different client groups, thus ethical requirements and requirements for client safety are essential. Health and functional capacity of students shall be such that they are capable of performing the assignments and practical training related to their studies. Studying and working in these professions require sufficient physical, mental and social capacity. The suitability of students shall be assessed throughout their studies.

A restriction related to health or functional capacity does not prevent students from being admitted if the effects of the restriction can be reasonably eliminated, for example by making special arrangements. The purpose is not to impose unnecessary obstacles to access to education for applicants with disabilities or applicants with physical, mental or social impairments. Restrictions apply only in situations where it is clear that the applicant’s health or functional capacity may endanger the safety of minors or patient or client safety. (Universities of Applied Sciences Act, Sections 26, 27 and 33.

Obstacles to student admission may include:

• psychological disorder or severe mental health disorder
• substance abuse/drug abuse or prescription drug misuse during the last two years
• limited social functional capacity which makes it difficult to work with people
• long-term illness or physical injury limiting participation in studies

Only interpretation studies:

• A condition, disability or motor issue which prevents signing or interpretation or renders it more difficult, for instance a serious musculoskeletal disorder, motor weaknesses or inappropriate positions of the limbs, visual impairment, speech defect or hearing impairment, a significant, specialized linguistic impairment, significant phonic impairments, partial facial paralysis or a clear or severe squint which makes it difficult to study and work as an interpreter.
• Students suffering even from a minor hearing impairment are not admitted to interpreter training at DIAK and HUMAK (UAS). However, contrary to the above, individuals using sign language may be selected for the HUMAK regional unit in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area if Finnish sign language is their native language/communication language.

University of applied sciences may request presentation of a criminal record extract during studies if future learning situations and practical training substantially involve work with minors.

University of applied sciences may oblige a student to present a drug testing certificate if there is reason to suspect that the student is under the influence of drugs in learning situations or practical training related to the studies, or that the student has a drug addiction.

Revoking the study place or the right to study

Universities of applied sciences may cancel a conditional study place:

• if the certificates are not submitted within the time limit indicated by the university of applied sciences;
• if the applicant has provided incorrect personal information or has failed to provide essential information;
• if it is evident that the student does not fulfil the prerequisites for admission in regard of his or her state of health or functional capacity. (Universities of Applied Sciences Act 932/2014).

University of applied sciences may later revoke the right to study if:

• the student, by repeatedly or seriously endangering the health or safety of another person, has proven to be manifestly unsuitable to perform practical assignments or practical training related to studies;
• it is evident that the student does not fulfil the prerequisites for admission referred to in Section 26(1) in regard of the student’s state of health or functional capacity;
• at the application stage, the student has concealed a decision to revoke the right to study referred to in Section 26(2) which could have prevented his or her admission as a student; or
• where the studies or practical training relating to studies substantially require work with minors, the university of applied sciences may revoke the right to study where necessary to protect minors, or if the student has been sentenced for a crime referred to in the Criminal Code, Chapter 17, Section 18, 18a or 19, Chapter 20, Chapter 21, Sections 1–3 or 6, Chapter 31, Section 2, or Chapter 50, Sections 1, 2, 3, 4 or 4a. (Universities of Applied Sciences Act 932/2014).

Seafaring

Health and functional capacity requirements for seafaring students

Medical certificate

Approved applicants must submit a medical certificate issued by a seamen’s health care centre to the university of applied sciences according to the instructions given by it. The medical certificate shall indicate that:

• the individual's vision and hearing and colour vision meet the requirements laid down in the decree of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health;
• the individual’s health and capacity to function are suitable for the intended tasks and that he or she does not have a disability or illness which would prevent him or her from performing the duties or clearly make them more difficult;
• the individual does not suffer from a disease which can be expected to worsen at work or to jeopardise the safety of other persons on board, or to endanger maritime safety.

University of applied sciences may revoke the applicant's place of study if the medical certificate is not submitted within the time limit mentioned above, or the applicant cannot be deemed suitable, on the basis of the medical certificate, to the seafaring study programme.

Revoking the right to study

Section 33 of the University of Applied Sciences Act (932/2014) applies to seafaring training and states that a student's right to study may be revoked in cases where the studies involve customer safety or traffic safety requirements, and the student has proven unsuitable for the studies:

• by repeatedly or seriously endangering another person’s health or safety in their studies and thus manifestly proven unsuitable to perform practical assignments or practical training related to the studies;
• if it is evident that the student does not fulfil the prerequisites for admission in regard of his or her state of health or functional capacity;
• during the application period, the student has concealed a prior decision to revoke the right to study which could have prevented his or her admission as a student.

How do things progress at the application stage?

When you are filling in your application form in Studyinfo.fi, the following questions will be asked:

• Has your right to study been revoked before, due to your health or endangering other persons’ health or safety?
• Are the any factors in your health or functional capacity that might hinder your studies in the study programme/programmes you applied for?

If you answer ’yes’ to one or both of these questions and you are accepted to the study programme, your study place is conditional. The university of applied sciences processes and assesses the information related to health and functional capacity of the applicant required for the assessment of admission. You may be accepted to the programme, if the health restriction may be eliminated by reasonable measures.

You will receive an email where you are asked to submit a health status declaration form, together with a statement of a health care professional, and, if applicable, a report of your previously revoked right to study.

You will have to submit the requested documents with their attachments to that university of applied sciences where you have been conditionally accepted. If the report you submit is not sufficient, the UAS representative may contact you and ask you to send further clarifications. These documents are to be kept secret.

The university of applied sciences that has conditionally accepted you will decide in regard of your health and functional capacity.