Selection Methods for Bachelor's Degree Programmes

Selection Method: Entrance Exam

The entrance examination is organized by Novia UAS and assesses the applicants’ abilities to study at the programme.

The entrance examination will be held online 29 May 2026. The exact time and instructions will be announced in the invitation email.  

Note! In order to be invited to the entrance exam, the applicants have to prove their English language skills either by an internationally recognized language test or previous studies. The separate application uses the same eligibility criteria regarding English language requirements as for the International UAS Exam. For detailed information, please learn more about language criteria at the website. 

The entrance exam for Sustainable Coastal Management is held online. Applicants that fulfill the eligibility requirements regarding English language skills will be invited to take part in the entrance exam.

The Entrance examination will test:

• your suitability for this field of study (max 60, min 20 points,
• your language skills in English (pass/fail), and
• your motivation (max 40, min 10 points

You have 3 hours to complete the entrance examination.

The entrance examination does not include any pre-reading material or pre-assignments.

The entrance examination can give you a maximum of 100 points. You must obtain at least 30/100 points in the entrance examination to be admitted. All parts of the entrance examination must be passed.

To be updated.

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Selection method: Entrance Exam

The entrance examination is organized by Novia UAS and assesses the applicants’ abilities to study at the programme. 

The entrance exam will be organized as an online exam with both a spoken and written part between 29 May 2026. The exact time and date will be announced in the invitation email.

Instructions:

• The spoken part will happen in group discussion where you will be given a subject to discuss.
• The written part will be done after the discussion and announced during the examination.
• There is no pre-reading material.
• The best way to prepare for the exam is getting generally acquainted with the field of IT.
   

Assessment criteria: Points 0-100, at least 40 p is required to pass the entrance exam.

• English language skills 30 p
• Motivation 30 p
• IT skills 40 p

English Language Requirements

In order to be invited to the entrance exam, the applicants have to prove their English language skills either by an internationally recognized language test or previous studies. The separate application uses the same eligibility criteria regarding English language requirements as for the International UAS Exam. For detailed information, please learn more about language criteria at the website. 

Please attach the required document to your Studyinfo application on 27 April 2026 at 15:00 (Finnish time) at the latest.

If you have questions, please contact the Head of the Degree Programme: Kaj Wikman, kaj.wikman@novia.fi

Selection method 1: International UAS Exam

The International UAS Exam is a joint digital entrance examination of the Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS). For test date in Spring 2026, please visit www.uasinfo.fi. The entrance examination assesses the applicants’ abilities to study in universities of applied sciences.  

All applicants need to demonstrate that they have sufficient English language skills for studies at a university of applied sciences.

Detailed information on the International UAS Exam can be found at www.uasinfo.fi. 

Selection method 2: Certificate-based student selection (Finnish Matriculation Examination, International Baccalaureate (IB) degree, European Baccalaureate (EB) Diploma or Reifeprüfung (RP)/Deutsche Internationale Abitur (DIA) degree completed in Finland)

This certificate-based student selection method applies to:

• Finnish Matriculation Examination,
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma completed in IB World School,
• European Baccalaureate (EB) Diploma completed in European School or
• Reifeprüfung (RP)/Deutsches Internationales Abitur (DIA) degree completed in Finland.

Further information about the certificate-based student selection method and the scoring models can be found at UASInfo.fi.

All universities of applied sciences comply with the scoring models and principles of the certificate-based selection. The same scoring models are used in all the study fields except from the study field of culture and in the Degree Programmes of Interpreting.

All applicants need to demonstrate that they have sufficient English language skills for studies at a university of applied sciences. Find more information at UASinfo.fi.

In certificate-based selection, the university of applied sciences may independently determine the lowest score limit or other threshold criteria.

The number of places of study vary between the study programmes.

Selection method 3: Certificate-based student selection (Vocational upper secondary qualification completed after 1 August 2015)

This certificate-based student selection method applies to:

• Vocational upper secondary qualifications completed in Finland after 1.8.2015 are taken into account in certificate-based selection.

Further information about the certificate-based student selection (Vocational upper secondary qualification) and the scoring models can be found at UASInfo.fi.

All universities of applied sciences comply with the scoring models and principles of the certificate-based selection. The same scoring models are used in all the study fields except from the study field of culture and in the Degree Programmes of Interpreting.

All applicants need to demonstrate that they have sufficient English language skills for studies at a university of applied sciences. NB! The UASInfo.fi will be updated by the end of November 2025 with the information on approved documents.

In certificate-based selection, the university of applied sciences may independently determine the lowest score limit or other threshold criteria.

The number of places of study vary between the study programmes.

Applicants completing their vocational upper secondary qualification in spring 2026: Graduation information must be registered to KOSKI-service by 12 May 2026 in order to be taken into account in the certificate-based student selection. Further information, please see UASInfo.fi.

Applicants completing their vocational upper secondary qualification in spring 2026 in Åland: send a certificate of your up-coming graduation to the Admissions Services by 11 May 2026 at 15:00 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.

Vocational upper secondary qualifications completed as competence-based qualifications are not taken into account in certificate-based selection. An applicant with a competence-based qualification may apply through an entrance exam. 

Initial vocational qualifications obtained with partially or fully adjusted grades will not be taken into account in the certificate-based selection based on vocational qualifications. An applicant may apply through an entrance exam or on the basis of SAT test score. 

Raised grades in vocational upper secondary qualifications are taken into account in certificate-based selection on the basis of data in KOSKI service. Raised grades and new average grades completed on or after 1 July 2023 will be considered, provided they are available directly from the KOSKI database and transferred to the student admission register for use in the student selection process of universities of applied sciences.

Selection method 1: International UAS Exam

The International UAS Exam is a joint digital entrance examination of the Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS). For test date in Spring 2026, please visit www.uasinfo.fi. The entrance examination assesses the applicants’ abilities to study in universities of applied sciences.  

All applicants need to demonstrate that they have sufficient English language skills for studies at a university of applied sciences.

Detailed information on the International UAS Exam can be found at www.uasinfo.fi. 

Selection method 2: Certificate-based student selection (Finnish Matriculation Examination, International Baccalaureate (IB) degree, European Baccalaureate (EB) Diploma or Reifeprüfung (RP)/Deutsche Internationale Abitur (DIA) degree completed in Finland)

This certificate-based student selection method applies to:

• Finnish Matriculation Examination,
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma completed in IB World School,
• European Baccalaureate (EB) Diploma completed in European School or
• Reifeprüfung (RP)/Deutsches Internationales Abitur (DIA) degree completed in Finland.

Further information about the certificate-based student selection method and the scoring models can be found at www.uasinfo.fi.

All universities of applied sciences comply with the scoring models and principles of the certificate-based selection. The same scoring models are used in all the study fields except from the study field of culture and in the Degree Programmes of Interpreting.

All applicants need to demonstrate that they have sufficient English language skills for studies at a university of applied sciences.

In certificate-based selection, the university of applied sciences may independently determine the lowest score limit or other threshold criteria.

The number of places of study vary between the study programmes.

Selection method 3: Certificate-based student selection (Vocational upper secondary qualification completed after 1 August 2015)

This certificate-based student selection method applies to:

• Vocational upper secondary qualifications completed in Finland after 1.8.2015 are taken into account in certificate-based selection.

Further information about the certificate-based student selection (Vocational upper secondary qualification) and the scoring models can be found at UASInfo.fi.

All universities of applied sciences comply with the scoring models and principles of the certificate-based selection. The same scoring models are used in all the study fields except from the study field of culture and in the Degree Programmes of Interpreting.

All applicants need to demonstrate that they have sufficient English language skills for studies at a university of applied sciences. NB! The UASInfo.fi will be updated by the end of November 2025 with the information on approved documents.

In certificate-based selection, the university of applied sciences may independently determine the lowest score limit or other threshold criteria.

The number of places of study vary between the study programmes.

Applicants completing their vocational upper secondary qualification in spring 2026: Graduation information must be registered to KOSKI-service by 12 May 2026 in order to be taken into account in the certificate-based student selection. Further information, please see UASInfo.fi.

Applicants completing their vocational upper secondary qualification in spring 2026 in Åland: send a certificate of your up-coming graduation to the Admissions Services by 11 May 2026 at 15:00 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.

Vocational upper secondary qualifications completed as competence-based qualifications are not taken into account in certificate-based selection. An applicant with a competence-based qualification may apply through an entrance exam. 

Initial vocational qualifications obtained with partially or fully adjusted grades will not be taken into account in the certificate-based selection based on vocational qualifications. An applicant may apply through an entrance exam or on the basis of SAT test score. 

Raised grades in vocational upper secondary qualifications are taken into account in certificate-based selection on the basis of data in KOSKI service. Raised grades and new average grades completed on or after 1 July 2023 will be considered, provided they are available directly from the KOSKI database and transferred to the student admission register for use in the student selection process of universities of applied sciences.

Entrance Examination

The entrance examination is organized online in form of a written interview. Questions about your educational background, work experience at sea, and your visions and expectations of your professional future will be included in the entrance exam. There is no pre-reading material.

The entrance examination will be held 16-27 March 2026. The exact date and time will be included in the invitation e-mail.

Only eligible applicants are invited to the entrance examination.

The entrance exam can give you a maximum of 100 points in total. You must obtain at least 20/100 points to be admitted.

In cases of equal admission scores the applicants will be automatically ranked by lots drawn by a computer system.

Selection method 1: International UAS Exam

The International UAS Exam is a joint digital entrance examination of the Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS). For test date in Spring 2026, please visit www.uasinfo.fi. The entrance examination assesses the applicants’ abilities to study in universities of applied sciences.  

All applicants need to demonstrate that they have sufficient English language skills for studies at a university of applied sciences. 

Detailed information on the International UAS Exam can be found at www.uasinfo.fi. 

Selection method 2: Certificate-based student selection (Finnish Matriculation Examination, International Baccalaureate (IB) degree, European Baccalaureate (EB) Diploma or Reifeprüfung (RP)/Deutsche Internationale Abitur (DIA) degree completed in Finland)

This certificate-based student selection method applies to:

• Finnish Matriculation Examination,
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma completed in IB World School,
• European Baccalaureate (EB) Diploma completed in European School or
• Reifeprüfung (RP)/Deutsches Internationales Abitur (DIA) degree completed in Finland.

Further information about the certificate-based student selection method and the scoring models can be found at UASInfo.fi.

All universities of applied sciences comply with the scoring models and principles of the certificate-based selection. The same scoring models are used in all the study fields except from the study field of culture and in the Degree Programmes of Interpreting.

All applicants need to demonstrate that they have sufficient English language skills for studies at a university of applied sciences. 

In certificate-based selection, the university of applied sciences may independently determine the lowest score limit or other threshold criteria.
The number of places of study vary between the study programmes.

Selection method 3: Certificate-based student selection (Vocational upper secondary qualification completed after 1 August 2015)

This certificate-based student selection method applies to:

• Vocational upper secondary qualifications completed in Finland after 1.8.2015 are taken into account in certificate-based selection.

Further information about the certificate-based student selection (Vocational upper secondary qualification) and the scoring models can be found at UASInfo.fi.

All universities of applied sciences comply with the scoring models and principles of the certificate-based selection. The same scoring models are used in all the study fields except from the study field of culture and in the Degree Programmes of Interpreting.

All applicants need to demonstrate that they have sufficient English language skills for studies at a university of applied sciences. NB! The UASInfo.fi will be updated by the end of November 2025 with the information on approved documents.

In certificate-based selection, the university of applied sciences may independently determine the lowest score limit or other threshold criteria.

The number of places of study vary between the study programmes.

Applicants completing their vocational upper secondary qualification in spring 2026: Graduation information must be registered to KOSKI-service by 12 May 2026 in order to be taken into account in the certificate-based student selection. Further information, please see UASInfo.fi.

Applicants completing their vocational upper secondary qualification in spring 2026 in Åland: send a certificate of your up-coming graduation to the Admissions Services by 11 May 2026 at 15:00 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.

Vocational upper secondary qualifications completed as competence-based qualifications are not taken into account in certificate-based selection. An applicant with a competence-based qualification may apply through an entrance exam. 

Initial vocational qualifications obtained with partially or fully adjusted grades will not be taken into account in the certificate-based selection based on vocational qualifications. An applicant may apply through an entrance exam or on the basis of SAT test score. 

Raised grades in vocational upper secondary qualifications are taken into account in certificate-based selection on the basis of data in KOSKI service. Raised grades and new average grades completed on or after 1 July 2023 will be considered, provided they are available directly from the KOSKI database and transferred to the student admission register for use in the student selection process of universities of applied sciences.

Entrance Examination

The entrance examination is organized online in form of a written interview. Questions about your educational background, work experience at sea, and your visions and expectations of your professional future will be included in the entrance exam. There is no pre-reading material.

The entrance examination will be held 16-27 March 2026. The exact date and time will be included in the invitation e-mail.

Only eligible applicants are invited to the entrance examination.

The entrance exam can give you a maximum of 100 points in total. You must obtain at least 20/100 points to be admitted.

In cases of equal admission scores the applicants will be automatically ranked by lots drawn by a computer system.

Selection method: International UAS Exam

The International UAS Exam is a joint digital entrance examination of the Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS). For test date in Spring 2026, please visit www.uasinfo.fi. The entrance examination assesses the applicants’ abilities to study in universities of applied sciences.  

All applicants need to demonstrate that they have sufficient English language skills for studies at a university of applied sciences. 

Detailed information on the International UAS Exam can be found at www.uasinfo.fi. 

Selection method: International UAS Exam

The International UAS Exam is a joint digital entrance examination of the Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS). For test date in Spring 2026, please visit www.uasinfo.fi. The entrance examination assesses the applicants’ abilities to study in universities of applied sciences.  

All applicants need to demonstrate that they have sufficient English language skills for studies at a university of applied sciences. 

Detailed information on the International UAS Exam can be found at www.uasinfo.fi. 

The selection method consists of two steps: 1) Pre-task assignments and 2) Entrance Examination

English language is used throughout the admission process.

Note: Only eligible applicants with an approved pre-task (Step 1) will be invited to the entrance examination (Step 2).

Step 1: Pre-task assignments (max. 50 points)

The pre-task is mandatory and consists of three parts. All three parts of the pre-task are mandatory and must be submitted to be considered for assessment. Failure to submit any part of the pre-task will be considered as a failure to submit the entire assignment. The three parts of the pre-task are:

1. Letter of Motivation: 20 points
2. Portfolio: 20 points
3. Admissions Pre-assignment: 10 points

Maximum score: 50 points

Passing score: 25 points

The Letter of Motivation, Portfolio and Admissions Pre-assignment must be uploaded in the online application form at Studyinfo no later than 28 January 2026 at 15:00 pm Finnish time. Material submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

To be invited to participate in the entrance exam, you must have passed the pre-task with a combined minimum score of 25 out of 50 points, and pass the eligibility check.

1. Letter of Motivation

Write a Letter of Motivation, maximum 1500 characters introducing yourself and your background, your studies, skills, or experiences. Explain what motivates and why you plan for a future in the games industry. Write your letter in an A4, PDF-format. The Letter of Motivation is graded on the scale 0–20.

2. Portfolio 

Submit a portfolio of your work. This can either be made as:


• a link to an online portfolio or website, or
• a PDF with examples of your work

What we look for in our assessment:

Creativity & originality
Strength of the concept

Communication and presentation
Execution, attention to detail in design, colour and materials

The Portfolio is graded on the scale 0–20.

3. Admissions Pre-assignment 

Game Character and Environment

Instructions:

The pre-assignment can be created using any technique you are comfortable with: pen and paper, design software, or other methods. You may choose to work in black & white or in colour. If you work in a non-digital manner, take a photograph of your work and make sure that the photo is cropped to size and in good quality.

a) Character Design

Design a game character for a 3D action game set in a post-apocalyptic future. Provide three views:

- A full front view of the character
- A close-up of the head
- A close-up of weaponry, armour, tools, or other defining features

b) Environment Design

Design an environment featuring your character that serves as the first level of the game. The environment is where gameplay happens, so it should include visible terrain, buildings, obstacles, features, or props. Provide one view in landscape mode.

c) Concept Summary

Describe your game character and environment in one sentence.

d) Technique Description

In one sentence, describe the techniques you used to complete this assignment.

Assessment Criteria

We will evaluate your assignment based on:

      •     Creativity & Originality

      •     Strength of Concept

      •     Three-Dimensional Thinking: use of space and scale

      •     Design Clarity: how the character and environment function together

      •     Communication & Presentation

      •     Execution: attention to detail in design, colour, and materials

The Admissions pre-assignment is graded on the scale 0–10.

Upload your assignments in jpeg-, png- or pdf-format in a maximum file size of 20 MB at the latest 28 January 2026 at 15:00 pm Finnish time in your application form in Studyinfo.

Step 2: Entrance Examination (max. 50 points)

Note: Only eligible applicants with an approved pre-task (see Step 1) will be invited to the entrance examination (Step 2).

The Entrance Examination consists of two parts. Participation in the Interview and submission of the Admissions Assignment is required to be considered for assessment. Failure to participate or submit any part of the Entrance Examination will be considered as a failure. The Entrance Examination consists of two mandatory parts:

1.  Interview (online): 40 points
2. Admissions Assignment (online): 10 points

Maximum score: 50 points

Passing score: 25 points

1. Interview (online)

The entrance exam will be held in the form of an online interview during week 12, 16-20 March 2026. The exact date and time will be included in the invitation e-mail, and the Teams link will be sent separately. To be eligible to participate in the entrance exam interview, you must fulfill the eligibility criteria and have passed the pre-assignments with a combined minimum score of 25 out of 50 points.

During your interview, you'll be asked a number of questions regarding your background and interest in gaming and the game industry, and why you want pursue a career in this field. You'll be asked a variety of questions focusing on your preparedness for studying Other questions will focus on inspiration, goals, strengths, weaknesses and future plans

The Interview is graded on the scale 0–40.

2. Admissions Assignment (online)

During the interview, you will also be provided with the Admissions Assignment worth 10 points. This assignment, is to be submitted  the same day as the interview, so accommodate for about 30 minutes for the interview and  about 60 minutes for the assignment. The Admissions Assignment is graded on the scale 0–10.

Assessment

The total score consists of the combined sum of the Pre-task Assignments and Interview plus Admissions Assignment. The total score ranges from 0 to 100, with a minimum of 50 points required to be eligible for admission. Applicants will be ranked based on the total score of the selection method.

Selection method 1: International UAS Exam

The International UAS Exam is a joint digital entrance examination of the Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS). For test date in Spring 2026, please visit www.uasinfo.fi. The entrance examination assesses the applicants’ abilities to study in universities of applied sciences.  

All applicants need to demonstrate that they have sufficient English language skills for studies at a university of applied sciences.

Detailed information on the International UAS Exam can be found at www.uasinfo.fi. 

Selection method 2: Certificate-based student selection (Finnish Matriculation Examination, International Baccalaureate (IB) degree, European Baccalaureate (EB) Diploma or Reifeprüfung (RP)/Deutsche Internationale Abitur (DIA) degree completed in Finland)

This certificate-based student selection method applies to:

• Finnish Matriculation Examination,
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma completed in IB World School,
• European Baccalaureate (EB) Diploma completed in European School or
• Reifeprüfung (RP)/Deutsches Internationales Abitur (DIA) degree completed in Finland.

Further information about the certificate-based student selection method and the scoring models can be found at UASInfo.fi.

All universities of applied sciences comply with the scoring models and principles of the certificate-based selection. The same scoring models are used in all the study fields except from the study field of culture and in the Degree Programmes of Interpreting.

All applicants need to demonstrate that they have sufficient English language skills for studies at a university of applied sciences. Find more information at UASinfo.fi.

In certificate-based selection, the university of applied sciences may independently determine the lowest score limit or other threshold criteria.

The number of places of study vary between the study programmes.

Selection method 3: Certificate-based student selection (Vocational upper secondary qualification completed after 1 August 2015)

This certificate-based student selection method applies to:

• Vocational upper secondary qualifications completed in Finland after 1.8.2015 are taken into account in certificate-based selection.

Further information about the certificate-based student selection (Vocational upper secondary qualification) and the scoring models can be found at UASInfo.fi.

All universities of applied sciences comply with the scoring models and principles of the certificate-based selection. The same scoring models are used in all the study fields except from the study field of culture and in the Degree Programmes of Interpreting.

All applicants need to demonstrate that they have sufficient English language skills for studies at a university of applied sciences. Find more information at UASinfo.fi.

In certificate-based selection, the university of applied sciences may independently determine the lowest score limit or other threshold criteria.

The number of places of study vary between the study programmes.

Applicants completing their vocational upper secondary qualification in spring 2026: Graduation information must be registered to KOSKI-service by 12 May 2026 in order to be taken into account in the certificate-based student selection. Further information, please see UASInfo.fi.

Applicants completing their vocational upper secondary qualification in spring 2026 in Åland: send a certificate of your up-coming graduation to the Admissions Services by 11 May 2026 at 15:00 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.

Vocational upper secondary qualifications completed as competence-based qualifications are not taken into account in certificate-based selection. An applicant with a competence-based qualification may apply through an entrance exam. 

Initial vocational qualifications obtained with partially or fully adjusted grades will not be taken into account in the certificate-based selection based on vocational qualifications. An applicant may apply through an entrance exam or on the basis of SAT test score. 

Raised grades in vocational upper secondary qualifications are taken into account in certificate-based selection on the basis of data in KOSKI service. Raised grades and new average grades completed on or after 1 July 2023 will be considered, provided they are available directly from the KOSKI database and transferred to the student admission register for use in the student selection process of universities of applied sciences.