Selection Methods for Our Bachelor Degree Programmes in the Joint Application 7-21 January 2026

Bachelor of Health Care, Nursing, daytime studies

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.

Bachelor of Engineering, Maritime Technology, daytime studies

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.

Bachelor of Engineering, Maritime Technology, blended studies

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.

Bachelor of Maritime Management, Maritime Management, Captain, daytime studies

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.

Bachelor of Maritime Management, Maritime Management, Captain, blended studies

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.

Bachelor of Natural Resources, Sustainable Coastal Management, daytime studies

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

Bachelor of Engineering, Information Technology, daytime studies

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

Bachelor of Culture and Arts, Game Arts, daytime studies

Information subject to updates!

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

English language is used throughout the admission process.

Note: Only eligible applicants with approved pre-assignments will be invited to the entrance exam.

 

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

The pre-task assignments consists of three parts:

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-assignments 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.

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


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

 

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)


 The Entrance Examination consists of two 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.

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.

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.

Accessibility

If an applicant is in need of individual arrangements during the entrance examinations at Novia University of Applied Sciences (for example, due to dyslexia or another disability), they should send a written application/e-mail to:

  • Admissions Services at Novia UAS, PB 6, 65201 Vaasa, Finland
  • admissions@novia.fi

The applicant will be notified of the arrangements that can be made by the University of Applied Sciences.

For applicants participating in the International UAS Exam, a form needs to be filled in and sent to the UAS. The form and further information can be found here

eng26 datum2 IG

Admissions Office

Admissions Services
PO BOX 6
FI-65201 Vaasa, Finland

Phone hours: weekdays 12-13:45

Phone + 358 (0)6 328 5055
Fax +358 (0)6 328 5117

E-mail: admissions@novia.fi 

Securemail service: securemail.novia.fi

Did you find us after the application period? 

Our OpenUAS courses are available to everyone. You can study courses from our bachelor's degree curricula as an OpenUAS student (non-degree studies). You can complete courses while waiting for the next application period for degree studies to begin.