Certificates

Candidates applying with a non-Finnish qualification, need to send a copy of the certificate to the admissions office of the polytechnic/UAS of their first choice. Also you need to include an official translation of the educational certificate into English, Swedish or Finnish. The translator must sign and stamp the translation. If you used the online application, you were given an applicant code.

In order to demonstrate eligibility to polytechnic/UAS studies, an applicant applying with a non-Finnish certificate must provide a copy of the original certificate to the admissions office of his or her first-choice polytechnic/UAS by the set date. The polytechnic/UAS will then decide on the applicant's eligibility for all options expressed in the application. In addition, an official Finnish, Swedish or English translation of the certificate must be provided, if the certificate is not written in one of these languages. The translation must include the translator signature and stamp. The certificate copies must be posted or delivered to the admissions office by 20 february 2009 at 4.15 pm Finnish time, faxed or scanned copies are not accepted. If you used the online application, you were given an applicant code. Please write down the code to the copies, this will help the admissions office to process your attachments..

Polytechnics/UAS accept only final certificates awarded by a national and regional bodies granting educational certificates. Therefore various other documents such as "Testimonials", "Statements of Results", "Examination Results" or "Result Slips" are not considered as official certificates.

Applicant who is not a citizen of an EU/EEA -country must provide proof of his/her English language skills by 20 February 2009 at 4.15 pm at the latest to the admissions office of his/her first preference polytechnic/UAS. In order to prove the applicant's English language skills, he/she must provide one of the following minimum requirements: IELTS score academic level 5,5 or TOEFL score 550 paper-based test/ 213 computer-based/ 79-80 internet -based test, or grade C in the Finnish matriculation examination in advanced level English (IB-examination grade 4 completed in Finland, Reifeprüfung -examination grade 7 completed in Finland or EB-examination grade 6.00-6.95), or skills level 4 in English in the Finnish general language examination.

Both TOEFL and IELTS test results are valid for two years. The Finnish general language examination does not have a set date of validity. TOEFL score results are only accepted directly from the Educational Testing Service.

In addition, primary and secondary school education in English completed in Great Britain, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia or New Zealand or Bachelor's or Master's degree completed in English in one of these countries, is also accepted as a demonstration of sufficient English language skills.

Please write down the code to the copies, this will help the admissions office to process your attachments.

As an international student, especially from Africa, i will suggest you do the TOEFL test, (Test Of English as a Foriegn Language). I know most people encounter some problems with registering for this test, i will suggest you visit the test organiser website directly to get more informations on how to register in your country.

For Nigerian, i know in Lagos there are some schools, that are TOEFL accredited to organise the test, i remember i did mine in a school at Abagon close in Victoria Island.

I will also suggest you do the computer based test because you will need the result of the test to apply for admission by January 2009, to prove your English language skill.

Two major Examination/ Test result you will need for the application and admission process are:

SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL CERTIFICATE (WASSCE)
TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (TOEFL)

Addition of other result can be an advantage, but with these two document, then you are qualified to study here. I will include other information later.

Note some UAS will not organise entrance examination next year, i strongly suggest you contact the UAS you are interest in studying, to know more information about their program for next year, so you will not be stressing yourself on assumptions

General admission criteria

50% of applicants will be admitted on the basis of the entrance examination only, and 50% on the basis of the combined points for previous school performance and the entrance examination. Some polytechnics/UAS admit all their students on the basis of the entrance examination (see chapter describing the programmes). If study places become available later, applicants on the waiting list will be admitted in the order indicated by their admission points. The Polytechnics Act (351/2003) states the groups that are eligible for studies at polytechnics/UAS.

1. Admission on the basis of total of points for school performance and the entrance examination

Eligible applicants are those who have completed Finnish upper secondary education or the Finnish Matriculation examination, the European Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate or Reifeprüfung examination in Finland. Applicants completing their Matriculation, International or Reifeprüfung examination in Finland in the spring of the year of their application will be admitted with this group.

Applicants receive a maximum of 30 points for school performance and a maximum of 100 points for the entrance examination, which is scaled down to a maximum of 70 points. The maximum points total is therefore 100 points.

2. Admission on the basis of the entrance examination

Applicants with Finnish vocational degrees (vocational upper secondary qualification, completed competence based vocational qualification or competence based further vocational qualification) or whose eligibility to apply is based on non-Finnish certificates, and are not mentioned in section 1 above, apply to polytechnics/UAS studies solely on the basis of points awarded for the entrance examination. The admission of those completing an EB examination in the spring of their year of application is also based only on this method. The maximum entrance examination points total is 100. Those applying with competence based vocational qualification, competence based further vocational qualification or non-Finnish qualification must have completed the education they use for applying before the end of the application period 12 September 2008. Polytechnics/UAS accept only final certificates awarded by a national and regional bodies granting educational certificates. Therefore various other documents such as "Testimonials", "Statements of Results", "Examination Results" or "Result Slips" are not considered as official certificates.

Eligibility

Eligibility for studies at polytechnics/UAS depends on completing the Finnish Matriculation examination or upper secondary examination, European Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate or Reifeprüfung examination, vocational qualification of three years or more in duration, a non-Finnish qualification or studies equivalent to these qualifications. A vocational qualification of less than three years in duration gives eligibility to a corresponding field of study. Eligibility for polytechnic/UAS studies in a corresponding field of study may be broadened into general eligibility for polytechnic/UAS studies.

Those applying with competence based vocational qualification, competence based further vocational qualification or non-Finnish qualification must have completed the education they use for applying before the end of the application period 12 September 2008.

If a polytechnic/UAS uses discretionary admission, other applicants may also be admitted, if the polytechnic/UAS considers their skills and knowledge sufficient.

More information about eligibility can be found from the UAS admission office of prefered programme.