Studyinfo.fi is the national site where most Finnish degree programmes take applications. The window itself is short, so the people who do well are usually the ones who did the boring preparation months earlier.
Know how the system works
You make a Studyinfo account, pick programmes, and submit one application with your choices in order of preference. But not everything goes through it. Some programmes also want a form on the institution's own site, an entrance exam, or extra material such as a portfolio. The "How to apply" section on each programme page is the only source you should trust, and the dates change every year.
Start collecting these early
- Passport, with at least a year of validity left
- Degree certificates and transcripts, ideally with English versions
- Proof of English: an IELTS or TOEFL score, or a letter from your university if the programme accepts it
- CV, and a motivation letter or SOP if the programme asks for one
- Recommendation letters, if requested
Some institutions only want scans at this stage and certified copies after an offer. Others are stricter. Check, don't assume.
Mistakes we see most often
- A name that doesn't match the passport exactly
- Uploading a blurry phone photo of a transcript
- Missing the extra form on the university's own site
- Ranking a programme first without checking its language requirement
- Deleting the confirmation email
A simple plan
Keep one spreadsheet: programme, deadline, documents needed, status. Begin at least six months before the window if you still need an English test. And if you'd like a second pair of eyes before you press submit, ask us. For the official rules, see Studyinfo.fi and the programme's own page.