Inspired with sales, excited about global opportunities? International organizations and sales units call for business professionals who understand the phases of internationalization and the essence of modern sales work. Our Master's Degree Programme with a unique combination of International Business and Sales Management provides in-depth understanding of the global business environment and firms' approaches to doing business and sales cross borders. By emphasizing the core themes of internationalization, business-to-business sales and cross-cultural communication, the program provides the path to becoming a valuable leader and sales professional.
The Master's Degree Programme in International Business and Sales Management is a multidisciplinary two-year programme that combines high-level teaching and research. The programme is designed for both Finnish and international students so that people with different backgrounds come to study and learn together how to operate successfully in challenging business environments.
The gained competence from our unique programme opens up numerous career opportunities for example in international business expert, consultant, sales management, account management, marketing or strategic management positions at local, national, international and global levels. Additionally, the programme provides tools to operate successfully in the academic field. Students who have successfully completed the programme will be awarded with Master's Degree in Economics and Business Administration.
Ready for global business? Read more about the studies and the application process below.
You are welcome to join our International Business and Sales Management team!
For instructions on how to apply and a direct link to the application form on Studyinfo, please scroll down. The application period is open until 18 January 2023.
Key information
- Level of degree: Master's degree
- Programme duration: 2 years / 120 ECTS credits
- Language of instruction: English
- Next application period: 4.1.2023 - 18.1.2023
- Programme start: September 2023
- Tuition fee: EU/EEA nationals no tuition fee; non-EU/EEA nationals 8,000 € / academic year
- Tuition waivers available for everyone
- Study campus: Kuopio
Why study with us?
- Our Master's Degree Programme with a unique combination of International Business and Sales Management provides in-depth understanding of the global business environment and firms' approaches to doing business and sales cross borders.
- The content of the programme rests on the latest theoretical findings and case exercises, group work and collaboration between peer students, staff and B2B companies.
- A variety of teaching methods guarantees an interesting, challenging and motivating learning environment.
- Internationally distinguished academics will bring their state-of-the-art knowledge and companies will provide real life case projects to ensure that your education is also practical.
- We are a member of AACSB International, Global Business Education Network, which provides quality assurance, business education intelligence, and learning and development services to business schools worldwide.
Studies
Two-year programme is taught in English and the curriculum is designed for students who want to gain in-depth knowledge and skills within all parts of international business and sales management.
In the curriculum both academic research and practical case exercises encounter. Therefore the latest research findings will be utilized while providing the techniques and tools that companies use to increase their sales in the global market.
A special emphasis of the courses will be on internationalization, business-to-business sales, and cross-cultural communication and negotiation skills.
Curriculum 2022-2023
Master's Degree Program in International Business and Sales Management 120 ECTS (Master of Science, Economics and Business Administration)
- Advanced level -studies in International Business and Sales Management 70 ECTS* (courses in Major 30 ECTS; Master's Thesis and Seminar 40 ECTS)
- Other Studies (including methodological studies min. 10 ECTS and language and culture studies min. 4 ECTS) 50 ECTS
*Students admitted to the international master's degree programme in International Business and Sales Management must conduct advanced level studies in major (70 ECTS) in English.
5216300 International Business and Sales Management (70 ECTS)
Courses in Major (choose at least 30 ECTS):
- International Sales Work 6 ECTS
- Cross-Cultural Communication and Negotiation 6 ECTS
- Internationalization of the Firm 6 ECTS
- Strategic Sales Management in a Global Context 6 ECTS
- International Sales Camp 6 ECTS
- Leading People in International Sales 6 ECTS
- Academic Writing in International Business and Sales Management 6 ECTS
- Global Marketing Management: Management and Simulations 6 ECTS
- International Collaboration and Digital Channels 6 ECTS
- Other appropriate advanced level course
If you choose more studies in your major, you may reduce the number of ECTS credits in other studies accordingly.
Master's Thesis Seminar and Master's Thesis (40 ECTS)
- Master's Thesis and Maturity Test, International Business and Sales Management 30 ECTS
- Master's Thesis Seminar in International Business and Sales Management 10 ECTS
Students admitted to the international master’s degree programme in International Business and Sales Management must conduct advanced –level studies in major (70 ECTS) in English.
Other studies (50 ECTS)
Compulsory courses:
- Personal Study Plan 1 ECTS
- Orientation for International Students 1 ECTS or 1131000 Orientaatio yliopisto-opiskeluun 1 op
- University Computing Skills 2 ECTS or 8034004 Tieto- ja viestintätekniikka opiskelun tukena 2 op
- Information Skills and Sources in Social Sciences for International Studies 1 ECTS or Kauppatieteiden tiedonhaku 1 op
Recommended course:
- University Study Skills 1 ECTS
Methodological studies, choose at least 10 ECTS; if you choose more than 10 ECTS, you may reduce the number of ECTS credits in elective studies accordingly. For example:
- 5210359 Qualitative Research Methods in International Business and Sales 4 ECTS
- 5210351 Analysing Interviews and Texts 6 ECTS
- 5210360 Quantitative Research Methods in International Business and Sales 6 ECTS
COMPULSORY LANGUAGE AND CULTURE STUDIES
Choose min. 4 ECTS from the selection below according to the following rules. Start the studies as soon as you can.
The selection for those with the school education language other than Finnish or Swedish or school education abroad:
1. Finnish Language Skills
Choose courses according to your skills level.
1.1. New to Finnish
Take beginner-level Finnish courses. Choose the courses from the selection of the UEF has listed: beginner-level courses
1.2. Basic or intermediate Finnish skills
Take the placement test at the UEF Language Centre. Based on the test, take Finnish courses appropriate to your skills level. Choose the courses from the selection of the UEF has listed: follow-up-level courses
1.3. Advanced Finnish skills
Take the placement test at the UEF Language Centre. Based on the test, take Finnish courses appropriate to your skills level. Choose the courses from the selection of the UEF listed below. Please note that in the study module Suomen kieli ja kulttuuri vieraskielisille, the language of tuition is Finnish: advanced-level courses and the module Suomen kieli ja kulttuuri vieraskielisille
For more detailed information, see the Language Center's Study Community (requires UEF login).
2. Studies in Finnish culture, society and history
In addition to Finnish language skills studies, you may also choose studies in Finnish culture, society and history, or studies in intercultural communication or competence. For further details and updated curriculum, please refer to Peppi or consult your programme coordinator.
The selection for those with the school education language Finnish or Swedish (i.e. koulusivistyskieli suomi tai ruotsi ja alempi korkeakoulututkinto suoritettu ulkomailla):
- Native language (maturity test 0 ECTS)
- Foreign language (English) min. 1 ECTS
- Second national language (Swedish) min. 3 ECTS (i.e. Ruotsia kaikkien koulutusalojen opiskelijoille, kirjallinen taito, 1,5 op ja Ruotsia kaikkien koulutusalojen opiskelijoille, suullinen taito, 1,5 op)
Recognition of prior learning of the communication and language studies (above) are decided by the Language Centre. The RPL of the foreign language (English) is applied for from the Language Centre after the master's thesis has been submitted for approval.
Language requirements met in a bachelor’s degree (i.e. koulusivistyskieli suomi tai ruotsi ja alempi korkeakoulututkinto on suoritettu Suomessa):
Take studies worth 4 ECTS minimum from the selection below according to the following rules. Start the studies as soon as you can.
- Studies in intercultural competence or internationalisation.
- Studies in Internationalisation
- Studies in Intercultural Competences,
- Professional Intercultural Competence – theory and practice.
Other studies*:
(*including compulsory personal study plan, orientation studies, compulsory methodological studies and language & culture studies). Students choose elective courses to fulfill the minimum of 120 ECTS credits required of a master’s degree. These can include courses from their Major or separate courses from other majors, courses completed in international exchange, and courses offered in Finnish and/or other languages. This section can also include a full minor of at least 25 ECTS offered by other Business School majors or other departments or faculties or universities. Students may include Practical Training into this section.
Starting your studies?
Every new student will create a personal study plan (PSP) with the Programme Coordinator in the first Autumn.
Smart Start Guide (PDF file) for the new IBS students has been sent by email and in the beginning of the autumn semester can be found in our Study Community (reqiores UEF log in) as well.
See also Practical guide for international students here.
About to graduate?
University's instructions for thesis submission and evaluation can be found in Kamu Student Handbook.
UEF Business School's forms and instructions for Master's Thesis and graduation can be found in our Study Community (requires UEF login).
For councelling and guidance, please contact Programme Coordinator and Study Advisor Chathuka Bandara, chathuka.bandara@uef.fi.
How to apply?
Eligibility:
Applicants with the following degrees and studies are eligible:
A 3- or 4-year Bachelor’s degree at a recognised university or a recognised university of applied sciences/polytechnic level. Also, the degree must give the right to apply for university-level master's studies in the country concerned. The grade point average GPA of the degree used as the basis for the application must be at least 3/5 (on 5-point scale). A minimum of 60 ECTS* in academic business studies is required. Language, communication and research method studies, internships and final thesis/exam/project are not included in the above-mentioned studies. However, one course in economics, one course in logistics, one course in mathematics and one course in business law may be included in the above-mentioned studies. If an applicant has several higher education degrees or separate studies in higher education that are not part of a degree, all of these academic business studies can be considered when defining the applicant’s eligibility.
* 1 ECTS credit = a workload of 27 hours (lectures, assignments etc.)
If you have not completed your Bachelor's degree by the application deadline, you are eligible to apply. In this case, you may be admitted to the Master's degree programme on the condition that you graduate and send an officially attested copy of the degree certificate to the University no later than 28 July 2023 at 15.00 (Helsinki time GMT+3). If you do not submit the degree certificate to the University in time, this conditional admission will expire.
Applicants holding a provisional degree certificate may also apply for the programme. That is, the degree must be verifiably completed and the required documents of the completion of this degree must be submitted.
Regardless of your educational background, you have to apply to our programme with your Bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree.
Applicants with a Finnish or foreign higher university degree in business administration [Master of Science (in the field of Economics and Business Administration)] or equivalent are not eligible. This applies also to those applicants who will graduate [Master of Science (in the field of Economics and Business Administration)] before the right to study begins.
In addition, applicants who have completed a higher university degree leading to a higher university degree that does not include a lower university degree (e.g. a Finnish master's degree completed before the two-tier degree system) may be selected to complete a Master's degree.
Applicants selected to pursue the Master´s degree may be required to take supplementary studies.
Proficiency in English
The applicants are to prove their language skills in English as follows:
The language test certificates are valid for two years from the day they are issued and they have to be valid during the application period.
1. English language test:
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TOEFL Internet-based: Total Score min. 92 and 22 in writing (also My Best Scores is accepted)
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IELTS (Academic), also IELTS indicator: Overall Score min. 6.5 and 5.5 in writing
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PTE (Pearson Test of English), min. 62 points and 54 in writing
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C1 Advanced: 180 and min. 162 in writing (or at least level C)
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C2 Proficiency: 180 and min. 162 in writing (or least level C1)
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National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) -test: level 5 in the reading comprehension, writing and speaking subtests: https://www.oph.fi/en/national-certificates-language-proficiency-yki
2. Or, if the applicant fulfils at least one of the following requirements, a separate language test is not required but the applicant is to prove his/her English proficiency with the applicable degree certificate and the transcript of his/her academic record:
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Bachelor's or Master's degree conducted in English language in a Nordic country (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden)
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Bachelor's or Master's degree conducted in English language in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States
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Bachelor's or Master's degree conducted in English language in an EU/EEA country or in Switzerland
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Secondary education conducted in English language in a Nordic country (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden)
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Secondary education conducted in English language in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States
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Secondary education conducted in English language in an EU/EEA country or in Switzerland
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Finnish matriculation examination: English with a minimum grade of M
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International Baccalaureate (IB) completed in English. If not completed in English, then the following ways of indicating academic language skills are acceptable:
- A level English (language and literature or literature and performance) with a minimum grade of 2, OR a minimum score of 5 (good) in B level English
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IB-degree completed before 2013: A1 English with a minimum grade 2 and English as the A2 language with a minimum grade of 5
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European Baccalaureate (EB):
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English as the L1-language with an approved grade (a minimum grade of 4) and English as the L2 language with a minimum grade of 7
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RP-Diploma (German School in Helsinki) or the German International Abitur (DIA) Diploma: successful completion of written A Level English OR a minimum score of 8 in oral A Level English.
All available study programmes in Finland can be found on the Opintopolku portal where applicants can search for suitable programmes and start the application.
The online application is only open during the application period. Online applications are to be submitted through Opintopolku portal during 4 January - 18 January at 15.00 PM (Helsinki time). Once you have filled out the online application, required enclosures must be uploaded electronically to the application (recommended file types pdf and jpeg, max. file size 10 MB) until 25 January 2023 at 15.00 PM (Helsinki time). See Required documents for International Master's Degree Programmes.
Applicants will be selected to pursue Master's degree studies on the basis of their applications. Results will be announced on 31 March 2023, at the latest. The process could be finalized well before the set deadline.
In Opintopolku portal, applicants may apply to a maximum of two application options offered by the Business School. Applications are assessed on the basis of the information available to the applications after the application and completion period. No further information is requested and incomplete applications are rejected.
Supporting documents to be enclosed along with the online application
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Degree certificate, and if necessary, an English translation provided by an authorised translator. If you are applying with one degree and indicating your language skills with another, you are required to submit educational documents regarding both degrees.
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English language test certificate (if needed)
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Original (or officially certified copy of) transcript of academic record, and if necessary, an English translation provided by an authorised translator. The transcript must include the number of credits, grading, and date of each study unit, and also the scale of grading used by the university, otherwise the application will not be considered. Note also, that the grade point average must either be given in the degree certificate, transcript of records or a separate, certified calculation.
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A copy of a passport/other document of identification (not required from Finnish applicants)
Applications that satisfy the eligibility criteria will be put through a subsequent evaluation process in order to determine, which applicants are selected for admission to the programme. The applicants that fulfil the above requirements of previous studies and English language skills are ranked according to the criteria below. The top 30 will be admitted and the rest will be rejected. The programme may accept more applicants to fill the available study places in the programme. There will be no waiting list.
In order to be considered for admission, the applicant must receive a minimum of 15 selection points. The applicant may obtain a maximum of 30 selection points.
The eligible applicants will be evaluated according to the following groups and principles by the Admission Committee for the programme during the evaluation process (NOTE! The applicant indicates a suitable admission group on the application form):
Eligible applicants are selected for admission groups so that the intake is met.
Admission group 1: Previous Bachelor’s degree at a recognised university or a recognised university of applied sciences/ polytechnic level completed in Finland:
The minimum requirement is 15 admission points in order to be considered in the admission. In addition, the applicant must receive selection points from both sections in order to proceed with the selection.
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Weighted average of studies included in the degree / grade point average (GPA) as follows:
Grade 5,00-4,50=15 points, grade 4,49-4,00=10 points, grade 3,99-3,00=5 points. If the grading is other than 1-5, it will be converted to 1-5.
The grade point average must either be given in the degree certificate, transcript of records or a separate, certified calculation, otherwise the applicant receives 0 points. If the applicant’s GPA does not follow the ECTS grading system, it will be converted accordingly by the Admission Committee for the programme during the evaluation process.
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Suitability of the earlier studies for the Master's programme
The amount of relevant previous studies (in ECTS) in the fields of International Business, Sales, Sales Management and/or Marketing. In addition, one appropriate methodology course will also be calculated into this section: 1 ECTS = 0,5 points. (a maximum of 15 points). Internships and final thesis/exam/project (or equivalent) are not included in the above-mentioned studies.
If an applicant has several higher education degrees or separate studies in higher education that are not part of a degree, all of these can be considered when calculating the suitable studies, provided that the attachments proving these studies meet the University’s document requirements.
Admission group 2: Bachelor’s degree at a recognised university or a recognised university of applied sciences/ polytechnic level completed outside Finland:
The minimum requirement is 15 admission points in order to be considered in the admission. In addition, the applicant must receive selection points from both sections in order to proceed with the selection.
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Weighted average of studies included in the degree / grade point average (GPA) as follows:
Grade 5,00-4,50=15 points, grade 4,49-4,00=10 points, grade 3,99-3,00=5 points. If the grading is other than 1-5, it will be converted to 1-5.
The grade point average must either be given in the degree certificate, transcript of records or a separate, certified calculation, otherwise the applicant receives 0 points. If the applicant’s GPA does not follow the ECTS grading system, it will be converted accordingly by the Admission Committee for the programme during the evaluation process.
In case of your previous degree not having been evaluated on a 5-point scale, your GPA will be converted to a 5-point grading scale by the Admission Committee for the programme during the evaluation process.
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Suitability of the earlier studies for the Master's programme:
The amount of relevant previous studies (in ECTS) in the fields of International Business, Sales, Sales Management and/or Marketing. In addition, one appropriate methodology course will also be calculated into this section: 1 ECTS = 0,5 points. (a maximum of 15 points). Internships and final thesis/exam/project (or equivalent) are not included in the above-mentioned studies.
If an applicant has several higher education degrees or separate studies in higher education that are not part of a degree, all of these can be considered when calculating the suitable studies, provided that the attachments proving these studies meet the University’s document requirements. If the above-mentioned studies do not follow the ECTS grading system, they will be converted accordingly.
Results
Applicants will be selected to pursue Master's degree studies based on their applications. Results will be announced on 31 March 2023, at the latest. For more information, please see Admission results.
When the selection decision has been made, the results will be sent immediately to the applicants by e-mail. Those applicants who have been accepted will receive a Notification of Admission, a Confirmation Form, and information package (including information about accommodation, student insurance programme, student union etc.) by email. These accepted applicants are required to formally accept their study place no later than 14 July 2023. This is an absolute deadline and will be treated as such. The autumn semester courses will begin on 1 September 2023.
According to the One study place per term provision, a student may accept only one study place leading to a higher education degree in Finland during one academic term. This rule applies to all higher education. For more information please see Opintopolku portal.
The annual tuition fee is applied in the Master's Degree Programme in International Business and Sales Management for non-EU/EEA students. The tuition fee will remain the same for students throughout the entire time of completing their degrees. The tuition fee is 8,000 € per academic year (16,000 € for 2 years). The due date for the first instalment is 31 July 2023.
What does the tuition fee include?
The tuition fee covers the studies included in the degree (personal study plan) and studies-related supervision and councelling and, studies-related supporting services offered by the university. In addition, students are also entitled to the services of the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS). NOTE! There are separate fees for FSHS and the Student Union (learn more below). The university assists students in finding accommodation. See also the residence permit requirements and application process from the Finnish Immigration Service website.
What is Early Bird deduction?
The University of Eastern Finland will also grant an Early Bird tuition fee deduction of 500 € to students who accept the study place and pay the tuition fees within three weeks of the date the results are published (for Master's students starting in autumn 2023 by 21.4.2023).
How to apply for a waiver and a Finland Scholarship?
The University of Eastern Finland offers all new students a partial tuition waiver in Master's degree programmes offered in English. In the Master's Degree Programme in International Business and Sales Management, the tuition waiver is 50% of the annual tuition fee. The waiver is personal and it is awarded for two academic years.
The University of Eastern Finland will also grant a Finland Scholarship (Suomi-stipendi) of € 5 000 for the two best applicants in each Master's degree programme. The Finland Scholarship is granted for the first year of Master’s studies and the students who receive it must be non-EU/EEA citizens who are liable to pay tuition fees. The Finland Scholarship includes:
- 100 % tuition waiver for the first year's tuition fee (value € 8 000 in the Master's Degree Programme in International Business and Sales Management)
- € 5 000 relocation grant
The Finland scholarship is a one-year scholarship for first-year Master’s students. For the second year of study, students need to secure sufficient funds themselves. The programmes' general tuition waivers will be offered for the second-year studies.
The Finland Scholarships will be granted until 2024. Students who apply to Master’s studies in 2025 are not eligible. The national Finland Scholarship programme is funded by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture.
The waiver and the Finland scholarship are applied for when applying for admission to the university by filling out the relevant sections of the application form in the Opintopolku portal. The decision about the waiver and Finland Scholarship are made in connection with student admission, and the student is notified of the matter in the letter of acceptance. See the criteria at admission requirements.
Waivers and scholarships are always personal. The decisions on waivers and scholarships cannot be appealed against.
Learn more about the tuition fees, waivers and Finland scholarships here. If you have any questions about tuition fees and waivers, please don't hesitate to contact: mdp-ibs@uef.fi.
Other considerations
The waiver is awarded for two academic years. The first year waiver will be granted based on the criteria prepared in connection with the preparation of the student admission criteria. However, the waiver awarded for the second year is conditional and tied to the progress of the student's studies. The prerequisite for the waiver to continue in the second academic year is that the student has completed a minimum of 55 ECTS credits of studies that are included in his or her degree during the first academic year (transferred credits are not taken into consideration). If the above prerequisite is not met, the conditional waiver awarded for the second academic year can be discontinued on this basis. The student is heard in the matter before a decision to discontinue the waiver is made.
The UEF does not offer selected students any additional funding, financial aid or working opportunities. Therefore, students must be able to cover all their own living costs in Finland independently. Finding any other funding opportunities is also the responsibility of the students himself/herself.
One's own finances are one of the requirements for the Finnish residence permit, and finances need to be available permanently on a student's bank account for the whole period the permit is applicable. Completely financing one's stay and studies in Finland by working is not possible, though part-time work may be available. For more information about the residence permit, please see the Finnish government's Immigration service at migri.fi.
For further information, please see Studying in Finland (Finnish Immigration Service).
Other mandatory fee
All degree students of the university are members of the Student Union. Under the student union act, all Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students are required to join the Student Union and must therefore pay the student union membership fee.
The Student Union membership fee entitles the student to, for example:
- free basic health care
- reduced lunch prices at student cafeterias
- discounts on local buses and long-distance transportation
- discounts on many public services and free-time activities
Further information is available on the website of the Student Union.
University students who are entitled to use the services of the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) (opens in a new tab) have been required since January 2021 to pay a student healthcare fee to Kela for each academic term. All students who are registered as attending for the current term and are studying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree are entitled to FSHS services.
Application period 2023
Our application period is open from 4 January 2023 to 18 January 2023. The application is completed and submitted online.
Apply via Studyinfo
Studyinfo.fi is the official national admissions portal with all the up-to-date information about study programmes leading to a degree in Finland. The search for "UEF" gives you all the master's degree programmes taught in English at the University of Eastern Finland.

Finland Scholarship
Finland Scholarship
UEF will grant a Finland Scholarship for the best two applicants in each Master's degree programme. The scholarship includes a 100% tuition waiver and a € 5 000 relocation grant.
Student life and stories
Learn more about the IBS student stories, studying at the UEF, our university and its campuses, and life in Finland!

Contacts
Please do not hesitate to contact us in case you have any questions about our programme.
General information and admissions: mdp-ibs@uef.fi.
In questions related to the academic content of our programme and PhD studies, please turn to Academic Head Mika Gabrielsson, mika.gabrielsson@uef.fi.
We are here for you! Get to know our staff and the IBS research group at UEF Connect!