Apply through online path

On this page you will find information on how to apply to Arcada through online open path studies in autumn 2025.

Arcada is introducing a new online path programme which is set to start in August 2025. By completing 30 ECTS of online open path studies during autumn 2025 applicants can apply to be admitted to International Business or Mechanical and Sustainable Engineering.

The application to become a degree status student is now open 27 October at 9 AM (EET) - 11 November at 3 PM (EET) 2025. 

Please click here to access the application form. Note that the application form will be active only during the actual application time. 
 

Who can apply?

This online programme is a flexible and supportive path into business or engineering studies. It is designed for anyone who dreams of studying at a university of applied sciences (UAS) but may feel unsure about applying through traditional admissions. Here, you don't compete with others — instead, you prove your ability by studying actual first-year courses, in English, at your own pace. If you succeed, you are eligible to continue directly into one of the degree programmes.

Requirements

The only requirements for being accepted to one of the online path programmes are:

  • having a completed upper secondary education or university degree (bachelor's or master's) and
  • paying the online path fee of €3,500 by 14 August 2025. 

There are no language requirements, but applicants are strongly recommended to have English at a minimum of level B2 in order to successfully complete the online path studies.

Fees

The fee for the online path is €3,500 (autumn semester) and €5,500 for the studies on campus (spring semester). Since the online path consists of open UAS studies all applicants are required to pay for the 30 ECTS and an applicant can not gain a student status while completing the path. An applicant can apply to become a degree-status student after completing the path. See below for more information on the process. The tuition fees and scholarships for admitted students in 2025 will apply to those admitted through the online path starting from the second year. An application fee of €100 is also to be paid when applying for degree student status. Please check our Tuition fees and scholarships page for more information.

Information about International Business

The online path has 50 study places reserved for the International Business programme. Study places to online path are granted in order of registration. 

Course list

Applicants who wish to be considered for admission as a degree student to International Business are required to complete the following courses through the online path programme during autumn 2025:

  • Technology and Learning AS-1-044, period 1
  • Business Mathematics and Statistics AB-1-017, period 1
  • Introduction to Business Administration AB-1-016, period 1
  • Introduction to Marketing AB-1-018, period 2
  • Introduction to Accounting AB-1-024, period 2
  • Teamwork and Innovation AS-1-045, period 2

Applicants are not required to receive more than a passing grade to be eligible to apply for degree student status, but the grades will affect chances of future scholarships. More information about the International Business programme and the structure of studies can be found here. 

Information about Mechanical and Sustainable Engineering 

The online path has 30 study places reserved for the Mechanical and Sustainable Engineering programme. Study places to online path are granted in order of registration. 

Course list

Applicants who wish to be considered for admission as a degree student to Mechanical and Sustainable Engineering are required to complete the following courses through the online path programme during autumn 2025:

  • Technology and Learning AS-1-044, period 1
  • Engineering Chemistry GT‑2‑013, period 1
  • Introduction to programming and automation GT‑2‑024, period 1
  • Teamwork and Innovation AS-1-045, period 2
  • Linear algebra PM‑2‑026, period 2
  • Technical Drawing PM‑2‑030, period 2

Applicants are not required to receive more than a passing grade to be eligible to apply for degree student status, but the grades will affect chances of future scholarships. More information about the Mechanical and Sustainable Engineering programme and the structure of studies can be found here. 

Application step by step – online path

The list below is our application process for online path to the International Business (IB) and Mechanical and Sustainable Engineering (MSE) programmes in a nutshell. It gives you an overview of how to apply.

You can click on the programme-specific pages for a list of courses and programme-specific information.

Application to online path 24 July – 4 August 2025

The application opens on 24 July at 9 AM (EEST) and closes on 4 August at 15.00 (EEST). 

The applicant needs to submit a national ID card issued in an EU/EEA country or copy of a valid passport and documents of completed upper secondary education. Link to application will be posted here when the application is open. Applicants are chosen in order of registration, so it is better to apply early. 

An applicant can apply to both programmes and if granted a study place they can choose which programme they wish to enroll in. Applicants who receive a spot will be sent a second form where they bindingly accept the study place along with payment instructions. All payments are made through Arcada's partner Flywire.

Pay online path tuition fee by 14 August 2025

Applicants who have received an offer of a study place in the online path programme will receive instructions on how to complete the payment through Flywire. The payment of €3,500 needs to be completed by 14 August to secure a spot in one of the online path programmes. Applicants will also need to choose which programme to bindingly enroll in if they have received a spot in both programmes.

If the payment is not completed by 14 August the study spot will be offered to the applicant who is next in line and they will have seven days to complete the payment.

Introduction days

Applicants will need to participate in an online introduction regarding the studies and being a student at Arcada. The online sessions will be arranged during the end of August. More information will follow soon.

Complete courses during period 1

Applicants complete the three mandatory courses in period 1 with a passing grade.

Application in Studyinfo 27 October – 10 November 2025

The application to become a degree student at Arcada will be 27 October–10 November 2025 in Studyinfo. A link to the application will be provided here. Applicants will be required to upload their ID and a transcript of the studies completed through the online path at Arcada.

Admissions results

Applicants who have completed the mandatory courses in period 1 and applied through Studyinfo will be offered conditional admission to either International Business or Mechanical and Sustainable Engineering starting from January 2026. The offer is contingent on applicants paying the spring semester's tuition fee of €5,500 before 27 November 2025 and completing the mandatory courses in period 2. 

Apply for residence permit

Committed applicants are recommended to start applying for a residence permit as soon as they have accepted the offer to become a degree student at Arcada. Receiving a student visa can be a lengthy process, so it is better to start early so students will be able to attend spring classes on campus. 

Complete courses during period 2

Applicants complete the three mandatory courses in period 2 with a passing grade. If a student is not able to complete all six classes during autumn 2025 the offer of a study place will be withdrawn.

January 2026 – studies begin

Studies commence on campus in January 2026. If a student is unable to arrive in Finland in January some of the courses in period 3 will also be arranged online, but students are urged to arrive in Finland as soon as possible.