Joint application 2027: application periods, results and how to apply correctly

Joint applications to higher education 2027

In 2027, applications to higher education institutions are made in three joint applications. All applications close at 3 pm, and a late application will not be accepted.

Spring 1st joint application (programmes in foreign languages): 7.1.2027 at 8:00 – 21.1.2027 at 15:00. Results by 6.7.2027 at the latest.
Spring 2nd joint application (programmes in Finnish and Swedish): 9.3.2027 at 8:00 – 23.3.2027 at 15:00. Results of the certificate-based selection by 28.5.2027 at the latest and other results by 6.7.2027 at the latest.
In the spring applications, the place must be accepted by 13.7.2027 at 15:00, and places from the waiting list are accepted until 3.8.2027 at 15:00.
Autumn joint application: 30.8.2027 at 8:00 – 9.9.2027 at 15:00. Results by 18.11.2027 at the latest and acceptance by 25.11.2027 at 15:00.

Joint application for upper secondary education 2027

Those finishing comprehensive school and others without an upper secondary qualification apply to general upper secondary school and vocational education in the joint application from 16.2.2027 at 8:00 to 16.3.2027 at 15:00. Results are published on 17.6.2027, and the place must be accepted by 1.7.2027 at 23:59. In the spring 2026 joint application for upper secondary education there were, according to the Finnish National Agency for Education, 84 250 applicants and about 88 000 starting places.

Six study programmes and a preference order

In the joint application to higher education you can apply for up to six study programmes. An applicant receives only one place: from the highest-ranked programme for which their selection success is sufficient. If you are accepted to your first choice, the lower choices are cancelled automatically.

That is why you should list your study options in your true order of preference rather than by expected chance of admission. Add backup options lower down, for which your points are more likely to suffice.

Certificate-based admission and first-time applicants

According to the Finnish National Agency for Education (Opetushallitus), typically 50–60% of applicants are admitted on the basis of their certificate, but the share varies by programme between 10 and 100 per cent. The rest are selected through an entrance exam. About 70% of all higher education starting places are reserved for first-time applicants, i.e. applicants who have not previously accepted a higher education place or completed a higher education degree.

In spring 2026, the second spring joint application had 149,000 applicants and about 56,000 study places. Competition varies greatly by field, so check the previous years' admission score limits for your programme on Opintopolku.

Matriculation examinations and the autumn 2026 application

In certificate-based admission, the grades of the matriculation examination or a vocational qualification are decisive. According to the Matriculation Examination Board's preliminary schedule, the spring 2027 examinations will be held on 16.3.–5.4.2027, and the results will be visible in Oma Opintopolku on 19.5.2027. The results of the autumn 2026 examinations will be visible in Oma Opintopolku on 13.11.2026.

According to the Finnish National Agency for Education (Opetushallitus), the autumn 2026 joint application to higher education had 32 900 applicants and over 12 400 study places in programmes starting in January 2027. The results will be published by 19.11.2026 at the latest. If you do not get a place, you can apply again in spring 2027 or look into open university courses, which let you start studying before the next application round.

New one-degree rule

The one-degree rule has applied since the autumn 2026 joint application. If you accept a new degree-leading higher education place, your existing study rights at the same or a lower level end. The rule covers university bachelor's and master's degrees as well as university of applied sciences degrees and higher UAS degrees, and it applies to applications that began after 1.8.2026. If you are already studying somewhere, find out the impact before accepting a place.

Checklist before submitting the application

Study Radar brings together application periods, matriculation exam dates and applicant numbers in one view. Before submitting, it is worth going through the following points.

The application was submitted in Opintopolku before 15:00 on the final application day.
The study programmes are in your true order of preference.
The contact details are correct, because the results and invitations will arrive by email.
You know when the place must be accepted at the latest.
You have checked whether the one-degree rule applies to you.

Frequently asked questions

When is the 2027 joint application for higher education?

The main spring joint application for programmes in Finnish and Swedish is from 9.3.2027 at 8:00 to 23.3.2027 at 15:00. The application for foreign-language programmes is 7–21.1.2027.

How many programmes can you choose in the joint application to higher education?

At most six. You get a place only from the highest preference that your selection success is enough for.

When will the results of the 2027 joint application for secondary education come out?

Results will be published on 17.6.2027, and the place must be accepted by 1.7.2027 at 23:59.

What is the one-qualification rule?

From the autumn 2026 joint application onwards, accepting a new degree-leading higher education place ends your existing study rights at the same or a lower level.

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Sources

The article is general information and does not replace the guidance of an authority, a lawyer or an adviser. Check up-to-date information from the sources.