Eligibility
Selection methods
Eligibility requirements
You are an eligible applicant for Master-level studies if
you have a nationally recognized first cycle degree – typically a Bachelor’s degree – from an accredited institution of higher education and (if applicable in the country of the degree) from a nationally accredited degree programme
your degree corresponds to at least 180 ECTS (European credits) or to three years of full-time study
your degree gives eligibility to Master's level studies in the country where it was issued
your degree is in a relevant field for the Master’s degree programme that you are applying to.
Please see in more detail: https://www.utu.fi/apply
Verified proficiency in the English language is needed. See the webpage for recognized qualifications, required levels and exemptions: https://www.utu.fi/en/study-at-utu/language-requirements-for-masters-degree-programmes. Applicants must reach the minimum required test results to be considered eligible to be accepted to the University of Turku.
Eligibility for the EAST programme
Persons who have completed a Bachelor’s degree of at least 3 years in length that corresponds to at least 180 ECTS (European credits). A GPA of 3 or higher (on the Finnish grading scale of 0-5) in previous degree studies is required for admission.
NB. Persons who have a first-cycle university of applied sciences degree and have completed courses on scientific thinking, writing and research methods in areas relevant to the EAST Programme, are also eligible to apply. The degree must give access to master’s level studies in a research university in the country where the degree was issued.
If the applicant has not graduated by the end of the application period, the possible admission will be conditional until s/he has presented the University of Turku with a finished degree certificate and transcript of records at the latest by 31 July (Finnish degrees) or 15 August 2027 (degrees completed outside Finland). (Information added 21 Oct 2026.)
Admission
The following six programme-specific selection criteria will be used when assessing the applicants:
The East Asia contents of previous degree studies; this includes exchange studies in East Asia
The disciplinary relevance of previous degree studies, i.e. focus on social and political sciences and/or contemporary history. This includes exchange studies in East Asia
Academic performance in previous studies: a GPA of 3 or higher in previous degree studies is required for admission (on the Finnish grading scale of 0-5)
Knowledge of East Asian language(s), verified appropriately (transcripts, official certificates etc.)
Self-introduction video
Motivation letter
Intake quota in the EAST Programme is 17.
The Master’s Degree Programme in East Asian Studies (EAST) that is offered by the Centre for East Asian Studies (CEAS) at the University of Turku gives a unique opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge about the dynamic societies and politics of contemporary East Asia: China, Japan, South Korea and North Korea, taught by academic staff with wide and versatile knowledge on East Asia. As part of the EAST programme, students further develop their research skills and language proficiency in one or more East Asian languages.
The EAST Programme prepares students to enter international public, private, and third sector professions. Students also become qualified to apply to Ph.D. programmes and pursue an academic career.