Apply to Machine Intelligence and Data Science

Here you will find important information on how to apply to the Machine Intelligence and Data Science programme.

The application to Arcada's master's degree programmes in English for studies beginning in August 2025 will open on 8 January at 08:00 AM EET and close on 22 January 2025 at 03:00 PM EET. There are a total of 20 study places on offer in the Machine Intelligence and Data Science programme.

Please use the quick links to navigate smoothly between the different sections.

More information regarding the study programme can be found here.

Eligibility

Before starting your master's application process to Arcada, please ensure that you are an eligible applicant, i.e., you have a suitable educational background and two years of work experience. Applicants' English language skills will be evaluated through the selection methods used so no separate English language proficiency certificate is needed for applying. 

Educational background

To be eligible to apply to Machine Intelligence and Data Science, you must have a suitable bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Natural Sciences or Business (with a minor in IT or CS) or a similar field (for example electrical engineering) deemed to include sufficient technical skills and scientific rigour (however, prior studies must include a minimum of 30 ECTS in programming subjects).

Two years of work experience

All applicants must, in addition to the requirements listed above, have a minimum of two years (24 months) of relevant work experience gained after the completion of the bachelor's degree in order to meet the eligibility criteria.

Work experience is only counted after the bachelor's degree has been awarded, and needs to be proven by a work certificate. Work experience gained before or during your bachelor studies cannot be counted towards the work experience minimum requirement. An exception is only made for applicants who have completed a Finnish vocational college diploma or higher vocational diploma (opisto- tai ammatillisen korkea-asteen tutkinto) before the completion of their higher education degree, as they may also take into account work experience gained before the higher education degree. Work experience can be counted up to 31st July 2025.

Part-time work is converted to full-time work so that 150 hours or 20 full-time working days (a minimum of seven hours per day) are equal to a month. The work experience does not have to be continuous or from the same employer. Practical training or on-the-job learning is not counted as work experience if it forms a part of the degree used for applying.

Application methods

Admission to the master's degree programme in Machine Intelligence and Data Science is offered through two separate selection tracks depending on your previous exposure to Big Data Analytics. Half of the study places will be offered based on the GRE test motivation letter and half based on previous studies within the field. If the study places in either of the tracks are not filled, places may be filled from the other track. The selection process consists of two steps as explained below

Track 1: GRE test + motivation letter, and interview

Arcada's GRE code is 2523. Please use this code when requesting your score to be sent to Arcada.

Quantitative Reasoning: at least 150 points
Verbal Reasoning: at least 150 points
Analytical writing: minimum score 4

Please click here for more information on the GRE-test .

The deadline for the GRE test to be Arcada at hand is 29 January 2025 at 3 pm (UTC +2).

Track 2: Prior master-level studies within the field + motivation letter, and interview

Previous 30 ECTS studies within the field at an advanced (master) level.

Applicants should attach a transcript of records/relevant certificates proving master-level studies within the field to their application. Previous studies are graded as pass or fail.

About the Motivation letter

All applicants must submit a motivational letter.

The letter of motivation should be 2 to 3 pages of text on the following topics:

  • A vision of future possibilities associated with the application of machine learning and data science in challenging societal problems
  • A vision of own role and career as an expert in the transition towards analytics-driven intelligent services
  • A proposal for a programming or service creation challenge you would like to study as part of your master's thesis

The motivation letter will graded as pass or fail.

The deadline for the motivation letter to be attached to the application in Studyinfo is 29 January 2025 at 3 pm (UTC +2)

About the Interview

A minimum of  30 applicants who passed the first step of the selection process with either a GRE + motivation letter or previous studies + motivation letter will be invited to an interview held online through Zoom in March. The group interview does not require any special preparation from the applicants, and applicants will receive a separate invitation to the group interview containing all information. 

The interview is graded on a scale of 1-40

Applicants are admitted on the basis of the score of the interview.

 

How to apply - Master's level

Here you will find a checklist to guide you through the application process.

The application is to be submitted through the national application portal Studyinfo.

Checklist for applying:

Make sure you meet all eligibility criteria for the programme that you are interested in. Please note that you need to apply with a bachelor's degree and mark this on your application form as your educational background.

Decide if you want to apply to the part-time or full-time study option if you are applying to a degree programme where this choice is offered.

The application form is found on the application portal Studyinfo during the application period. Fill in the form yourself, using your own contact information.

You can also use the direct links below (only active during application time):

Business Management and Transformation, full-time studies (application closed)
Business Management and Transformation, part-time studies (application closed)
Emergency Care Systems Development and Leadership, online (application closed)
Healthcare Leadership, online, full-time studies (application closed)
Healthcare Leadership, online, part-time studies (application closed)
Machine Intelligence and Data Science, full-time studies (application closed)
Media Management, full-time studies (application closed)
 

Please read through the instructions carefully and make sure you answer all questions on the form.

Do not forget to click 'submit' to save your application form. You will receive a confirmation e-mail in your inbox. If you do not receive a confirmation e-mail, please check your spam folder and make sure that your inbox is not full. If you still have not received a confirmation, contact the admissions services of the university or university of applied sciences that you applied to.

Applicants should in general submit the following supporting documents:

1. Copy of original final bachelor's degree certificate/diploma in the original language
2. Copy of the transcript of academic records in the original language
3. Official translations of the bachelor's degree diploma/certificate and transcript of academic records if it was not issued in English, Finnish or Swedish
4. Copies of relevant work certificates
5. Copy of residence permit or passport that exempt from tuition fee

These are, depending on the programme, English language proficiency certificate, a GRE test, a pre-assignment, a motivational letter and/or video. Please note the deadline for submitting all documents on the application form.

Arcada Admissions Services will contact you in case there are questions about your application or documents, so please make sure that you check your inbox and spam folder regularly.

The result of your application will also be sent to you be e-mail.

Supporting documents - Master's level

Below you will find detailed information on which supporting documents to submit when you apply to Arcada.

The application form will generally alert you to all the documents you should submit, and their specific deadline. Most attachments can be uploaded directly to the application form, others may need to be ordered from an external service provider. No documents, however, need to be sent by post.

Select the category below for further information on documents and deadlines.

Authorised translations in English, Swedish or Finnish of the Bachelor's degree certificate/diploma should also be submitted, if the original degree certificate is not issued in one of the previously mentioned languages. The translation should bear the stamp and signature of the translator.

Authorised translations in English, Swedish or Finnish of the study transcript or academic records should also be submitted, if the original degree certificate is not issued in one of the previously mentioned languages. The translation should bear the stamp and signature of the translator.

Copies of work certificates should be submitted in English, Swedish or Finnish indicating a minimum of two years (24 months) of relevant work experience. A CV can be attached, but it is not accepted on its own. 
Self-employed candidates (independent entrepreneurs) are allowed to prove their work history by sending CVs well as a YEL or MYEL-certificate, where possible. Please send only work certificates that are relevant. The work certificates must show start and end dates as well as title and description of work tasks. If you have worked part-time, the work certificates should indicate the number of work hours per month. 150 work hours or 20 working days (the minimum length of one full working day is 7 hours) is equivalent to one month of work experience.

In order to prove exemption from tuition fees, a non-EU/EEA applicant should submit a copy of a valid residence permit (both sides) issued by the Finnish Immigration Service.

All applicants must submit a copy of valid proof of Identity. 
Accepted documents are:

  • Passport
  • Finnish Identity card
  • Identity card with photo issued in EU-country

These include English language proficiency certificates, pre-assignments, GRE tests, motivational letters and/or videos. See specific details on required documents for each master's programme.