Non-degree studies

Application closing dates:

(The application package should reach TALSS office by 16:15 of the mentioned dates below.)

- 1 April for autumn term studies and for the whole academic year.

- 15 October for the spring term studies.

The acceptance for non-degree studies:
Your portfolio and your study plan will play very important role when making the decision for acceptance.
Acceptance also depends on the situation in the study programme: are the courses full already, and how many international students will there be during the term/academic year?

General information about non-degree studies:
It is possible to apply for separate courses at TaiK without taking a degree. Non-degree studies are meant for people who have already studied in art/design field for some years in university level. Accepted non-degree students may attend lectures and carry out project related to the courses to which they have been accepted. The number of courses taken is decided case by case. Priority is given to students who study at other universities in joint programmes and who apply for non-degree studies to be included in a degree of their own universities.

Possibilities to study without taking a degree

Exchange studies: If you are a student taking a degree in the university with whom we have exchange agreement, please contact first the International Office in your own university to begin the process. There is no tuition fee for exchange studies (Erasmus/Socrates, Nord-plus, bilateral agreements).

If there is not an agreement between your and our university: you should apply for the non-degree studies.

JOO-system: A student who is enrolled in a study programme at universities in Finland can apply for TaiK through the JOO-system, the system of flexible study opportunities. Applications and instructions are available in your own university and at TALSS, Teaching and Learning Support Services, Arabiakeskus A-entrance.

Applicants who can be admitted to non-degree studies:
1. Candidates applying on the basis of international student exchange programmes or other agreements. Please fill in the Nordplus, Erasmus or bilateral application form. Further information available from your own university.
2. Students at other universities who intend to include studies at TaiK into the degree of their own university. Please fill in the application form for the non-degree studies.
3. Candidates applying on the basis of other well-founded grounds. Please fill in the non-degree application form.

Fees for Student Services

Applicants who belong to group 2. and 3.

If you are accepted as a non-degree student, you have to pay the fee for “student services”. They include such as admitting study right, registering your ECTS points into our computer system, issuing transcripts & certificates, IT services, study advising, study guide book.

The above fee is calculated as 10 eur/ECTS from 1 January, 2010.

For example, if you take courses worth 30 ECTS, the fee will be 300 eur. You will know your exact fee when you have made your personal study plan with your amanuensis.

How to apply?
If you have questions about application, please write to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

To complete an application the following items should be submitted:

1. AN APPLICATION FORM for non-degree studies. The new application form is not added to our web page. When you need the form, please write to studies(a)taik.fi. We will send it to you as attachment.

2. ACADEMIC RECORDS (transcripts) from each university or institution you have attended, along with degree certificates or diplomas you have received. If you are working on a Bachelor's degree, a transcript showing your first three years of work should be submitted.

3. A COPY OR A DESCRIPTION OF THE DIPLOMA WORK if possible,

4. AN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST will be required if English is not your native language. One of the following tests should be passed in order to evaluate your level of knowledge. The test result is valid for 2 years since the test date. (CPE is valid forever.) If your test score does not reach the minimum we require, your application will be rejected without evaluation of the portfolio and other documents. We accept only the below tests. Please do not send other language certificates!!

- If you have taken your Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in English as instruction language, you need not attach a separate language certificate with your application. However, there should be information of the language of instruction in your degree certificate or transcript or diploma supplement. (It is not enough if you have just studied as exchange student for certain period of time. The whole degree programme should be taught in English.)

- IELTS (Academic): the minimum overall band score 6.0.

- TOEFL, paper-based: the minimum total score 550.

- TOEFL, computer-based: the minimum total score 213.

- TOEFL, iBT: the minimum total score 79-80.

- CPE, Certificate of Proficiency in English by Cambridge University: all grades (A, B or C) are accepted.

For information about the international language tests, please check:

http://www.ielts.org 
http://www.toefl.org 

http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/cpe.htm 

5. AN OBJECTIVE, ONE-PAGE STATEMENT OR STUDY PLAN concerning your educational goals and interests at TaiK. Why you want to study at TaiK and why you have chosen the particular programme.

Applicants for New Media: should provide a freely composed statement of intent in which they describe their motivation and interest in the field of new media, including any speical areas of interest, as well as their personal aims. This statement is a critical element in the application process and should be no longer than 1 page.

6. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION from your home university or institution describing how the applicant's studies at TaiK will relate to his/her studies at home. Letters of recommendation from people familiar with the applicant's work, e.g. teachers and employers, are helpful when considering the application. Two letters are recommended.

7. A PORTFOLIO in which the applicant shows his/her works of art and design. The works can be presented as technical drawings, pictures, photographs, slides or video films (VHS, max. 30 min.). The portfolio should comprise of a minimum of 8 recent works, the maximum size being A3. A portfolio description sheet listing art / design works should include information on the works shown in portfolio e.g. name of the work / theme of the work, method of doing, techniques, size and material used. Three dimensional objectives should be presented by photos or by colour slides inserted in plastic sleeves or cardboard frames. Original works should not be submitted except when sending films or videos which may be difficult to duplicate.

Applicants for New Media: A portfolio is not needed in New Media.

8. CURRICULUM VITAE. max. 2 pages. describing your former studies, working experience including also brief information as a list in chronological order relating to the design/artistic/technical/pedagogical experience as well as grants and scholarships, cultural production and other relevant information.

Applicants for New Media: CV should also list your familiarity with software and/or programming languages and specific professional production environments. CV can be max. 3 pages if applying for New Media.

All application materials must be delivered to the TALSS office by 16:15 of the
closing date. Before sending your application, check that you have all requested documents. Enclose 2 copies of each document. (One original and one copy of each document.) Do not send any originals. We do not return your educational documents back. Remember that all documents must be translated in English by an authorized translator. In case you send us the copies of the translated certificates, please remember that the copies must be testified as true copy by a notary. However, we prefer your own university or institution to send us all your educational documents.

The application (including all documents) and a portfolio can be delivered in person or posted to the address below. Please mark on the package "Non-degree Application".

Aalto University School of Art and Design
TALSS, Teaching and Learning Support Services
Hämeentie 135 C
00560 Helsinki
FINLAND