Studies
Why choose Information Technology at Metropolia?
Information Technology is everywhere in today's society as it is needed in electronic and media appliances, computers, household devices, and almost in every part of our everyday lives.
We offer you
- Excellent combination of basic and professional courses in Information Technology
- High-quality education
- A solid basis to work as an engineer both in Finland and abroad
- Major options in Smart IoT Systems and Software Engineering.
- International and supportive learning environment
- Multidisciplinary educational institution with a vast partner network
Could I be a student in Information Technology?
Yes you can! You don't need to be a computer wizard to start with as we will equip you with the skills and knowledge required in the field. You just need to be committed and hard-working student with a devoted attitude towards the world of information technology and engineering. We offer you an international study environment in which you have a possibility to make friends and future colleagues with students from all around the world.
What will you study?
You will learn the basics in core engineering subjects such as mathematics and physics. Professional studies in Information Technology will fortify your engineering skills in addition to languages and communication skills and business courses that will top-up your competence.
You will be linked to working-life throughout your studies via industry-related projects, work placement periods and a Final Year Project. This gives you a chance to create useful networks and plan your future career whilst studying.
How full-time studies are implemented?
You will study full-time, and studies require in average 40 hours of hard studies weekly. Studies are very intensive from day one. About half of the studies is guided by a teacher, rest of it should be filled by the student. Your studies will include theoretical teaching, various practical assignments, independent and group studies as well as written assignments. You will study four 15 credits courses in the first year and the courses require full-time attendance.
First year studies 2025-2026
Compulsory first-year studies consist of two themes: Software theme and Hardware theme. You will study 4 x 15 credits courses during your first study year. Some students will also study Finnish 1 and Finnish 2 courses. Students will complete first year studies in this order:
Autumn 2025
- Software 1 (15 credits)
- Software 2 (15 credits
- Finnish 1 (5 credits)
Spring 2026
- Hardware 1 (15 credits)
- Hardware 2 (15 credits)
- Finnish 2 (5 credits).
First year studies includes topics like:
- Professional studies like Python programming, relational database, Wed Development, Basics of Object-Oriented programming, Installing and operating a Linux system, Basics of digital systems, Orientation to health technology and Basics of data networks.
- Engineering Mathematics: handling expressions and solving equations, basic concepts of vector computing and calculations, basics of matrices and functions, functions and their differentials.
- Engineering Physics: basic concepts and laws of kinetics, describing force, energy, and periodic motion, basics of electricity and magnetism.
- English Communication: Orientation to field, oral and written project communication in English, project presentations.
- Projects: projects applies the skills learned during the course.
- Orientation to the professional field and studying.
- Basic knowledge and skills in information security and data protection.
Courses require attendance at classes, as well as doing assignments independently weekly.
One 15 credits course include subjects like
- Professional studies
- Engineering Mathematics
- Engineering Physics
- English Communication
- Project
A course is considered to be passed only after all compulsory parts of the implementation have been passed. Project work are done in teams of 3-4 students.
The studies are measured in credit points. The number of credit points for each course is based on the amount of work it requires. An average academic year consists of 1,600 hours of work, which is equivalent to 60 credit points (1 credit point = 27 hours).
NOTE: It may be very hard to study full time, if you are working simultaneously.
If you have completed Information Technology or very closely related Engineering studies earlier, we will do an individual study path to ensure the smooth progress of your studies - look to the part: Starting studies.
Bring your own laptop
We expect you have own laptop in the beginning of your studies. Laptop configuration guidelines are: Windows 10 (64-bit version) laptop with minimum 8 GB memory (RAM) and at least 256 GB SSD storage / Hard drive. However, more memory is better as you need to install several software packages into your hard drive and run some resource-heavy programs (usually available on for Windows). You can select also Linux OS if you are more familiar with Linux. MacBook is also ok, but be careful with memory as it differs from Windows requirements. Unfortunately, we cannot provide support on any other than Microsoft computers. Chrome OS not recommended.
Major options
We offer four (4) majors:
- Software Engineering: Machine Learning
- Software Engineering: Mobile Development
- Smart IoT Systems: Embedded IoT Devices
- Smart Iot Systems: IoT and Networks.
Please note
- Student need to enroll to major option selection.
- Major option selection will be held once a year, in spring semester.
- Major studies start once a year, in August.
- Starting studies in major option require that student has followed the curriculum, as planned and has completed 60 credits, i.e first year studies.
- Student does not automatically get a study place in his/her preference major.
- We have limited study places in each major option.
- The major option will be offered if a sufficient number of students will choose the major option.
- If the number of students applying for a major exceeds the number of study places, the selection criteria will be based on study success and other criteria defined by the degree program.
Major option will give you an in-depth insight into the subject areas that are relevant and up to date in each major option. You can also extend your knowledge in any other major options by taking it as a minor option in your engineering studies. Major options and course offerings in Major Options are subject to change.
Software Engineering - Where ideas meet code
In this program, you will acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to embark on a career as a software engineer. Beyond covering the essential technical aspects of software engineering, you will also develop teamwork, communication, and user experience design skills. We employ modern tools and frameworks for teaching programming and software design. Our emphasis lies in a hands-on approach to software engineering, with all courses featuring a significant coding component. Each semester, you will engage in a substantial project course, allowing you to create an application that can be added to your portfolio, enhancing your job prospects even before graduation.
Upon completion of the Software Engineering program, graduates typically pursue careers as software engineers, mobile web developers, full stack developers, or iOS and Android developers.
Machine Learning
In the Software Engineering: Machine Learning major, you will gain expertise in developing AI-powered software solutions. This major option equips you with essential data manipulation and analysis skills while teaching you how to seamlessly integrate a wide range of machine learning libraries, tools, and methods into your software development projects.
Mobile Development
In the Software Engineering: Mobile Development major, you boost your development skills with a capability to build applications for the most popular mobile environments. In addition to learning solid general software design and construction skills, you learn Android development using Kotlin, iOS development with Swift, and hybrid app development using React Native.
Smart IoT Systems - Internet is everywhere
The Smart IoT major explores the interconnected world of smart devices, where everyday objects communicate, collect data, and drive intelligent solutions. IoT engineers play a crucial role in developing these systems, creating secure, efficient, and scalable devices that power smart cities, optimize industrial processes, and enhance our daily lives. Through this major, students gain expertise in designing, building, and securing IoT devices and networks, preparing them to shape the future of connected technology.
Embedded IoT Devices
Embedded IoT Devices are smart devices equipped with open-source operating systems, designed to control industrial processes, collect IoT data, and securely interface with cloud services. An understanding of cloud architecture and data security is essential, and students gain hands-on experience in professional embedded development practices through real-world projects. Graduates are well-prepared for roles in product research and development, technical support, or as software developers within diverse ICT and IoT-focused companies.
IoT and Networks
IoT and Networks studies provide students with comprehensive knowledge in computer network technologies, server systems, cloud services, and secure network and cloud infrastructure. Hands-on experience in our data communication lab, based on IP-networking, server systems, and mobile networks, equips students to design, implement, and maintain secure systems. Courses developed with leading networking equipment manufacturers ensure graduates gain robust skills for roles such as project manager, network specialist, cloud system administrator, ICT security specialist, or technical specialist.
What lies ahead after graduation?
You can have many different career and further study paths after your graduation. Your future job may range from systems, software and hardware design to consulting, product support and management positions.
Many of our graduates also pursue for further studies in various Master-level studies in prestigious universities both in Finland and abroad.
Scholarships and tuition fees
Annual tuition fee
- 10 000 € for those, whose right of study starts before 1 August 2024
- 11 000 € for those, whose right of study starts after 31 July 2024.
This fee applies only to non-EU/EEA degree students.
Students' experiences
Janani
Janani tells about her experiences in IT studies.
Oheneba
Oheneba tells what is the best thing in IT studies.
Ask more about studies
Applying
- Application period-Start of studiesautumn 2025
- Day-time studies
Instructions for applying
In the spring 2025 Joint Application to higher education, you can apply to degree programmes that start in the autumn of 2025. The application period starts on the 8 January 2025 at 8 am and ends on the 22 January 2025 at 3 pm (local time in Finland).
All the information needed to apply can be found on the national Studyinfo.fi portal. At Studyinfo.fi you can find descriptions of degree programmes, application criteria, application instructions, application forms and much more.
The International UAS Exam is a joint digital entrance exam of the Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS), used for selecting students to study programmes leading to a bachelor’s degree and conducted in English. The entrance exam is completed by the applicant’s own computer remotely online.
Read more about the International UAS Exam and language requirements on the website uasinfo.fi
- Application period-Start of studiesautumn 2025
- Day-time studies
The Separate Application for International Degree Programmes is aimed at those applying on the basis of GMAT/GRE test, SAT test, the Edunation Pathway Diploma or a top-up degree for an education leading to a higher education degree in English. Application period for studies starting in autumn 2025 starts on 31 December 2024 08:00 am (local time in Finland).
Application instructions have been published on Studyinfo.fi Check the individual selection methods for each degree programme in Studyinfo.fi .
Useful links
More information
For more information on the application process please contact
Metropolia's Student and Admission Services:
+358 40 712 5100
admissions [at] metropolia.fi (admissions[at]metropolia[dot]fi)
Starting studies
How to start your studies in Metropolia
Welcome to study for a degree at Metropolia!
Congratulations! You have been admitted to Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and we are delighted to have you as a new member of our vibrant community of more than 16 000 students!
You have made an excellent choice - Metropolia offers you unique multidisciplinary opportunities throughout your studies with its strong connections to working life and active role in innovations built around socially significant phenomena.
We are happy to have you with us and help you with any questions you might have. Welcome to Metropolia!
The below information applies to students who have been accepted to study for a full degree at Metropolia. Make sure to complete all the steps in order to secure your study place.
Confirming a place of study requires certain formalities to be completed by the deadline. More detailed instructions below:
Non-EU/EEA students need a student residence permit. You can begin the student residence permit application online at Enterfinland.fi. Remember that you must personally visit a Finnish embassy or consulate as part of this process. Start your residence permit process as soon as possible, carefully following the immigration authorities' instructions and regulations, so that you can receive your permit in good time before your studies begin! You can find detailed information and advice on the residence permit requirements and procedures on the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) website.
Note that participating online programmes does not entitle you receiving residence permit. See more about the topic in Finnish Immigration Service websites.
All Metropolia's students who do not have a Finnish personal identity code, have to apply for it before their arrival or register at the local registry office after their arrival to Finland to apply for one.
Students who have to apply for residence permit (i.e. non-EU/non-EEA citizens) before their arrival to Finland should ask to be registered in the Finnish Population Information System when they apply for their first residence permit. This way they will receive a Finnish personal identity code at the same time as they are issued with the permit. More information on this for residence permit applicants
Other students have to apply for the personal identity code from the local registry office of the city where you are living in.
More information on Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV).
More information on registration to the Finnish Population Information System
After you have received the personal identification code, remember to inform it to the Student and Admission Services.
Metropolia does not have housing services to offer. Thus, it is the student's responsibility to find an accommodation for the period of their studies. There is a lot of competition in affordable housing, so it is important to start searching for a room many months prior to arrival. More information on accommodation
All foreign students (who are not EU citizens or citizens of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland) who come to Finland for the purposes of studying are required to have a health insurance, if the studies endure longer than three months.
More information on insurances
Student financial aid is for Finnish citizens. Foreign citizens are entitled to student financial aid if they live in Finland on a permanent basis for the purpose other than studying and they have registered as permanent residents in the Finnish population register system.
- Find out where your campus is located
- If you have a smart phone you can download the free HSL mobile app to get access to the public transportation Journey Planner and tickets (e.g. for travelling from the Helsinki-Vantaa airport to your apartment or from your apartment to the campus).
- If you have a smart phone you can download the Tuudo mobile app for free to get your digital student ID and student discounts (ID and discounts are available from the first day of the studies onwards)
- Information on student life and well-being, costs and finance, study environment etc.
When you start as a new student you need to activate your user account. Activation is possible when the right to study begins. For joint application, activation is possible from 1 August.
The purpose of the activation is that you personally accept the rules of the account usage policy and start using your account. Activate your user account primarily using Mobile Certificate and Netbank User ID. Please read first the instructions in IT Services wiki.
Tuudo is a mobile app with which you can use various Metropolia web services easily on your smart phone. With Tuudo you can get VR, HSL, Matkahuolto and Kela student discounts immediately. The benefits are free for all Metropolia students.
In Tuudo you can check Metropolia, Admission Services, and student union METKA announcements, your schedule, study attainments, and cafeteria menus.
Get Tuudo on your phone from the app store for free and start using it!
During your studies, your support of well-being and health is Finnish Student Health Services (FSHS). The specialist in student health care offers you general, mental and oral health services and supports the well-being of study communities.
Our services can be used by students completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree at a university or a university of applied sciences who have registered as attending for the semester.
Master the facts! Familiarize yourself with our services and user instructions on the address fshs.fi, and the Health information resource on the address yths.fi/en/health-information-resource. You can also find information about appointments as well as current information about your service unit on the address yths.fi/en/service-units.
Start using Self! Self is the student’s own online service for health care issues at FSHS. In Self, you can manage appointment bookings, communicate via SelfChat and start a remote consultation. Log in to Self as a user immediately from the beginning of the semester and keep your contact details up to date for as long as you are a student. Read more: yths.fi/en/self-info.
The health care fee for students in higher education will be paid to Kela on your initiative (kela.fi/web/en/healthcare-fee-for-students-in-higher-education).
If you have social security coverage in another EU/EEA country or in Switzerland or the United Kingdom, you do not have to pay the healthcare fee. However, you can to use the FSHS’s services.
Already excited about starting your studies in Metropolia and meeting new people? On this page you will find welcome letters for each degree program.
Welcome letters are information packages prepared by your future tutors. They include, for example, important dates as well as information about studying, student benefits, or student life.
Create your own profile and sign up to JobTeaser portal now and stay up to date on job vacancies, training and upcoming recruitment events promoted especially to Metropolia students. There are hundreds of job opportunities available and a lot of information to support your career planning.
JobTeaser is a career portal where you can find lot of career information in one platform.
- Open jobs and traineeships
- Working life events
- Advice & guidance
- Employer profiles
Sign up and start exploring
Sign up to JobTeaser using your @metropolia.fi email address: https://metropolia.jobteaser.com/
You can also download a Jobteaser application.
Starting studies in autumn 2025
You will have an interesting and new phase starting in your life and we are very happy to have you with us.
Studies are very intensive from day one. Studies will require commitment, hard work and ability to work as a part of a team. You are not to worry, as we will equip you with the skills and knowledge required in the field of Information Technology. Your task is to give your devotion and willingness to learn new things to ensure the best outcome from your studies.
We have recognize Coronavirus effects to students’ mobility as well as residence permits issues. We are constantly monitoring updated corona situation in Finland from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare corona info and Ministry of Foreign Affairs corona info.
Orientation Days will start your studies (mandatory).
Orientation Days will start your studies. Orientation days will be held both at Karamalmi campus, Finland (for students who are in Finland already) and on-line for students abroad. On-line group study places are only for students, whose residence permit in under process and therefore student is unable to start studies in Finland.
Orientation days programme with instructions and links will be sent to you as a separate email on week 32, August 2025 at the earliest.
Orientation Days timetable 12.8.-15.8.2025 (subject to change)
12.8.2025: Student services & Metropolia helpdesk: help with questions about Metropolia user account / installing VPN (not confirmed yet).
13.8.-15.8.2025: Orientation days - mandatory for all.
- Language of school education. Based to this information, we are able to divided students to 4 study groups and add students into courses for autumn term 2025. Prepare to show your previous Finnish language certificates to us.
- Study groups
- First year studies
- Student services
- Metropolia IT services
- System training
Plan your schedules so that you are able to participate to the Orientation days. You will get necessary and very important information for your studies. Do note that starting your studies later than 12.8.2025 will seriously affect the progress of your studies.
Karamalmi campus address:
- Karaportti 2, 02610 Espoo, Karamalmi campus
- Navigation: Karaportti 2, Espoo
- From Helsinki City Center, the campus is accessed by train: A or U train to Leppävaara and from there by bus to the campus (for example buses 200, 227, 224, 236).
- To find up-date train and bus connections and timetables, please check the journey planner
- Note: you must buy train ticket before entering to train, because you cannot buy tickets at train.
- To avoid fee (80 euros), buy ticket from R-kioski or
.
Own laptop is required
For starting the Orientation dates, new students are required to possess
- own laptop
- webcam
- working internet connection
We expect you have own laptop in the beginning of your studies. Laptop configuration guidelines are: Windows 10 (64-bit version) laptop with minimum 8 GB memory (RAM) and at least 256 GB SSD storage / Hard drive. However, more memory is better as you need to install several software packages into your hard drive and run some resource-heavy programs (usually available of for Windows). You can select also Linux OS if you are more familiar with Linux. MacBook is also ok, but be careful with memory as it differs from Windows requirements. Unfortunately, we cannot provide support on any other than Microsoft computers. Chrome OS not recommended.
Teaching for first year students begin on 18.8.2025 at 9 a.m. Teaching will be held in a hybrid model in whole autumn term: August-December 2025 (subject to change).
We will divided students into 4 study groups and will add students to autumn semester courses during the Orientation days. Students will not enroll to courses themselves.
Hybrid model means that 3 study groups (students, who are in Finland already), will start studies at Karamalmi campus (contact teaching).
One (1) study group will study online (students who are abroad). Online group study places are only for students, whose residence permit in under process and therefore student is unable to start studies in Finland in autumn-tern 2025.
Whole autumn term 2025 will be carried out as hybrid model: 3 study groups will study at campus and 1 study group will study on-line.
Please note that studies require full-time attendance in most of the courses. All our teaching (incl. Orientation days) will be conducted in Helsinki time (Eastern European Summer Time (EEST), UTC +3) which means that some of you might need to study during the evening/early morning. Make yourself familiar with Degree Program in Information Technology curricula
Language of school education
According to the Finnish legislation, we must record whether the student has received his or her education in comprehensive and upper secondary school or lower and upper secondary school in Finnish/Swedish or some other language.
Be prepared to have your school leaving certificate(s) at your hand in September 2025 at the latest. Picture of your school leaving certificates works well. You do not need to translate your school leaving certificates.
School certificates are named with different names, depending on the country in which you completed your school. We are talking about school leaving certificate(s).
School certificates are usually named as:
- comprehensive and upper secondary school certificate OR
- Lower and upper secondary school certificate OR
- school leaving certificate
Previous Studies
We have always had a substantial number of new students, who have either completed studies in higher education or even completed a degree before they start their studies in Degree Programme in Information Technology at Metropolia. We would like to find those students, who might be eligible for the process of Recognition of Prior Learning so that we could make individual study path for them.
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) refers to the transfer of credits based on prior learning – in other words, prior studies, training, professional experience or other competence –to form a part of compulsory or optional studies being completed for a degree, study module or course. The prior learning must fulfill the competence requirements of the Degree Programme in Information Technology curricula.
If you have IT or very closely related engineering field studies and want to apply transfer of credits for 1st year studies, take a careful look to the curricula of Information Technology and read the contents and competence goals of the Degree Programme in Information Technology, study modules and courses. Do you think there is a possibility your previous IT or related engineering field studies fulfills the competence of the IT curriculum?
Please inform us, if you
- have completed Information Technology or very closely related IT engineering field studies min 60 ects credits or more: such as Engineering Mathematics, Engineering Physics and Programming courses, especially in University of Applied Sciences in Finland)
- have completed IT or closely related engineering field degree (Bachelor or Master level)
- want to apply transfer of credits for 1st year studies
If you have done less than 60 credits, do not fill in the eform. If your prior studies are done in field of Business, Tourism and Hospitality, Nursing or any other than IT engineering field, do not fill in the eform.
Transfer of Credits process: please note the due dates
If you want to apply transfer of credits for 1st year studies, please follow this process and note the due dates.
- Fill in information on the eform: link wil be added later
- Note: the eform is timed: 1.7.-27.7.2025.
- Fill in required parts: personal information, information of your previous studies and your major option choice. Please note that we have limited number of study places in each major option. We cannot guarantee you will be placed to your major choice nor to your second year.
- Submit the e-form by Sunday 27.7.2025 at the latest.
- After filling and submitting the e-form, please take a photo(s) of your previous studies i.e transcript of records and degree certificate if have one (use mobile phone for taking pics). We require that you submit following information of your previous studies (each course separately):
- credits
- grade and evaluation date
- content of the course (a description of the course objectives)
- Send picture(s) of your prior studies as attachment(s) and book your individual study plan (ISP) discussion time by sending an email to Mr. antti.piironen [at] metropolia.fi (antti[dot]piironen[at]metropolia[dot]fi) during week 31: on Monday 28.7.2025 at the earliest - on Friday 1.8.2025 at the latest. Subject of your email: ISP discussion TXL25S1 + your name.
- Individual study plan (ISP) discussion takes place 5.8.-7.8.2025 on-line. Mr. Piironen will send you a link to zoom on-line session with instructions.
Contact information
Should have any questions, please contact Sari Rannisto by email (on holidays July 2025).
We warmly welcome you to Metropolia University of Applied Sciences to start your studies in Degree Programme in Information Technology in August 2024.
Sari Rannisto
Coordinator & Work Placement Coordinator
Degree Programme in Information Technology
e-mail sari.rannisto [at] metropolia.fi (sari[dot]rannisto[at]metropolia[dot]fi)