Vocational Qualification in Business

Studies and applying

Separate admission is for those who have completed basic education and are without completed vocational qualification.

The programme includes International Baccalaureate career-related studies (IBCP) age range 16-19 (In 2027 application: applicants born in 2009, 2010, 2011). Our internationally geared study programme gives you both globally valid working life skills and academically challenging study component that improve s your thinking skills and intercultural understanding.

As a result of IB career-related studies you will be well-prepared for applying to higher education.

Read more about IB Career-related studies

Who can apply

Basic entrance requirements for studying Vocational qualification in Business:

• Completed Finnish comprehensive school or other basic education (approximately nine years, age 7-16)
• Good written and oral command in the English language
• Basic level command of Finnish language (A.1.3 European language framework)

This study programme is for those who have completed basic education and are without completed vocational qualification. Upper secondary or higher education graduates with completed qualification cannot be accepted.

All application instructions can be found on the website.

Please note that:

• the program is intended for students aged 16-19 (In 2027 application: applicants born in 2009, 2010, 2011)
• sending separate email enquiries will not affect the selection process.

Applicants without Finnish basic education certificate

• Copy of original basic education certificate must be certified by authorized public body.
• Copy of original basic education certificate must be translated into English and certified translator.
• Finnish language fluency (level A.1.3 European language framework) will be tested.

Foreign applicants under 18 years old must have a legal guardian living in the Oulu area.
We will check the eligibility and guardian’s information before inviting the applicant to a selection interview.

How to apply

• Fill in the online application form. The application form is available during the application period from 16 February to 16 March 2027 and closes on the last day of application at 15:00 Finnish time.
• Attach copies of the school certificates to the application form. Only applicants who have submitted copies of certificates will be considered in the admissions.
• If you complete basic education in spring 2027, deliver a photocopy of the school certificate by 10 June 2027, 15:00 Finnish time. We will give you instructions on how to submit copies of your certificates in connection with the entrance exam.
• If you have completed basic education before the year 2027, please attach your certificate to the application or add a link to My Studyinfo to the application.
• Invitations to entrance examination are sent to all invited applicants by email.
• The entrance examination is arranged on 13 May 2027 in Oulu. We cannot arrange any entrance examinations online.
• The results of student selection will be published 17th June 2027 at the earliest.
• Studies start on 4th August 2027. All selected students must bring their original documents to be verified on the first day of their studies.

Planned duration of studies

Planned duration is three years.

Student selection

Admission points are awarded for general academic success and for entrance examination results. Extra points are awarded to applicants who have finished basic education in the same or previous year as the application period.

The total of 47 points consists of the following: 

  • 1 – 16 points for general academic success based on the basic education certificate 

• 6 points for completing basic education during the year of applying or during the previous of applying   OR   6 points for certain studies completed after basic education, e.g. TUVA

  • 0 – 25 points for the entrance examination and aptitude test 

 The entrance examination measures oral and written English language skills, learning skills, and learning motivation.

Structure of studies

Vocational units 145 competence points(cp)

Compulsory vocational units (40 cp)

• Customer Service, 15 cp
• Operating in a business environment 25 cp

Optional vocational units (105 cp)

• IBDP Business management, SL, 15 cp
• IBDP English B, SL, 10 cp
• IBCP Reflective project, 5 cp
• Other vocational units 75 cp

Common units, 35 competence points

• Communication and interaction competence
• Mathematics and science competence
• Citizenship and working life competence

Read more information about qualification  at Studyinfo.

Cost of studying

There are tuition fees for applicants outside EU/EEA countries. You must have an own laptop and you buy the books yourself. In addition, IB examination fees are round 200 euros.

 Common expense items include e.g.

• Course books and other course material

• Study supplies and equipment

 • Meals

• Housing

• Travel

• General living expenses. Students are required to finance their studies and living expenses themselves. OSAO can’t offer accommodation in a dormitory.

Further information

Tiina Karvonen, Head of Department
+358 50 462 4720
tiina.karvonen(at)www.osao.fi

Anni Saaranen, Guidance Counsellor
+358 40 184 9342
anni.saaranen(at)www.osao.fi

Applying

Application for training is not currently open.

You have to fill in an online application form. The application form is available during the application period. You can attach the required documents to your application.

With legal guardian we most often refer to the parent; legal guardian has the right to decide for matters concerning a student that is under 18 years old. For example, if an underaged student has some problems, we must be able to contact the legal guardian and have them responsible for helping the student.

No, unfortunately we can not arrange any examinations, Learning preparedness test, Finnish language test or an interview online. You have to attend the exam, tests and the interview in Oulu, Finland. 

No, we follow the Finnish national joint application criteria in which you do not get any extra points from work experience. 

No, your English skill are tested in the entrance examination or in the interview.

You can apply outside of the EU counties, if you meet the entrance criteria.  Basic entrance requirements are: 

• Completed Finnish comprehensive school or corresponding education (9 years of education)
• Good written and oral command of the English language
• Basic level command of the Finnish language (A.1.3 European language framework) 

You may need a residence permit for your studies. You must apply for the residence permit before moving to Finland and it must be valid before you start your studies. 

As of August 1, 2026, there is a tuition fee for citizens of a country other than a Member State of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

Vocational Qualifications include Finnish as a second language studies and customer service Finnish skills. In order to pass the level required a student must have basic command of the Finnish language at the beginning.  The level recommended is A.1.3 in European language framework.   

The Finnish language fluency will be tested. You can study the basics of Finnish before the entrance examination or the Finnish language test.  

You must attach copies of the school certificates and an official English translation to the application. The translation must be done by an authorised translator and must include the translator’s signature and stamp. 

Upper secondary or higher education graduates can apply in rolling admission. 

Upper secondary or higher education graduates with completed qualification cannot be accepted in separate admission (Vocational Qualification in Business including IBCP studies). If you are eligible for higher education in Finland, you can’t apply for our education in separate application. 

You don’t have to study especially for the entrance examination. The entrance examination measures oral and written English language skills, learning skills, and learning motivation.

As of August 1, 2026, there is a tuition fee for citizens of a country other than a Member State of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. 

Students are required to finance their studies and living expenses themselves. We don’t have a dormitory.

OSAO does not have scholarships available for international students and cannot offer financial assistance to students.