BA top-up programme

Have you completed two years of business studies in another university? Or, have you achieved a Higher National Diploma or other similar qualification in business, and would like to achieve a university degree?

You may be eligible to apply for the British University of Northampton BA (Hons) final (3rd) year top-up programme in Business and Management delivered in Finland at HELBUS. This programme allows you to top up your earlier studies and gain a full honours degree in less than one calendar year. You have a good chance of being admitted if you have:

  • completed a Higher National Diploma (Pearson, ABE, NCC), or
  • Foundation Degree in Business or equivalent, or
  • have two years (or 120 ECTS points) of university level business studies (University of Northampton approval required), and
  • English proficiency at IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 550/213, or equivalent

We currently only offer a January start in full-time mode. The application deadline for Finnish and EU-citizens applying for January 2025 is November 30th and for non-EU citizens October 1st.

If you are interested, please register and start filling in and your application online here. Remember to select “3rd year of studies” under “choose programme”. For further information, please email international(at)helbus.fi.

Non-EU applicants: please note that we cannot guarantee getting a residency permit in Finland with this specific programme.

The University of Northampton (UoN), UK, and HELBUS have a partnership, where HELBUS offers UoN business and management degrees in Finland. Students admitted to this programme are UoN students, even if they study fully in Finland.

The aim of this programme is to strengthen and deepen the skills and knowledge that the students have acquired in key areas of business and management in their earlier studies. Modules in the following areas are included: marketing management, finance and accounting, strategic management, strategic human resource management and business communication. Additionally, the students complete a final project. Students' learning is assessed through written assignments such as reports, essays and analysis, as well as tests.

The programme is only offered in full-time mode, and at least 75 % attendance is highly recommended. 

Duration of the programme:

  • Spring and summer term
  • Classes end in the end of June
  • Final results are confirmed in the end of September

After completing the degree students can apply for Master's programmes at HELBUS, in Finland or abroad.

If you feel that you fulfil the entry requirements, please register and start filling your application in our application service here.

In the application, section "choose programme", select "3rd year of studies, full-time". You can save your application and continue filling it later on. After you have completed all sections, click on "Send". You will receive a confirmation e-mail that your application has been received.

Before sending your application, upload the following documents in your application:

  • your upper secondary school leaving certificate (such as high school diploma, A-levels, etc)
  • Transcripts and diplomas of your previous studies. Sometimes, a description of the learning outcomes of the courses that you have completed may be asked for.
  • Certificate of English language proficiency (such as IELTS)
  • copy of your passport and residence permit (if applicable)

All documents must be officially translated in English.

Include in your application a maximum 4.000 character personal statement. You can find guidance in the internet by, e.g., searching "how to write a UCAS personal statement". The statement should describe your motivation for this particular field, as well as why you in particular would be an excellent candidate for the programme. Your statement will also demonstrate that you have the skills required to study in the demanding level of the final year of an undergraduate degree programme.

Your documents will be sent to the University of Northampton for approval.

*Graduates of the HELBUS Higher National Diploma -programme do not have to apply to the programme separately.

You have a good chance of being admitted, if you have one of the following:

  • Two years of business studies at university or university of applied sciences (UAS); at least 120 ECTS credits or 240 UK credits (of which at least half are level 4 (first year) credits and half level 5 (second year) studies), or
  • Higher National Diploma in Business* (Pearson, ABE, NCC), or
  • A two-year Foundation degree such as an Associate degree in business

You have to demonstrate your English language proficiency with an international recognised language test, such as one of the following:

  • IELTS overall 6.0 with no section below 5.5
  • TOEFL 550/213

* HELBUS graduates from the Higher National Diploma programme do not have to fill in an application

 

The tuition fee for Finnish and EU-citizens starting in January 2023 is €9.410 (including value-added tax). Finnish and EU students are invoiced before the start of both terms (€4.705 in January and in April).

The tuition fee for  non-EU citizens starting in January 2023 is €qq.410 (including value-added tax). Non-EU students are required to pay the tuition fee in full in advance of their formal letter of acceptance. If you already have the residence permit valid for the duration of your studies, you may opt to follow the payment schedule of Finnish citizens.

Unfortunately, no scholarships are available.

Students admitted to the programme are students of the University of Northampton and as such eligible to apply for Kela -financial aid, if they fulfil the Kela-requirements otherwise.