FAQ

From this page you can find replies to the following frequently asked questions.

Eligibility and admission requirements

Does my current qualification / degree meet the requirements for admission? I am missing some subject areas in the required prerequisite knowledge. Can I still apply to the programme?

During our admission process, all applicants will need to fulfil the general eligibility requirements first. Eligible applications then proceed to the academic evaluation, where we evaluate your application in more detail.

If you fulfil our general eligibility requirements, study our student selection criteria carefully, and compare your previous studies and grades to the descriptions of Relevance of previous studies and Academic performance criteria. If your previous studies meet our requirements and you have excellent grades, you should definitely apply. If you do not have all of the required subjects or your grades are not that good, you can still apply, but your chances of being selected are not as good.

  • For the background check-up, you can also use the course description template (part of the online application form available during the application period). Many blank fields on the course descriptions form may indicate insufficient prerequisite studies.
  • Concerning the grades achieved, SECCLO expects excellent academic performance (grades and GPA, if used) from the selected students. What this means depends on the country, grading system in use, and also the university the degree was completed in.

The academic staff (professors and senior academic staff) of all six consortium universities evaluate the eligible SECCLO applications and make the final selection decisions. Because of this joint evaluation process, we cannot comment on individual applicants or their chances of being selected before or during the selection process.

Please note also that our selection process is competitive. In other words, your chances of being selected will also somewhat depend on the number and quality of other applicants. This is another reason why individual applicant’s chances of being selected cannot be estimated before the complete and comprehensive evaluation of all applications. For previous years’ selection statistics, see Selection results.

I have a degree in a different field, but I want to complete my Master’s degree in SECCLO and I have some relevant work experience / I have taken relevant MOOCs. Am I eligible to apply?

Applicants are eligible to apply to SECCLO if they fulfil our general eligibility requirements. Eligible applications then proceed to the academic evaluation, where the applicant’s previous studies are evaluated in more detail.

According to our student selection criteria, during the evaluation process we assess Relevance of previous studies and Academic performance first. Only the applications that meet the requirements for these two criteria will be evaluated further. Relevance of previous studies will be evaluated based on the official transcript of records and the course descriptions submitted. Relevant work experience, professional certificates and/or online courses are judged case-by-case, but they do not, in general, compensate for the university-level studies that include also the theoretical foundations of the required subjects.

I am in my final year of study. Can I apply to SECCLO if I will obtain my Bachelor’s degree after the application deadline?

Yes, you can apply to SECCLO if you are expected to graduate by 31 July 2024. In this case, if selected, your selection decision will be conditional, and you are expected to submit your Bachelor’s degree certificate and final transcript of records to SECCLO Admissions Office by 8 August 2024.

In your application documents, instead of the Bachelor’s degree certificate, you can include these documents:

  • statement by your home university confirming your student status, name of the degree in both the original language and in English, and your expected graduation date,
  • a list of courses to be completed during the final semester and/or a short description of your thesis/final project work. Please note, however, that these courses do not have quite the same value as completed courses.

 

English language requirements

The language of instruction during my education has been English. Do I need to provide a language test result?

In SECCLO, this depends on the country the previous higher education degree was completed in. The language test requirement is waived for applicants whose higher education degree has been taken at an English-medium programme with physical on-site presence at a university in one of the following countries:

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • New Zealand
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • the United Kingdom
  • the United States
  • an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.

A minimum of one half of the degree must be completed in a country and higher education institution that meets the requirements for exempting the applicant from taking an English test.

The language test requirement is also waived for the degree and exchange students of SECCLO consortium universities (Aalto University, KTH, NTNU, DTU, University of Tartu, and EURECOM). In case of degree studies, a minimum of one half of the degree must be completed at a consortium university.

All other SECCLO applicants must submit a valid English language test result. Applications without a valid test result by our language test deadline, 18 January 2024, will not be eligible and will not be processed further. See further information on the accepted tests and their minimum scores at Admission requirements -> Requirements for English language proficiency.

What is the deadline for the English language test result?

The final deadline for the language test result to reach SECCLO Admissions Office is 18 January 2024. This is two weeks after our application deadline, 4 January 2024. The deadline will be the same for all SECCLO applicants.

Please note that this means that your language test result must be available for us to verify on 19 January 2024 at the latest. For some language test providers, it takes 1-2 weeks for the test result to reach us after you have requested it. Please see further information on how to submit your language test scores at How to apply -> Step 4, and from the websites of the language test providers.

I cannot get my language test result before the deadline. Can you make an exception?

Unfortunately, no. Our admission requirements have been available on our website several months before the application period began. To ensure a fair and equal treatment of all applicants, we cannot make exceptions to our eligibility requirements (incl. English language proficiency requirements) and cannot extend the language test deadline for any reason.

To guarantee that you get the English language test result in time, please check carefully all accepted language test options. For the accepted tests and their minimum scores, see Admission requirements -> Requirements for English language proficiency. 

At the end, unfortunately, it falls under the responsibility of the applicant to start preparing for the admission period early enough. In case no language test result can be obtained before the given deadline, we recommend applying in our next application round.

Is Duolingo or some other language test not mentioned on the SECCLO website accepted?

No. Only the English language tests listed at Admission requirements -> Requirements for English language proficiency are accepted.

What if my language test result has expired?

The validity period of the language test depends on the test. IELTS, TOEFL and PTE results are valid for two years starting from the test date. Thus, test results from the tests taken on or after 22 November 2021 are acceptable in the 2024 application round. For Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency tests, electronically verifiable tests taken after 2005 are accepted. If your test result has expired, you need to take a new language test.

 

Application documents

What kind of document is acceptable as a proof of place of residence? Can I use X as a proof of my place of residence?

A proof of place of residence is a document certifying that you live currently in the country and city you claim to live in. It is required to verify the amount of Erasmus Mundus mobility support (see Scholarships and fees).

The proof of place of residence (PPR) document can be, for example,

  • a residence certificate issued in accordance with your municipality’s normal registration rules, or
  • a certificate from your current place of work, study or training issued by your employer or the institution in question.

Regardless of the type of document, the document must

  • be issued within 12 months from the SECCLO application deadline i.e. dated on or after 4 January 2023,
  • have your name on it and clearly (in print, in Latin alphabet) state your current country and city of residence, ideally also your full address, and
  • be available in English/translated into English by a certified translator (authorized translator).

Examples of acceptable documents include e.g.

  • SECCLO’s own PPR template (.pdf) if it is signed by university administration (e.g. student services) or workplace HR,
  • passport or other official ID certificate as listed in the PRADO website if it has your home address and it is issued after 4 January 2023 (e.g. Indian passport issued on 5 March 2023),
  • certificate of domicile or similar by some official in your country/city if the document certifies your home address, is dated after 4 January 2023 and is available in English/translated into English,
  • freely formatted statement by your university student services or work place HR written in English proving your home address and dated after 4 January 2023.

If you are temporarily (e.g. because of exchange studies) residing in another country than your permanent place of residence, please contact us at secclo@aalto.fi for further information.

What is the instruction for the motivation letter?

“Tell us about your expectations for the SECCLO programme, career aspirations, relevant experience and achievements“. Motivation letter is part of the online application form and you do not need to have a title/header for it. The maximum word limit is 500 words.

Do I need to submit course descriptions of all courses taken?

No, only the subjects listed at Admission requirements -> Student selection criteria -> Relevance of previous studies. You can add course descriptions in up to five courses in each of the required background subjects and up to two courses in each of the additional knowledge subjects. If you have taken more courses in these subjects, choose the most relevant/advanced courses.

My university does not have a website available in English where the course descriptions can be verified. Can I leave it empty? Does my university need to verify the course descriptions?

Yes, you can leave the field empty if there is no valid website available in English where the information could be verified. And no, because course descriptions are not obligatory and will not influence your eligibility, your university does not need to verify them.

How do I submit the recommendation letters?

For this, you have two different options depending on whether you already have the recommendation letters you want to use for your SECCLO application or not. Please see details at Application documents -> For further information… -> Recommendation letters.

I graduated some time ago and may not get an academic recommendation letter. Can I ask for a recommendation from my supervisor at work?

Yes. While we prefer academic recommendation letters, recommendation letters written by work supervisors are accepted as well.

If I already possess the recommendation letters I want to use for my SECCLO application, do I still need to use References tab?

No. The referee request (References tab) is mainly meant for asking references in case you don’t yet have them. If you do, you can simply upload the letters to the application portal yourself (Upload tab -> “Recommendation letters“).

Can I send a reference request after I submit my application?

Yes. Applicants who have submitted their applications, will still be able to send reference requests, after submitting. This means that they can send a referee request, re-send their referee request, or edit a sent referee request and send it to a new referee. Please note that changing the referee means that the link sent to the first referee will expire and they can no longer return their reference. The recommendation letters received by 18 January 2924 will be considered during the evaluation process. The referees are aware of this deadline, it is included in the email sent to them.

My referee submitted the reference form empty. Can it be returned to them?

Unfortunately, no. However, we will be happy to edit the form/add a recommendation letter to the form. Ask your referee to contact us/send the letter by email to secclo@aalto.fi so that we can add it to your application. Recommendation letters are accepted until 18 January.

I have already submitted my online application. How can I return to edit it/add documents to it?

It is no longer possible to return to edit your online application after you have submitted it. If you want to edit information in your online application or add documents to it, please contact us by email (secclo@aalto.fi). Before contacting us, please read

  • instructions on submitting English language test scores at How to apply -> Step 4
  • our policy on adding documents to your application at How to apply -> Step 5

Once we check your submitted online application, we will send you an email with information on the deadline(s) given to you to complement your application in case any compulsory application documents and/or your language test result are missing.

 

Translations

My university provides both local language and official English versions of certificates and transcripts. Do I still need to submit a translation?

No. The translation is considered official if it has been done by the higher education institution that awarded the degree or by a certified translator (authorised translator).

How can I find an official translator from my country?

Unfortunately, SECCLO cannot maintain a list of official translators from different countries so you will need to find one yourself. If the original document is not awarded in English, a certified translator (authorised translator) must translate it. The translations must bear the certified translator’s stamp and signature.

 

Re-applying to SECCLO

I applied to SECCLO last year and did not get selected. If I re-apply this year, what are my chances of being admitted?

SECCLO’s admission process is competitive and the selection results always somewhat depend on the number and quality of other applications. That being said, if you have applied previously and your application was rejected based on not having sufficient academic performance (grade point average (GPA) and grades in key courses) and your grades have not since improved, it is likely that the selection decision will be the same. If you submit a new application to SECCLO, it will still be evaluated each year following our student selection criteria.

If I have applied earlier, can I apply this year also? How many times can I apply? Is there any negative markings for re-applying?

Yes, no limit, and no. Please see also previous reply.

 

Admission process and Erasmus Mundus scholarships

Does SECCLO have an application fee?

No, SECCLO does not currently have an application fee. Please note, however, that there may be some expenses related to fulfilling our English language proficiency requirements (i.e. taking an English language test) or, if selected to SECCLO, mailing the requested hard copies of educational documents to us.

SECCLO is a double degree programme. Do I need to apply to two universities?

No. SECCLO has a joint admission process, which is organized by the coordinating university, Aalto University. You will apply to SECCLO following the instructions available at How to apply. In the online application form, you will be asked about your second-year specialization preferences, but if selected to SECCLO, you will be first admitted only to the first-year university, Aalto University.

The final selection of the second-year specialization (either at KTH, NTNU, DTU, UT or EURECOM) will take place during the first-year studies. For further information on the selection process, please see Selection of second-year specialization.

Is there any advantage in submitting my SECCLO application early?

No in terms of selection results or scholarship decisions. All SECCLO applications will be evaluated jointly after we know the final number of eligible applications. For this reason also we recommend that you read all our instructions carefully and submit a well-prepared application.

However, during the admission phase we check submitted applications in order of arrival. If anything is missing from your application or not acceptable, you will get until our application deadline to complement your application. In practice this can be several weeks. This applies to all application documents except for English language test result or recommendation letters that have a separate deadline of 18 January 2024. Closer to the application deadline, you will only get one week to complement your application. This process is explained also at How to apply -> Step 5.

How do I apply for the Erasmus Mundus scholarships?

You apply for the Erasmus Mundus scholarships when you apply to the SECCLO programme. Our online application form has a separate tab titled “Scholarships” where you choose which scholarships you apply for. It is also possible to join SECCLO as a self-funded student.

In order to maximize your chances of getting a scholarship, pay attention to preparing the best possible application and justify why you would be a good candidate to the programme, not only for the scholarship.

How many scholarships are there?

SECCLO has altogether 84 Erasmus Mundus scholarships for the four student intakes of 2021-2024. The number of Erasmus Mundus and other scholarships granted for each student intake is decided by the SECCLO Consortium during the joint evaluation of applications. For further details on scholarships, see Scholarships and fees.

Am I eligible for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship? On what grounds are they granted?

For the eligibility criteria of the Erasmus Mundus scholarships, please see Scholarships and fees.

SECCLO offers a limited number of Erasmus Mundus scholarships for each student intake. The scholarships are awarded based on academic merit and irrespective of the applicant’s socio-economic circumstances. The same evaluation criteria is applied for scholarship decisions as student selection decisions. The selected applicants are informed about the scholarship decisions when the selection results are published. There will be a reserve list for the Erasmus Mundus scholarships.

Because of the limited number of scholarships, you should always also investigate any scholarship or loan opportunities available in your home country for participating in an international Master’s programme offered abroad. See further information on the Other funding possibilities page.

 

After the selection results are published

When do I get the letter of admission and when do I need to apply for the residence permit?

The letters of admission will be sent by the coordinating university, Aalto University, in March. As soon as you get the letter of admission, you can start applying for the residence permit.

Erasmus Mundus scholarship holders will receive a confirmation of the scholarship at the same time/soon after. Self-funded students can apply for the residence permit as soon as they have received the letter of admission.

I have been selected to the SECCLO programme, but I am on the reserve list for the Erasmus Mundus scholarship. What is my position on the reserve list and do I have any chance to get a scholarship?

The SECCLO coordinator will contact all selected students during March and inform them about their position on the reserve list. All selected students can join the programme and the students in the reserve list and self-funded students should prepare to have their own funding for the SECCLO studies (i.e. to cover participation cost, living and studying expenses).

If cancellations appear (if a student in the main list cancels his/her participation in the programme), the next student proposed for the scholarship will be contacted by the coordinator by phone or e-mail. It is difficult to foresee how many cancellations there will be, so it is not possible to predict whether you are able to secure a scholarship.

I have been selected to the SECCLO programme, but I was not granted a scholarship. I am not in a position to fund my studies with my personal funds. Is it possible to work as a teaching assistant or research assistant at the university?

SECCLO is a two-year full-time demanding study programme with integrated mobility. The student is expected to complete the programme requirements in the first-year university in the given time before transferring to the second-year university. Therefore, it is not recommended for students to work during the semesters.

In order to join the programme, the student is expected to have sufficient funds for living and studying. Sufficient funds are required also for the student residence permit. For further information on participation costs and living costs, see Scholarships and fees and Other funding possibilities. You should always also seek for scholarships or loans from your home country.