International Relations Office

University-Wide Partner Universities

 

University of Helsinki
Helsinki, Finland

Website: http://www.helsinki.fi/university/

 

Institution Profile
 

The University of Helsinki is the most versatile research university in Finland, with teaching based on top research. The high-quality research carried out by the university creates new knowledge for educating diverse specialists in various fields, and for utilisation in social decision-making and the business sector. Founded in 1640, the University of Helsinki wants to strengthen its position among the world's leading multidisciplinary research universities and to actively promote the well-being of humanity and a fair society.

 
Academics
Academic Calendar

Semester 1: September – End of December
Semester 2: January – End of May

Curriculum Structure

There are two basic kinds of courses at the University of Helsinki: lecture courses and reading courses. Students taking a lecture course must pass a final examination after attending the course, while those taking a reading course must pass a faculty examination. A Finnish specialty, faculty examinations (set book examinations), are arranged usually once a month.

Exchange students are expected to complete 30 credits (=30 ECTS credits) in a semester.

Medium of Instruction for Classes

Finnish, Swedish, and limited English courses.
Faculties/Schools
 
  • Agriculture and Forestry
  • Arts
  • Behavioral Sciences
  • Biological and Environmental Sciences
  • Law
  • Medicine
  • Pharmacy
  • Science
  • Social Sciences
  • Theology
  • Veterinary Medicine
 
SEP Application
Restrictions for Exchange Students

Language Requirements

Please note that fluent language skills in English (or Finnish or Swedish) are vital for successful studies at the University of Helsinki. If the language requirements are not met, the University of Helsinki will not accept you.

Students who are not required to enclose language certificate:

 
  • Students whose native language is English
  • Students who are studying at home university in Study Programmes taught in English (this must be certified in the application enclosures).


Field of Study

When you plan your studies at the University of Helsinki, kindly note that you have to choose courses that are held at the department responsible for Erasmus agreement concerned or the university bilateral agreement concerned. It is not possible for department to consider an application to study in other departments, in other fields of study.

Should you wish to attend courses at other departments, it must be agreed by the department in question.

Please refer to the Other Links section for relevant links to course information. 
NUS Application Deadline

Please check with your faculty for its internal application deadlines. After you have been selected by and accepted your faculty’s internal offer, your faculty would give you the application instructions of the partner university. An online application to the partner university is needed.

 
Accommodations
Housing Options

Housing Options and Housing Providers

 
  • HOAS Foundation for Student Housing in Helsinki region
   
  • All HOAS International Rooms are in Student Dormitories or in Student Residence Halls. The rooms are equipped with bed and mattress, desk, chair and wardrobe. In the kitchen there is a fridge and stove with oven.
  • Important on the Deposit
     
-    Every tenant (every exchange student) must pay a deposit of 500 EUR (subject to change).
-    You will find more information on the payment of the deposit on the Housing Offer.
-    Kindly note, that if you do not pay the deposit on time, you will not have housing in Helsinki.
   
  • HOAS Rents
     
-    The rents vary from 280 EUR to 525 EUR a month (subject to change, the rents usually rise once a year in Helsinki).
-    Kindly note, that there are a limited number of the cheapest rooms.
-    The rent must be paid punctually, usually on the 6th of each month (the last date of the payment of the rent can
      vary form dormitory to dormitory).

 
  • Lyyra Housing Service
   
  • Lyyra Housing Service functions only on internet.
  • Focus is on private market housing.
 
  • Other options
   
  • You will find other housing options on the website of Student Union ( Student Union > Daily Life> Accommodation)
  • Vuokraturva
      -    Real estate agency that specializes in mediating rental apartments and buying investment apartments.
   
  • Infobank
      -    On the website you can find a list of housing providers.


Please refer to the Other Links section for the relevant links to accommodation.
 
Visa & Insurance
Consular/Visa Regulation

Citizens of non-EU/EEA countries or Nordic Countries

Citizens of non-EU/EEA countries must apply for visa and a residence permit beforehand at the nearest Finnish embassy or consulate. It is usually not possible to issue one in Finland. A student residence permit includes a work permit for a maximum of 25 hours a week and full-time during holidays.

Application for residence permit is available on website of the Finnish Immigration Service.

 
  • For students usually form OLE1 and the form OLE4
  • 1 passport sized photograph
  • Copy of your passport
  • Acceptance Letter to the University of Helsinki
  • Means of support the stay in Finland
  • Health Insurance.


Citizens of third countries arriving in Finland for the purpose of studying are required to have health insurance, if the period of study lasts for more than three months. The requirement is the same for degree-seeking and exchange students.

Please refer to the Other Links section for the relevant links to Consular / Visa Regulations.

Health/Medical Insurance

Third-country nationals studying in Finland for less than two years

 
  • A student who enters Finland to study for less than two years is not usually granted the right to domicile, i.e. a home municipality in Finland, and therefore is not entitled to municipal health care services. Consequently, the student must have private insurance which covers costs of medical treatment up to 100 000 euros.

Please refer to the Other Links section for the relevant links to Health/Medical Insurance.
 
Cost of Living
Estimated Monthly Living Expenses
Breakdown of Costs
Euros €
Accommodation
300 - 500
Food
200 - 250
Transport
21.40
Others (Entertainment, clothes)
150
Monthly Estimate
671.40 - 921.40


Please refer to the Other Links Section for the relevant links to the estimated costs of living.

 
Additional Information
Useful Links
 
More Questions?
 

Module Mapping, Course Selections & Application

Please check with your SEP Administrator/Coordinator in the Dean's Office.

 

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