FAQ

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Below you can find some frequently asked questions with answers that are made to support your plans on a future study option. We welcome you to look through the list and find out more.

Studies

1. What is the difference between a university and a university of applied sciences?
2. What kind of international degrees are available at the higher education institutions of Oulu?
3. Where do I get more information about the study programmes and their contents?
4. Are there any postgraduate study opportunities (PhD studies: Licentiate, Doctorate) available in Oulu?
5. Could I come as an exchange student to study in the higher education institutions of Oulu?

Application

1. Where do I find the application information for the international degrees?
2. When do I need to apply?
3. What are the admissions criteria for the international degree programmes?
4. Are there any tuition fees for the international degree programmes?
5. Are there any scholarships available for international degree students?

Daily Life

1. What are the language requirements in order to study and live in Oulu?
2. What are the living expenses of a student?
3. Am I allowed to work as a student?
4. There are many questions before arrival: Visa, residence permit, insurance and other important issues. Where do I find information about the things that must be considered before arrival?
5. What are the accommodation possibilities for a foreign degree student?
6. How many international students are there in the higher education institutions of Oulu?
7. Oulu University of Applied Sciences has one of its five degree programmes in the town of Raahe. Where can I find more information about Raahe?
8. What is the best part of being a student in Oulu region?

Studies

1. What is the difference between a university and a university of applied sciences?

The Finnish higher education system consists of two complementary sectors: universities and universities of applied sciences. The universities focus on scientific research and education based on research. They offer Bachelor's, Master's, Licentiate and Doctoral degrees.

Universities of Applied Sciences are working life oriented and train professionals with a special emphasis on expertise in working life and its development. The Universities of Applied Sciences also carry out research and development activities that promote regional development in particular. Degrees offered are Bachelor's degrees and Master's degrees.

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2. What kind of international degrees are available at the higher education institutions of Oulu?

The University of Oulu and Oulu University of Applied Sciences offer all together 13 international Bachelor's and Master's programmes. Disciplines range from architecture, business and engineering to education, science and health. All programmes are taught entirely in English.

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3. Where do I get more information about the study programmes and their contents?

For information on the study programmes and academic counselling, please contact the study programme in question.

4. Are there any postgraduate study opportunities (PhD studies: Licentiate, Doctorate) available in Oulu?

You can complete postgraduate studies in all the six faculties of the University of Oulu: Economics and Business Administration, Education, Humanities, Medicine, Science and Technology. If you have a Master's degree and wish to apply for postgraduate studies, please contact the faculty and department of the university in which you are interested in studying. Contact information concerning the faculties and departments of the university can be found on the website of the University of Oulu. The Oulu University of Applied Sciences does not offer postgraduate studies.

5. Could I come as an exchange student to study in the higher education institutions of Oulu?

Yes, you could. Both of the higher education institutions host and welcome more than 600 international exchange students per year. These pages (studyinoulu.fi) provide more detailed information about degree study possibilities. To find out more about the exchange study opportunities, please have a look at Exchange student pages of the University of Oulu and Exchange study pages of the Oulu University of Applied Sciences.

Application

1. Where do I find the application information for the international degrees?

For more information about the application, please see the application information pages of the institutions.

If you are interested in the degree programmes offered at the University of Oulu, please see:

Degree Applicant pages of the University of Oulu
Enquiries concerning the application process for degree studies can be sent to:
admissions.officer@oulu.fi

If you are interested in the degree programmes offered at the Oulu University of Applied Sciences, please see:

Oulu UAS Guide for Applicants
Enquiries concerning the application process for degree studies can be sent to:
admissions@oamk.fi

2. When do I need to apply?

The application procedures and times for international degree programmes vary according to the higher education institutions and programmes. Normally, each institution has one application period a year. For more information about the application procedure and requirements it is advisable to contact the institution of your interest directly:

Oulu University of Applied Sciences

University of Oulu

3. What are the admissions criteria for the international degree programmes?

Each programme has its own admissions criteria and therefore it is advisable to read the application information provided by the higher education institutions very carefully.

In general, to apply to international degree programmes you must have a suitable educational background. A good command of the English language is also a prerequisite.

For Master's degrees at the University of Oulu, you may apply directly after having a lower degree, normally a Bachelors degree, from an institution of higher education entitling you to apply for Master's studies in your own country.

For Bachelor's degrees at the University of Applied Sciences, you must have completed the upper/senior secondary education before applying. However, if an applicant who is applying with a non-Finnish qualification is a citizen of an EU/EEA-country, he/she can apply if the qualification is completed during the application period. For Master's programmes at the Oulu University of Applied Sciences, the minimum eligibility criteria is a suitable Bachelor's Degree and a minimum of 3 years work experience within the field of the degree gained.

4. Are there any tuition fees for the international degree programmes?

In Finland everyone has the right to free basic education. Students enrolled in the higher education studies pay no tuition fees. In Oulu, there are no tuition fees for the international degree programmes. Yet one needs to be prepared for the costs of living and daily student life.

5. Are there any scholarships available for international degree students?

For the time being, the higher education institutions of Oulu are not able to provide any financial support for international degree students. The studies of a foreign student are normally supported by the student's parents or the student has been awarded a scholarship from his/her home country or from an international institution to cover the expenses and living costs in Finland. For scholarship opportunities, we advise you to contact e.g. the Ministry of Education or the National Agency of Education in your home country.

The Centre for International Mobility in Finland, CIMO, awards scholarships for young researchers (post-graduates who have completed their Master's degree or post-doctoral students), but there are no scholarships or other financial schemes for international students completing Bachelor's or Master's degrees.

Daily life

1. What are the language requirements in order to study and live in Oulu?

You do not have to know Finnish to study in Oulu. The international degree programmes are taught entirely in English. Daily life can also be carried out in English as almost everyone in Oulu and Finland speaks English. A good command of English is a must in order to succeed as a student.

However, knowing Finnish does help you to integrate into the culture and community. Finnish skills are also considered as an advantage when applying for a job in the Oulu region or in Finland. There is a variety of different Finnish courses available at the higher education institutions as well as other institutions in Oulu for those interested in learning the language.

2. What are the living expenses of a student?

Even though the studies are free, you still have to pay for their daily living expenses: food, accommodation, study material, clothing, transportation, social expenses and travel expenses to Finland. Residence permits and other formalities are also subject to a charge.

The cost of living in Oulu and in Finland is about the same as in other EU countries. The monthly costs for students vary in between 600-800 Euros a month of which approximately 150-350 Euros is spent for accommodation. Expenses during the first month(s) will most likely be higher than the estimation of average monthly expenses due to the rent deposits and other costs related to entering a new country.

The Student Union membership fee entitles students, for example, to various discounts on transportation cost and student meals. As a member of a student union, one can get a student discount of 50% on Finnish Railways and on the long-haul buses. A meal at the campus restaurants with a student discount costs approximately 1.5-4 Euros.

At the University of Oulu, the student union membership is compulsory for those who are studying for their Bachelor's or Master's degree. The fee is approximately 80 Euros per academic year and it entitles students also to the use of the services of The Student Health Services. Read more about the membership and student benefits at the website of the Student Union of the University of Oulu.

At the Oulu University of Applied Sciences student union membership is optional. The membership costs approximately 25 Euros per academic year. Read more about the membership and student benefits at the website of the Student Union of the Oulu University of Applied Sciences.

3. Am I allowed to work as a student?

International students with a valid residence permit may work for 25 hours per week on average. Full-time employment is permitted during breaks in teaching (holiday seasons in Christmas and summer). You are also allowed to do a limited amount of paid full-time work during your studies under a residence permit issued for studies. The work in question must be practical training or a thesis commissioned by an employer.

There are part-time work opportunities for foreign students, though in many cases some knowledge of Finnish is required. Please note that you should not count on getting a job for financing your studies.

For a full-time job during the academic year non EU/EEA or Swiss students are required to apply for a separate worker's residence permit. In principle, foreign students are granted a permit for full-time work during the academic year only if their work constitutes a part of their studies.

The limitations on working hours do not apply to citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland who similarly do not need any permits for working in Finland.

4. There are many questions before arrival: Visa, residence permit, insurance and other important issues. Where do I find information about the things that must be considered before arrival?

Both higher education institutions have their own guides for applicants and degree students that are made to respond to your questions. We hope you find what you are looking for - please, do not hesitate to contact the universities if you have any questions.

If you are planning to apply for and study at the University of Oulu, please see the university's Guide for Foreign Degree Students.

If you are planning to apply for and study at the Oulu University of Applied Sciences, please see the university's Guide for Applicants.

5. What are the accommodation possibilities for a foreign degree student?

There are different accommodation options available either in the private housing market or in the student residence halls. In general, student accommodation in Finland is of high standard: the rooms are in good condition and include central heating, cooking and washing facilities. In most cases, there is also Internet access. Both furnished and unfurnished rooms are available. Please note that the University of Oulu or the Oulu University of Applied Sciences cannot arrange accommodation for foreign degree students.

When searching for accommodation in Oulu, you are recommended to contact the local student housing organisation PSOAS (The Student Housing Foundation of Northern Finland). In the town of Raahe, students should contact the local accommodation foundations.

It is important to submit the housing application as soon as the student knows of acceptance, as there are waiting lists for the apartments.

6. How many international students are there in the higher education institutions of Oulu?

There are all together more than 1500 international exchange students, degree students and post-graduate students in the higher education institutions of Oulu. You are welcome to join the crowd.

7. Oulu University of Applied Sciences has one of its five degree programmes in the town of Raahe. Where can I find more information about Raahe?

Oulu University of Applied Sciences offers one of its five international degree programmes, Degree Programme in Information Technology, in its campus in the town of Raahe. The Raahe campus is part of the School of Engineering and it is located 75 kilometers south from Oulu.

More information...

8. What is the best part of being a student in Oulu region?

Let the international students tell you...

More information on student life in Oulu you can also read from Oulu UAS's ezine Extra.

Further Information