University of Helsinki

International Students

Undergraduate and graduate degree students

International students who have taken their upper-secondary education abroad can apply to the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences if they have the eligibility to apply to a university in their home country.

All the applicants must have a good knowledge of oral and written Finnish at the time of their selection. However, it is possible to take a Master's degree in Education (general and adult education) in Swedish.

The selection of international applicants to the master level studies consists of two phases. In the first phase, the knowledge of languages and general eligibility is checked and the applicants are given the right to participate in the actual student selection procedure. In the second phase, all the applicants, international and Finnish applicants alike, go through the same student selection procedure with the same selection criteria. At this point, there are no separate quotas for international applicants.

For more information on the international student selection procedure at the University of Helsinki, go to the pages of Admission Services. You can also contact the Admission Services through email admissions@helsinki.fi.

Postgraduate degree (doctorate) students

The Faculty of Behavioural Sciences invites applications for studies for a doctorate degree from international applicants. The studies can be carried out without the knowledge of Finnish or Swedish, in most cases the language of studies is English.

Information on how to apply for postgraduate studies at the University of Helsinki.

Exchange students

The Faculty of Behavioural Sciences is happy to host international exchange students through various co-operation programmes. Every year around 50-60 students from Europe and all over the world take courses in the faculty.

The departments are involved actively in Erasmus and Nordplus programmes, and the university has signed a significant number of bilateral agreements which also includes exchanges of students.

Detailed practical information, application forms and courses available in English can be found from here.

Visiting students

The Departments at the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences may also accept visiting international students outside the exchange programmes and bilateral agreements. Visiting students receive credit for all their coursework, but are not able to obtain a degree. The visiting student status is normally valid the maximum of two academic years.

Granting the status of a visiting student is considered individually and separately in each case.

A visiting student has to be enrolled at an other university while studying at the University of Helsinki. A statement from the applicant’s home institution confirming the applicant’s study plan and the transfer of credits is required.

The student must have sufficient knowledge of languages, and the Faculty may ask a test result of an international language test.

At the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences there is no specific deadline for applications from visiting students. However, the applicants are requested to send their applications about two months before planned starting date. There are no tuition fees for visiting students but they have to pay the compulsory Student Union membership fee (about 34 euros a semester). The visiting students receive an official transcript of records for the work done. The student receives full rights for computers, student health care and library services. The University can not assist in finding accommodation.

For further information, please contact International Relations Officer, email: kaytt-intl@helsinki.fi

Right to take individual courses

The Faculty may also give a person the right to participate in separate individual courses (erillisten opintojen suoritusoikeus). The student is not able to join the Student Union and he receives neither password nor user account. However, he will be given an official transcript of records after the work for the courses is completed succesfully.

Non-degree studies are subject to a fee which covers teaching arrangements and learning materials and other teaching-related services.The fees are to be paid before studies begin.

As of 2011, the fee is 10 € per credit.

Students will receive an invoice for their courses as soon as they provide Finnish postal address.

For further information, please contact International Relations Officer, email: kaytt-intl@helsinki.fi