Student benefits
Most student benefits and discounts are available when you have a valid student card. You can apply for a student card if you are a member of the Student Union.
More information on the benefits and services provided by the Student Union is available on the website of the Student Union.
- Student card
- Discounts on transportation
- Meal discounts
- Student health care
- Postgraduate students
- Other benefits
Student Card
You apply for the student card on the Frank website; the site guides you through the order process.
You can leave your application as soon as you have been enrolled at the University and you have received your student number. Please note that you have to pay for the student card yourself, the fee for the card is not included in the Student Union membership fee.
More information on discounts and benefits available with the Lyyra student card can be found on the Frank website.
Discounts on transportation
Undergraduate and graduate students are entitled to discounts in local transportation as well as on railways and long distance coaches.
Local transportation in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area
Undergraduate and graduate degree students, as well as exchange students, under the age of 30, living in Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Kauniainen, Kerava, Kirkkonummi and Sipoo are usually entitled to a student discount on their Travel card. Students aged 30 or over must receive Student Financial Aid fom the Finnish Social Security Institution (Kela) in order for them to be granted the student discount.
Degree students have to register as permanent residents of the municipality at the Register Office before the student discount can be granted. Before buying the travel card you need to obtain a certificate proving your degree student status, which is available at the Student Services and at the Welcome Fair.
Exchange students need to obtain a certificate proving the exchange student status before buying the travel card. This certificate is available at the Student Services and at the Welcome Fair as well.
More information on the Travel card and ticket prices can be found on the Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) website.
Railways and long-distance coaches
The Finnish Railway (VR) and the operator of long distance coaches (Matkahuolto, on trips over 80 kilometres) give undergraduate and graduate students a discount on ticket prices. In order for you to receive the student discount you need to show your student card. The discount is 50 % at Matkahuolto and 45-55 % at VR. The discount at VR depends on the type of ticket and the time of purchase.
For more information on timetables and ticket prices, please visit the VR and Matkahuolto websites.
Meal discounts
Student lunch prices and can be found on the Unicafe website.
Student health care
The Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) provides preventive health care, medical care, mental health care, and oral health care for undergraduate and graduate students at the university. In order for you to have access to the FSHS services, you must be a member of the Student Union (HYY).
For more information on the FSHS services, opening hours and possible fees please see the FSHS web site.
Postgraduate students
For postgraduate students the student discounts and benefits are more limited than for undergraduate and graduate students, e.g. postgraduate students are not entitled to use the services of the student health care or to transportation discounts.
Other benefits
For other student discounts (at cultural events, stores etc.), please check directly with the service provider for possible student discounts.
More information on discounts and benefits available with the student card can be found on the Frank website.
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