Open university enrolment and fees

Enrolment for open university studies takes place online one course at the time. The study fee is paid at the same time with the enrolment.
  • Enrolling to open university courses opens mainly 45 days prior to the start of the course. To some courses it is possible to enrol more flexibly on one's own schedule. 
  • The study fee is 15 euros per credit. The fee is paid at the same time with the enrolment.
  • The enrolment is always binding. 
  • In case of a MOOC, the enrolment practices differ. See below: Enrolment to a massive open online course (MOOC)
  • Despite the MOOC-courses, the places on our courses are filled in the order of enrolment. Enrol as early as possible to secure your place on a course!
  1. Enrolment for open university students
  2. Enrolment for degree students of University of Helsinki
  3. Enrolment to a massive open online course (MOOC)
  4. Enrolment for the citizens of Ukraine 

1. Enrolment for open university students

  1. Select the course for which you wish to enrol.
  2. See the course page to find out whether enrolment for the course has begun or when enrolment for the course will begin, and whether there are places available.
  3.  Click the “Go to enrollment” button.
  4. Click the “Register for course” link.
    • If you have an active University of Helsinki user account, use your user account to log in.
    • If you do not have a University of Helsinki user account, identify yourself with the Suomi.fi e-Identification service.
    • If you cannot use the Suomi.fi e-Identification service, choose: “Continue without logging in”.
  5. Complete the enrolment form or supplement/edit the information you have previously submitted. 
  6. Pay the study fee online to confirm your enrolment. 
  7. You will automatically receive an email confirming your enrolment.
  8. Activate your University of Helsinki user account before your studies begin. The username will not be sent to you separately, but rather you will gain access to it by activating your user account well before your studies are due to begin. Please note that activating a user account requires strong electronic identification or identification in person in the University of Helsinki. Further information and instructions: University of Helsinki user account  
  9. See also: Student checklist  
  10. See also: Enrolment and payment terms  

2. Enrolment for degree students at the University of Helsinki

  1. Select the course for which you wish to enrol.
  2. See the course page to find out whether registration for the course has begun or when enrolment for the course will begin, and whether there are places available. 
  3. Start the enrolment from Sisu: first add the course to your study plan, if it is not visible there already. Then select a completion method and teaching in the open university. Finally, Sisu will guide you to the course page for you to enrol there.
  4. Log in the course page (Studies services) with your University of Helsinki username and password.
  5. Click “Go to enrolment”.
  6. Complete the enrolment form or supplement/edit the information you have previously submitted. 
  7. Pay the course fee online to confirm your enrolment.
    • Summer studies and certain courses taught collaboratively during the academic year are free of charge to attending undergraduate students of the University of Helsinki. 
    • If you wish to participate in an open university course in order to raise the grade of previously completed studies, you must always pay the study fee for the course. Before enrolment, please contact avoin-student@helsinki.fi. 
  8. You will automatically receive an email confirming your enrolment.
  9. See also: Student checklist  
  10. See also: Enrolment and payment terms  

3. Enrolment to a massive open online course (MOOC) 

  • Enrolment practices for MOOCs vary by course. 

  • In most cases you begin your studies in the online learning environment of the course. The necessary information is available on the course page of each MOOC. 

  • You can participate in a MOOC free of charge. If you want to receive credits for the MOOC that you have completed, you will be asked to pay a fee at the end of the course. Some of the University of Helsinki’s MOOCs are completely free of charge. Information about the course fee is available on the relevant course page.

  • Further information in Instructions for students: MOOC-courses

  • See the MOOCs available

4. Enrolment for the citizens of Ukraine 

The University of Helsinki expresses its support for Ukraine in an exceptional situation. Ukrainian citizens will not be charged for studies at open university until the end of summer 2024. More information and instructions for enrolling in open university studies: Open university courses free of charge for the citizens of Ukraine

  • The study fee is 15 euros per credit. For example a course of five credits costs 75 euros. 

  • Some courses might contain study material with extra costs. The fees for any study material used in courses are indicated in the course page and must always be paid in conjunction with the study fee.

  • The study fee is paid online in conjunction with the enrolment. Payment methods available (Paytrail Oyj)

    • NB! American Express is not valid at the University of Helsinki.

  • The study fee entitles the student to attend the classes specified in the study programme and to take the associated examinations.

  • Summer courses are free of charge for undergraduate students of the University of Helsinki who are enlisted as attending students at the moment of registration. This excludes a possible fee for study materials.

  • Every now and then there are courses that are open and free of charge to all or to some specific group of students. Always check the fee from the course page of the course.

  • You can participate in a massive open online course (MOOC) free of charge. If you want to receive credits for the MOOC that you have completed, you will be asked to pay a fee at the end of the course. Some of the University of Helsinki’s MOOCs are completely free of charge. Information about the course fee is available on the relevant course page. Further information in the Instructions for students: MOOC courses

  • Ukrainian citizens will not be charged for studies at open university until the end of summer 2024. More information and instructions for enrolling in open university studies: Open university courses free of charge for the citizens of Ukraine

  • See: Enrolment and payment terms

  • Enrolment for open university studies is always binding. In principle, once paid fees will not be refunded.

  • If you are unable to begin your studies due to illness, contact us without delay: avoin-student@helsinki.fi. We will refund within approximately one month any amount of a course fee that exceeds 75 euros. A doctor’s or nurse’s certificate is required.

  • If the University of Helsinki has to cancel the course due to insufficient enrolment or for similar reasons, we will refund 100% of the course fee and credit your account within approximately one month.

  • Further information: Enrolment and payment terms