Studies

1. What kind of international degrees are available at the University of Oulu?

The University of Oulu  offers 19 Master’s programmes which are taught entirely in English. Disciplines range from architecture, business and engineering to education, science and health. UO does not offer Bachelor’s programmes in English.

2. 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. To see the list of Master’s programmes, please visit following page

3. 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 University of Oulu Graduate School.

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

Yes, you could. University of Oulu welcome more than 400 international exchange students each year. To find out more about the exchange study opportunities, please have a look at Exchange student pages of the University of Oulu

Application

1. Where do I find the application information for the Master’s programmes?

The information on application processes is under How to Apply? page, where you can also find the application template as application periods open.

2. When do I apply?

The next available application period is December 2^nd 2013 – January 31^st 2014 and is for studies starting in September 2014. Information concerning the important deadlines can be found from here.

3. What are the admissions criteria for the programmes?

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

For Master’s degrees at the University of Oulu, you may apply directly after having a lower degree, normally a Bachelor’s degree, from an institution of higher education entitling you to apply for Master’s studies in your own country. Also a good command of the English language is a prerequisite.

Daily life in Oulu

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

The Master’s 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. English is also the working language in many companies which are based in the Oulu region.

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 for those interested in learning the language.

For the language requirement information, please visit the our website for Language Requirements.

2. What are the living expenses in Oulu?

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

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 EUR 600-800 a month of which approximately EUR 190-350 is spent for accommodation. Expenses during the first months 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 to various discounts, for example, 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 EUR 2-5.

At the University of Oulu, the student union membership is compulsory for all students. Read more about the membership and student benefits at the website of the Student Union of the University of Oulu.

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 Master’s 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: residence permit, insurance and other important issues. Where do I find information about the things that must be considered before arrival?

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

5. What are the accommodation possibilities for an international degree student?

There are different accommodation options available either in the student residence halls or in private housing market. In general, student accommodation in Finland is of high standard: the rooms are in good condition and include central heating, cooking and washing facilities. There is also Internet access to all residence halls. Both furnished and unfurnished rooms are available.

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

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