Guidelines for student exchange

The University of Oulu recommends that students develop international competence during their studies. International and multicultural skills are named as one of the generic skills to be developed during a degree. All domestic degree programmes (bachelor’s or master’s) have included (or will include) mobility windows in their curricula, indicating when it is recommended to go on exchange. The programme description also details other internationalization opportunities available to students.

Students must familiarize themselves with university guidelines and plan their exchange period well in advance. Studies completed abroad must be justified in terms of employability, degree objectives, and the goals of the University of Oulu. Students may only apply for exchange places that match their field of study. All studies completed during exchange are recognized in the degree. The exchange period can be short-term (5–30 days) or long-term (2–12 months), depending on the exchange programme.

• Students must be enrolled in a degree programme at the University of Oulu both when applying for exchange and during the exchange period, and their study right must remain valid throughout the exchange period. Students studying with an extension period cannot apply for or participate in exchange.
• Bachelor’s (or bachelor’s + master’s) students must have completed at least the equivalent of the first year of studies before going on exchange. There are no prior study requirements for master’s students.
• Students must be registered as present at the University of Oulu during the application phase and throughout the exchange period.
• The suitability of exchange studies for the degree programme must be considered. Studies already completed cannot be repeated during exchange. Studies completed abroad are part of the degree.
• Students cannot go on exchange to their home country.
• Students must meet the language requirements of the host institution. Language proficiency is demonstrated by previous studies, a language test, or another method accepted by the host institution. Requirements vary and are specified in the application announcements.
• Students must have sufficiently good academic performance (=average grade) to cope with studies at the host institution. Host institutions set different grade point average requirements, which must be met at the application stage and maintained throughout the process. The grade point average is checked in Peppi during the exchange application.
• Students may participate in an exchange once during each degree level. (During one degree, students may participate in both study exchange and internship exchange.)
• There must be room in the degree for studies completed abroad. Exchange studies are:
  a) recognized to replace compulsory studies,
  b) completed as a compulsory minor, or
  c) placed in elective studies.
  If the student has already completed the required credits for graduation with their study rights or has enough elective studies completed, the exchange period is not supported.
• Studies must be progressing on schedule, and the student must be able to graduate within the target time despite the exchange period.
• During planning, university staff may not move studies outside the personal study plan (PSP) to make room for exchange studies.
• Doctoral researchers must have an approved doctoral training plan and supervisor’s endorsement for the period abroad. Doctoral exchanges can be similar to long-term student and internship exchanges but may also be short-term (5–30 days). Doctoral students employed by the University of Oulu must take leave from work for the exchange period to participate and receive a grant.

• Students must prepare a study plan (learning agreement) for the exchange period, typically including 30 ECTS credits per semester. At a minimum, students must complete the equivalent of full-time study, i.e., 5 credits per month. The study plan must show how studies will be fully recognized towards the current or future degree at the University of Oulu.

General criteria for selection include progress according to targets, academic performance (grade point average), learning agreement for the host institution, and any other special justifications by the student. Host institution requirements (language, academic performance, field of study) are also considered.

Selections are made based on exchange applications (Erasmus+, Nordplus). For bilateral destinations outside Europe, ISEP, and north2north programmes, applicants are also interviewed.

• For Erasmus+ and Nordplus, agreements are faculty- or field-specific, and selections are made in faculties.
• For destinations outside Europe, ISEP, and north2north, the decision is made by the Director of Academic Affairs based on the selection team’s proposal. The selection team includes representatives of International Mobility Services and Faculty Study Services.
• If a student is not selected for their preferred destination, they may be offered another if places remain.
• The university’s selection decision is a proposal to the host institution, and the host institution makes the final decision. The decision cannot be appealed.

Students may cancel the exchange if their life situation changes so that participation is not possible. No documentation is required.

• If a student cancels after the nomination is made and the University has incurred costs, a cancellation fee of €200 is charged.
• If a student cancels or interrupts the exchange without a valid reason or neglects obligations, the exchange grant may be reclaimed in part or in full.

The University of Oulu International Mobility Services monitors the safety of exchange destinations through the Ministry for Foreign Affairs travel advisories and may recommend cancellation if the safety situation deteriorates in the host country.