International students appreciate the teaching quality at the University of Oulu – jobs are hard to find
International students at the University of Oulu report a high level of satisfaction with the teaching they receive. The overall learning experience is positively evaluated, with 90% of students indicating the university's dedication to offering a strong and supportive academic environment.
The results are from the International Student Barometer (ISB) conducted in late 2024.
The quality of lectures, the expertise of lecturers, and learning technology are particularly praised, with a vast majority of students feeling that the academic content is both challenging and enriching.
“The lectures were very interesting and insightful. There are lectures that I would not have the opportunity to have at my home university,” one respondent said.
The respondents in Oulu also experienced stress less often than other international students in Europe.
“The University of Oulu has been running this barometer since 2010. Around learning experience, we see a strong improvement, notably for course organization and careers advice coming from academics – two areas that we know have a big impact on overall learning satisfaction”, says Nannette Ripmeester, Regional Director for Etio, the company behind ISB surveys.
Top reasons why international students choose Oulu are: cost of study, future career impact, availability of accommodation, research quality, and specific course titles.
Positive Reviews of Oulu's Housing and Safety
The city of Oulu itself received favorable reviews from international students, particularly regarding housing and safety. The quality of accommodation and the availability of suitable housing were highly rated, with Oulu achieving the #1 global ranking in these areas. 58% of students find accommodation under 400 euros a month and only 11% pay more than 600 euros.
The housing provider PSOAS rejoices at the survey results.
"Achieving the global top spot is a wonderful recognition of PSOAS's long-term work for student housing in Oulu. The arrival of international students has been particularly supported by increasing the number of furnished apartments," says Ville Isoherranen, CEO.
Most of the students can walk to campus and most use less than 20 minutes for commuting.
99% of students also felt safe and secure on campus. While the majority of over 80% did not experience discriminatory behavior based on race, nationality, or other identity markers, occasional instances were noted.
Mixed Feelings on Social Wellbeing
The social wellbeing of international students at the University of Oulu presents a mixed picture. On one hand, students feel a strong sense of belonging and engagement with their studies, with 96% agreeing that they feel engaged.
However, challenges remain in social integration, particularly in making friends from Finland and experiencing the host culture. The institution's eco-friendly attitude was appreciated by 95% of students, yet the social and sport facilities and organized events did not fully meet the expectations of the respondents.
A significant worry among students is finding suitable employment opportunities post-graduation. The employability satisfaction has declined by 5% compared to 2023, indicating a need for stronger integration of employability skills into the curriculum. However, 86% feel their study experience has prepared them for their career goals.
The respondents indicated it is difficult to find a side job. The overall job market has been challenging in Finland lately.
According to respondents, the University of Oulu offers good value for money: ranked #1 in Finland, #2 in Europe, and #5 globally. International students fund their studies most often with personal or family savings, or scholarships.
The ISB is a comparative study involving 132 universities from 24 countries. The response rate for the University of Oulu was 35%, with 603 respondents.