New Students

Coming to the University of Helsinki?

Over the summer we”ll be updating this page to give information about Tsemppi events during the orientation week specifically designed to welcome new students and help you get started with your life in Helsinki.

In the meantime, don’t forget to sign up for the Tsemppi mailing list. You do that by doing the following:

1) Just send an email to “majordomo@helsinki.fi” with the following text in the body (leave the subject line blank):

subscribe tsemppi-org

2) You’ll begin to receive announcements of upcoming activities and events. You can leave the list at any time by sending the following to     “majordomo@helsinki.fi”:

unsubscribe tsemppi-org

Having questions about moving to Helsinki?

Check our Survival Guide for New International Students here.

9 Comments

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  1. #1 Nasri Selim
    10/04/08 Reply

    Hello, I am a tunisian schoolboy. I attend to study computerscience in Finland at the winter session 2011.
    Would you tell me please, if I can apply for a finnish cursus at the University of Helsinki, in order to pass the necessary test vor study beginning.
    How long is the duration of the cursus?

    Thanks a lot
    Selim Nasri

  2. #2 admin
    10/04/26 Reply

    Hi Selim,

    There are a number of courses you can take. Unfortunately they all cost money until you’re actually a student (at which point free courses are available for registered students). But in any case, it’s not realistic to try to learn enough Finnish to write a Finnish entrance exam in any realistic period of time.

    For the University of Helsinki, you would have to complete your bachelor’s degree elsewhere and then apply for one of the English language masters programs, which don’t require any knowledge of the Finnish language.

    Another option is to apply to an English-language bachelor’s program at one of the many universities of applied sciences in Finland. Again, you don’t need any knowledge of Finnish for these, and they’re free (at least for now – that may change in the future). You should be aware that these are considered vocational programs in Finland and won’t qualify you for a master’s degree at a Finnish university.

    You can find more information about bachelor’s programs in English here:

    https://www.admissions.fi/vierashaku/prod_index.html

    Good luck!

    … Ami.

  3. #3 anju
    10/05/27 Reply

    Can anyone tell me that whether its possible to get furnished student apartments in helsinki ,like in tampere.I will be a student at the University of Helsinki.,Vikki Camous.

  4. #4 johanna
    10/06/08 Reply

    Hei Anju,

    It entirely depends upon you being either an exchange student or a degree student: If you are an exchange student and arrive through an Erasmus agreement or some similar agreement, you can get a furnished apartment from HOAS, the main provider of student apartments in Helsinki. If you are a degree student (meaning that you plan on doing your whole degree at UH), HOAS most probably will not offer you furnished apartments, even though in some cases, they did. But still, your best bet normally is to apply for housing through HOAS and ask for a furnished flat and be persistent in asking for it. In case you do not get a furnished flat, there are numerous second hand furniture shops in Helsinki (check for example the Kierrätyskeskus or FIDA shops – they also have a website you can find easily through google search) , so it is possible to find cheap furniture without having to rely on IKEA. Generally, if HOAS offers you an apartment or shared flat, it is recommended that you accept it as there is a serious shortage of flats in the Helsinki area and not all students actually get housing through HOAS and have to find something independently. This is really difficult, which is why you should apply to HOAS as soon as possible. If you do not get housing, you can also ask the Helsinki Student Union for help or try searching on the Helsinki University Black Board (mostly in Finnish): http://www.helsinki.fi/bin/phorum/list.php?f=7 or the housing service or the student union: https://www.lyyra.fi/asunnot.

    But don’t despair, you will eventually find something, even though maybe not furnished. But you still have plenty of time until the term starts, so your chances are very good.

    Best of luck in finding a flat and welcome to Helsinki!

  5. #5 sibel
    10/08/05 Reply

    Hi!

    I am a student from Turkey. I will study at Helsinki University-Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry,for autum and spring semesters. I have a big problem because I haven’t found any place to stay. I applied somewhere for housing but they didn’t offer me a room. So I am in trouble now. Please, can you help me? Thanks a lot.

  6. #6 kevser esra özdemir
    10/08/05 Reply

    hi.ı am from Turkey.ı have won university of helsinki by exchange(erasmus)students.my school is in viikki campus.I found this address through. I’m afraid late .I’m very glad if you’ll have to help me because I have no place will stay now. ı have applied haos but I was late for deadline I’m in a very difficult situation.thanks

    KEVSER ESRA ÖZDEMİR

  7. #7 Susi
    10/08/09 Reply

    hey=)

    i didn´t find an e-mail-adress so i try here:

    i will be at university of helsinki in the spring term. now i want to book a flight. do you already know when the orientation weeks will be. how many days before studies start, should i be in helsinki?

    it would be great if you have an answer=)

  8. #8 johanna
    10/08/19 Reply

    Dear Susi,

    Normally the orientation week for students starting their studies in the spring term takes place in the third week of January, but the exact dates for the next spring term orientation course are not published yet. Generally, you do not need to be in Helsinki until the orientation course starts, all practical matters regarding residence permits, registering for courses etc. are dealt with during the orientation week.

    Welcome to Helsinki!

  9. #9 Rashmi
    10/08/31 Reply

    Hi,
    I am Rashmi from India, i will be applying for 2011 Masters course in information and communication technology. I could not find about the tution fee and estimated living cost, including accommodation, health and food. And also, about the part time jobs, if they help me cope up with my expenses there. Also i am very confused about the visa system of Finland. i read here that it has to be renewd every year of my stay in the country, but after finishing my course, is there the facility of Post Study Work Visa??

    Looking forward for your answer… :)

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