Frequently Asked Questions

When is the applications period?

The application deadline for exchange students to the University of Helsinki, and the Swedish School of Social Science for the spring term is 1 November and for the whole academic year or the fall term is May 15. The application deadline is final, meaning that late applications will not be considered.

Visiting Students have the same deadlines for applications as exchange students. More information here.

What is the difference between exchange students and visiting students?

The biggest difference is that the exchange students comes through an agreement (Erasmus, Nordplus, Nordlys, North-South-South or EU-Australia program) between universities when the visiting student apply as an individual person.

Where and how do I apply?

The application forms and the booklet Application Information for Exchange Students are available on the Internet address http://www.helsinki.fi/exchange

We have a new database program Mobility Online where the application will be stored and the student will all the time be able to follow the processing of his or her application. To find the agreement between your university and ours and make sure that the application comes to us tick Faculty of Social Science and Swedish School of Social Science. The coordinator at your home university will need to sign the printed out application as to confirm that you are nominated as an exchange student.

After this the application and its attachments can either be scanned in and uploaded into the application system or faxed to the university number +358-9-191 22176. For Foreign Reporting participants, do use the fax number +358 9 191 28430 instead.

How shall I state my language proficiency?

The required level of English and/or Swedish for you to be able to follow the lectures and complete the courses is B2. If you have made the TOEFL test with good notes within four years, have studied at least 4 years the language and can state it or then by handing in the Language Proficiency Certificate. Normally this is no obstacle for students coming to us as an exchange student.

When will I know, if I am accepted to University of Helsinki?

We will do the selection directly after the application period is closed and over e-mail inform you, if you belong to those happy accepted. This means latest 15 June resp. 25 November you should know.

A few weeks later you will get an information package mailed over to you.

How many credits can/should I obtain?

We do only require that you take at least one course at the Swedish School of Social Science. A Learning Agreement should include courses worth 30 ECTS/term. How many credits you must take depends on your home university - some demands 60 ECTS for a year, others not.

Which courses can I take?

Information about courses offered in English at our School and the University of Helsinki are available on the Internet.

Exchange students at the Swedish School of Social Science may choose courses from our School, from the Faculty of Social Sciences, and also to some extent from other Faculties at the University of Helsinki, see links in the left hand frame. The information on the internet is continuously updated. Additions, cancellations and changes may though occur.

The updated study guide with all the course details see upper right corner. In the beginning of the term we will then help you with picking those courses you will actually take here in Helsinki, in other words your Learning Agreement is more of a plan - and most plans do change a bit.

Is it possible to do an internship during my time in Helsinki?
Theroretically yes, but the same goes for you as for our own students - find your place yourself.
The exception is that social work students able to speak Swedish or Finnish can be placed, if it is part of your official studies.

I cannot find the course code?

The course codes are there to make it easier for me to find out which courses you would like to take. If you cannot find the course code leave it empty in the Learning Agreement, but inform me from which department you found the course.

Is there any tuition fee and how much will the living costs be?

There is no tuition fee for students coming on an exchange visit to Helsinki. You will though need to pay for the rent of your housing (200-700 €, depending on flat) as well as for the local transportation (about 25 €/month). Students are also recommended to pay the student union fee (38€) in order to get Student Health services. The total monthly living expenses of a single student average from €700 to €1200 - depending on your spending habits.

Will I get help with finding accomodation?

New as of the autumn term 2009 is that the students will need to apply for their housing directly through HOAS. You should apply for it as soon as possible (that is at the same time as you apply for the study right - coming online about 3 weeks after you can start apply to the university) as the flats might get short and those applying as the last ones will the latest get to know if they got a place. Here you will find more information for our incoming exchange students. In September there is a shortage of rooms in Helsinki, therefore I recommend that you accept an offer from HOAS.

If you are coming through an agreement you should fill in the application for Exchange students and pick University of Helsinki -> University of Helsinki/Faculty of Social Sciences as the place where you study.

Freemover/Visiting Students will need to find your accomodation yourselves, but we will help you with information upon options. This means that you will only get one of the flats with bed and desks from HOAS if there are flats left when all those coming from partner institutions got a place to live.

Moreover flats / rooms are offered on the private market among other places at http://www.helsinki.fi/bin/phorum/list.php?f=7, https://www.lyyra.fi/browse_lyyrarentals.php and http://www.oikotie.fi. Especially the first one is rather good as here many students going on an exchage will themselves also search for someone to take over their flat for a term or two.

For how long time should my renting contract be and when are the exams?

You will be paying the rent according to number of months you are in Finland and that means for September- December for the autumn and January-May for the spring term. The arrival day should be around 1 September/5 January and you will most probably leave Finland around 20 December or 20 May.

The Exams are usually directly after the courses, so if the
course goes only in the first period that means your exam/deadline for handing in your essay will be around 5th October and all exams are done by mid-December for the first
term.

Australian students and students taking part in the Foreign Reporting module only have their last day of tuition on 31.3.

What shall the Letter of Motivation include?

The letter of motivation should be no longer than one A4 and include information more on who you are and why you would like to come to Helsinki. You can also focus a bit on what you think it will bring for your future.

Do you offer any scholarships?

Since the tuition is free of charge at the University of Helsinki, there are limited options for scholarships. You can find more information about this topic here. Most probably, though, your home university have options available for you.

What will the weather conditions be?

September is already autumn here in Helsinki, that is you can expect about 15 degrees during the days and +5 degrees in the nights. January again is usually snowy with around -5 degrees (but can go down as far as to -20 degrees). Layer clothing is the best way of protecting yourself from the coldness. Weather forecast for the next days is found here.

Why does not Soc&kom answer immediately?

We try to answer within two workdays, but some questions might need some research or We might be on a business trip (dates visible in the right hand margin). If you have not gotten an answere within a week (and it is not July, the month for holidays in Finland), do remind me!

I can't find any answer to my question here - what shall I do?

International Planning Officer at the Swedish School of Social Science, will help you in all practical matters. E-mail to sskh-international@helsinki.fi