Study abroad

- When can I apply for an exchange?

See timing of the exchange and application periods from the page Do you want to study abroad? -page linked up on this page.

- What kind of exchange opportunities does the University of Helsinki offer?

The University of Helsinki has many different exchange programs of different lengths. For example, you can take a short or summer course abroad, where the exchange lasts from a week to three months. You can also go abroad to study for a semester or an academic year. To most destinations you can apply for either one or two semesters, but this is contract- and site-specific. For example, destinations in Oceania can only be applied for one semester. We advise you to check the duration of the exchange available at your chosen destination before applying. You can check our destinations from the page Exchange opportunities around the world, which you'll find linked up on the page.

- How many exchange destinations can I apply for?

See How many application options can I apply for linked below.

- Can I be accepted to several exchange destinations?

You can be accepted to only one destination. If you are applying to several destinations, you must rank them. If you are not accepted to your first choice, the second choice in your list will be taken into consideration, then the third, etc.

- Can I do more than one exchange during my studies?

Yes. At each degree level it is possible to study abroad for 12 months through the Erasmus program. Thus, if you wish, you can leave for a 2x 6-month exchange, for example during your bachelor's degree. It is also possible to apply for exchanges outside Europe at both the bachelor's and master's levels.

- Do exchange destinations have quotas?

Yes. The quotas vary between universities.

- What kind of language skills do I need to apply?

See Language requirements and language certificates in student exchange, a page linked below.

- When will I be notified of the selections?

See Acceptance for exchange, linked below.

- I have not heard anything about the exchange university, although I have been nominated according to Mobility Online in Helsinki. What do I do?

You can check the application deadlines from the university you have been nominated for. The website also often provides information on whether you should apply independently or whether application instructions will be sent by the host university.

- I was accepted for the exchange, but I can't leave. Can the exchange be canceled?

See cancellation of the exchange, linked below.

- Can I read about other peoples experiences of exchange studies somewhere?

You can find exchange stories from our blog, and seek inspiration and practical tips from the Instagram account updated by current exchange students.

- Do I have to be present at the University of Helsinki during the exchange?

Yes. Also in the application phase.

- Should I state the grade point average valid at the time of application? When will the host university verify my GPA?

Please state the grade point average valid at the time of application. The host university will only verify your GPA after you have been selected by the University of Helsinki for an exchange and after you have submitted your application to the host university. The average must be stated in the University of Helsinki application even if you are not applying to a university that requires a GPA. Further information on GPAs and related calculations can be found through a link below.

- Can I only study courses of the subject I've applied to study during my exchange, or can I take courses and credits from other faculties as well?

This depends on your host university. You can inquire directly from your host university exchange coordinator.

- Is it worth applying to an exchange destination that requires a GPA higher than mine?

You cannot apply to host universities that require a GPA higher than yours. Studies at exchange universities are often more demanding than at your home university, which makes it likely that studying at a university with a GPA requirement above your GPA might be too taxing. The host university may also reject your application based on your GPA, in which case you will not be able to complete studies there. Exchange destinations without GPA requirements most often include Erasmus and Nordplus destinations, but this is agreement specific.

- How likely is it that I will be selected for an exchange destination in Oceania?

The destinations in Oceania are very popular, which makes it necessary to screen applicants on the basis of study success and applications. Prospective exchange students are expected to have a GPA of 3,5 or higher to be accepted to a university in Australia and 3,8 or higher to New Zealand. Individual target universities may also require a higher grade average. See the information on each target university. Your chances will be improved by applying for less competitive destinations in addition to those in Oceania.

- Do Open University or JOO courses affect my GPA?

The grade point average is calculated based on all the courses displayed on Sisu. Courses completed at the Open University and as JOO -studies (flexible study right) are also counted in the GPA.

- How many credits do I have to accrue during the exchange?

See study plan of your exchange application linked below.

- Can I complete optional/minor subject studies during the exchange?

You can complete optional subject studies during the exchange. In such a case, you must submit your application through the exchange agreement concluded by the relevant optional study module subject, provided the programme in question is an Erasmus programme or a faculty and unit bilateral agreement. However, the major subject students of the relevant subject have priority when exchange students are chosen. Further information on the scope of exchange agreements can be found through the first link below.

In University-wide exchange programmes outside the EU and in the Nordic countries (Nordlys), students can complete studies in either their own degree programme or in an optional study module, or elective studies in the form of courses selected from the university-wide selection of the host university. Please note the potential restrictions set by the host university on the availability of subjects. Further information on Nordplus and Erasmus destinations in Europe.

- Can I complete an optional/minor subject module during the exchange even if I don’t have a study right for the subject at the University of Helsinki? Can I complete minor subject studies or an entire minor subject module during the exchange in a subject not taught at the University of Helsinki?

You can complete an optional/minor subject module during the exchange to be recognised by your faculty as an optional study module completed abroad. This is possible in most faculties. However, you should bear in mind that optional minor subject modules completed abroad are not equivalent to courses organised by the University of Helsinki. Please note any restrictions set by the host university.

- Should I apply for a place in the bachelor’s or master’s degree stage?

See Do you want to study abroad? for general information. Some study programmes have also compiled specific instructions for their own students concerning planning exchange studies. If these kinds of instructions exist, you'll be able to find them on the same page below the checklist.

- I am completing my bachelor’s degree. Can I also complete master’s degree studies during the exchange?

In certain universities this is possible, but others strictly prohibit this. Details are available on the website of your host university. This may also apply to master’s level students who wish to complete bachelor’s level studies during their exchange.

- Can bachelor’s level courses be completed during the exchange recognised as master’s level courses?

Bachelor’s level courses completed during an exchange can often be recognised as elective master’s level studies. If you wish to substitute a compulsory master’s level course included in your degree requirements with a bachelor’s level course, you can ask the course coordinator about the possibility.

- Where can I find the courses offered by the host university? What if I can’t find the list of courses available next year?

Course lists can be found on the website of the host university. Most universities only display the courses available during the current academic year, so you can base your course selections for the learning agreement on them. Further information about Learning Agreements under study plan for your exchange linked below.

- Do the requirements vary a lot between universities?

Host universities require the same performance from exchange students as from their degree students. The degree of difficulty may be impacted by, among others, your language skills.

- Do I have to complete my application in one sitting or can I continue later?

You do not have to complete the application in one go. You can continue completing your unfinished application later, as long as you have completed the first section (application form). See instructions for completing your application through Mobility Online linked below.

- Who will process my University of Helsinki exchange application? In which language should I write it?

Your application will be processed by the coordinators at International Exchange Services. You can complete it in Finnish, Swedish or English.

- How do I complete the learning agreement?

See study plan for your exchange linked below.

- Can I be selected for exchange even if I have already completed all the studies required for my degree?

The studies completed at the host university must be recognised and fully transferred to the degree you are pursuing at the University of Helsinki. A bachelor's degree encompasses at most 200 ECTS, and a Master's 130 ECTS. If you have already completed credits enough to fill these scopes you can neither apply nor be selected for an exchange. Read more about who can go on an exchange through the link under.

- How do I know whether I've turned in everything i need to after my exchange?

See the checklist of Exchange documents to be submitted linked below.

- How will my exchange studies be recognised? Who will recognise my exchange studies?

See instructions on recognition of prior learning linked below.

- What is the difference between the recognition, substitution, and inclusion of studies?

Substitution and inclusion are forms of recognition. Substitution means that you are replacing studies included in your degree programme requirements with prior learning that is equivalent in terms of the learning outcomes of the course or module to be substituted. Inclusion means that prior learning is incorporated into your degree, necessitating no equivalence in content with any course or module at the University of Helsinki. Further information on recognition of prior learning linked below.

- I completed different courses from those in my original Learning Agreement during my exchange, what do I do?

See Changes to the original learning agreement through the link below.

- I completed less credits than I intended to during my exchange, what do I do?

Contact International Exchange Services and explain your situation.

- My exchange period dates changed, what should I do?

See Changes during the exchange, and if necessary contact International Exchange Services.

- How do I maintain the international competence I gained during my exchange?

You can become a tutor for international students at UH, or for leaving exchange students. Many student organisations also have international activity, so you may also contact them to see how you might participate. Also see our page on Use of international competence after the exchange.