1. I will graduate in June 2011. Can I apply to degree programmes conducted in English during the application period between 3 January and 15 February 2011?    

Answer: Those applicants who are not citizens of an EU/EEA- country applying with a non-Finnish qualification must have completed their education before the application period closes on 15 February 2011.  Applicant who is a citizen of an EU/EEA –country and is completing his/her qualification in the spring of 2011 can apply during the application period. This does not apply to applicants who are applying with competence based vocational qualification or competence based further vocational qualification that must have completed their education by the end of application period.

2. What is an online application?

A: The online application is filled in and submitted online. The online application opens on 3 January and closes on 15 February at 4.15 pm Finnish time.
 
3. Is it advisable to use a fee-charging agency to help with my application process?

A: Making an application to a Finnish polytechnic/UAS is always free of charge. The use of fee-charging agencies is not recommended.  It is highly recommended that applicant submits online application him/herself. Also, the applicant should always use his/her own postal and e-mail address to ensure that he/she will receive all necessary information directly from the polytechnics/UAS.

4. What documents do I need to send in with my application?

A: Applicants applying with non-Finnish qualifications have to send copies of relevant educational certificates and authorised translations of the certificates (stamped and signed by the translator) into English, Finnish or Swedish to the polytechnic/university of applied sciences of the applicant's first choice. The copies must arrive at the polytechnic/UAS by post or delivery by 25 February 2011 at 4.15 pm Finnish time (GMT+2 hrs), scanned or faxed copies are not accepted.  This does not apply to those applicants who are citizens of an EU/EEA-country and who are completing their qualification in the spring of applying, they must provide the necessary copies in case they are admitted.

Applicant who is not a citizen of an EU/EEA –country must provide proof of his/her English language skills by the end of application period to the admissions office of his/her first preference polytechnic/UAS

Applicant applying with Finnish certificates does not have to send a copy of the certificate except in following cases: he/she has completed his/her Finnish Matriculation examination in 1989 or earlier or is completing the International Baccalaureate or Reifeprüfung examination in Finland in the spring of 2011 or is applying with competence based vocational qualification, competence based further vocational qualification.

Applicant who has completed his/her Finnish Matriculation examination in 1989 or earlier  or applicant who is applying with competence based vocational qualification or competence based further vocational qualification has to send a copy of his/her certificate to the admissions office of the polytechnic/UAS of his/her first choice by 25 February at 4.15 pm. Finnish IB candidates have to send a copy of their Predicted Grades and Finnish Reifeprüfung candidates have to send a copy of their final certificate to the admissions office of the polytechnic/UAS of their first choice by 13 May 2011 at the latest.
 
5: Where do I send the certificate copies?

A: You have to send the copies by post to the admissions office of the polytechnic/UAS that you have chosen as your first choice in your application.  The correct address is included in your confirmation e-mail.

6. How will I know where the entrance examination will take place and what will I need to bring with me?

A: All applicants who have demonstrated their eligibility and language skills will receive an invitation letter to the entrance examination. The letter will inform you of the date and location of the exam. You will also need to bring your passport/ID you used to apply, writing equipment and, in some cases, a calculator, etc. Note that applicants, who don't have their valid official ID-documents with them in the examination, will get their examination result rejected.

7. When are the results announced?

A: The results are announced on 30th May at the earliest. The results are posted to the applicant after that.

8. My entrance examination did not go as well as I expected due to personal circumstances. Can I appeal?

A: Personal circumstances such as illness, death in the family etc. are not considered to be valid reasons for a successful appeal.

9. I have already accepted a study place in a polytechnic for this academic term. Can I accept another study place in a university or a polytechnic during the same academic year?

A: No, you can only accept one new study place during the same academic term (1 August – 31 December and 1 January - 31 July). Acceptance of a study place is always binding and it cannot be altered or cancelled.

10: Do I need a visa or a residence permit?

A: Students from EU countries do not need a visa to study in Finland. Students from non-EU countries need a visa for a stay of more than three months in Finland.

EU citizens and the citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland do not need a residence permit to study in Finland. For a stay of more than three months, students from EU countries need to register their right to reside in Finland at the local police department. The criteria for the right to reside in Finland are as follows: the main purpose for residence in Finland is full-time studies at a Finnish higher education institution, the student must be able to cover his or her living costs in Finland, the student must also have valid health insurance. Students from Sweden, Norway, Denmark or Iceland do not need to provide financial proof.

Non-EU citizens need a residence permit if they have been admitted to a higher education institution and their studies will last longer than three months. The residence permit is granted for one year at a time. If the studies take longer than one year, the extension of the residence permit needs to be applied for every year until the student has finished the study programme. For renewal of the residence permit the student must meet the following criteria: the student must be a full-time student, the student must be registered at a higher education institution, the student must have completed the courses required in the higher education institution study programme. In addition, a student from a non-EU country must have valid health insurance issued by a reliable company or institution. Non-EU students who are studying in Finland in a full-time degree programme for a minimum of two years also need health insurance that covers the cost of medicine. Also, non-EU students must provide proof that they can cover their living costs in Finland. 
 
11. Where can I find accommodation?

A: Student accommodation is available, for example, through VVO and SOA (Finland’s Student Housing Ltd.) in Finland, and HOAS (The Foundation for Student Housing in the Helsinki Region). Applications should be sent directly to the student accommodation foundations. The accommodation system varies among different polytechnics/UAS. Some have student campuses and accommodation, while others encourage students to apply for accommodation from the municipal authorities of the town/city they are studying in. More detailed information is available on each polytechnics'/UAS' website.
Student accommodation in Finland is of a high standard. The apartments and rooms are in very good condition, and include central heating, a refrigerator, cooking and washing facilities, and Internet access. Both furnished and unfurnished rooms are available. Prices vary depending on the location and the size of the room or apartment.