Training Programme for Immigrant Journalists

(Украiнською нижче)

Apply for the training programme directed at journalists with immigrant backgrounds!

For the third time, Haaga-Helia's Degree in Journalism organises training for journalists with immigrant backgrounds now living in Finland. In addition, a separate internship program is organized, for which some students will receive a grant allowing for a 6-month internship work.

Application period: The application period for the training programme begins on 1 December 2022 and closes on 16 February 2023. The application period for the internship will run in May 2023. Update on 18 January 2023: The application period has been extended in order to reach as many members of the target group as possible. Please note that the entrance exam date and the training programme’s starting date are slightly moved forward (see below).

Who can apply: People of immigrant background who have previously worked as journalists or received education in the field can apply for the training programme.

Language of tuition: The working languages ​​of tuition are Finnish and English. The training programme also leverages knowledge of other languages spoken within the selected applicant group. 

Duration of the programme: The training programme begins in March 2023 and ends in February 2024. The tuition will be delivered in Finnish and English.

Training programme content: Characteristic features of the Finnish journalism, Finnish legislation and ethical guidelines for journalism are at the core of the programme. The students will cooperate with the Finnish Journalism Degree Programme students. Tailored study plans will be created for the students and language studies suitable for their proficiency level will be searched for. The training programme will strengthen the students' understanding of the Finnish society and support their professional development.

Internship program: In addition to the training programme, an internship program is organized in cooperation with the Finnish media companies. The application for the internship should be submitted separately in May 2023; thereafter, all students who have been admitted to the internship programme will be receiving an internship grant over a period of 6 months (2,000 euros per month).

Goal: The goal is to support participants of the training programme in strengthening their journalistic competences, while helping them to secure job opportunities.

Schedule for the application phase:

• The application period is from 1 December 2022 to 16 February 2023. You can apply for the training programme in Finnish or English.
• In order to apply for the training programme, applicants should complete a preliminary assignment on the Webropol platform. The material used for the preliminary assignment is an article in either Finnish (Moni ikävöi yhdessä) or English (Longing together), which can be accessed via the links below. Those admitted to the entrance examination are going to be selected based on the preliminary assignment outcomes.
• Artikkeli Moni ikävöi yhdessä.pdf
• Article Longing together.pdf

Link to the application form:

• Apply for the training programme by filling out this Webropol form.
• Make sure you allocate ample time to finish the pre-assignment so that there is time to answer all the questions and check your answers.
• You should reserve several days for the completion of the preliminary assignment.

Entrance examination schedule:

• Invitations to the entrance exam will be sent by email on Tuesday, 21 February 2023 at the latest.
• The entrance exam will be held on Saturday, 4 March 2023. The preliminary assignment will no longer affect the evaluation of the programme entrance exam.
• You will receive information regarding your admission status no later than Tuesday, 7 March 2023.

Training programme schedule:

March - June 2023

• The training programme in its entirety will be delivered from 17 March 2023 to 29 February 2024.
• The training starts on Friday, 17 March 2023 from 12:00 to 16:00. 
• Following that, in the spring semester 2023, there will be sessions held on Friday afternoons until 26 May. Notice that there will be no session on Friday, 7 April. 
• In addition to the Friday meetings, the training programme includes three intensive periods that will last over Friday evenings and Saturdays. The first intensive Saturday will take place on 18 March, the second one will be held on 1 April and the third one will be on 29 April, 2023, each between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Apart from the face-to-face sessions, the training requires some independent work.
• In addition, we will participate in the Science Night Live event at Heureka on 29 March, 2023.

August 2023 - February 2024

• Those admitted to the internship program will commit to a full-time training schedule.
• Other students will be offered a tailored study plan, according to which their studies will be expected to progress.

Other important things:

• The tuition is free of charge for those admitted to the training programme. Students must have an own laptop at their disposal.
• The training programme does not award students with a degree. However, it can help one to apply to a university and some of the courses can be included in a university degree programme curriculum.
• Contact teaching will take place at the Pasila campus of Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (at Ratapihantie 13, Helsinki).