Metropolia’s international students are satisfied with teaching and support and wish to stay and work in Finland

At the begining of the year, Metropolia conducted a large-scale survey to study the current state of its internationalisation. Special emphasis was given to hearing from international students and to identify the types of measures and services needed to further improve the smooth progression of studies and transition into employment.

A total of 954 students responded to the survey, and more than 7,500 ideas and comments were collected and processed anonymously in cooperation with the survey conductor Fountain Park, as a part of the Kansainväliset osaajat TyöElämään (International talents into working life) project funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Students complimented support measures at the beginning of their studies and valued internationalisation

Students rated the state of internationalisation at Metropolia at an average of 3.92 out of 5. Most students, both those who had lived in Finland for a long time and those who had arrived more recently, felt that joining the Metropolia community had gone fairly or very well.

Respondents reported particularly positive experiences with Metropolia’s helpful teachers, staff members, support services, tutors, and various information channels. Students who had lived in Finland for a shorter period told that their challenges were mainly related to settling in Finland and managing life outside their studies.

Students who had lived in Finland all their lives or for a long time viewed internationality as a positive factor that enhances cultural understanding and sense of community. They also felt that an international study environment provides important competences for diverse working life.

Students wished for more encounters during studies and extended support for job seeking

Students studying in English and Finnish expressed a desire to have more opportunities to interact with each other as it would support integration, add to one’s international experiences, and improve language skills. These encounters were particularly hoped to be offered during studies as opportunities to participate in free-time activities may be limited.

The survey responses reinforce results of national studies such as Youth Barometer (2025): students’ number one concern is employment. Based on Metropolia’s survey, most students who have lived in Finland for a shorter time would like to pursue or could imagine a career on their own field of expertise in Finland. However, they are concerned about the current labour market situation and the sufficiency of their Finnish language skills.

“Finland needs more highly educated professionals, and we educate them in Metropolia. Most of our international students aim to find employment in Finland in their own field of expertise, and we support their settlement and employment as part of our International Talents into Working Life project. Within the project, we also develop new solutions and carry out pilots, and partnerships across different fields are welcome,” tells Eeva Viitanen, Director in Strategic Development.

In addition to language-supported solutions such as the Functionally Bilingual Higher Education Model (TOKAKO), Metropolia offers its international students settlement and support services, such as the Welcome Hub and career coaching. Internship opportunities are offered in collaboration with working life partners. This year, Metropolia piloted a traineeship voucher together with the City of Helsinki, enabling internships for several international higher‑education students in the Helsinki metropolitan area. There is is a need for more shared solutions like this.

Further Information

Eeva Viitanen
Director, Strategic Development

Johanna Liukkonen
Project Director

Sofia Lähdeniemi
Head of International Affairs