SIMHE-Metropolia
Supporting Immigrants in Higher Education in Finland

Towards a more sustainable Finland with SIMHE and Talent Boost operations

Finland needs more high-skilled workforce. International professionals are a tremendous pool of talent for Finland. Our mission is to help these talents find employment in their own field in our country.

Metropolia provides SIMHE services (Supporting Immigrants in Higher Education in Finland) for highly educated immigrants to recognise their competences and to guide them to suitable study and career paths. We also develop guidance and support for Metropolia international degree students to find employment in Finland. The operations are funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Metropolia started SIMHE services together with the University of Jyväskylä in 2016. Nowadays there are higher education institutions responsible for SIMHE services around Finland. Learn more about SIMHE services in higher education institutions on the EDUFI website.

Statistics on SIMHE guidance

We collect statistics on our customers to develop and target our services better.

The statistics are updated quarterly: Q1=January–March, Q2=April–June, Q3=July–September, Q4=October–December.

Personal guidance consists of a 1-hour-appointment, preparation based on the information provided by the customer in advance, and an email summary sent afterwards, including the key points discussed at the appointment and useful links for the customer.

Recognition of Competence includes at least one individual discussion with a Metropolia expert, based on which a document describing the customer's competence is drafted. Typically the service also includes group guidance sessions. As in the past years the service has been integrated in different projects and other service concepts, the number of group guidance sessions might vary slightly.

In addition, we provide digital services:

Usage of SIMHE services in years 2016-2022
Type of guidance202220212020201920182017Q2-Q4/2016
Personal guidance73454825325338330250100
Guidance Generalia142237194212256208115
Other group guidance2835, 64661, 56021, 273258--
Recognition of competence17651563104324199670
TOTAL133513141131655863554285

1 = Also within the project SIMHE Continuation (ended on 31.8.2021)
2 = Also within the project SIMHE path (ended on 31.12.2020)
3 = For some of the Spouse Program's Career Track participants and for the participants in the Career Boost programmes in the project Developing Competence Center Functions in the Helsinki Region (projects ended)
4 = Within the SIMHE path project (ended on 31.12.2020)
5 = Also within the project Developing Competence Center Functions in the Helsinki Region (ended on 30.6.2023)

6 = Also within the projects for Ukrainians

Metropolia SIMHE services

Metropolia SIMHE services provide guidance and counselling, recognition of competence and opportunities to develop competence for immigrants with a higher education background - either eligible to apply for higher education or with some studies or a full degree completed in higher education.

Discover our services for international professionals and future talents

SIMHE services

What are SIMHE services about and what opportunities do international professionals and future talents have with us? SIMHE helps you find your study and career path in Finland.

SIMHE Career Guidance for immigrants

A one-to-one discussion with a SIMHE Career Coach helps you to map your competences and identify suitable study and career paths in Finland.

Guidance Generalia lectures

The Guidance Generalia are lectures and info sessions open to all immigrants. The topics are selected to help you navigate your study options and develop your career prospects in Finland.

Recognition of competence

How can you get started with recognising your key competences? Metropolia also provides recognition of competence by a professional in selected fields of study and for limited target groups.

Higher education preparatory programme for immigrants

Do you wish to study for a degree in Finnish in a university of applied sciences? Metropolia provides studies to prepare you for this. The courses are taught in Finnish.

Study opportunities and developing competence

Are you interested to study Finnish or to develop your field-specific competence? Metropolia offers you a wide range of options from individual courses to tailored programmes and full degrees.

Contact

Guidance and counselling services only for people residing in Finland.

Contact for guidance and counselling customers: simhe [at] metropolia.fi (simhe[at]metropolia[dot]fi)

Find experts and competences | Metropolia People Finder.