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Finding suitable accommodation in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area can be challenging, especially at the beginning of each semester. Start looking for accommodation well in advance and make sure that you have accommodation arranged before you arrive in Finland.

Metropolia does not provide housing services. Finding accommodation is the student's responsibility.

In this section:

HOAS - accommodation for students

Most Metropolia exchange students live in apartments provided by HOAS (Foundation for Student Housing in the Helsinki Region).

HOAS is an easy, safe and affordable option for exchange students. They have a limited number of furnished apartments reserved for incoming exchange students. Due to large number of incoming exchange students, HOAS cannot guarantee a room for all applicants.

More information about accommodation for exchange students on the HOAS website

What is included in the rent?

HOAS furnished accommodation for exchange students includes:

  • basic furniture
  • water
  • heating
  • electricity
  • internet connection
  • access to a laundry room
  • access to a sauna

All HOAS housing areas have shops, public transport and other services nearby.

Where are HOAS apartments located?

HOAS apartments are located in cities of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen. See HOAS properties on a map

HOAS will try to offer you the best available location in relation to your campus. However, you may receive an apartment further away from your campus, as many students apply for the same apartments. It is normal to live further away from the campus. The Helsinki Metropolitan Area has an extensive and reliable public transport network, so it is easy to travel.

You can check travel times and connections between your accommodation and campus with the HSL Journey Planner.

Tenancy period

HOAS tenancy agreements for exchange students are made for full semesters, regardless of the exact length of your exchange.

HOAS accommodation options

HOAS offers three types of furnished accommodation for exchange students:

  • Room in a shared apartment
  • Studio apartment
  • Shared studio apartment

The majority of furnished apartments are shared apartments. The number of furnished studios is limited. It is recommended to apply for another apartment type in addition to a studio apartment.

See apartment types and prices on the HOAS website

Applying for HOAS accommodation

The application periods for exchange student housing are:

  • Autumn semester and academic year: 1 April–5 May
  • Spring semester: 1 October–5 November

Apply as soon as the application period opens.

HOAS cannot guarantee a room for all applicants because there are many students applying for a limited number of apartments.

HOAS will send housing offers after Metropolia has confirmed the exchange student selections, so you do not need to worry about receiving a housing offer before your exchange has been confirmed.

Apply for HOAS exchange student housing

How to fill in the application

On the HOAS application form:

  • Choose “Student exchange” as your degree.
  • Choose the campus corresponding to your field of study as your faculty/location.
  • Select the campus that corresponds to your field of study:
    • Business
      Myllypuro Campus, Myllypurontie 1, Helsinki
    • Culture
      Arabia Campus, Hämeentie 135 D, Helsinki
    • Health Care and Social Services
      Myllypuro Campus, Myllypurontie 1, Helsinki
    • Technology
      • Karamalmi Campus, Karaportti 2, Espoo: Industrial Management, Information Technology (depending on your courses)
      • Myllypuro Campus, Myllypurontie 1, Helsinki: Construction Information Technology, Real Estate and Construction
      • Myyrmäki Campus, Leiritie 1, Vantaa: Automotive Electrics, Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering, Electronics, Energy and Environmental Technology, Information Technology (depending on your courses), Laboratory Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Smart Automation

HOAS housing offers

HOAS sends housing offers by email. Check your email regularly, including your spam/junk folder.
Most HOAS housing offers are sent during June for the autumn semester and November for the spring semester.

HOAS cannot offer accommodation to all applicants. Therefore, if you have not received a housing offer by July for the autumn semester or by early December for the spring semester, start looking for other accommodation options. We will be in touch with the students who have not received an offer from HOAS and give you information about alternative accommodation options.

Do not wait until you arrive in Finland to arrange accommodation!

Accepting a HOAS offer

Accept your housing offer by the deadline stated in the offer.

If you do not accept the offer by the deadline, the apartment will be offered to another student. You will not receive a second offer. If you need more time to decide, contact HOAS directly. If you already know that you will decline the offer, contact HOAS as soon as possible.

Read the offer and tenancy agreement carefully before accepting. A signed tenancy agreement cannot be cancelled or edited afterwards.

Read more about HOAS apartment offers

Private Market

You can also look for accommodation on the private rental market.

However, affordable furnished accommodation for a short period can be difficult to find. Rents on the private market are generally higher than HOAS rents (approximately 600-800€/month/studio), and furniture, water, electricity and internet may not be included in the rent.

If you are looking for accommodation on the private market:

  • start your search well in advance
  • compare different options
  • check the location and public transport connections
  • read the rental agreement carefully
  • check what is included in the rent
  • be cautious with unusually cheap offers
  • verify the landlord and apartment before making any payments

Be aware of rental scams. Do not transfer money before you have verified that the apartment and landlord are genuine.

Metropolia cannot assist in finding or arranging private accommodation.

Furnished and temporary accommodation

You can search for furnished or temporary accommodation through different providers, for example:

For hostels and other options, see for example:

These are external providers, and Metropolia does not guarantee the availability, prices or conditions of their accommodation.

See also these

Cost of Living in InfoFinland site
Residence Permits and Registrations for exchange students
Student Tutors for exchange students