Study opportunities for immigrants

Develop your competence and study at Metropolia!

Finnish Language Studies
Learn Finnish at Metropolia UAS. Courses for immigrants help you develop language skills, understand Finnish society, and prepare for studies or work in Finland.
Studies
Higher education preparatory programme for immigrants
Preparatory programme for immigrants help students improve their Finnish language skills and prepare for studies in higher education.
Bilingual studies in early childhood education for immigrants
Free training in early childhood education for immigrants with intermediate skills in Finnish (B1) and English (B2).
Studies
Career Boost in Business Accounting
Career boost for business accounting is suitable for professionals who wish to update their knowledge and learn about their field in Finland.
Studies
Language-supported training in marketing for immigrants
Free trainings in marketing for immigrants with intermediate (B1) Finnish skills.
Studies
Language-supported training in human resource management (HR)
Free trainings in HR for immigrants with intermediate (B1) Finnish skills.
Studies
For Ukrainian refugees
In response to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine, universities and The Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland offer services and study opportunities for Ukrainians.
Open University of Applied Sciences
The Open UAS range of studies consists of parts of degrees (Bachelor/Master) based on the university curricula.
Open UAS: NonStop Virtual Studies
NonStop virtual studies are 100% online Self-Study courses. All you need is web browser and working network connection.
Diplomas of higher education and study modules
Get new skills with diplomas of higher education and study modules at the open University of Applied Sciences.

Opportunities to study and develop competence

How can I study for a degree in a Finnish institution?

Information on available programmes and application process

In the StudyInfo portal by the Finnish National Agency for Education you will find information on your education options, applying to study and in general about studying in Finland. Finnish institutions of all levels maintain the information about their programmes in StudyInfo.

If you are interested in applying for higher education studies, check the upcoming Guidance Generalia lectures by our SIMHE services. If you are new to the Helsinki region, explore also the Newcomers' Guide by International House Helsinki.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Students in higher education in Finland have the opportunity to apply for recognition of prior learning regardless of where and how they have built such competence. The requirement is that the competence matches with the learning outcomes of their curriculum.

This means that for example courses of your previous degree studies can be recognised into your degree and you do not need to study again the topics that you are competent in. Similarly, you might have built such competence through your work experience.

The RPL request is always processed by the higher education institution where you are studying. The goal of RPL is to promote continuous learning and to acknowledge the existing skills and competences.

Developing study skills: higher education preparatory programme for immigrants

Metropolia offers a higher education preparatory programme for immigrants in different fields of study to strengthen the required study skills for studying in a Finnish university of applied sciences. You will also learn what it is like to study in the field of study in question. At the same time you will build the professional Finnish language competence required for studying in your field. The courses are taught in Finnish (skills level B1 required).

Read more information in Finnish on the preparatory programme in Metropolia. Also other institutions in Finland provide preparatory programmes. See more information on the websites of each institution.

How can I take individual courses and what are open universities/UAS?

Open university or open university of applied sciences (UAS) studies are typically open to everybody regardless of former education, work experience and age. Open studies are taught mostly in Finnish, Swedish and English, depending on the course and the institution.

Studying in an open university or an open UAS typically have fees. At Metropolia, Open UAS studies have been between 0-45€ per credit point. Read more about Open UAS studies at Metropolia.

You will find details on available studies on the website of each institution. Note that each have their own enrolment and fee policies.