International Student Exchange
International student exchange
International student exchange programs
Studying abroad under university bilateral agreement
Independently seeking to study abroad
Recognising credits earned abroad and their validity in Finland
Europass
ECTS system
Funding for studying abroad
International internships
Studying in English in Turku
International student exchange
The international role of higher education institutions and their international cooperation has been on the rise in recent years due to the integration processes of the European Union. It has become increasingly vital for Finnish society to have a highly educated, internationally oriented workforce with excellent language skills. Also the objective for uniform degrees in Europe and its accordant reform of degrees sets certain demands, as well as opens up new possibilities, for obtaining an internationally acknowledged degree in our universities.
The aim of the University of Turku is to have an average of 540 students participate in international exchanges, for a minimum of three months, every year. The university furthers its students' possibilities for studying periods abroad by being involved in international exchange programmes, establishing bilateral exchange agreements with foreign universities, and by annually granting study grants for exchanges organised in other ways, when the credits obtained are transferable to a Finnish degree. Since not all students go on a study abroad, the University of Turku also offers opportunities in internationalisation as part of the course selection in Finland. Essential to this are the Master's programmes and modules taught in English, all of which are presented in the faculty study guides (also see Studying in English in Turku).
Going abroad is, at present, most common in the third or fourth year of one's studies. Studying languages should be started early (see the language courses at the Language Centre). Tutoring international students is a good way to prepare for an exchange or to continue the international experience after the exchange. More information on international tutoring is available from the faculty International Officers and the TYY Secretary for International Affairs (N.B. good Finnish-language skills are required). Information on the basic prerequisites for being accepted into exchange programmes can be found on the study abroad webpages www.utu.fi/studyabroad.
The following section will briefly introduce different options of international student exchange. Students interested in studying abroad should definitely see their faculty's website on international exchanges and the International Office website on studying abroad (www.utu.fi/studyabroad). More information is also available on the Centre for International Mobility (CIMO) website (www.cimo.fi).
International student exchange programmes
Erasmus
The European Union Erasmus programme seeks to enhance student mobility in Europe and cooperation among European universities. Basic degree students as well as postgraduates who are enrolled at a university have the opportunity to study in an EU member country, EEA country, or Turkey for a period of 3-12 months. One prerequisite for being accepted into the programme is that the credits earned in the host country must be able to be transferred to the Finnish degree in their entirety. This is possible by using the European Credit Transfer System (see ECTS system for more detail). Students participating in the abovementioned studies are eligible for a grant. First year students are not eligible to participate in the programme.
The application period for a study grant is basically the spring semester before the next academic year. For more information, please turn to your departmental Erasmus contact person and faculty International Officer. Information about Erasmus internship grants is available through the coordinator of international internships at Turku Academic Career Services (internships[at]utu.fi).
Nordplus
Nordplus is a scholarship programme of the Nordic Council of Ministers to increase mobility and cooperation within the Nordic Countries. The purpose of the programme is to promote Bachelor's and Master's degree studies (including internships) and teaching either in another Nordic country or within the Nordic autonomous territory, with the credits transferred back to the home university. First-year students are ineligible to participate in the programme.
The study grant a student receives is approximately ?200/month. In addition, there is a travel grant students can apply for, the amount of which varies according to the host country and network. Departments participating in the Nordplus programme must agree on the objectives, content, and scope of the exchange with the host university. The departments announce the beginning of the application period once or twice a year. Every year, there are also study grants allotted by the so-called Nordlys network for students whose departments do not have a Nordplus network of their own. Those interested, should turn to the representatives of your department or to the faculty International Officer.
ISEP Programme
ISEP (International Student Exchange Program) is an American student exchange programme based on reciprocity. The ISEP organisation consists of some 100 universities and institutions of higher education in the United States and an equal number in the rest of the world. In principle, ISEP is available for basic degree and postgraduate students of all fields of study, excluding Clinical Medicine and Dentistry. However, in practice, the number of placements for students of Medicine, Law and Economics is limited and only available for postgraduate students.
All of the universities in Turku participate in the ISEP program. As the programme is based on reciprocity, the number of students accepted into the program in Turku depends on the number of foreign students the universities host each year.
ISEP is not a program based on grants per se. The expenses of the exchange are based on the living expenses in the student's home country and the tuition that is paid to the home university. The rate for a Finnish student to take a study place is ?5,600/year or ?2,800/semester (based on the rates in 2008-2009). The costs cover the tuition at the host university as well as accommodation and meals during the semester. The University of Turku grants certain ISEP students a travel grant.
Through the ISEP programme (International-to-International exchange) it is possible to study, apart from the United States, in Canada, South Africa, South Korea, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Uruguay.
ISEP placements for the following year can be applied for every year in the autumn semester. For more information, visit the International Office website, see a faculty International Officer or visit Student Services.
FIRST - Finnish-Russian Student Exchange Programme
The Centre for International Mobility (CIMO) started a pilot programme for student exchange between Finland and Russia in 2000. The idea of the programme is to promote bilateral student mobility between the two countries. The main focus is on areas in the vicinity of Finland. In Finland, the programme is open for all fields of study, and in Russia, it is open for the fields covered in the curriculum of the participating universities. However, students of Russian or Finnish Language may not be accepted into the programme, as they have other possibilities, such as the language residency programme in Russian universities and the CIMO scholarship programme for Finnish language studies.
FIRST student exchange is based on networks between the partner universities. The exchanges last from three to nine months. Finnish students mainly finance their studies in Russia with the Finnish study grant allotted by the State and a scholarship from the state of Russia. The latter is to free the student of tuition and enable access to student dormitories. In addition to this, Finnish students receive a travel grant.
The University of Turku's partner universities are Saint-Petersburg State University, Herzen Pedagogical University of Russia in St Petersburg, St Petersburg State Polytechnical University, Petrozavodsk State University, Immanuel Kant State University of Russia, Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University, Pskov State Polytechnic Institute and Tver State University. Exchange covers more than the aforementioned fields of study, excluding Finnish or Russian languages. For more information, visit the International Office website or see a faculty International Officer or visit Student Services.
North-South-South Higher Education Network Programme
The NORTH-SOUTH-SOUTH Higher Education Network Programme is a network cooperation programme, the purpose of which is to establish lasting networks of cooperation between Finnish universities and universities in developing countries and thus promote the financial and social advancement of these countries. In addition to Finland, countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Egypt Nicaragua and Peru as well as Nepal and Vietnam may participate in the programme. Funding for the programme comes form the development cooperative authorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, and mutual teacher and student exchange of two or more higher education institutions gets support from the programme.
Two Peruvian universities, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina (UNALM) and Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM) participate in the FINPE network coordinated by the University of Turku. Furthermore, the University of Turku participates in Sustainable Development and Human Rights Network (other partners include University of Dar Es Salaam and Zanzibar University in Tanzania, Makerere University in Uganda and University of Pretoria in South Africa, coordinated by Åbo Akademi University) and Tanganyika Aquatic Studies Network (partners University of Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania, University of Burundi in Burundi and Universities of Kuopio and Helsinki. This network is coordinated by the University of Jyväskylä).
These student exchanges are generally one for semester and there are no tuition fees. In addition to a monthly scholarship (?400) the student will also receive travel assistance (?1,200). First-year students are not eligible to participate in the programme but may apply for an exchange for their second year. The programme is designed for basic degree students only.
For more information, visit the International Office website or see the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences International Officer.
north2north Student Exchange Programme
In 2005, the University of Turku became a member of the University of the Arctic Network. Part of the network's higher education members participates in a north2north (n2n) exchange in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, the United States, Canada and Russia. The length of an exchange is 3 to 12 months. On well-based reasons, students may apply for an exchange that is shorter than the minimum period.
The programme is open to full-time degree students in all fields at the host university. First-year students may apply for exchange in their second year. In well-based cases, study grants may be granted to postgraduate students.
Exchange studies have to be related to something the North or Arctic and, as in other programmes, must be transferable to a degree at the University of Turku. For more information about n2n exchanges, visit the International Office website or see a faculty International Officer. The deadline for applications (February 15) is the same in all participating countries.
Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window (EMECW)
The University of Turku is participating in several EMECW partnerships, of which it is coordinating the Triple I partnership. More information about Triple I can be found on www.utu.fi/iii. Information about the application periods and possible study abroad grants can be found on the International Office website.
Studying abroad under university bilateral agreements
The University of Turku has bilateral agreements with several foreign universities, most of which apply to student exchange. In an international orientation, the central standing is with universities in the Baltic Sea region, other universities in the Nordic countries and the universities in European Coimbra Group. Strengthening the bonds of international exchange with Eastern and South-Eastern Asia and North America is also on the agenda for the coming years. This is why exchange programmes based on bilateral agreements may vary from year to year and those interested should see the International Office website when planning their studies abroad.
Bilateral agreements with certain quotas have been established with, e.g., Saint-Petersburg State University, University of Renmin (Beijing, China), Universities of Nankai and Shenzhen in China, Hong Kong Baptist University, University of Tokai (Japan), Chung-Ang University (Seoul, South Korea), University of Rhodes (Grahamstown, South Africa) as well as Universidad de Mayor (Chile) and University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), University of Washington (Seattle) and Humboldt State University (Arcata, California) in the United States. These placements are applied for in early spring, with the exceptions of the last four, where the application period is in the autumn semester. The universities in Turku also have mutual placements in Australia.
In addition to university-wide exchange agreements, some faculties and departments also have their own agreements. Therefore it is worth asking the staff members about these agreements. More information on Erasmus and Nordplus programmes is available from the departmental contact persons. For inquiries on other programmes and exchanges, please contact a faculty International Officer or the International Office.
Independently seeking to study abroad
Searching for a study place abroad can also be done by independent application. In addition to the Internet, information about study opportunities in different countries can be found at the nation's embassy or cultural institution. However, the best source of information is the host university itself. When planning to study at a foreign higher education institution, it is advisable to start the preparations no less than a year before the studies begin. There is also lots of information about studying abroad on the Maailmalle pages of CIMO: www.maailmalle.net.
Recognising credits earned abroad and their validity in Finland
Credit for studies completed at another higher education institution can be either fully or partially transferred to your degree at the student's home university in Finland. In order to participate in a student exchange programme, credits for the studies must be fully transferable. Studying abroad should therefore not prolong the duration of the student's studies. It is also possible for those going on an independently sought study abroad to transfer the earned credits leading to a degree at the University of Turku. The curriculum must be discussed with department staff member and a so-called study plan must be drawn up. The decision to approve the transfer of credits is normally made by the faculty after the department has approved the student's study plan.
For information on academic recognition of foreign studies in Finland and equating a foreign degree or a unit of study with a Finnish degree or a unit of study, please contact the Finnish National Board of Education, tel. (09) 774 775 (switchboard), by post: Finnish National Board of Education, Curriculum Development, P.O. Box 380, FI-00531 HELSINKI, e-mail: recognition[at]oph.fi. You can print out the forms you need at www.oph.fi which is a website for any student going abroad.
Europass
The Europass consists of documents designed to help students and employees prove their skills in other parts of Europe. The documents are the same format in all EU/EEA countries which makes its use easier.
The main Europass document is the Europass CV, to which the student or employee can choose to attach other Europass documents. These include the appendix to a university diploma meant for international use (Diploma Supplement), the Europass Language Passport and Europass Mobility. The Europass CV and the Language Portfolio can be filled out directly on the Internet or downloaded for later use. The Diploma Supplement and Europass Mobility are granted by a university.
The Language Passport, in accordance with a pan-European model, can be set up in different languages. Before assessing your own language skills in accordance with the pan-European model, is would be good to get to know the language skills assessment scale set up by the Finnish National Board of Education.
The University of Turku is part of the Europass pilot stage in Finland. See Europass Mobility.
More information on the Europass can be found on www.europass.fi.
ECTS system
The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) is part of the European Union Erasmus programme, where credits can be transferred between countries. Its purpose is to facilitate the comparison of studies abroad with those completed at the student's home university, while at the same time making credit transfers between universities much simpler. ECTS will improve the cooperation among universities, e.g., by facilitating the flow of communication about curricula and providing the universities with a standardised system of transfers. The system does not, however, aim to integrate the structures of degrees, course of studies or methods of teaching
Main documents in the ECTS system
When going abroad, acquiring information beforehand is an essential part of the preparation process. To facilitate gaining access to information, the universities implementing ECTS will annually compile an ECTS Information Package containing, e.g., course descriptions and information about course requirements. This information is also accessible on the host university's website.
The Learning Agreement is a document drawn up by the student with the help of his or her department and the host university before departure. The studies the student plans on completing abroad will be shown in this document. The final learning agreement is signed no less than a month after the studies at the host university have begun.
A transcript of records states the student's grades before and after the study abroad period. All of the units of study will be marked on this document. ECTS credits and grades in accordance with the ECTS grading scale are also mentioned.
ECTS credits
ECTS credits are figures describing a student's workload in a specific unit of study. They represent the workload of each unit in relation to the workload of a full academic year at the university - in other words, lectures, assignments, seminars, examinations and other course work. Therefore, ECTS credits express a relative value. According to the ECTS system, one academic year of full-time study corresponds to approximately 60 ECTS credits. One Finnish credit (opintopiste) is equivalent to one ECTS credit.
The ECTS grading scale
A common grading scale had been developed by the universities implementing the ECTS system. This grading system helps make the students? grades easier to interpret. The ECTS grading scale will also help the home university integrate foreign grades into their own system. The University of Turku five-level grading scale (1?5), directly corresponds to the ECTS grading scale (F?A).
ECTS in practice
Students planning to study abroad must contact the ECTS contact person at their department and go over the study guides of various universities to determine the host university and to draw up the learning agreement. Using ECTS credits will help students plan a realistic workload for themselves.
Both the home and the host university must approve the learning agreement based on the ECTS system before the student's departure. The two universities exchange the student's academic transcript information before and after the study abroad period.
Funding for studying abroad
The university aims at awarding a study grant to formal exchange students going abroad, according to their exchange programme. In addition to this, the University of Turku strives at awarding a grant to students taking part in exchanges at its own bilateral agreement partner universities. The application period for the following academic year is usually the previous spring semester (with the exception of e.g. exchanges in the United States and the ISEP program). A study grant is meant to cover additional expenses resulting from studying abroad. Students who are eligible will continue to receive normal financial aid during their period abroad. Financial aid is explained in more detail on the Finnish version Opintojen rahoitus.
The Centre for International Mobility (CIMO) also issues scholarships for studying abroad. However, these scholarships are mainly reserved for postgraduate students (www.cimo.fi). The Fulbright Center gives information about opportunities to study abroad and about scholarships for going to the United States (www.fulbright.fi). Study grants and their application periods are announced on the university notice boards and webpages.
International internships
An international internship is a fixed-term working period abroad in a position that is relevant to one?s field of study. For information on internship opportunities, see the webpages of the Centre for International Mobility (CIMO) at www.maailmalle.net or visit the Turku Academic Career Services webpages at rekrytointi.utu.fi. You can present your own know-how e.g. with the help of the Europass portfolio.
University of Turku Academic Career Services, together with the recruitment and international affairs units of other universities, is developing work training mobility which is included in the whole, new ERASMUS Life Long Learning Programme. Students have the opportunity to receive an ERASMUS grant for an internship abroad from 3 to 12 months. The internship must be part of the student's studies. Work training may only be done in the EU or EEA area and can be carried out in different private and public organisations or businesses. The student's home country's embassy/consulate and the entity which administers EU funds cannot be designated as places of internship. Training usually happens in the internship the students arrange themselves. More information about ERASMUS internships is available from the Academic Career Services internship coordinator.
CIMO programmes offer internships in various fields. The internships are meant for degree students no less than 18 years old or for the recently graduated; some programmes also have an upper age limit. Through CIMO, you can apply for an internship at Finnish embassies and cultural institutes, Finnish language and culture centres and Finpro's Trade Centers.
There are four application periods a year for CIMO administered internships.
Volunteer work
Volunteer work is a practical way of getting to know the culture and everyday life of a foreign country. The employer is often an organisation working to benefit the community in various ways, and the volunteer worker usually gets free room and board. Voluntary work does not require any specific education, and it might even help you earn some pocket money. Most volunteer workers are required to be at least 18 years old. For more information, see www.kepa.fi/international/english.
Student association internships
You can also participate in an international internship through the internship programmes of various student associations:
AIESEC Finland: Though originally an association for students of business and economics, AIESEC now also provides students of education, social sciences, languages and marketing with internship placements. For more information, see www.aiesec.org.
ELSA (The European Law Students' Association): ELSA is the world's largest independent association of law students, operating in 39 countries. ELSA offers 450 internships annually around Europe. For more information, see www.elsa.org.
IAESTE (The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience): IAESTE is an international internship programme coordinated by CIMO, catering mainly for students of technical fields (more information on the CIMO website at www.cimo.fi).
FiMSIC (Finnish Medical Students' International Committee): The main function of FiMSIC is to organise international internships for Finnish medical students. For more information, see www.fimsic.org.
Summer jobs abroad
You can also acquire work experience abroad during the summer. Those who would like to go must be at least 18 years old and have good or at least satisfactory language skills. For information about summer positions, you can contact, for example, local employment offices.
The Pohjola-Norden Nordjobb programme offers summer positions in other Nordic countries. The Nordjobb summer job programme is designed for young persons between the ages of 18 and 28 years old. For more information, see www.nordjobb.net
In addition to gaining international work experience, an internship abroad will also benefit your language skills and cultural knowledge. These skills are very important in today's working life.
For more information on application procedures and international internships in general, visit the CIMO website or contact Turku Academic Career Services, Henrikinkatu 1 b, 2nd floor, tel. (02) 333 6081, rekrytointi.utu.fi.
Studying in English in Turku
Student exchange programmes based on reciprocity call for international studies, which also promote the international orientation of Finnish students. The three universities in Turku offer joint courses in English for exchange students and their own degree students.
There are several courses and programmes in English in the University of Turku. The English-language Master's programmes of the university are:
- Master's Degree Programme in Baltic Sea Region Studies (Faculty of Humanities)
- Master's Degree Programme in European Heritage, Digital Media and the Information Society (Faculty of Humanities)
- Master's Degree Programme in Bioinformatics (Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences)
- Master's Degree Programme in Environmental Sciences (Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences)
- Master's Degree Programme in Information Technology (Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences)
- Master's Degree Programme in Environmental Sciences
- Master's Degree Programme in Physical Sciences, Astronomy track
- Institutions and Social Mechanisms (IASM) (Faculty of Social Sciences)
- Master's Degree Programme in Asian Studies (MASA) (Faculty of Social Sciences)
- Master's programme in Learning, Learning Environments and Educational Systems (Faculty of Education)
Furthermore, international students with a prior studies in Finnish have the possibility to complete a Master's Degree Programme in Finnish and Other Finno-Ugric Languages (Suomen ja sen sukukielten maisteriohjelma).
Other programmes in English are, for example, North American Studies, Development Studies, Finnish-Nordic Society and Culture and the Asian Programme. Collaborating programmes among the universities of Turku include the Turku Law School and the Turku Centre for Computer Science (TUCS) programmes.
Students can take some of these programmes as minors with the permission of their faculty. For more information on study modules in English, see the faculty study guides, websites and the study guides of the programmes in question. Guide for Exchange Students can be found on www.utu.fi/en/studying/studies/guides.html More information is available from the faculty International Officers and programme coordinators.