Educational pathways for international residents

Basic education for adult immigrants is intended for those who have not completed comprehensive school or require further comprehensive school studies. The education facilitates the transition to upper secondary studies or the workforce.

The education is divided into different stages:

• Literacy stage: you learn to read and write in Finnish
• Introductory stage: you study subjects from grades 1–6 of the Finnish basic education system in Finnish
• Final stage: you study subjects from grades 7–9 of the Finnish basic education system in Finnish
• Subject studies: you may choose specific courses. For example, you may choose only Finnish, English, and mathematics if those are the only subjects you require.

Studies are planned individually for each student according to their personal goals.

In Hämeenlinna, basic education for adult immigrants is organized by the Tavastia Education Consortium and is free of charge.

Preparatory education for programs leading to a qualification, or TUVA education, is a program lasting approximately one year. You learn skills required for vocational upper secondary qualifications or upper secondary school. During the program, you learn Finnish and find a suitable place of study or create a plan for job seeking.

During the education:

• you receive guidance for planning your studies and future
• you familiarize yourself with different professions and fields
• you learn about working life and practice workplace skills at a job site
• you may improve your grades or study parts of vocational qualifications

Studies are planned individually for each student according to their personal goals.

In Hämeenlinna, TUVA education is organised by the Tavastia Education Consortium. Students may incur costs for items such as learning materials, tools, and workwear.

Once you have completed basic education in Finland, you may apply for upper secondary studies, which include upper secondary school or vocational school.

At Vocational College, you study professional skills and acquire expertise for your chosen profession. Vocational education is practical and provides students with the skills needed in working life. The duration of study is usually three years. At Vocational College, you complete a vocational upper secondary qualification, meaning you gain a profession.

In upper secondary school education, you receive a broad general education and good preparation for applying to higher education studies. In upper secondary school, you study, for example, Finnish and other languages, mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences. The duration of study is usually three years. At the end of upper secondary school, you complete the matriculation examination.

The student may be required to pay a tuition fee.

Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) are higher education institutions where students study practical professions. The studies prepare you for working life and expert roles. Universities of Applied Sciences collaborate extensively with working life and regional businesses. When you graduate from a University of Applied Sciences, you typically gain a profession (for example, an engineer or a nurse).

Universities are higher education institutions where students study science-based knowledge and develop in-depth expertise. Studies focus on research, theory, and data analysis. University studies prepare students for roles such as expert, research, and management positions. Studying at a university can lead directly to a specific profession (such as a doctor or teacher). Some university studies do not lead directly to any specific profession.

Universities of applied sciences and universities charge a tuition fee for students completing a higher education degree taught in a foreign language (languages other than Finnish or Swedish). The amount of the tuition fee varies between different higher education institutions.

Open University of Applied Sciences and Open University

At the Open University of Applied Sciences and the Open University, you can complete studies that are open to everyone and follow the higher education curricula. Studies completed at an open university of applied sciences or university can be directly included as part of a degree if you later apply to become a degree student. Studying at an open university of applied sciences or university is subject to a fee.

Read more on the Studyinfo website:

Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK)

Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) operates in Hämeenlinna. At Häme University of Applied Sciences, you can study for a degree from a university of applied sciences in either Finnish or English. In addition to Hämeenlinna, Häme University of Applied Sciences has degree programmes at six other campuses: Valkeakoski, Forssa, Tammela, Riihimäki, Lepaa, and Evo.

Explore HAMK’s degree programs:

You may learn Finnish in a guided manner, for example, in integration training, a Let’s Read Together group, groups organized by the Settlement of Häme Organization, or courses at Vanajaveden Opisto.