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Prearrival information for degree students

Prearrival information for degree students

Congratulations on being admitted to Åbo Akademi University! This is your information hub for starting your journey at Åbo Akademi University, here you find check-lists, advice and resources in order to make your study start as good as possible! So, what should you do next and what practical matters do you need to take care of? You find it all here, from accepting your study offer to participating in the study orientation week to exploring your new city.

On the right side of this web page, you also find a checklist for newly admitted international students. It gives you an easy way of keeping track of the most important part of the process of moving to a new country to study. Detailed instructions on what needs doing can be found in the drop down menu below, but the check list is nice for easy and quick reminders.

Still thinking about applying to ÅAU? Then this page offers an insight into what to expect as a newly admitted student!

Step-by-step guide:

 

Applicants of joint application round in January will receive the admission letter by email in the first half of April (you can also see the result at Studyinfo). After that you need to accept the study place by the deadline given in the admissions letter or by the latest 11th of July 2024. The confirmation is done online at Studyinfo and cannot be altered later.

Use your secure link in the message you have gotten from Studyinfo.fi. You can request a new link through Studyinfo.fi if your old one has expired, this is done by clicking on the expired link and on that web page requesting a new link to be sent to you.

If you do not accept the study place by the deadline you forfeit your right to enroll in the programme.

Please note that you can accept only one study place leading to a higher education degree in Finland per semester. So, if you have applied for several programmes/universities and get admitted to more than one, you need to choose which study place you accept. Please read more information studyinfo.fi.

If you cannot accept your studyplace yourself, contact the admissions office.

After accepting the study place and possible scholarship you need to enroll for the academic year. You can enroll immediately after you have accepted your study place, but you need to enroll before the enrollment deadline 30 August 2024 15.00 (Helsinki time).

Resident permit

If you need a residence permit, apply for it as soon as possible. You can start the application process as soon as you have gotten your admission letter. Please note that the residence permit process can take some time, especially if you need to wait for an appointment to get identified as part of the residence permit process or need to visit another country for the identification. It is highly recommended that you fill out application for residence permit electronically.

If given the opportunity to apply for a Finnish ID code at the same time as you apply for residence permit, do so. The ID code is required when staying more than 3 months in Finland and having it already when you arrive will be beneficial when dealing with housing, healthcare etc.

Below we have compiled links from the Finnish Immigration services (Migri), to help you navigate the residence permit process:

Insurance

  • In order to obtain a residence permit in Finland, you will need a private health insurance. Migri has a list of suggested carriers.
  • As a student, you must personally cover the costs if you become ill in Finland.
  • The insurance is important, not just for residence permit purposes – but also so if the worst happens your insurance will help cover the cost of expensive medical fees.
  • If you have a Kela card, a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) you generally do not need private health insurance.
  • Do note that the student health care FSHS do not count as health insurance!
  • We also suggest that you arrange travel insurance and renters insurance.

Finland has a high cost of living and students themselves need to finance their housing, food and other living expenses.

  • The Finnish immigrations services requires that you, in addition to the tuition fee payment, have at least 560 euro/month in your bank account to cover your cost of living in Finland. 
  • However, cost of living in Finland is high and the sum required might not be enough to cover housing, food, travel etc.
  • For examples of common food costs, visit the infoFinland web page.
  • Examples of what you need to budget for:
    • Travel expenses
    • Residence permit costs
    • Housing cost
    • Insurance
    • Public transport
    • Food
    • Clothing
    • Medicine
  • Students generally do not need to pay for study materials such as course books while attending ÅAU. The university also offers computer labs on campus, even if most students buy their own laptops.
  • It is advisable that you have both cash and a payment card (i.e. a debit or credit card that can be used internationally) so you can pay for things your first weeks in Finland.
  • Opening a Finnish bank account is a long process, assume that it might take weeks to sort one out after you arrive in Finland since you need both a Finnish Identity code and a Finnish postal address, as well as having these registered with the DVV.
  • See the InfoFinland web page about everyday life in Finland for further advice.

Åbo Akademi University do not provide on campus housing or dormitories, and unfortunately we cannot help you secure housing or apply for housing.

Start applying for housing as soon as possible after you have gotten your admission letter and decided to accept your place in the master’s programme. The housing situation in both Turku and Vaasa is generally good, but it might still take quite a while to get approved for housing.

  • You need to find accommodation yourself; we can provide information on where to look
  • Apply for housing as soon as possible, preferably as soon as you have decided that you are attending ÅAU and accepted your study place
  • You do not have to wait for your residence permit before staring to look for accommodation.
  • Do not wait until you arrive in Finland to make housing arrangements, the beginning of fall is a busy time on the housing market!
  • General information about housing in Finland
  • Housing in Turku
  • Housing in Vaasa

  • Look through the information and links on this page, for help and guidance on how to start your studies. Remeber the checklist avilable in the column at the right!
  • Arrange your travel. Here you find information on different ways of reaching your campus city.
  • Check your email regularly for updates and additional information, all emails from ÅAU are sent either to the email address you used in your application or to your abo.fi email (if activated).
  • Plan to arrive in Turku or Vaasa so you can participate in the student orientation week 26-30 August 2024. This week is mandatory and very important for you to set yourself up for a successful time studying at ÅAU – so do prioritize participating!
  • Get in touch with your student tutor. They are students themselves that have experience on how it is to start your studies at ÅAU and move to Finland, and can help you with the first weeks as a new student and to orientate yourself at ÅAU.
  • Have both travel plans and housing sorted before arrival!
  • Take photocopies of all important documents and your passport.
  • Remember to bring with you to Finland:
    • You admissions letter
    • Your passport
    • Your residence permit card
    • Original bachelor’s degree certificate and original transcript of records.

Here you find a collection of links to helpful things right at the start of your studies, while you are still finding the rythm of your life as a student at Åbo Akademi University.

How does ÅAU work?

Åbo Akademi University is the Swedish-language multidisciplinary academic university in Finland, with campuses in Turku and Vaasa. We offer programmes taught in both Swedish and English.

Adjusting to life in a new country and new city can be challenging, here we have compiled some resources available to you. You find both resources for academic life as well as resources for life outside the university.

Life in Finland

Life in Turku

  • International House Turku – a information hub providing counselling and guidance services promoting and supporting the integration of immigrants and international newcomers in Turku and the Turku region. The services are offered in many languages, across multiple channels and they are easily accessible.
  • InfoFinland about Turku
  • Study in Turku – information hub about being a student in Turku

Life in Vaasa

Updated 1.11.2024