Networks for a career in Finland – studies for highly educated immigrants
In the study programme you’ll develop your skills, learn Finnish and network with the Finnish world of work through career guidance and work placements.
The programme provides also a path to degree studies, where you can update your former studies to a Finnish degree.
Date of implementation
Autumn 2025 – Spring 2026
Scope and duration
Type of studies
Location
Language of instruction
New skills & networks
The Networks for a career in Finland study programme enables you to develop your skills without having to obtain a new degree. Additionally, the study programme supports you in networking with the Finnish world of work through career guidance and work placements included in the study programme. During the study programme you’ll receive both group and individual guidance on studying and work-related issues.
The studies can be pursued flexibly in Finnish and/or English. Regardless of the language of instruction, the training supports the learning of Finnish, which is crucial for integration and employment in Finland.
Teaching is provided through contact studies on Turku UAS Kupittaa Campus. Depending on your individual study plan, the training might also include online studies.
The study programme also provides a path to degree studies: if you complete 35 ECTS credits of studies included in a specific degree programme during the training, you can apply as a degree student in the separate application through Open UAS based on these studies. Studies completed in this study programme and other higher education studies completed elsewhere may be recognized as a part of the Finnish degree if they in accordance with the curriculum.
Who can apply?
The study programme is suitable for highly educated immigrants already living in Finland.
A person can be selected for the study programme if they have completed:
- a foreign higher education degree or
- at least 150 ECTS credits (approximately 2.5 years) of degree studies in a foreign higher education institution or
- a higher education degree in a language other than Finnish in Finland or
- at least 150 ECTS credits of degree studies in a language other than Finnish at a Finnish higher education institution.
Studying requires sufficient skills in Finnish or English. The skills in Finnish or English must be at least at the proficiency level B1 (See the assessment grid for language skills).
Note: The study programme is intended for people who already live in Finland. The study programme is not a basis for a residence permit in Finland.
Study contents
The study programme is built according to the student’s individual study plan and consists of the following studies:
- Introduction to higher education 5 cr
- Finnish language 5–10 cr
- Career guidance 5 cr
- Elective studies 5–10 cr
- Internship 10–15 cr
See the curriculum at the Turku UAS study guide:
How to apply?
1
Fill in the application form at Studyinfo.fi between 1 April – 30 May 2025.
Attach a photo or a scanned file of one of the following documents to the application form translated into English or Finnish by an authorized translator:
- a degree certificate from a foreign higher education institution or
- a degree certificate in a foreign language from a Finnish higher education institution or
- a transcript of records from a foreign higher education institution or
- a transcript of records of degree studies in a foreign language from a Finnish higher education institution
2
The student selection results are published by 16 June 2025.
Up to 25 eligible applicants will be accepted to the study programme in the order of registration. The results of student selection are published at Studyinfo.fi only.
Accept the study place by the given instructions and deadline.
3
Start your studies in autumn 2025.
The studies start on 19 August 2025. The right to study is valid until 31 July 2026.
You will receive further instructions via email before the start of the studies.
Apply for
the study programme
You can apply for the study programme at the national Studyinfo.fi portal.
At Studyinfo.fi you’ll also find the detailed application instructions and selection criteria.
Please see also Open UAS payment instructions and cancellation policy.
Registration deadline
1.4. – 30.5.2025
Study places
25
Price:
The study programme is free of charge for those receiving temporary protection. For others, the cost of the training is 420 €.
Contact us
Questions about applying and the study fees: Open UAS
Questions related to the studies:
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Student
Expert training helped integrate into Finland
Turku University of Applied Sciences organizes expert training for highly educated immigrants. The aim of the training is to help them integrate and find employment in Finland. How to get a grip on Finnish working life? This is what Noel Kenny from Ireland and Zoi Theofilakou from Greece pondered when they decided to make Finland their new home country.