Practical Information for International Degree Students

Before Arrival

Residence Permit

Students coming from the Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) are allowed to arrive, reside, study and work without residence permits in Finland. However, if your stay lasts longer than three months (90 days), you must register your right to reside in Finland at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency of Jyväskylä (former Register Office).

Students coming from the member states of the European Union and the European Economic Area or Switzerland do not need a residence permit either. However, if you are staying in Finland for longer than three months (90 days) you must register at the Service Point of Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) after your arrival in Finland.

Students outside non-EU/non-EEA countries staying in Finland for longer than three months (90 days) must apply for a residence permit before their arrival in Finland. Start your residence permit process immediately after receiving your acceptance letter, as the process takes several weeks. Submit an application for a residence permit online at Migri’s Online Service EnterFinland. Please note that obtaining a residence permit preconditions having a valid health insurance coverage with a reliable and solvent company or institution. For more information, please see the website of the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri). For more information and advice on the residence permit requirements and procedures, please refer to the Finnish Immigration Service.

Tuition fees

In accordance with the legislation which came into effect on the 1st of January 2016 Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences are obliged to charge tuition fees for those students who are not citizens of EU/EEA area. The legislation concerns degree programmes taught in English and leading to a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

The tuition fee entitles the student to study and receive a degree and to use the general support services available for students at JAMK. However, all students have to buy books and other educational material themselves as well as take care of their own travelling and living costs. Average monthly living costs for students are estimated to be about 700 euros (accommodation, food, public transport, study materials, clothing, and leisure activities).

Please note that international students are usually not eligible for the Finnish state grant, as their residence in Finland is not considered permanent. Further information at www.kela.fi /english.

Read more about tuition fees

Finnish Personal Identity Code

Notice, you need to have a Finnish personal identity code which is required for our student registration system. Having a personal identity code also facilitates, for example, payment of salaries, banking and access to health care services. If you have not applied a Finnish personal identity code at the beginning of your residence in Finland, please visit the Local Register Office to obtain the code immediately. After you have received it, please inform your Study Affairs Coordinator at JAMK.

Health Services and Insurance

Finnish higher education institutions (both Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences) have created a suitable insurance package that provides coverage at a reasonable price and is as comprehensive as possible for your needs while you are studying in Finland. It is called Student Insurance Program (SIP) and it is one option for the insurance, you are of course free to choose your own insurance company. For further information about SIP go to www.sipinsurance.eu/wia/cleva/be/sip/index.php.

> See also further information on JAMK's insurance coverage and health services for foreign students.

Accommodation

Remember to arrange housing before arriving in Finland.

Further information on housing possibilities

Cost of Living

As you are planning on studying in Finland it is important that you are aware of the costs concerning the daily living. Check our Study Guide to get an idea of how much it costs to live in Finland.

Check and read more

Services for Foreign Students

To support your stay in Jyväskylä we provide versatile services, including tutoring, orientation and Friend Family programme.

Read more on the website of JAMK

General Information on Jyväskylä and Finland

Study Guide

In the Study Guide for Bachelor's Degrees / Master's Degrees you can find necessary information on studies and everyday living. It is the main source of information during your studies. The Elmo Student (login required) are the additional sources of information, providing topical announcements and school- / degree-programme-specific information.

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