About the University of Oulu<\/h2>\n
The University of Oulu was founded in 1958 and, ranked around 342nd in the world, is one of the largest universities in northern Europe. It has roughly 14,000 students and two main campuses in the city of Oulu, and it runs a wide range of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral courses in English and Finnish. The university describes its own focus as research-based teaching, raising the quality of education, developing new technologies and working on global challenges.<\/p>\n
University of Oulu website: https:\/\/www.oulu.fi\/en<\/p>\n
Faculties at the University of Oulu<\/h2>\n
The University of Oulu has 8 faculties covering every subject and specialisation it teaches:<\/p>\n
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- Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering<\/li>\n
- Faculty of Science<\/li>\n
- Faculty of Education and Psychology<\/li>\n
- Faculty of Medicine<\/li>\n
- Oulu Business School<\/li>\n
- Faculty of Humanities<\/li>\n
- Oulu School of Architecture<\/li>\n
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThis structure means students work in an interdisciplinary environment with real opportunities to collaborate across fields.<\/div>\n
Subjects at the University<\/b> of Oulu<\/b><\/h2>\n
Applicants can look up their subject on each faculty’s pages and apply before the published deadline, meeting whatever conditions that programme sets. Around 20 programmes and courses at the University of Oulu are taught in English, so you do not need Finnish to be admitted.<\/p>\n
Below are the most popular subjects at the University of Oulu. Bear in mind that competition for places is strong, and that a scholarship application needs a high language score and a high grade average behind it:<\/p>\n
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- Software engineering<\/li>\n
- Electrical and electronic engineering<\/li>\n
- Data science and ICT<\/li>\n
- Architecture and urban design<\/li>\n
- Environmental science<\/li>\n
- Geology<\/li>\n
- Medicine<\/li>\n
- Biotechnology<\/li>\n
- Business and management<\/li>\n
- Business analytics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nThe university concentrates on innovative subjects with global labour-market demand, so its graduates are well placed to enter the job market in Finland and elsewhere in Europe.<\/div>\nRead more: the best universities in Finland<\/a><\/div>\n
Facilities at the University of Oulu<\/h2>\n
Having covered the faculties and subjects, what does the university actually provide? Alongside large, well-equipped libraries and modern laboratories, the University of Oulu offers up-to-date research spaces, innovation centres, sports facilities and training halls, a health centre with psychological support, and a student union that runs welfare services. All of it helps international students settle into life in Finland. With that in place, here is how admission works.<\/p>\n
Admission requirements at the University of Oulu<\/h2>\n
Many students who come to Finland intend to work and apply for permanent residence after they graduate. That is a good reason to understand Finnish law from the start of your studies and to stay within it, because any breach can block a later extension of your residence permit.<\/p>\n
Applications to the University of Oulu go through Finland’s national Studyinfo portal (Opintopolku), where you create your own account. The admissions section of the university website<\/a> explains how to apply, gives the deadlines and covers the other details. Contact the university directly for anything unclear, since some programmes require an entrance test, recognition of previous qualifications, an online interview, or a portfolio of work.<\/p>\n
To be admitted, you need:<\/p>\n
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- Your most recent qualification with a certified translation and transcripts<\/li>\n
- An English or Finnish language certificate at the level the programme requires, at least CEFR B1, with most English-taught programmes asking for more<\/li>\n
- A high grade average (the threshold varies by subject)<\/li>\n
- A motivation letter explaining why you have chosen Oulu<\/li>\n
- At least two references from previous lecturers or supervisors<\/li>\n
- Proof of funds for living and study costs, or a funding letter<\/li>\n
- A passport and other identity documents<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
All of this has to be submitted through the official portal within the window set for your programme.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\nNotable University of Oulu alumni<\/h2>\n
Many University of Oulu graduates have gone on to significant roles in Finnish public life. The best known is Martti Ahtisaari, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and a former President of Finland, who trained in Oulu. Beyond him, a large number of senior executives at major companies and technology specialists studied here.<\/p>\n
Tuition fees at the University of Oulu<\/h2>\n
Students from outside the EU pay tuition at the University of Oulu unless they win a scholarship. Annual tuition runs from EUR 10,000 to EUR 13,000 depending on the programme and the courses taken, with medical subjects at the top of that range.<\/p>\n
Compared with many European universities, Oulu’s tuition is on the affordable side and within reach for a lot of students.<\/div>\nRead more: the best fields of study in Finland<\/a><\/div>\nUniversity of Oulu<\/b> scholarships<\/h2>\n
The University of Oulu offers a number of scholarships for international students, covering tuition and helping with living costs so that studying is financially manageable.<\/p>\n
All University of Oulu scholarships are awarded on academic merit or academic progress. If you do not meet the progress requirement, you can only have the scholarship renewed for later terms in the circumstances below<\/strong><\/span>, which are set out in full on the university’s scholarships pages<\/a>:<\/p>\n
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- Serious illness, hospital admission or pregnancy during the academic year<\/li>\n
- Being unable to complete required courses because they were not offered<\/li>\n
- Grades not being published on time, confirmed by the programme director<\/li>\n
- A delayed bachelor’s or master’s thesis caused by a lack of available supervisors<\/li>\n
- Force majeure, such as unforeseeable events or infrastructure failures<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Student accommodation<\/h2>\n
The University of Oulu has reasonably priced student housing for international students, and students can also rent small studios or one-bedroom flats.<\/p>\n
Student housing in Oulu sits close to the university, which keeps travel costs down. The next section covers public transport in the city and across the country.<\/p>\n
Read more: bachelor’s study in Finland<\/a><\/p>\n
Getting to and from the university<\/h2>\n
Oulu is a student city and one of the safest in Finland, with a very low crime rate. Public transport means buses and a dedicated cycle network, and cycling is part of everyday life there. The university is easy to reach from the city centre, and student travel cards cut fares, so moving between halls, campus, leisure spots and the shops is straightforward.<\/p>\n
Moving to Finland with Aval Visa<\/h2>\n
Whether it is a student residence permit, a work permit, an application for permanent residence or moving to Finland<\/a> more generally, the Aval Visa team works alongside you so that you make the right decision and follow the Finnish Immigration Service’s rules from the start.<\/p>\n