Congratulations! You have chosen the best place to spend an exchange period, you are warmly welcome to TAMK. It's important to prepare in order to make your stay as successful as possible. Below we have listed some important things, so check them out.

Inform the incoming.tamk [at] tuni.fi (Incoming Students Office) at least two weeks in advance of your arrival. TAMK tutors will meet you at the Tampere-Pirkkala airport, Tampere bus station or Tampere railway station. If you arrive in Tampere without informing us, you have to find your own way to the housing office, your flat and TAMK. 

Fly to Tampere  
Tampere-Pirkkala airport is located 15 km from the city centre. If you inform your tutor and us of your arrival, TAMK tutors will meet you at the airport. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or a bus to the city centre or to your flat (taxi about 30 €, bus 5,50 €). Bus timetable from Terminal 1 can be found on Nysse webpages. (airport=lentoasema)

Fly to Helsinki and take an Express Bus or a train to Tampere  
Express Buses run about once an hour. The bus arrives at the Tampere Bus Station in Tampere city centre. Timetables are available on the webpage of <a href="http://www.paunu.fi/in-english/">Paunu</a>. If you take a train you must change it at Tikkurila train station to a train headed to Tampere. Tampere railway station is located in the city centre. For more information and timetables, please go to <a href="https://www.vr.fi/cs/vr/en/lentoasema_en">VR</a>.  

 
From Helsinki city centre take a train or an express bus to Tampere  
Trains leave every hour and they arrive at the railway station (rautatieasema) in Tampere city centre in about 2 hours. More information and timetables are available on the webpages of <a href="https://www.vr.fi/cs/vr/en/frontpage">VR</a>. Long-distance busses leave every hour, too, and they arrive at the bus station (linja-autoasema) in Tampere city centre. More information and timetables can be found at <a href="http://www.matkahuolto.fi/en">Matkahuolto </a>webpage.

Arriving in Tampere

Citizens of EU/EEA/EFTA countries 
If you are a citizen of EU/EEA/EFTA countries, you don´t need a visa or residence permit to Finland. However, if you stay in Finland longer than three months, you have to register with the Finnish Immigration Service within three months after your arrival in Finland. Registration costs 54 €. For more information, please go to <a href="https://migri.fi/en/registration-of-right-of-residence">Registration of right of residence</a>. 
&nbsp; 
Citizens of non-EU/EEA/EFTA countries 
If you are a citizen of non-EU/EEA/EFTA countries you have to apply for a Visa or Residence Permit from the Finnish Embassy in or closest to your home country prior to arriving in Finland. Please contact the closest Finnish Embassy for more details. More information also at Finnish Immigration Service: <a href="http://www.migri.fi/studying_in_finland">Studying in Finland</a>.&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>&nbsp;If you are staying in Finland less than three months, you may apply for a Visa. If you are staying in Finland for more than three months, you must apply for a Student Residence Permit.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Please note that the application process may take several months, depending on the country. Note also that the requirements for a Visa and a Student Residence Permit are different.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>You should apply for a Finnish Personal Identity Code at the Embassy. Otherwise you must apply for one at the Local Register Office in Tampere after your arrival.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Finnish personal identity code 
All new exchange students will need a Finnish personal identity code. Students coming from outside the EU/EEA/EFTA should apply for the code along with their residence permit. EU and EEA nationals and non-EU nationals with a comparable status (EFTA countries) or students who have not received the code with the residence permit, will have to apply for the identity code after they arrive in Finland. More information about the Finnish personal identity code can be found on the website of the <a href="https://www.maistraatti.fi/en/Services/Registration-of-a-foreigner/">Local Register Office</a>. 
&nbsp;

Residence permit and Finnish personal identity code

Citizens of EU/EEA/EFTA countries 
Citizens of EU/EEA countries should acquire an <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559&amp;langId=en">European Health Insurance Card</a> (EHEC) from their home countries prior to coming to Finland. By presenting your European Health Insurance Card, you will receive necessary acute medical treatment in public hospitals/clinics on the same terms as the local residents.&nbsp;

Additional Health Insurance&nbsp;:&nbsp;Because the European Health Insurance Card is not sufficient for non-acute medical treatment, TAMK highly recommends that all exchange students take a personal travel and health insurance, covering at least acute illnesses and accidents before departure to Finland.&nbsp;If you do not have a European Health Insurance Card, a relevant valid document nor an insurance policy, you will be charged the full costs for the services (the actual expenses of medical care).

Citizens of non-EU/EEA/EFTA countries 
If you are a non-EU/EEA/EFTA national, you are required to take out an insurance policy when you apply for a residence permit. Further information on insurances is available on the website of the <a href="https://migri.fi/en/insurance">Finnish Immigration Service</a>. 
&nbsp;

Student travel and health insurance

<a href="https://toas.fi/en/">TOAS</a> offers student housing in Tampere. All student rooms are located 2 - 10 km from TAMK’s Campuses and have good bus connections. Rental agreements are available for fixed periods: 1 August - 31 December for the Autumn Term and 1 January - 31 May for the Spring Term. You can apply for accommodation with the electronic application on their web pages.&nbsp;

The cost of a shared flat is approximately 250 € - 300 €/person/month. Please note that you usually have to pay the full rent for the whole calendar month no matter how many days you actually stay in the room.

<a href="https://www.opiskelijantampere.fi/en/">Opiskelijan Tampere</a> is a non-profit organisation providing <a href="https://www.opiskelijantampere.fi/en/int-housing/">INT Housing</a> accommodation service for students studying in Tampere during the autumn semester.&nbsp;Opiskelijan Tampere offers international students shared or private rooms in shared furnished apartments. The rent includes internet, water, electricity, heating, home insurance and furniture. INT Housing rental agreements are fixed-term from August to December. The application period for INT Housing apartments starts on 2 May 2019 and you can <a href="https://www.opiskelijantampere.fi/en/application-to-the-int-housing-programme/">apply</a> after you have been accepted to Tampere University of Applied Sciences.

<a href="https://housinganywhere.com/">Housing Anywhere</a> is an international student housing platform. On the platform, you can search and book rooms offered by TAMK outgoing students, as well as other rooms listed by verified private landlords in Tampere. In order to be identified as a Tampere University of Applied Sciences student, please fill in the <a href="http://go.housinganywhere.com/39e">Sign-Up form</a>. &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Student housing

TAMK organises a Welcome Week for all new exchange students at the beginning of each semester. The Welcome Week includes information on studies, practicalities related to living in Tampere, university services, and activities of the student union.

Welcome Week: 19 Aug - 23 Aug 2019

<a href="https://www.tamko.fi/en">Students´ Union Tamko</a> will assign a student tutor to every exchange student. Your tutor will contact you by e-mail and help you with any questions that you may have before your arrival. The tutors are also responsible for picking you up from the airport / bus station / railway station in Tampere, in helping you get your keys from the housing agency etc.

<ul>
</ul>

Welcome Week and tutoring

<a href="http://clint.tamk.fi/">Students´ Union Tamko and Club International Tampere (CLINT)</a> rent Survival Kits, which contain basic facilities such as kitchen utensils and bed linen into a student flat for the exchange period. The Kit is designed to assist the foreign students to settle in their rooms. Price is 75 € for Tamko members and 80 € for non-members, a deposit fee 60 € is included. The deposit will be refunded after returning the whole Survival Kit unbroken and clean back to Tamko office.&nbsp; 
 
To get the official Student Card, you need to join the Students´ Union Tamko. Fill in an <a href="http://www.tamko.fi/en/membership">application form</a> online or at the Tamko office after your arrival. It is not mandatory to join Tamko but it is recommended. Tamko members receive discounts in trains and buses, as well as in hundreds of restaurants, shops, movie theatres, swimming halls, etc. More information on the webpages of <a href="https://tamko.fi/en">Tamko</a>.&nbsp;

Students´ Union membership fee&nbsp;(academic year 2018/19):

<ul>
	<li>One semester: 26 €&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Academic year: 42 €</li>
</ul>

Student union membership and student card 

Before you arrive

<h3>At the University</h3>

Each semester begins with a Welcome Week. The orientation programme is designed to help you settle in and get to know other exchange students, the University and the city of Tampere. As an exchange student, you will need to deal with a number of organisational matters, but you will be assigned a student tutor who will help you through the first weeks. Our staff of Incoming Students Office will be happy to accompany and support you every step of the way to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

During the Welcome Week (19 - 23 August 2019), you will get information on studies, practicalities related to living in Tampere, university services, and activities of the student union.

We know that starting university can be a daunting experience and a big adjustment, especially when it involves moving to another country. But be assured that there are plenty of other students in the same position as you are.&nbsp;You will be able to meet other exchange students and international tutors during our Welcome Week events and Tampere city bus tour.

Arrival and Welcome Week

Students´ Union Tamko will assign a student tutor to every exchange student. Your tutor will contact you by e-mail and help you with any questions that you may have before your arrival. The tutors are also responsible for picking you up from the airport / bus station / railway station in Tampere, in helping you get your keys from the housing agency etc.

Once you are in Tampere, student tutors help you to get accustomed to Finland, Finnish culture and way of studying. They support you throughout your exchange and help with practical matters. They also organize some events and meetings with you.

International student tutors

To get the official Student Card, you need to join the Students´ Union Tamko. Fill in an <a href="https://www.tamko.fi/en/membership">application form</a> online or at the Tamko office after your arrival. It is not mandatory to join Tamko but it is recommended. Tamko members receive discounts in trains and buses, as well as in hundreds of restaurants, shops, movie theatres, swimming halls, etc. More information on the webpages of <a href="https://www.tamko.fi/en/membership">Tamko</a>.&nbsp;

Students´ Union membership fee&nbsp;(academic year 2018/19):

<ul>
	<li>One semester: 26 €&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Academic year: 42 € &nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<ul>
</ul>

Student union membership and student card

<a href="https://www.tampere.fi/en/social-and-health-services/health-services/school-and-student-health-care/student.html#tullinkulma">Tullinkulma Student Health Care Centre</a> provides health care services for international students. The centre locates near Tampere railway station. To see a public health nurse or a doctor you need to book an appointment.

Student Health Care Centre is closed in the evenings and on weekends, so if you need medical attention during such times, contact either a private clinic (remember the insurance) or municipal health services. If you need urgent medical attention, go to the <a href="https://www.tays.fi/en-US/Operational_Units/Tays_Central_Hospital/Units/Emergency_Department_Acuta">Emergency Department Acuta</a>, located at <a href="https://www.tays.fi/en-US">Tampere University Hospital</a>. The emergency service is not free of charge, so make sure you have proper health insurance.

Health insurance also covers medical consultation in private clinics. In case of minor injuries, most private clinics are able to provide you with the assistance you require. There are many private clinics in Tampere, such as Koskiklinikka, Pirte, Terveystalo and Pihlajalinna. For up-to-date information, please go to the webpage that introduces you to <a href="https://www.tampere.fi/en/social-and-health-services.html">social and health services</a> provided by the City of Tampere.

Student health services

At the beginning of your stay, you will have to take care of a few administrative things, but you will be guided through the process during our Welcome Week and after.&nbsp;

Exchange students are expected to complete two formal registration processes:

1. Register with the Local Register Office (maistraatti)

<ul>
	<li>Required for all exchange students</li>
	<li>Registration for the Finnish personal identity code (if applicable)</li>
	<li>Registration of personal data into the Finnish Population Information System</li>
	<li>Registration is free of charge</li>
	<li>More information on the registration process can be found on the website of the <a href="https://www.maistraatti.fi/en/Services/Registration-of-a-foreigner/">Local Register Office</a></li>
</ul>

2. Register your right of residence with the Finnish Immigration Service, Migri (Maahanmuuttovirasto)

<ul>
	<li>For citizens of EU/EEA/EFTA countries only</li>
	<li>If you will be staying in Finland for over three months without a break</li>
	<li>Please note that if you travel abroad within the first 90 days of your stay&nbsp;(before registering your right to reside in&nbsp;Finland), the three-month period will restart after you return to Finland. In this case, please remember to save all your travel documents.</li>
	<li>For more information, please go to: <a href="https://migri.fi/en/registration-of-right-of-residence">Registration of right of residence</a></li>
</ul>

Two registrations to remember

All new exchange students will need a Finnish personal identity code. Students coming from outside the EU/EEA/EFTA should apply for the code along with their residence permit. EU and EEA nationals and non-EU nationals with a comparable status (EFTA countries) or students who have not received the code with the residence permit, will have to apply for the identity code after they arrive in Finland.

Please note that it can take up to 4 - 5 weeks to get the code in Tampere. Universities are obliged to collect the code for administrative purposes.

You will need a Finnish personal identity code to prove your identity, for example, at banks (also when opening a bank account) and hospitals (including <a href="https://www.tampere.fi/en/social-and-health-services/health-services/school-and-student-health-care/student.html#tullinkulma">Tullinkulma Student Health Care Centre</a>). The code was formerly&nbsp;known as a&nbsp;social security number. Nowadays it has nothing to do with Finnish social security and is only used for identification purposes.

Finnish personal identity code

Your preliminary study plan (Learning Agreement for Erasmus+ exchange students) will be approved at the application stage. However, having your Learning Agreement approved by TAMK does not automatically guarantee admission to all courses due to the limited number of places available on some courses. You&nbsp;can modify your study plan / learning agreement after you arrive. You will be able to enrol on courses during the Welcome Week.

Erasmus+ students, please check the <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/resources/documents/applicants/learning-agreement_en">Learning Agreement guidelines</a>. Our Erasmus+ code is SF TAMPERE06.

Please confirm with your home university whether they require you to complete a certain&nbsp;number of credits during your exchange study period. We expect students to complete at least 5 ECTS credits / month.

Your preliminary study plan

Course enrolment

Only students who are registered as present at TAMK and who have a TAMK-issued user account can enrol on courses online. More information on course enrolment will be given during our Welcome Week.

Exchange students can choose courses from their field of study and from free-elective courses. On some courses, students are selected in the order in which they enroll and there are places available. For some courses, the attendance of exchange students is restricted.

Same rules apply to <a href="https://www10.uta.fi/ristiinopiskelupalvelu/kvtarjonta?uiLang=en">cross-campus studies.</a>

Academic culture

In Finnish universities the hierarchy is usually low. Titles are not used in discussions and most teachers and other staff can be called by their first name. From the beginning of their studies, students are considered to be full members of our university community, with the rights and responsibilities related to their position.

Freedom and responsibility in studies 

The Finnish system of academic education gives students a great deal of freedom in planning and scheduling their studies. This freedom also requires independence and responsibility from the student as choosing subjects and course units, avoiding overlapping courses and keeping the schedule balanced throughout the academic year may sometimes be difficult and time-consuming. Exchange students have to make a preliminary study plan already when applying to the university according to the guidelines of their home universities.

Please confirm with your home university whether they require you to complete a certain&nbsp;number of credits during your exchange study period. We have not set maximum limitations to the number of courses exchange students can take, but we expect students to complete at least 5 ECTS credits / month.

Finnish language courses

During the&nbsp;semester, incoming exchange&nbsp;students and trainees have a possibility to study Finnish as TAMK organizes Finnish language and culture courses. Finnish studies are highly recommended for all incoming participants to ensure their smooth integration into the society.

Course enrolment and study practice

One Finnish credit is equivalent to one ECTS credit. ECTS is a credit system designed to make it easier for students to transfer credits within the <a href="http://www.ehea.info/index.php">European Higher Education Area (EHEA)</a>. For more information, please see the <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/education/resources-and-tools/european-credit-transfer-and-accumulation-system-ects_en">European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)</a>.

<ul>
	<li>1 ECTS credit = about 27 hours of work</li>
	<li>1 ECTS credit = 1 opintopiste, abbreviation: op (in Finnish)</li>
</ul>

ECTS credits reflect the course workload in relation to the workload of a full academic year, consisting of lectures, practical work, seminars, independent study (in a library, laboratory and at home), examinations and other assessment activities. In ECTS, 60 credits (1,600 hours) represent a full workload for one academic year (30 ECTS credits per semester).

TAMK uses a grading scale from 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest grade. Some courses may be assessed on a scale of pass/fail basis (in Finnish: HYV/HYL).

Credits and grades

The academic year at TAMK is divided into two semesters consisting of two periods each.

Autumn semester 2019 (19 August - 19 December)

<ul>
	<li>Welcome Week: 19 August - 23 August</li>
	<li>Period 1: 19 August&nbsp;- 20 October</li>
	<li>Autumn holiday: 14 - 18 October</li>
	<li>Period 2: 21 October - 19 December</li>
</ul>

Spring semester 2020 (2 January - 31 May)

<ul>
	<li>Welcome Week: 2 - 3 January</li>
	<li>Period 3:&nbsp;2 January - 1 March</li>
	<li>Spring holiday: 24 - 28 February</li>
	<li>Period 4: 2 March - 31 May</li>
</ul>

No classes or exams will be arranged on the following days:

<ul>
	<li>Independence Day on 6 December</li>
	<li>Christmas break on 23 December 2019 - 6 January 2020</li>
	<li>Easter break on 8 - 14 April 2020</li>
	<li>May Day on 1 May 2020</li>
	<li>Ascension Day on&nbsp;21 May 2020</li>
</ul>

Academic calendar 2019 - 2020

If you wish to extend your stay from autumn semester to spring semester, please contact your home university and the international coordinator of your study programme at TAMK. If both parties agree on the extension, your home university should nominate you for the spring term. &nbsp;

Extending your stay

Once you are in Tampere

<h2>Contact us</h2>

If you did not find answers to your questions on these pages, please contact TAMK's Incoming Students Office: incoming.tamk [at] tuni.fi

Marika Kyllönen 
International Coordinator 
International Services 
+358 50 307 1409

Tarja Kononov 
International Coordinator 
International Services 
+358 40 841 8847

Information for exchange students at Tampere University of Applied Sciences

Before you arrive

Arriving in Tampere

Residence permit and Finnish personal identity code

Student travel and health insurance

Student housing

Welcome Week and tutoring

Student union membership and student card

At the University

Once you are in Tampere

Arrival and Welcome Week

International student tutors

Student union membership and student card

Student health services

Two registrations to remember

Finnish personal identity code

Your preliminary study plan

Course enrolment and study practice

Credits and grades

Academic calendar 2019 - 2020

Extending your stay

Contact us

Give us feedback!