Tampere University and TAMK join initiative to offer young people new pathways into higher education
The first vouchers will be awarded to young people who participate in the second joint application process in the spring of 2026 but are not admitted to a higher education institution. The pilot programme aims to enable young people to explore different fields of study and support a faster transition into higher education.
According to the Finnish Government’s draft proposal, a 30‑credit study voucher will be available to young people who complete their first upper secondary qualification in Finland before the age of 29 between 1 December 2025 and 30 June 2028, and who have not been offered or accepted a study place in higher education. The voucher will remain valid for two years. In addition to providing access to studies, the voucher entitles holders to receive guidance that supports their exploration of study options, successful completion of courses and subsequent application to a degree programme.
The Digivisio 2030 project is responsible for the technical implementation of the voucher within the Opin.fi service. Eligible applicants will be able to activate their voucher via Opin.fi.
“The study voucher offers an excellent opportunity for young people who are not offered a study place in the spring 2026 joint application round to explore higher education options. They can spend their gap year by familiarising themselves with the course offerings of Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences and by taking introductory courses in different fields. If they already have a clear interest, they can focus on studies in that specific field and later apply for admission to a related degree programme,” says Marja Sutela, Vice President for Education at Tampere University.
The study voucher can be used to complete basic and introductory courses that are available across a wide range of disciplines at Tampere University. In addition, the University provides voucher holders with opportunities to develop their academic preparedness. Studies are available in both in-person and remote formats. Open University students attend the same classes as regular Tampere University students, enabling them to become familiar with university‑level learning methods and teaching staff. The University’s course offerings for the next academic year will be published before the start of summer.
Studies at the Open University of Applied Sciences (UAS) are likewise completed by attending regular classes together with students of Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) or remotely in a virtual learning environment. The courses starting at TAMK next autumn will be published no later than June.
“This spring, we will identify courses that introduce the study opportunities available at TAMK and enable voucher holders to develop their study skills and preparedness for higher education. We aim to ensure that voucher holders are able to complete their studies as flexibly as possible. The voucher also provides access to student guidance services. At TAMK, holders can contact our student counsellor who supports continuous learning,” says Hanna Ilola, Dean at Tampere University of Applied Sciences.
More information:
Read more about the Open University at Tampere University
Read more about the Open UAS at Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK)
Jaana Muttonen, Head of Development, Tampere University
Hanna Ilola, Dean, Tampere University of Applied Sciences
