NONI! A Quick Transition to Higher Education for Immigrants

The NONI! project develops a new, three‑month intensive training model that supports immigrants in moving smoothly into the Preparatory Education for Higher Education Studies (MAVA). The training strengthens Finnish language skills from level A2 to level B1 and provides a crucial missing transition step for those whose language proficiency currently prevents them from progressing toward higher‑education studies.

In the Pirkanmaa region, as in the rest of Finland, many highly educated immigrants lack the Finnish language skills required for Finnish‑language higher education or for employment in their field. Integration training typically ends at level A2, while MAVA programmes require level B1. This creates a gap in the educational pathway and risks leaving valuable expertise unused. The NONI! project addresses this need by offering a short, academically oriented and effective way to strengthen language skills at precisely this transition point.

The main goal of the project is to create a clear and impactful training model that
raises participants’ Finnish language skills from level A2 to level B1 and enables a smoother transition into MAVA programmes. In addition, it
supports immigrants in progressing to further studies and employment and
offers higher education institutions and employment services a new way to individualise language‑learning pathways. A curriculum recommendation will be produced for the model, which will be developed and tested through several pilot rounds based on feedback from participants and partner organisations.

During the project, at least 50 participants will strengthen their language skills and gain a concrete pathway toward MAVA programmes and Finnish labour markets. The piloted model will be transferable to other regions and higher‑education institutions. In the long term, the project enhances the utilisation of highly educated immigrants’ expertise in Finland, improves labour‑force availability and promotes more equal access to higher education.

ESR+ Euroopan sosiaalirahasto 2021-2027