Incoming Erasmus Students

Welcome to Humak! This guide is for incoming Erasmus+ students of Humak UAS to collect general information related to the beginning of your studies.

  1. For Students
  2. For new students
  3. Incoming Erasmus Students

Erasmus application process

After you have been nominated, you need to fill in your application details via the electronic form by 31.5. (spring application) or 30.11. (autumn application)

Application form (only open during the application time)

After the application period ends, you will receive the acceptance letter and further information by email within one week. The same email will also include the date and Zoom link for the pre-orientation.

To complete the application, you need to upload the following documents on the form: 

  1. Transcript of Records (ToR)

Official transcript of records in English, including the ECTs per course you have completed. 

  1. Learning Agreement

Option 1: Your institution uses OLA (Online Learning Agreement). If your institution uses OLA, we will receive it automatically. Please complete your OLA before sending the application form. 

Option 2: your institution does not use OLA (Online Learning Agreement). If your institution does not use OLA  yet, please upload a signed PDF of your Learning Agreement with your application. 

Humak’s Erasmus code is SF KAUNIAI03. The contact person is Xingqian (Cinzia) Renqvist, Specialist at Humak, erasmusmobility@humak.fi.

Incoming students are recommended to have level B2 in English on the CEFR scale. It is the home institution’s responsibility to ensure that students’ language skills are sufficient for an exchange period abroad. Official language certificates are not required.

The CEFR Levels

Academic calendar

Autumn semester 2026

  • For Interpreter students, the semester starts in week 35.
  • For Community Education students, the semester starts in week 36.

The semester officially ends on 31.12.2026. However, on-campus teaching ends mid-December at the latest.

Spring semester 2027

The start of the semester will be announced later. The semester officially ends on 31.5.2027.

Course catalogue

You can take courses in Community Education, Sign Language Interpretation, or Cultural Management at Humak UAS. We do not offer Cultural Management on-campus studies in the autumn term.

In addition to modules, you can choose courses from optional studies. You can also choose courses from other fields of study if they are relevant to your degree and your institution approves them. Erasmus courses are carried out in English.

Autumn 2026

Courses listed below are held on Helsinki Campus and include contact teaching.

Spring 2027

Courses listed below are held on Helsinki Campus and include contact teaching.

Courses listed below are held on Helsinki Campus and include contact teaching.

Courses listed below are held on Helsinki Campus and include contact teaching.

Practicalities for incoming Erasmus students

After pre-orientation, you’ll be invited to join our Soft Landing platform on Howspace. It brings together recorded pre-orientation, presentation PPT, practical information which you’ll need before arriving in Finland — from visas and housing to what to pack. See below for the most important points.

Student housing is offered by various student housing foundations. Housing is also offered by national and local rental housing companies as well as private renters.  

Student housing: 

Other rental apartment companies: 

Local Facebook group for rental apartments: Short-term rental Helsinki and Vuokra-asunnot Helsinki 

Lumo (remember to check the contract period before applying) 

Noli Studios (short-term housing)

UniHome (short-term housing)

Furnished apartments, hostels and aparthotels – Forenom accommodation (short-term housing)

EU/EEA Citizens

As an EU/EEA citizen, you’re entitled to the same public healthcare services as Finnish residents. To access care, you must present a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This card confirms that you are covered by your home country’s healthcare system.

Note! The EHIC does not cover all healthcare costs, such as some treatments or prescription medications. We strongly recommend that you also have travel insurance to cover additional expenses

 More information on the EHIC – European Commission

Non-EU/EEA Citizens

If you are a non-EU student, health insurance is mandatory while studying in Finland.

You must have valid insurance that covers medical expenses for the duration of your stay. This insurance can be arranged either before or shortly after arrival in Finland.

More information on insurance – Finnish Immigration Service (Migri)

How to access healthcare in Finland

Public Health Center

In Finland, healthcare services are primarily provided through local health centers (terveysasema). The health center you should use is determined by your postal code.

To book an appointment:

  1. Find the contact details of the correct health center based on your address.
  2. Call or use online booking systems where available.

 More information on Health Services – The city of Helsinki

Private Clinics

Private healthcare providers are also available for students. These clinics tend to be more expensive but might offer faster service. Travel insurance may help cover private clinic costs, depending on your policy.

Emergency Healthcare Needs

If you have an urgent medical need, especially outside normal working hours e.g. weekends or holidays, you can visit an emergency clinic (päivystys) either in a public center or a private clinic.

Costs

The city may ask clients to pay a small fee for some public health services. Check the approximate costs of healthcare services (both public and private) in Helsinki on the City of Helsinki website. 

Additional links

City of Helsinki: Health Services

Healthcare system in Finland – Contact Point for Cross-Border Healthcare

Do you know your healthcare rights in the EU? – European Commission

Health Services in Helsinki – InfoFinland

The Student Union of Humak University of Applied Sciences HUMAKO makes sure that your studies run smoothly. Any student studying at Humak can become a member of HUMAKO. As a member, you can become part of the student community and take advantage of communal and national student benefits.

The student union HUMAKO supports you during your Erasmus+ studies and increases the community spirit between students. Tutors provide peer support and tips for studying or student life. You can meet other Humak students through HUMAKO’s online activities.

You can read more about the student union membership and activities on HUMAKO’s website.

Citizens of an European union (EU) member state, a Nordic country, Liechtenstein or Switzerland (ETA) should do a EU registration of the right of residence (EU citizens) if they reside in Finland continuously for 90 days or more. If you visit another country during your time in Finland, counting of the 90 days period will begin again. 

Migri charges a processing fee for the registrations. Humak will not arrange a group appointment to Migri, so please book a time for yourself if your stay in Finland is continuously 90 days or more.

Citizens of non-EU/ETA countries your who study in Finland longer than 90 days may need a residence permit for studies. Follow the instructions of Finnish Immigration Services (Migri) and Migri contact customer service if needed:

Migri has service points in Malmi (Kaupparaitti 10, 00700 Helsinki) and International House Helsinki (Lintulahdenkuja 2 D, 00530 Helsinki).

For individuals living or studying in Finland, a Finnish personal identity code is important to have. It’s needed in many official matters outside of studies, but at Humak, the code is also needed for the coverage of student insurances.

The instructions for applying for the personal identity code will be given once you have arrived, on the orientation day. Humak will also arrange group visits to the DVV office to obtain the Finnish personal identity code.

Finnish telecommunications company Elisa Oyj offers all incoming Humak international students a free prepaid starter package. The package and instructions are given to the students during the orientation.

The package includes a SIM card with a 6€ balance. The SIM can be topped up online or at most convenience stores, including K-group and S-group stores, and R-kiosks throughout Finland.

There is no commitment required – you are free to use just the initial balance or add more balance for as long as you need.

Meal subsidy at student restaurants

The Kela meal subsidy means you get a discount on your meal 
at participating student restaurants. Show your student ID from Tuudo app at the cash register of a student restaurant to get your discount. An option for Tuudo app is a physical meal subsidy card you can ask for at the orientation.

HSL public transport for incoming exchange students 

You can buy HSL public transport season tickets with a student discount. You will get an HSL student discount form at your Humak orientation. Bring the filled out form and your ID to an HSL service point. Your student discount season ticket is used via a physical HSL card.

Finnish bank account

Online banking is the most convenient and cost-effective way to manage your finances and pay bills in Finland. Opening a Finnish bank account is recommended if you plan to stay in Finland for more than a few months. A local bank account allows you to:

  • Receive a debit card for ATM withdrawals and everyday purchases
  • Pay bills easily using online banking services
  • Avoid international transaction fees

Note! To open a bank account, you need the Finnish personal identity code (henkilötunnus). 

Finland has several banks to choose from, for example, Osuuspankki, Nordea, S-pankki, Danske Bank, and Aktia. Service fees and features may vary by bank, so it’s worth comparing options.

Digital-Only Banking Options

You can also consider digital banking options like Revolut or Wise, which allow you to open an account without a Finnish personal identity code. These services are useful for international transfers and everyday spending, but they do not provide Finnish online banking credentials, which are often required for services like KELA, Suomi.fi, or paying rent through local systems.

Other payment methods in Finland

  • Finland is increasingly cashless. Most purchases are made by card or mobile payments, even for small amounts. Make sure you have a functioning card or banking app set up.
  • Mobilepay is the most used, free mobile payment application.
  • The cheques are not used in Finland.