Living Expenses and Accommodation

The cost of living in Finland is about the same as in other EU countries. Students admitted to a degree programme have to pay for food, accommodation, study materials, clothing, transportation and social activities. International students should also take the travel expenses from home country to Finland into account. Residence permits and other formalities are also subject to a charge. Please see information on the residence permit fees at www.migri.fi.

Finland is a bit cheaper country than Norway, especially food and clothes don’t cost so much here. I really have to do some shopping during my stay in Oulu. I already bought a tripod for the camera.

Inghild Evanger Eriksen, Norway

Monthly costs for students are roughly estimated to be:

Accommodation

170–400 EUR

Lunch at student canteens

40–65 EUR

Self-catering

85–130 EUR

Other expenses

85–150 EUR

NOTICE!
This estimate does not include social activities, travel or clothing. It has been estimated that an average Finnish student spends 600–800 euros a month. Expenses during the first month(s) of stay will most likely be higher than in the aforementioned estimation due to rent deposits and other relocation costs.

Students who are members of the student union are entitled to various discounts on transportation costs and student meals.

Please note that foreign students have to pay the expenses of their travel to Finland.

Accommodation

The rent of our apartment is reasonable compared to the normal level of rents in Oulu. We feel safe in the apartment just like in general in Oulu. And even if there has been minus degrees outside, it has been warm in the apartment.

Csaba and Bernadett Dobo, Hungary

Accommodation cannot be arranged for students by Oulu University of Applied Sciences. Accommodation is available either on the private housing market or in the halls of residence. Student accommodation in Finland is of a high standard. Apartments and rooms are in very good condition and include central heating, cooking and washing facilities and internet access. both furnished and unfurnished rooms are available.

Admitted students should directly contact the student accommodation services. Inexpensive self-catering student accommodation in single or twin rooms is usually offered in the halls of residence. Most of the rooms have a communal kitchenette, a toilet and a shower. Flats and family housing are also available in some halls of residence. The price of accommodation varies depending on the type of the accommodation. The monthly rent for a room in a student hostel or halls of residence is around 170–270 euros, for a one-room flat 290–460 euros and for a family flat 390–650 euros. There is a rent deposit that must be paid before signing the rental agreement. The deposit is a guarantee that the tenants will take care of their duties and take good care of the apartment. The deposit for shared apartments is usually ca. 250 euros, and for other apartments ca. 400 euros. The deposit will be refunded when the tenancy has expired, if the rents have been paid and the apartment is in normal condition.

Students admitted to the Degree Programmes should contact Pohjois-Suomen opiskelija-asuntosäätiö (PSOAS - the Student housing Foundation of Northern Finland).

Pohjois-Suomen opiskelija-asuntosäätiö PSOAS
Mannenkatu 1A, FI-90100 OULU, FINLAND
Tel. +358 8 3173 110
asuntotoimisto#psoas.fi (korvaa # -> @), www.psoas.fi/en/

You can either leave your housing application at the housing Office of PSOAS or you can fill in an application form on the Internet. Please note that the application for accommodation must be sent to the PSOAS Office at least three months before the date of arrival of the student.

Another source for finding housing in Oulu is the following:

Otokylä registered association
Otokylä Office: Otokuja 2, 90150 OULU
Tel. +358 8 332 672, Mobile +358 40 594 2672
Fax +358 8 332 676
toimisto#otokyla.fi (korvaa # -> @), www.otokyla.fi (in Finnish)

You can also contact these bodies (a commission may be charged):

Opiskelijoiden vuokravälitys
Kansankatu 47, 90100 OULU
Tel. +358 8 311 6820, Mobile +358 40 591 8677
Fax +358 8 311 4314
liisa.leskela#ovv.com (korvaa # -> @), www.ovv.com (in Finnish)

Riihi Säätiö r.s.
Pakkahuoneenkatu 30A, 90100 OULU
Tel. +358 8 562 6900, Fax +358 8 562 6910
asiakaspalvelu#riihi.fi (korvaa # -> @), www.riihi.fi (in Finnish)

Takuuvälitys - OULU
kirkkokatu 19 A 12 (4th floor), 90100 OULU
Tel. +358 8 562 5700, Fax +358 8 562 5725
oulu#asuntoja.net (korvaa # -> @), www.asuntoja.net (in Finnish)

Toivekoti Tahkola LKV
Kempeleentie 7, 90400 OULU
Tel. +358 20 748 0250, Fax +358 20 748 0257
www.huoneistotahkola.fi (in Finnish)

Vuokravälitys DOMUSCA
Kajaaninkatu 24 A, 90100 OULU
Tel. +358 8 335 327

Huoneistokeskus
Hallituskatu 12, 90100 OULU
Tel. +358 20 780 2900, Fax +358 20 780 2901
oulu#huoneistokeskus.fi (korvaa # -> @), www.huoneistokeskus.fi (in Finnish)