International Relations

Oulu University of Applied Sciences' schools, which operate in the cities of Oulu, Raahe and Oulainen, have a wide international network of partner universities and enterprises in over 30 countries. Student and teacher exchange and various projects are an essential part of the partnerships.

There are over 240 outgoing students each year and around 250 international students are currently completing parts of their degrees at Oulu University of Applied Sciences. Close to 200 teachers teach abroad annually and around half the number of international teachers come from the partner institutions to teach at Oulu University of Applied Sciences. The emphasis of the international educational co-operation lies on Europe, but projects are also carried out in Asia, Africa and the USA.

In every degree programme of the Oulu University of Applied Sciences, students have excellent possibilities to complete parts of their degree in a partner institution abroad. The duration of the exchange period usually varies from three to twelve months. The courses completed abroad are fully recognised and count towards the degree from the home institution.

Oulu University of Applied Sciences offers exchange students and lecturers study and teaching facilities equipped with the latest technology as well as a versatile leisure time environment. The courses in English provided for exchange students are designed to be recognised within their degree programmes in their home institutions. Inexpensive and comfortable housing is also provided for exchange students. Oulu University of Applied Sciences continuously develops co-operation with new joint projects, and we are looking forward to collaborating with new international partners.

Oulu University of Applied Sciences' co-ordination team of internationalisation has an important role in developing these international activities. The team is lead by the International Relations Officer Marjo Pääskylä and includes twelve international co-ordinators from the Schools of Oulu University of Applied Sciences, two student representatives appointed by the Student Union of Oulu University of Applied Sciences OSAKO and two international relations officers from the rector's office.

International Activities

The key philosophy of internationalisation in Oulu University of Applied Sciences is to

develop training, teaching and research in international co-operation,
promote academic recognition and comparability of qualifications in the international education market, and
establish international co-operation with various degree programmes.

The most essential activities for international co-operation include student and staff mobility, development of curriculum and teaching (projects) as well as education in interaction with qualified and multiform international partners.

The internationalisation process in Oulu University of Applied Sciences is carried out through sharing and teamwork between teachers and students. Educational activities are supported by the International Relations Office (Head of International Relations and two International Relations Officers) and the international co-ordinators of the Schools. The most important educational and associated exchange programmes guiding the international activities of the Oulu University of Applied Sciences are: Erasmus, Nordplus, bilateral programmes and programmes of the University of the Arctic. Oulu University of Applied Sciences has joined several international networks such as the University of the Arctic, the Northern Dimension and the Finnish National Network for East and Southeast Asia.

Courses at Oulu University of Applied Sciences are taught mainly in Finnish and instruction in relevant foreign languages is offered across the educational fields. There are also three bachelor level degree programmes offered in English: International Business (210 ECTS cr), Information Technology (240 ECTS cr) and Business Information Technology (210 ECTS cr). Asian Studies also contain courses in English.

The students' Club Kultturally arranges leisure time activities for international and Finnish students and helps international students to adapt to the study environment at Oulu University of Applied Sciences as well as to Finnish culture. International students can also acquaint themselves with the Finnish language and culture in a Finnish Survival Course, which begins usually in September, January and March. Every incoming exchange student also gets a peer and teacher tutor for his/her support.

Further information about internationalisation and your own possibilities to become international is available from the international co-ordinators and the International Relations Office.