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• open to all  
• offer recreational studies (incl. handicrafts, exercise, cooking, languages)  
• course offering varies with different local emphases  
• no entry requirements, such as an entrance exam  
• no degrees  
• both contact and online teaching  
• paid courses 
• kansalaisopistot.fi (in English/the website is multilingual)

Swedish language courses:

• usually 1-3 hours a week
• intensive courses might be 4-8 hours a week
• most courses are in the evenings, but some are daytime
• courses are usually 4 months long, some are shorter
• if you have higher proficiency levels or Finnish skills you can attend Swedish language courses for Finnish speaking people

Finnish language courses:  

• usually once a week (2–3 hours) or 2 times a week (1.5 hours)  
• course hours: often in the evening but also daytime courses (intensive courses etc.)  
• courses usually last about 1–3 months  

• usually two types of teaching: short courses and longer vocational studies (0.5–1 years)
  •  short courses: open to all  
  •  longer studies: admission through an application process  
• at a folk high school you can: 
  • complete studies for comprehensive school or upper secondary school (= high school)  
  •  complete open university studies  
  •  complete a vocational degree or parts of such a degree
  •  participate in immigrant education  
• mainly contact teaching  
• option to live in student halls of residence  
• fees depend on the studies and integration plan
• kansanopistot.fi  (in English)
• larkulla.net  

Swedish language courses:

• usually full-time studies, daytime
• usually full academic year (= from august to may)
• there are programs that focus on language learning and programs that include integration training

Finnish language courses:  

• usually every weekday (4 hours/day)  
• course hours: usually daytime courses  
• courses usually last about 2–5 months, but they may also last for the entire academic year 

• admission through an application process, such as application forms  
•  at at vocational institut you can:
  • complete vocational upper secondary education and training
  • or further training and vocational degrees  
• persons with a vocational degree can apply to polytechnics and often to universities as well  
• both contact and online teaching  
• paid: vocational degrees  
• free of charge: vocational upper secondary qualification  

Swedish language courses:

• usually the Swedish YS don’t have open courses in Swedish, but please be in contact with the school in question to be sure
• for example Åland yrkesgymnasium has a short program in the restaurant-field with focus on integration training

Finnish language courses:  

• offering varies: once a week (2 hours) or 5 times a week (7 hours)
• course hours: usually daytime courses  
• both short-term online courses (self-study) and longer contact courses (e.g. three-month term)   

• studies open to all  
• at an open UAS you can complete courses from:
  • bachelor’s programs
  • master’s programs
• not possible to complete an entire degree
• registration for spring courses at the beginning of the year and for autumn courses at the end of summer  
• both contact and online teaching  
• paid courses 
• opintopolku.fi  (in English)

Swedish language courses:

• usually 1-2 times a week (1,5 hours/lecture)
• usually daytime
• courses are usually 3-5 months long 

Finnish language courses:  

• usually 1–2 times per week (1.5–2.5 hours/lesson)  
• course hours: usually daytime courses  
• courses usually last about 3–5 months, but they can also be shorter intensive courses

• open to all  
• open higher education and work training  
• possible to study entire study modules and individual courses  
• not possible to complete an entire degree  
• activities are year-round  
• both contact and online teaching  
• paid courses 
• kesayliopistot.fi   

Swedish language courses:

• usually during the summer, usually intensive: 2-4 days a week and 2,5-4 hours/day
• daytime and in evenings
• courses are 1-4 weeks long 

Finnish language courses:  

• usually 1–2 times per week (1.5–3 hours/lesson)  
• course hours: usually daytime courses in summer, otherwise evenings and less frequently at weekends  
• both short courses (1–3 weeks) and longer ones (about 3 months), many intensive courses 

• open to all (most can be completed without previous university studies)  
• you can complete university studies:
  • single courses
  • more extensive modules, such as studies from
    • bachelor’s programs
    • master’s programs
• not possible to complete an entire degree  
• majority of studies organised online  
• paid courses 
• opintopolku.fi (in English)

Swedish language courses:

• usually 1-2 times a week (1,5 hours/lecture)
• courses both daytime and in evenings
• courses are 3-4 months long

Finnish language courses:  

• usually 2 times per week (1.5 hours)
• often in the evening, but daytime courses are also available  
• courses usually last about 3–4 months  

• Open teaching for (mostly) adults (application = filling in a registration form)  
• you can
  • complete studies included in general upper secondary school (=high school)
  • complete comprehensive school syllabuses  
  • study just one subject (e.g. Swedish)
  • improve and supplement grades for a completed matriculation examination  
• no admission requirements or entrance examination  
• classes mostly in the evening  
• both contact and online teaching  
• paid courses (usually), completing high school or comprehensive school is usually for free
• there are only two schools that offer education in Swedish:
  • Tölö gymnasium in Helsinki
  • online-high school Aftis (Vasa svenska aftonläroverk) in Vasa

Swedish language courses:

• usually the Swedish adult high schools don’t have open courses in Swedish, but please be in contact with the school in question to be sure
• if you have higher proficiency levels and are able to understand instruction in Swedish, you can study Swedish as a second language, which is the alternative to Swedish as mother tongue

Finnish language courses:  

• usually 2–4 times per week (1.5–3 hours/lesson)  
• often in the evening, but morning and daytime courses are also available  
• courses usually last one term or academic year  

If you are a degree student at a university or university of applied sciences, you can take Finnish or Swedish courses organised by your educational institution. You may also be entitled to take language courses offered by partner institutions. Check your options with your higher education institution.  

You can search programs on the website https://opintopolku.fi/konfo/sv/

University of applied sciences (UAS)  

• admission through an application process
• each institution decides on student admissions  
• possible to apply after completing vocational school, upper secondary school and/or matriculation examination  
• possible to complete a UAS degree (studies last about 3.5–4.5 years)
• UAS graduates can apply to university or for a master’s programme at a university of applied sciences  
• contact and online teaching (daytime courses)  
• alongside work (multiform teaching): less contact teaching in a more flexible way (daytime, evenings, weekends or intensive periods)  
• fees depend on nationality and residence permit
• ammattikorkeakouluun.fi  (in English)

Universities

• admission through an application process  
• each university decides on student admissions  
• possible to complete bachelor’s and master’s degrees and licentiate or doctoral degrees  
• possible to participate in specialised and continuing education  
• contact and online teaching  
• fees depend on nationality  
• okm.fi/yliopistot (in English)

• based on voluntary activity  
• open to all  
• practise Swedish and strengthen language skills in Swedish and Finnish
• receive information about Finnish society and help integration  
• groups with different levels, voluntary participation (by personal schedule)  
• each group has at least one volunteer who speaks the language fluently 
• search discussion groups e. g. in Fintegrate.fi, Luckan, Kielilähettiläät
• free of charge and usually organised by organisations (e.g. Red Cross) or libraries  

• for companies, agencies, communities, private customers  
• tailored teaching (in line with personal goals)  
• contact or online teaching  
• for a fee  
• many private teachers advertise their services in e.g. Facebook groups: Swedish for Foreigners, Learn Swedish and Find a Swedish Teacher / Finnish for Foreigners, Learn Finnish and Find a Finnish Teacher  

Swedish and Finnish language courses:   

•  according to separate agreement

• part of integration services
• access to education after initial assessment and prepared integration plan
• includes studying Finnish or Swedish, social studies and career guidance
• mainly contact teaching  
• free of charge
• possible to get unemployment benefits or social assistance during the integration plan
• tyomarkkinatori.fi