New students

Timetable of student selections

It normally takes c. 5 weeks from the application deadline to finalise the selections of exchange/visiting students.

Regarding Master's degree programme selections, we hope to announce the names of the new students in early May 2011.

Many important deadlines for Master students

In 2011, those new Master students who have not yet obtained their final Master's degree diploma will get a conditional acceptance, and they must send an officially attested copy (and official translation into English) of their final diploma to the Faculty Office by 29 July 2011. Otherwise the conditional acceptance expires.

New Master students must confirm by 2 August 2011 that they accept the study place offered. The deadline is the same for all Finnish universities. You will lose the study place offered if you fail to send the confirmation by the deadline. Only new students who have been admitted conditionally and who have submitted their final diploma in late July will get extension for accepting the study place.

All new students must register at UTA by the deadline set in the letter of acceptance. The deadline is 31 August. Otherwise you will lose the study place offered.

Tuition fees

UTA Computer Sciences programmes do not have plans to introduce tuition fees. Neither are exchange students charged any tuition fees.

However, both degree and exchange students on Bachelor and Master level must pay the local student union (Tamy) membership fee. The fee is about 90 euro per academic year (half of this for one semester). For Doctoral students - both degree and exchange students - the Tamy membership is optional.

Guides and tuition

The Faculty Study Guide 2010-12 (pdf) for the Master's degree programmes in English is available online. New degree students will get a printed copy after their arrival.

Curricula Guides of all disciplines are available online.

Also the teaching schedules are available online.

Two course units in English in Information Studies and Interactive Media (Hypermedia) will be taught in 2010-11. More information here.

For more information on studies please see the Studying page.

UTA Survival Guide is available printed from the International Office, and there is a pdf version here. Survival Guide gives practical information on studying and living in Tampere.

Residence permit

New Master and Doctoral students or exchange/visiting students from EU/EEA countries do not need a residence permit in Finland. New students from non-EU/EEA countries need a residence permit. UTA will send the names of the new degree and exchange/visiting students needing a residence permit to the Finnish Immigration Service. 

When applying for residence permit, among the application documents a financial statement showing a scholarship or 6000 euros is needed. Please notice that UTA does not have any scholarships or teaching assistantships for Master students.

For more information on residence permits, please see the UTA page.

A residence permit is valid for one year only. The permit must then be renewed at the Tampere Police Station. They will need the following documents: filled OLE_OPI form (the Finnish Immigration Service forms have been revised in January 2010), an official UTA study certificate (from the Registrar's Office), latest official UTA study transcript (from the Registrar's Office), a scholarship letter or a bank statement (showing 6000 euros), two passport-sized photos, valid health insurance policy, and passport. It now takes 6-7 weeks to get the residence permit renewed. PLEASE NOTE: Before submitting the renewal application, please enrol at UTA for the next academic year (from beginning of June), to get the study certificate for the following academic year.

Health Insurance

When applying for residence permit, you must present evidence of health insurance. For information on some health insurance deals please see the page of the Finnish Immigration Service and the local Student Union Tamy page. Citizens of the EU/EEA countries are entitled to the same health care services in Finland as Finns, but health insurance is recommended to EU/EEA citizens, too. See the UTA page on health care.

Student housing

Student housing in Tampere is available to Master and Doctoral students and to exchange/visiting students, organised by a separate organ, TOAS. Please notice that you may make an application for student accomodation only after you have been accepted as a student at UTA.

The application for accomodation should be made as soon as you have been accepted. Please notice that TOAS will deal with your application only after they have received your reservation deposit of 325 euro. For more information, please see the UTA page on accomodation.

Orientation Week and guidance

The University organises free of charge an Orientation Week for all international students. The Orientation Week given in late August - early September, before the starting of teaching in September, is compulsory for new Master students.

Information is given on study practisies, available course units and other things important for the successful start of the studies. During the Orientation Week you also get a chance to meet fellow students and departmental personnel. On this and other practical things, please see the UTA page.

New Master's degree students have their own programme study advisor at their department for help in academic choices.

Exchange/visiting students get help in planning their studies from their departmental advisor. These are listed on the UTA page. Departmental advisors know the details of tuition offered, book exams etc. and are the persons signing the Erasmus Learning Agreement.

The Faculty International Officer gives advice on general matters, especially on admissions, language studies and the structure of degrees. The International Officer also produces the letters of acceptance of both degree and and exchange students.

All new Bachelor and Master level students, both degree and exchange/visiting students, will get a student tutor from their Student Organisation to help them get started. Doctoral students get help and advice from their host department.

Notification of Move and local registration

After settling in, all new students moving to Tampere must submit a Notification of Move to the local authorities. See the UTA page for more information. The notification must be made within one week of arrival, at departure and every time when moving in Finland.

New degree students staying in Tampere for more than a year are requested to register locally. Please see the details on the UTA page for new students.