To-do list for a new student 2024
NEWS
Congratulations to you, new student of the University of Helsinki! Starting your studies and a new chapter in your life is, of course, the best thing ever – but not necessarily easy. That’s why we have made a to-do list in order to help you out.
1. Accept the offer if admission
If you have been admitted to a study programme, you will receive a notification of this to your email. You must accept the offer of admission by the given deadline, or you will lose your offer. You can accept only one offer of admission per academic term. Read more on StudyInfo.
2. Find an apartment
Helsinki is a lovely city to live in! Finding an apartment in our capital can, however, be difficult. You can get some tips from our housing guide.
3. Apply for student aid and general housing assistance from Kela
NOTE! This only applies to those students who are covered by the Finnish social security system. You can read more about
As a student, your subsistence usually consists of the study grant and general housing allowance. In addition to these, you can take out a government-guaranteed student loan. During difficult times, you can turn to sickness allowance or basic social assistance. Read more from our subsistence guide and from Kela’s website.
If you are an EU citizen:
- Apply for EU registration from the Finnish Immigration Service.
If you are a non-EU/EEA student:
- Apply for a residence permit from the Finnish Immigration Service.
4. Register for attendance and pay the membership fee of the student union
Register for attendance by the 31 August. Pay the membership fee of the student union when registering. You can read more about the annual registration and about HYY’s membership fee on our page.
5. Pay the healthcare fee for students in higher education to Kela
NOTE! This only applies to those students who are covered by the Finnish social security system.
Students in universities and universities of applied sciences who are entitled to use the services of the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) must pay a healthcare fee to Kela. You must pay the student healthcare fee for each term. Kela will not send you a bill for the fee, so you must make sure to pay it on your own initiative. Read more about the healthcare fee from Kela’s website.
If you are an EU citizen:
- Get your European Health Insurance Card. Read more from Kela’s website.
If you are a non-EU/EEA student:
- Get health insurance. Read more about medical care in Finland from Kela’s webiste.
6. Get a student card from Frank
Frank offers a digital student card and student discounts for all members of the Student Union. You can also order a plastic student card from Frank. Read more from Frank’s website.
7. Activate your university user account
You can use all the information systems of the University with your own user account. Read more and get instructions from the Helpdesk of the University.
8. Follow the student union on social media
Keep up-to-date by following HYY on social media! You should also fllow the University of Helsinki’s accounts.
