Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Junior or above
Location: Europe, Finland
GPA: 2.75

Program Overview

Study abroad as an exchange student in Finland! In this exchange program you will enroll directly in courses at Tampere University. This program offers courses taught in English or Finnish in a variety of formats for study (short courses, intensive courses, and reading examinations) in most fields of the social sciences, selected fields of the humanities, business, IT, and journalism. International studies is a particular focus. Tampere University is the second largest university in Finland. There are three campuses: the city centre campus (humanities, social sciences, and languages), the Kauppi campus (biotechnology courses), and the Hervanta campus (information technology courses). Visit the TAU wesbite to learn more about Tampere's multiple campuses.

There are many opportunities and support services available to exchange students, such as academic advising and counseling. Additionally, a student tutor is assigned to all international Bachelor and Master students. Your tutor is a fellow student who has volunteered to help you during your first weeks. There is also a great exercise facility, called SportUni that provides high-quality, versatile and equal sports services for university students. Students will receive a student card which entitles both Bachelor’s and Master’s level students to Student Union services and special student benefits. In addition, the student card gets you significant discounts on trains, long distance bus fares, and in a number of museums, theatres, concerts and shops.

Tampere, a city of green parks and clean water, lies on an isthmus between two lakes, on the banks of the Tammerkoski rapids. Once a center of industry, textile and paper manufacturing, Tampere is now the hub of the IT industries. The largest inland city in the Nordic countries, Tampere offers many cultural attractions, including theater, film, music festivals and museums, as well as an adventure park consisting of seven attractions: Aquarium, Planetarium, Observation Tower, Art Museum and children’s zoo.

Housing Scholarship
In some cases, Tampere University may be able to award up to four complete housing scholarships for UO students every year. Each scholarship is valid for one semester. There is no extra application process.

Should the housing scholarship be available, nominated students will receive the scholarship automatically. Students enrolling for the academic year may be offered a housing scholarship for two semesters. Tampere cannot guarantee that the housing scholarship will be available to all UO applicants every year.

Dates and Deadlines

 
Term Year Deadline Arrival Date Departure Date
Fall Semester 2025 2/1/2025 Early August Late December
Academic Year 2025-26 2/1/2025 Early August Late May
Spring Semester 2026 2/1/2025 Early January Late May

The application process for this program is competitive: GEO staff will review your application materials, and a decision about your enrollment will not be made until after the application deadline. In some cases, an interview is required. If your program requires an interview, you will be contacted with further details about this process after the application deadline. Early applications are encouraged.

Successful applicants will receive an exchange nomination from GEO. Selection will be based on a holistic review of your application. This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and written statements. 

Applying for an exchange program involves 2 steps. If you receive a nomination from GEO, you will also need to complete the host university's application, which is administered and reviewed by your host university directly. Instructions will be provided after acceptance by GEO. The host university makes the final decision regarding acceptance into the program.

Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $500 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

Academic Details

The academic year is organized in four teaching periods, divided in two semesters. Classes generally meet 2-3 times a week for 7-8 weeks if the course lasts for one period, or 15 weeks if the course lasts for the full semester. The official language of instruction at Tampere University is Finnish, but many courses are available in English and independent study in English is fairly easily arranged. In addition to the programs of the faculties, the University Language Centre offers Finnish language courses taught in English. These courses range from the 'survival' to the advanced level. Courses in medicine are not open for exchange students. The International School of Social Sciences offers graduate-level courses in English.

If you are a Scandinavian studies major or minor who plans to use Finnish as your Scandinavian language, you must complete two years of Finnish studies at the University of Oregon and take third-year Finnish at Tampere University.

Tampere uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) which is a workload-based system for measuring and comparing study results. Most courses at Tampere offer 5 ECTS credits. ECTS credits are transferred to the UO at the rate of 1 ECTS credit = 0.75 quarter credits. A full-time student usually takes courses worth 30 ECTS credits per semester. Tampere University does not limit how many credits you may enroll for. You must follow the limits set by the UO.

Note: You should consult with your UO academic advisor before submitting your course enrollment to Tampere University.

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Additional Requirements

Although there is no Finnish language requirement, students participating on this exchange are strongly encouraged to complete one year of Finnish at the University of Oregon prior to departure.

Housing Description

Students do not need to apply for housing once they have been accepted; they will automatically be provided with a housing assignment. Student housing is administered by Tampere Student Housing Foundation (TOAS), please visit their website for more information.

The student residence hall rooms managed by TOAS are all private, single rooms with a private bathroom. Shared kitchens are located on each floor. All students are entitled to a meal subsidy at student restaurants regardless of whether they are members of the Student Union or not.

Housing Scholarship: Tampere University may offer a full housing scholarship for up to two students from the UO per semester. The scholarship is not guaranteed to be offered every year.