Erasmus guide University of Turku
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at University of Turku in Turku, Finland.
Study abroad at University of Turku: overview
Study abroad at University of Turku if you want a broad research university in Finland's oldest student city inside a safe, organised and international Finnish system. The smart move is to confirm English-taught courses, housing timing and nomination dates before you start planning the semester around the campus image.
Enrollment
Approx. 20,000 students
International Mix
International exchange and degree students in a compact Turku campus setting
Why students choose it
Best fit if Turku works for your budget and campus routine, and your course list lines up with Humanities, Natural sciences, Medicine and health, Business (Turku School of Economics). Check faculty rules, seat limits and housing before choosing it on reputation alone.
Language of instruction: Finnish, English (exchange course list)
Exchange & application at University of Turku
The exchange route is structured but deadline-sensitive: nomination from your home university comes first, then University of Turku's online application, Learning Agreement, insurance and housing plan. Treat the 15 May / 31 October windows as planning anchors, but always confirm the exact faculty deadline before booking travel.
✅Requirements
You normally need home-university nomination, a Learning Agreement, transcript, valid insurance and enough English-taught course options approved by the host faculty. Non-EU students should connect the admission calendar with the Migri residence-permit process.
📨Nomination Process
Start with your home international office, then follow University of Turku's incoming-exchange instructions after nomination. The practical order is: nomination, online application, course plan, housing request, insurance/residence paperwork, then arrival and orientation.
🧭Orientation Week
Recommended arrival: Arrive before orientation week and before the first teaching week so you can handle keys, transport, local registration and course changes.
Attend orientation or tutor/buddy sessions; they are the fastest way to understand course registration, campus systems and student services.
Events hub: https://www.utu.fi/en/study-at-utu/how-to-apply-for-exchange-studies
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 1st semester | 2026-05-15 | 2026-05-15 |
| 2nd semester | 2026-10-31 | 2026-10-31 |
Arrival Checklist
- Confirm the Learning Agreement and backup courses with both coordinators.
- Apply early for student housing or prepare a verified private-room backup.
- Arrange insurance, EU registration or Migri residence-permit documents if needed.
- Set up transport discount, student canteen access and tutor/buddy contacts in the first week.
Academics & courses at University of Turku
Academically, University of Turku works best when you choose courses inside the correct faculty and keep backup options ready. Expect ECTS credits, independent study, project or exam assessment, and a Finnish 0-5 grading culture where English-taught access is real but not unlimited.
📝Course Registration
Exchange students choose from UTU's English-taught course list and confirm it in the Learning Agreement; some courses at Åbo Akademi can be cross-registered.
🎓Credit System
ECTS
💯Grading System
Finnish universities commonly use a 0-5 scale: 1 is the lowest passing grade and 5 is excellent. Some courses may use pass/fail.
✍️Exam Culture
Independent study with coursework, essays and exams; credits recognised on return.
Tuition & fees at University of Turku
Exchange students normally avoid host-university tuition, but the full-degree picture is different: EU/EEA students are usually tuition-free, while non-EU/EEA degree applicants pay programme fees. For exchange, the real budget is rent, food, transport and insurance; for non-EU students, connect those costs with Migri's residence-permit funds requirement.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | EUR 0 | Exchange students nominated through Erasmus+, Nordplus or bilateral agreements pay no host-university tuition. |
| Full degree - EU/EEA/Swiss student | EUR 0 | EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and exempt students do not pay Finnish degree-programme tuition. Student union/service fees may still apply, but not programme tuition. |
| Full degree - non-EU/EEA student | EUR 1,500-12,000 | University of Turku publishes programme-specific tuition for non-EU/EEA degree students; current listed English-taught fees range from EUR 1,500/year for one… |
EUR 0
Exchange students nominated through Erasmus+, Nordplus or bilateral agreements pay no host-university tuition.
EUR 0
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and exempt students do not pay Finnish degree-programme tuition. Student union/service fees may still apply, but not programme tuition.
EUR 1,500-12,000
University of Turku publishes programme-specific tuition for non-EU/EEA degree students; current listed English-taught fees range from EUR 1,500/year for one…
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at University of Turku
Housing should move as soon as nomination is underway; typical student options can sit around EUR 300-600/month. Cheap Finnish student housing is decided early, and waiting until the end usually means fewer locations and higher stress.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Turku
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at University of Turku
Support is practical rather than flashy: international office guidance, tutors, orientation sessions and student associations help turn paperwork into actual campus life. Use them in week one, before small admin questions become avoidable stress.
EHIC (EU/EEA)
Private insurance (non-EU)
Student life at University of Turku
Campus life around compact Turku campus near the Student Village and Aura river usually means libraries, canteens, reliable transport, sauna and seasonal plans. The social rhythm may start quietly, but recurring clubs and events make it much easier to find your people.
Student Clubs
- Subject associations
- ESN Turku
Buddy Program
Tutor programme pairs incoming students with locals
Sports & Recreation
- CampusSport facilities
- Student sports clubs
Public Groups & Communities
ESN Turku community
Your First 2 Weeks
- Attend orientation; register residence/EU registration and personal identity code.
- Finalise the Learning Agreement and course registration.
- Get a Föli student season ticket and a Finnish SIM/eSIM.
- Join the ESN tutor group and first events.
Key exchange dates at University of Turku
Dates are the real planning spine. Nomination, application, housing and arrival do not always close together, so keep one checklist and confirm each deadline before booking flights.
-
1
Nomination and application - first semester
2026-05-15
Confirm nomination and application timing with your home office and the host university.
-
2
Nomination and application - second semester
2026-10-31
Prepare Learning Agreement, transcript, insurance and housing before the window closes.
-
3
Arrival and orientation
August-September or January, depending on semester
Plan arrival before orientation and check housing, transport and local registration tasks.