Broaden your Horizon guide - Oulu

1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF STUDENT
EXCHANGE
In general, all degree students of the University
of Oulu can apply for a student exchange. This
means that they can study a part of their degree
in a partner university abroad. There are several
programmes and hundreds of universities to
choose from. The length of a student exchange is
usually 1 or 2 terms. For more information on this
please see exchange programme specific details
in this guide.I n order to go on exchange students
need to have their first year of academic studies
completed at the University of Oulu.
Information on student exchange possibilities
can be found in this guide, and on the International
Services website. Available exchange places
are announced through a call for application
(hakukuulutus) when an application period begins.
Application rounds are organised either by the
International Relations (e.g. bilateral places) or the
departments/faculties (e.g. ERASMUS) depending
on the exchange programme. In a nutshell,
European exchange programmes (ERASMUS and
NORDPLUS) are coordinated by the departments
and faculties. The International Services
coordinates exchange programmes outside
Europe. Please note that application periods
and deadlines vary depending on the exchange
programme.
Each faculty/department in the University of
Oulu also has its own international coordinator,
who is there to help with student exchange
matters. Departmental coordinators and the staff
members of International Servces are available for
personal counselling and for detailed information
about the application and selection procedure.
Please note that all academic matters should be
discussed at the department/faculty.
When you start planning your exchange
international master’s degree students should bare
in mind that the duration of a master’s programme
is 2 years and graduating in time is important.
Master students’ study plan contains a set of
precisely defined courses, which are required for
graduation. This sets more specific requirements
for the planning of your exchange period. Thus,
before applying for an exchange, it is essential to
discuss your study progress and your possibilities
for exchange studies with your master’s degree
programme coordinator.
During the selection process the applicants
will be ranked on the basis of the GPA of their
university studies, the amount of study points
earned, and the language skills required by the
host university. Academic references may also
be required. Applicants are usually invited to a
group interview. Kindly note, that some exchange
programmes apply terms and conditions based on
nationality and citizenship, so foreign students are
encouraged to check carefully and well in advance
whether they are eligible to apply..
4