Åbo Akademi University

About: 

Åbo Akademi was founded in 1918 as the third university in Finland. There is a strong Swedish influence and it is extremely popular among Swedish speaking students as it is the only exclusively Swedish university in Finland, but they also offer courses in English for exchange students. 

Highlights: 

Located in Turku, the oldest and sixth largest city in Finland, Åbo Akademi is an exciting place to live and study surrounded by history and culture. Turku is the official Christmas city of Finland and it is famous for its beautiful Christmas markets in the Old Square of the city. There is a large student population in Turku, around 35,000, and one in four people is a member of the university, giving the city a young and dynamic atmosphere. 

Location: 

Åbo Akademi University is an urban campus located in the city of Turku, Finland, around 160 km from Helskini.

Courses / Modules: 

 The official language of instruction at Åbo Akademi is Swedish, but they offer a variety of Courses in English for exchange students along with useful guidance on how to select and apply for modules.  Look for modules available at Åbo Akademi University (Turku) and not at Åbo Akademi in Vaasa. 

Credit (Full-time Load per semester): 

You must take a full credit load while on exchange.  Åbo Akademi University uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) to show credit values.  30 ECTS is the equivalent to 60 York credits, and 60 ECTS is the equivalent to 120 York credits.  

Most modules at Åbo are 5 ECTS credits, meaning a student will generally have to take 6 modules per semester.

Teaching Periods: 

The year is split into two semesters. Autumn Semester starts at the end of August and continues to Christmas, Spring Semester starts January and ends in May. The schedule for the autumn semester will be published in the middle of August and the spring semester schedule will be released at the beginning of December.

Language: 

Åbo Akademi offers courses in Finnish and Swedish and there may be opportunities for exchange students to take part in these - check with your department if you are able to take such courses for credit. 

Accommodation: 

Åbo Akademi University do not have university-run accommodation, but are affiliated with some student housing providers and set out details of these on their Housing in Åbo (Turku) webpage.  You are recommended to apply for housing as soon as the application window opens (Usually 1 May for Autumn Semester, or 1 October for Spring Semester) and check your email regularly to make sure that you accept your housing offer in time.  If you don't confirm the offer on time, it will be cancelled.

Turku is a popular student city and there is high demand for student accommodation. If you wish to find your own private accommodation, the Housing in Åbo (Turku) page also lists some suggestions of sources to try and tips and advice on what to consider when renting in the private sector. Be sure to start looking early if you want to secure private accommodation.

Accessibility:  Wherever possible, Åbo Akademi University strives to provide reasonable accommodations in order to meet the needs of students with disabilities. Applicants with a disability who require special arrangements can contact the International Office (exchange@abo.fi) for further information.

Orientation / Welcome week:  

There  is a mandatory orientation week for incoming exchange students.

The orientation programme gives you useful information about the university, your studies, student services, as well as some cultural insights. During the orientation course you will also register at the university, register for courses, meet the tutors and all the other exchange students. 

The university has compiled an example of the welcome presentations from August 2020 (all online due to COVID) so that you can explore so as to get a feel for the university and life there as an exchange student.

Support Services: 

All exchange students will have a student tutor, a fellow student at Åbo Akademi University, to help with practical matters when settling in and as a contact during the exchange period. The tutors will usually be in contact with incoming exchange students 3-4 weeks before arrival (if you have given us permission to share your contact details) or you will meet your tutor during the orientation programme. 

Visas: 

You may need a visa to study in Finland.  If you are a UK National you must refer to the Travel Advice page for Finland and its Living in Finland guide to check on any visa requirements, and raise any queries directly with the relevant embassy/consulate.   If you are not a UK national you should check equivalent advice for your home country.

Travel insurance:  

If you complete the Travel Authorisation process and are approved by the University of York to participate in this programme, you will be covered by the University's Travel Insurance Policy. This is a complimentary policy to cover you for the duration of your University of York mobility experience. Please refer to the Insurance website for all travel insurance queries.  You may be required to obtain health insurance valid during your exchange. 

Health insurance: 

Students travelling to Europe may be able to apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or in some circumstances a new UK-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which gives the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the EU. You are strongly recommended to obtain a GHIC / EHIC if eligible. To check your eligibility and find out how to apply if you are eligible, go to the NHS page on Applying for healthcare cover abroad (GHIC and EHIC).

Information on health insurance for international students is also provided by Åbo Akademi University.

James, Year Abroad in Finland, 2019-20

"I feel the experience has made me realize I am a confident person and I am able to be out of my comfort zone. There were moments were I had to overcome difficulties, both academic and non-academic, but I feel if I was in these situations or similar again I would be much better placed to deal with them. I also feel I have a better perspective on what I want to achieve in life which I wouldn't have done if I had stayed in York."

Have a look at some more student stories on the Global Opportunities website! 

Food:

• On campus: The food offered on campus in the cafés and canteens is more affordable than in town and still delicious. The lunches include a warm meal, salad buffet, bread, and a beverage. The student price for this lunch is 2,60 -2,90 EUR and you must have your student card to be eligible for this price.

• Supermarkets: There is a Lidl in Turku as well as two K-Markets. Both of these supermarkets offer affordable groceries that suit a student budget.

Paperwork and Bureaucracy:

• Printing: All students have a quota of 400 Kredita. 1 Kredita is the equivalent of one black and white page A4 page. This quota is reset every six months.

What I wish I'd known...

• Student Union: There is a fee to join the Student Union, approximately 62 EUR per semester. This fee will give you access to all the Union has to offer, including your student card, reduced price at the cafeterias, and the student-run events and activities.

• Abo Akademi University Exchange page  

• Tourist Guide to Turku

• Global Graduates

• Numbeo - cost of living comparison site

• Expatistan - cost of living comparison site

If you find any broken links, please email us at global-opportunities@york.ac.uk

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