New Master's students at TAMK

Congratulations on your study place!

This page provides new Master's degree students with information about all the steps they need to take to prepare for their studies at TAMK.

Please follow the instructions on this page carefully to secure your place at TAMK. You are now on one of the pages of our online Student’s guide, which we advise you to explore further. The Student’s guide is a gateway to information that all our students need while studying at TAMK.

The programme-specific instructions offer you more detailed information about getting ready to start your studies. Links to the instructions are available further down this page after the new student checklist.

Good luck with your studies!

Checklist for a new student – Remember to complete these steps!

1. Accept your study place

All students must accept or decline the offered study place. Confirmation should be done by using the unique link sent automatically from the Studyinfo service. You are free to accept your study place as soon as you have received the email notification. Please note that the confirmation is binding. After confirmation at TAMK you cannot accept another study place in higher education in Finland starting in the same term (autumn/ spring) that you may receive later. Confirmation cannot be altered or cancelled.

More information about accepting your study place

2. Register as a new student

All students must register for each academic year - either present or absent. Please note that first-year students can only register as absent on statutory grounds specified at the bottom of the page. For tuition fee-paying students registration requires paying the 1st installment of the first year tuition fee.

3. Apply for immigration (if necessary)

Some Master's programmes are structured so that students only visit Tampere during intensive weeks. In these cases you do not need a residence permit, please check if you need a visa for a short term visit from : https://um.fi/visa-to-visit-finland If your programme has on-campus teaching every few weeks, you should most likely relocate to Finland. Please start your immigration clearance process immediately, as the study permit may take months to be issued. You can start the process online at EnterFinland and you should only fill in one application to avoid identification issues. You can always supplement your application with documents later on. Remember to keep your access codes and passwords safe. If you are unable to log into the service later on, you should rather email the Finnish Immigration Service than fill in a duplicate application.

Make sure are you required to pay the tuition fee

4. Book housing (if necessary)

If you are only visiting for intensive weeks, you can find more inexpensive short-term accommodation from the bottom of the housing link below. If you are relocating to Tampere, it would be wise to book accommodation as soon as you have been accepted as a student. First-come-first-serve principles apply and there are thousands of new students starting their studies at the same time. As student housing associations are independent from universities, you are contracting directly with them. Remember to read all documentation carefully and that a signed contract leads to liability to pay.

5. Apply for student financial aid

International students are usually not entitled to the financial benefits to The Social Insurance of Finland (KELA). If you have worked in Finland prior to you studies or are married or in a long-term relationship, you might be entitled to some benefits. Check you eligibility from Kela. If you are entitled to Kela benefits, apply for student financial aid after you have received and accepted your offer of admission. If you are not eligible for student financial aid, you may be entitled to unemployment benefits while studying (www.te-palvelut.fi) or adult education allowance (www.tyollisyysrahasto.fi). If you receive adult education allowance, you can apply for a government guarantee for your student loan from Kela.

6. Pay the healthcare fee of the Finnish Student Health Service

All degree students registered present are allowed to use the healthcare services provided by the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS). As you are entitled to use the healthcare services by FSHS, you must pay a healthcare fee to Kela. Students pay the healthcare fee twice a year, once for autumn and once for spring semester. The amount of the healthcare fee is defined in a government decree and may vary on an annual basis. Please note! You must follow the instructions below to pay the fee as you will not receive a separate invoice. The due date for the healthcare fee in the autumn semester is 30 September.

Instructions for paying the healthcare fee

7. Activate your TUNI account

When you have registered your attendance and your information has been transferred to TAMK’s student register, you will receive a link to the username registration and account activation by email. You can identify yourself by Finnish online banking ID's, Finnish mobile / citizen certificate card, European eIDAS identification or Finnish Authenticator Identification Service available for non-EU students.

Activate your account

8. Prepare for original documents check

At the start of your studies we will need to see your original Bachelor's degree certificate and transcript and compare the original to the one you have uploaded into Studyinfo when applying. Student selection is always conditional until TAMK has checked the admitted students’ original certificates. TAMK may withdraw the admission if you do not deliver the certificates by the deadline or if you have given false information. If your original degree certificate is in a language other than Finnish, Swedish or English, you have to submit a copy of its certified translation. The translation has to be in Finnish, Swedish or English and it has to include the translator’s signature and stamp. Please do not mail the documents as they may get lost on their way - bring them with you when you arrive!

9. Join Students' Union Tamko and apply for a student card

By joining the student union Tamko, you will receive a student card that demonstrates that you are eligible for thousands of student discounts across Finland. Your access rights to TAMK will be automatically added to your plastic student card if you order one. Note that it takes estimated two weeks to you student card to arrive after you fill up the membership form on Tamko's website. If you order your student card beforehand, it’ll ease up your first weeks at TAMK.

Become a member

10. Download Tuudo!

Tuudo is a free app, that has been made to make students’ life a bit easier. You can log in with your TUNI account info through HAKA login, so no Finnish online banking required! In addition to Tamko’s mobile student card giving you all the discounted student prices, you can find from Tuudo for example your class timetables, study credits, reservations for classrooms and other TAMK’s spaces, cafeteria’s menu and course enrolments, quite handy!

11. Check orientation information

Orientation week programme for each degree programme will be confirmed later this spring. As soon as the programme is available and set, the link below will be activated. The information may change or details may be added later on, so remember to check back before your studies start in August. You should also keep an eye on your email when starting your studies is near, as important information may also come through email.

12. Plan your arrival

Once you have made plans to arrive, let us know by filling in the Arrival Form (see link below). If you need assistance in arrival or apartment key pick-up, we can help you get settled here in Tampere!

See arrival info

Programme-specific instructions for new degree students

This page includes instructions that apply to specific degree programmes starting in August 2024. Information will be updated here during spring and summer 2024, as soon as orientation days/week are set and we have more information to give you. Please select your programme to read more about the start of your studies and how to prepare for the new student orientation.

Master's degrees:

Support for starting you studies

Student tutors are here to help you

Student tutors are part of our student guidance services. They help our new students get to know each other, adjust to their new environment and student life and become familiar with their field of study during their first year.

Teacher tutors

The role of teacher tutor is important at the beginning of your studies. Together with a student tutor, the teacher tutor will help you get started with your studies. The teacher tutor supports and guides you throughout your studies.

As a student at Tampere Universities

Studying in a Finnish university might differ quite a lot from what you are used to. We have collected information about some of the central issues and characteristics of studying at the university community.

IT Services and digital tools

IT Services

You need a username, a password and access to a computer to get started with your studies. Read our IT instructions so you know what to do next.

IT services for new students

Intranet

Intranet is the official channel for internal communication. When you follow the news on the intranet, you will stay up to speed on current events. You will find all necessary information about studies and links to all digital tools on the intranet. You need to activate your TUNI username to use the intranet.

Intranet

Pakki - student's desktop

You can plan your studies and register for courses in PAKKI. In addition you can follow the progress of your studies and reserve spaces. You need to activate your TUNI username to access PAKKI.

Lukkarikone

You can already visit the Lukkarikone system where your timetable will be published once it is finished. If you do not yet know your group code, you can search for timetables, for example, based on the degree that you will be enrolled in at TAMK. Select Group search on the start page and type, for example, “business” as your search term, select the 2024 group (you can select multiple groups at a time), click +Add and Show calendar. The system will display the courses planned for the coming semester as well as a tentative schedule for the new student orientation. However, please read more about the schedule and programme of our new student orientation on the programme-specific pages (links above).

lukkarit.tamk.fi

Check out student services

The Students’ Union of Tampere University of Applied Sciences (Tamko)

Every University of Applied Sciences in Finland has a Students’ Union which monitors students’ rights and interests. The Students’ Unions are recognized and regulated by the Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences Act. To become a member, you must be a student at TAMK. Welcome to join, there are already over 7500 of us!

Check out Tamko

SportUni – The best University sports in Tampere

SportUni offers high-quality and diverse sports services for students and staff at Tampere Universities. You can use the sports services on three campuses at a fair price.

SportUni - Find your sport

Library

Tampere University library serves both the students of Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences. The library serves in four locations and online. You can find course books, work spaces and guidance for information searches.

The Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS)

The Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) is an expert in student healthcare and, as a student in higher education, provides you with general health, oral health and mental health services and promotes the well-being of student communities.

Read about the services on the yths.fi website

Student housing

As soon as you have been accepted as a student, you should start arranging your accommodation and arrival. Apply for accommodation as early as possible, as first-come-first-serve principles applies and the best places are booked within the first few days!

Student card benefits

As a master's student you are entitled to a meal subsidy in subsidised student restaurants. As a student you also have a discount when travelling on local and long-distance busses and trains.

Guidance and counselling services

There are many people in TAMK whose job is to help you. We have gathered all the guidance and counselling services on the same page, so that it is easier to find the help you need.

Students' well-being

Tampere Universities and TAMK are committed to supporting students’ well-being and delivering a positive student experience. Please do not hesitate to contact our support services if you have any concerns. The Students’ Well-being site offers you easy access to information about the broad range of guidance, support and health care services that are available to our students. You can also find information about learning support and free-time activities.

Visit students' well-being site

Become a Student Ambassador

Just as you may have consulted with our Student Ambassadors when considering TAMK as a destination or planning your arrival, it would be extremely valuable to have you join in helping the next cohort an promote TAMK and Tampere as a study destination. Application period for the next academic year is usually in May and all new ambassadors are trained at the beginning of the Autumn term. Welcome aboard!

Accessibility and individual study arrangements

If you need individualised support because of a learning difficulty, an illness or disability, you are eligible for individual study arrangements.

Welcome to TAMK and Tampere

TAMK's Campuses

TAMK's campuses are situated in Tampere. The main campus is in Kauppi and the other campus, Mediapolis, in Tohloppi. Check out our campuses!

TAMK's campuses

Public transport

A 30-day student season ticket is available from Nysse Mobiili app. The ticket, which has an unlimited number of trips, is valid for selected zones on buses, trams as well as trains. Night fares are not applied. The ticket can be purchased by full-time student who are 17 and over, and who study in an upper secondary school, a vocational institution, a higher education institution or a University.

Want to hear what's going on with us?

Follow our social media channels and get to know us even before you start your studies.

Tampere - The most attractive city in Finland according to us Finns!

Tampere has a lot to offer! The city brings together beautiful natural landscapes and a thriving cultural scene. You can enjoy the magnificent scenery of Pispala and, for example, visit the theatre in a single day!

Visit Tampere

Working while studying

Working part-time while studying might be an option to finance your studies. In addition to some useful extra cash, having a part-time job can be a good way of gaining valuable work experience and networks alongside your studies.

Friend programme

The Friend Programme is a model through which Tampere locals and international students at TAMK can meet and become friends. Getting to know the regular Finnish way of life - in it's smallest nuances and peculiarities - will help students feel more at home here.

International House Tampere

International House Tampere offers services for for settling, working, studying or meeting employers.