Language studies and other adult education

You can study Finnish or Swedish independently or participate in paid language courses. Please visit FinnishCourses.fi for information on Finnish and Swedish language courses. Some employers support their employees’ language studies. Ask your employer about joining a language course. 

The courses usually start in August or September and January. Language courses are also held in the evenings. Please register early to ensure that you can join the group of your choice. 

• Learn more about Finnish and Swedish language courses on the FinnishCourse.fi website.(external link, opens in a new window)

If you are unemployed, looking for a job and able to study full-time, please register as an unemployed jobseeker at the Espoo Employment Services. The employment services can refer you to suitable language training. Your assigned employee will help you find the right course. 

If you are a recipient of social assistance from Kela, you may be entitled to financial support for Finnish or Swedish language course fees and textbooks. Any support is paid against a receipt. Please contact your assigned social worker at the Western Uusimaa Wellbeing Services County (LUVN). 

• See the contact information for Espoo Employment Services.
• Visit the InfoFinland.fi website to learn more about language training for jobseekers in several languages.(external link, opens in a new window)

Immigrants usually participate in integration training, where they will study the skills required in Finnish society and working life in addition to the language. Integration training is intended for unemployed jobseekers who are clients of Employment Services. You cannot apply for this training on your own – an employment services specialist will refer you to it. Integration training is free of charge. During it, you are eligible for financial aid (unemployment benefit). You may have to wait for a student place, sometimes for several months. The training may take place in Espoo, Helsinki or Vantaa. 

You can also search for language courses yourself, for example at FinnishCourses.fi. 

If you are unemployed, you may be eligible for a discount on paid courses of the Espoo Adult Education Centre. Ask for more information from the Espoo Adult Education Centre customer service. 

If you are a vocational school or upper secondary school student, your studies will include Finnish or Swedish language courses. If you are studying for an English-language degree programme at a higher education institution, you can participate in language courses offered by higher education institutions.

Contact your educational institution for more details.

If you are 18–30 years old and unemployed, you may be interested in free education for immigrant youth (MANU). 

MANU training involves studying Finnish and learning about culture and working life for 24 hours a week. Once you’ve completed this training, it will be easier for you to find a job or a student place. 

You can apply for MANU training if you have a municipality of residence in Finland and, at a minimum, have completed comprehensive school in your country of origin. 

If you are an unemployed jobseeker, please first talk to your assigned Employment Services employee about participating in the training! 

• You can find the application form as well as instructions on how to apply for MANU training on Omnia’s website.(external link, opens in a new window)

Koto-Espoo organises Finnish language courses for stay-at-home parents in Espoo. You can join one of these language courses if you are on family leave. If you have registered as a jobseeker, ask employment services about these courses.  

Koto-Espoo’s courses are free of charge. They are meant for people who have only lived in Finland for a few years. Lessons take place several times a week and last for a few hours at a time. Course durations vary.   

During most of the courses, separate fun club activities have been arranged for the children. Children aged 1–5 years can participate in the club if the child is not enrolled in a daycare centre. 

Koto-Espoo also organises language courses for parents with children under the age of one. You can participate in these courses together with your child. For example, there are courses in residents’ parks. Some of the courses teach language through games and song.  

If you want to learn Swedish and integrate in Swedish, a Koto-Espoo employee will help you find a suitable course. 

• Learn more about Koto-Espoo’s activities in several languages.

Over 65-year-old Espoo residents who received their first residence permit less than three years ago are eligible for Koto-Espoo’s integration services. Koto-Espoo organises Finnish courses, among other things.  

Don’t hesitate to contact them by phone or email. You can ask an interpreter to join you for the phone call. 

• See Koto-Espoo’s contact information.

If you cannot read or write either using the Latin alphabet or your own native language and you are unemployed, please contact the City of Espoo Employment Services. 

• See the contact information for Espoo Employment Services.

Omnia provides literacy training meant for people in their integration period. The training is free of charge. During the training, you will learn to read and write Finnish letters and the basics of Finnish. The training also covers social studies, mathematics and digital skills. 

You can also learn literacy during the Literacy Phase of Basic Adult Education.  

• Read more about literacy training on Omnia’s website.(external link, opens in a new window)
• What is an integration period? Learn more.

You can study Finnish in sign language at the Deaf Folk High School in Helsinki. The training will prepare you for finding employment and further studies, while also guiding you in living as a member of Finnish society.

• See the contact details of the Deaf Folk High School in Finnish.(external link, opens in a new window)

At language cafés, you can practice Finnish through conversation. It doesn't matter if your Finnish isn’t that good yet.  

In Espoo, libraries, various organisations, residents’ spaces, and the church organise language cafés. 

• Check out the language cafés at Espoo libraries.
• Check out the Let’s Read Together network’s language cafés for multiple languages(external link, opens in a new window).
• Read more about the church’s language cafés(external link, opens in a new window).

Many libraries have an “Opi suomea” shelf, which is where they have collected language learning materials. The E-library offers online courses in Finnish and Swedish. You will need a library card to access them. Please ask library staff for more information. 

• Find your nearest library and explore the range of services.

In Espoo, Omnia organises intermediate-level YKI tests in Finnish and Swedish four times per year. You can sign up for a YKI test at Opintopolku.fi. 

• Learn more about the National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) on Omnia’s website.(external link, opens in a new window)

Before taking the YKI test, we recommend taking a preparation course. 

• Check out the Espoo Adult Education Centre’s YKI preparation courses at Ilmonet.fi.(external link, opens in a new window)
• Learn more about the official certificate of language proficiency at InfoFinland.fi in several languages. (external link, opens in a new window)

You can study in Espoo, for example

• in preparatory education for programmes leading to an upper secondary qualification
• in basic education for adults,
• in upper secondary education,
• at a higher education institution.

Upper secondary education means high school or vocational education and training. A higher education institution means a university or a university of applied sciences. Higher education institutions located in Espoo include Aalto University(external link, opens in a new window), Metropolia University of Applied Sciences(external link, opens in a new window) and Laurea University of Applied Sciences(external link, opens in a new window). 

Education is free of charge until the end of the year in which you turn 20. 

How you can finance your studies in Finland depends on your situation. There are various forms of support, such as student financial aid, school transport subsidies, meal subsidies, grants and scholarships. If are a registered jobseeker, you are often allowed to study while on unemployment benefits. Ask your employment specialist for more.  

• Learn more about the Finnish education system on the InfoFinland.fi website in several languages.(external link, opens in a new window)
• Learn more about financing your studies on the InfoFinland.fi website in several languages(external link, opens in a new window).

Vocational education and training (VET) prepares you directly for a profession. After the training, you can go to work immediately. These study programmes are practice-oriented. Most of the studying is done at the workplace. For example, you can study to become a chef, electrician, home builder, practical nurse, dental nurse or a car mechanic Ask more about career counselling at Omnia. 

• Learn more about vocational education and training on the InfoFinland.fi website in several languages.(external link, opens in a new window)

In Espoo, you can apply for vocational training at Omnia when you have sufficient Finnish skills. The level of language proficiency required for vocational education and training is A2–B1. A2 means elementary or developing basic language skills and B1 means functional or fluent basic language skills. The level of language proficiency required depends on the training programme. If necessary, you will receive support for Finnish during the training programme. 

• Learn more about VET on the Omnia website.(external link, opens in a new window)

Espoo residents can also apply to study at educational institutions in other cities.

You can apply for many training programmes through rolling admissions throughout the year.

Apprenticeship training

You can also learn a profession through apprenticeship training. Apprenticeship training takes place almost entirely at the workplace. Only a small part of it takes place in a vocational school.  An apprenticeship will allow you to complete any vocational qualification or part of one. 

Apprenticeship training is an excellent option when you have a suitable job for qualification you want. You are paid for the days you work during apprenticeship training.

Omnia organises apprenticeship training in Espoo.

• Learn more about apprenticeships on the Omnia website.(external link, opens in a new window)

Vocational training in English and Swedish

Omnia also offers some English-language degree programmes. Espoo residents can attend vocational education and training in Swedish at the Yrkesinstitutet Practicum in Helsinki. 

• Learn more about English-language vocational qualifications on the Omnia website.(external link, opens in a new window)
• Learn more about Yrkesinstitutet Prakticum in Swedish.(external link, opens in a new window)

How you can finance your studies in Finland depends on your situation. 

• Learn more about financing your studies on the InfoFinland.fi website in several languages.(external link, opens in a new window)
• Read the quick guide to financial aid for students on Kela’s website.(external link, opens in a new window)

If you receive student financial aid

You can work during your studies. The salary you receive for your work may reduce the amount of your student financial aid.

Student financial aid ensures that you can manage financially during your studies. You can receive it for full-tme studies after completing basic education.

• Learn more about student financial aid on the InfoFinland.fi website in several languages.(external link, opens in a new window)

If you receive unemployment benefits

If you receive unemployment benefits during your studies, your income may reduce the amount of unemployment benefits. Your earned income may reduce the amount of aid even if you work little or infrequently. 

Report your working hours and working days to Kela. Kela receives pay information from the Incomes Register and uses it in the processing of applications. Contact Kela if you want to work during your studies.  

Upper secondary school is general education, after which you can continue your studies at a university or a university of applied sciences. Espoo has 11 upper secondary schools, ten of which teach in Finnish and one in Swedish. 

• Learn more about upper secondary school studies at InfoFinland.fi in several languages.(external link, opens in a new window)  

In upper secondary school, you will need sufficient Finnish or Swedish skills to keep up with your studies. 

Espoo has two upper secondary schools – Etelä-Tapiolan lukio and Matlidens gymnasium – where you can complete an international baccalaureate (IB) in English. 

Young people in Espoo can also apply to upper secondary schools in other cities. 

• Learn more about applying to upper secondary school at InfoFinland.fi in several languages.(external link, opens in a new window)  

You can also study in upper secondary school as an adult. In this case, upper secondary school for adults is the correct place to study. In upper secondary school for adults, you can complete upper secondary school studies in their entirety and complete the matriculation examination, or you can study individual subjects. Upper secondary school for adults is intended people over the age of 18. 

In Espoo, upper secondary school for adults is run by Omnia. 

• Learn more about the upper secondary school for adults at InfoFinland.fi in several languages.(external link, opens in a new window)
• Learn more about the upper secondary school for adults on the Omnia website.(external link, opens in a new window)

If you have completed a degree abroad, you may need to apply for a decision on the recognition of your degree. A decision on recognition means that you will be able to work in your profession or continue your studies in Finland. Professions where a decision on the recognition of a degree is required include teachers, nurses, doctors, dentists, physiotherapists and psychologists. 

• Learn more about the recognition of foreign qualifications in Finland at InfoFinland.fi in several languages.(external link, opens in a new window)
• For tips for foreign graduates, please visit the website of the Finnish National Agency for Education.(external link, opens in a new window)  

The Finnish National Agency for Education has created a guide to help you find out: 

• Whether you need a decision on the recognition of a degree completed abroad?
• where and how you apply for a decision and
• where to find out more. 

The service guide will guide you step by step. It is available in Finnish, Swedish or English. 

• Read the service guide on the recognition of qualifications on the website of the Finnish National Agency for Education.(external link, opens in a new window)  

Preparatory education for upper secondary qualification (TUVA) is where you can receive the skills for your future education. Completing TUVA education will allow you to succeed in upper secondary or vocational studies. 

• Learn more about TUVA education at InfoFinland.fi in several languages.(external link, opens in a new window)  

In TUVA, you can: 

• strengthen your basic skills (for example, Finnish, mathematics and digital skills)
• Improve your basic education grades
• learn about different options for further studies
• start completing upper secondary school courses or parts of basic vocational qualifications. 

You can study in a TUVA programme for a maximum of one year. 

You can apply for TUVA education if you have completed basic education in Finland or another country but do not yet have an upper secondary qualification. To attend TUVA education, you need sufficient Finnish skills (A2 level).  

There is a rolling application process for TUVA education. If you are given a study place in upper secondary school or vocational education and training, you will be able to transfer early. 

In Espoo, TUVA education is organised by Omnia and Live Vocational College. You can also study in TUVA programmes in other cities. 

In basic education for adults, you can complete the entire comprehensive school or parts of it. 

In Espoo, basic education for adults is organised by Omnia. You can also study in other cities. 

• Read more about basic education for adults on the Omnia website.(external link, opens in a new window)  

Apply for basic education for adults if 

• you have not completed basic education (or similar studies) in Finland or another country
• you are 14–15 years old and have completed basic education in another country.
• you do not have sufficient skills (e.g. proficiency in Finnish) for upper secondary school, vocational education and training or preparatory education for a degree.  

If you are an adult jobseeker and you want to attend basic education for adults, ask your assigned Employment Service specialist. 

In basic education, you can also study literacy in Finnish. These studies may last up to five years. If you complete the final stage, you will receive a basic education certificate that allows you to apply for upper secondary school or vocational education and training.  

The education is free of charge and takes place during the day. You will also get a free porridge in the morning and lunch. 

You can apply for basic education for adults 3–5 times a year.