Student exchange
Student exchange abroad means that you study at one of Metropolia's partner universities abroad. Normally before the exchange you have the basic studies done, but still some studies left - typical timing is the second or third study year. After the exchange semester, credits completed at the partner institution will be transferred to your degree at Metropolia. The student exchange is based on the extensive partnership network that Metropolia has in Europe, Asia, Africa and North America.
The duration of student exchange is either one semester or one academic year. As exchange student you are waived for tuition fees at partner university (excluding few institutions). Student exchange is an excellent opportunity to expand your professional knowledge and widen the horizons with diverse studies and learning more of yourself. Let's not forget the new professional networks and unique experiences!
You are warmly welcomed to application information sessions and if needed, do not hesitate to contact your international relations adviser.
Applying for student exchange programme takes place in two stages. First you will complete the Metropolia internal application and then you will proceed to the partner university application process.
You can apply to student exchange twice a year during Metropolia's internal application periods:
1 December - 31 January, main application period
All places for the next academic year available.
1 - 15 September, secondary application period
Remaining places available for the following spring semester.
Check further details about the application process and if you have any questions, please consult your international relations adviser.
You have a great variety of exchange destinations to choose! You can apply for student exchange to study in an institution that has a partnership agreement with your degree program at Metropolia. All exchange places are not necessarily open each year.
The detailed lists per study field are published in OMA intranet (login required). In the same page you can also review the upcoming application information sessions, find the application link and browse exchange reports.
In the selection process the following aspects are considered: the study progress and performance, motivation for studies aborad, language competences and proactive mindset toward studies and internationalisation (e.g. participation in international tutoring).
Before applying to student exchange make sure to check what kinds of courses / practical training are available in different partner institutions. Further information is on the student exchange destination lists of each field of study.
- Read carefully before applying
- criteria and rules for the student exchange starting in OMA (login required).
- You can discuss how the courses match your own degree at Metropolia with the contact person of your Degree Programme. You can also discuss what would be a good time for you to go to student exchange.
- You cannot go for exchange to your current country of Residence or Finland.
Consider the following when selecting a destination. Choose at least 2 - 3 institutions.
- your interest: host country, language learning and partner universities, skills you want to learn
- co-operation agreements in your field of study and degree programme
- courses offered or placement opportunities in the field of health care and social services
- language of instruction
- applicability of the available courses to your degree at Metropolia
- required language skills and the level of your own knowledge of the language
- timing of the semesters in different countries and at different institutions
- your study plan in Finland – both before and after the student exchange.
When applying to student exchange, you have a great variety of exchange destinations to choose from. You will also notice the different exchange programmes. The most popular exchange programme is Erasmus+ that is applicable for most exchanges taking place in Europe. Furthermore, Metropolia is partnering in several Nordplus networks in the Nordic and Baltic region.
To complement the offering, Metropolia has several bilateral agreements with the partner institutions all over the world and we offer you Metropolia grant to help you cover some of the expenses.
Metropolia is also coordinating European University Alliance, U!REKA. There could be also new opportunities for exchanges through the alliance.
Erasmus+ programme
The Erasmus+ exchange programme supports many Metropolia students in student exchanges, work placements abroad, as well as in blended short-term exchanges.