Online courses about Finnish working life

This course is designed for international students studying at Metropolia UAS, but it is also suitable for international job seekers and professionals who want to better understand the requirements for employment in Finland. Our aim is to help you identify the key factors that influence finding work in Finland and support you in building a successful career.

What You Will Learn During the Course

In this course, you will explore important aspects of working life in Finland. This will help you understand the unique features of Finnish working culture and the job market. Course provides you practical advice and real-life examples to help you navigate and succeed in Finland’s professional landscape. 

Module 1 - Finnish Working Culture
You will learn about the unique features of Finnish work culture and how it compares to your own culture using Hofstede's cultural dimensions. You will also explore practical examples of how work culture is reflected in workplaces and what is expected from employees in Finland.

Module 2 - Job Market and Employment Landscape in Finland
You will gain insights into the Finnish job market, including key industries and current trends. Additionally, you will learn about digital career skills and discover where to find job opportunities in your specific field.

Module 3 - Hidden Job Market in Finland and the Importance of Networking
You will learn more about the hidden job market in Finland and how to access it. You will understand the importance of networking in building your career in Finland and explore elements of effective networking to start building your own professional network.

Module 4 - The Role of Finnish Language Skills in Employment in Finland
You will understand how learning the Finnish language can impact job opportunities across different sectors and professions in Finland. You will explore the importance of learning Finnish for integration and career advancement and reflect on your own attitudes and motivation toward learning the language.

Module 5 - Employee Rights and Working Conditions in Finland
You will learn about the Finnish labour market system and the protection of employee rights. You will gain an understanding of your rights and responsibilities as an employee, including work conditions and protection against discrimination. You will also explore how to navigate workplace challenges and where to find support for workplace-related issues during your employment

The specific learning objectives for each module are described at the beginning of the module.

Akava welcomes Metropolia's Bachelor and Masters students to participate in an online course titled "Start to Finnish”. This self-learning experience is designed exclusively for forward-thinking students eager to understand the nuances of the culture, practices, and legislation of working in Finland. 

Course Duration & Structure

The course is organized entirely online and there are no joint lectures during the course. The course materials are available in an online platform where you will move forward at your own pace. You will have access to the materials for the duration of your studies or as long as your study institution is in cooperation with Akava.  

The course structure consists of the following learning modules: 

• Features of Finnish Society – orientation module
• When looking for work -module
• When starting work –module
• When working -module
• When work ends -module 

Each learning module includes 5 or 6 chapters. Additionally, you will be required to read through the Welcome page with instructions, as well as complete the Feedback-page at the end of the course. Completing the course requires approximately 20-25 hours of work.  

Please note that this is not a Finnish language course. The course is only available in English.  

Mandatory tasks 

To receive a certificate of completion from the course, you will need to complete the following tasks: 

• Read through all the content of the course
• Complete mandatory Your turn -tasks in each module
• Reflect on what you have learned at the end of each module
• Complete the course feedback 

There are no lectures during the course. However, the course platform encourage discussion and sharing experiences. Your turn -tasks will provide the opportunity to connect with students from every corner of Finland. All discussions are also moderated, and your privacy has been considered. 

The use of AI during the course 

The use of AI is not prohibited during the course, and AI tools are used also on the course platform. However, we strongly discourage relying on just AI instead of your own lived experiences. Most of the tasks in the course don’t require the use of AI since we will mainly ask for you to share your own thoughts. 

Why Participate? 

• Prepare for the future by deepening your understanding of the Finnish work environment.
• Flexible learning that fits around your schedule, accessible anywhere with an internet connection.
• Certificate of completion, showcasing your initiative and willingness to learn beyond the traditional curriculum.
• Student testimonials: The course has been rated as 9/10 by our past participants! They additionally described the course as exceptionally valuable and comprehensive learning opportunity. 

Requirements for Participation

You can be at any stage of your Bachelor’s or Master’s studies to participate in the course. Participants only need an internet connection, a mobile device or computer access, and interest in learning more about Finnish working life. Note that you need to be a student at a Finnish HEI to participate the course.

Enrollment Details 

Enroll now and take the first step towards expanding your knowledge and potential in the Finnish working environment. You can enroll to the course with your HAKA-login by clicking this link.

Please notice that you can only use the email login after you have registered to the course with your HAKA credentials. 

Study credits 

No ECTS credits are awarded for this course at Metropolia.

Further Information 

The course is moderated and designed by Akava, the Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff in Finland, in co-operation with universities and universities of applied sciences across the country. 

For additional questions, please contact the course admin Jutta Linna (jutta.linna [at] akava.fi (jutta[dot]linna[at]akava[dot]fi)).