Regarding Transferring the school with the same course

[tann3138]

I'm a student of Centria-ammattikorkeakoulu in Kokkola,Finland.I finished my first year and I got 66 cr, I recently started the second year.Now, I'd like to move to Helsinki or Turku to continue my studies and I would like to apply before November 30,2015.

I dont like to change my course or anything , Just want to change the school for the better chances of future in big cities.So i would like to know how easy or difficult to change to another school with the same course, has anyone from this forum transferred successfully? without any problems, if anyone had any rejections? if yes what were the reasons?please give me some suggestions. Thank you very much ..!!

[Kössi K]

These cases vary a lot between the schools. For example, some universities won't allow changing like that very easily if at all, if your home uni already provides the course. Of course even Finnish students would like to first enroll in a remotely located school because they're usually easier to get in, and then trade it for a more popular (and difficult to enter) school in some bigger town, for exactly your reasons also, the 'better chances in big cities'. That's one of the many reasons they make higher level uni/akk changes very difficult. Also, they'll get less funding themselves, if they first invest course time and money in you, and then just hand you over to another school, who will then get funding from the state for the graduation of the BA or MA student, for example. Universities or applied sciences generally expect, require and in some cases even demand the student to commit to their home universities.

Some schools may allow changing elsewhere as a 'siirto-opiskelija' (transfer student), IF you have justifiable grounds for the transfer, and IF you are within their student capacity at that moment which is a very important factor for them.
Some courses/paths won't take any siirto-opiskelija at all, depending of their popularity. Depending on your path, you may be in luck. And they have strict application times for those, usually early spring for any possible changes next autumn.

In some cases, you may apply for Joopas (joopas.fi) the flexible study option, if your home uni doesn't provide the same exact courses but you'd need/want then for your degree. The universities in general don't really seem to care whether you like/want/need to move to another location for whatever personal reasons. The easiest time to change schools is after BA, before continuing to MA, if that is the case.

Some ammattikorkeakoulu might be more flexible in this, but generally those above seem to be the normal routines and answers. YOu may want to check opiskelupaikka.fi, for some previously asked Q & A.
So frankly, your best bet is to contact and first ask your amm.korkeakoulu/uni you are enrolled in, for their policies, and then the possible future school.

[tann3138]

Hei Kossi K,

Thank you very much for your detailed explanation, which is highly appreciated. I am doing Information technology, I heard that one of my friend been admitted to Helsinki metropolia as a part time student but she rejected that offer due to part time and meanwhile she got another offer letter from Turku as well,Now shes in Turku. so what exactly mean part time studies? Do they cover only 30cr/year or what? I cant find any detailed information from their website as well. if a foreigner registers him/herself as a part time student, will there be any problems in renewing the residence permit later on?? Can you or anyone please suggest something, Thanks ..!!

[FinnGuyHelsinki]

Can you or anyone please suggest something

I suggest that you contact the schools in question with your inquiry, that way they can tell exactly what their policies are and how they see your particular situation.

[tann3138]

Hei FInnguyHelsinki,

I contacted them earlier before posting here in forum, but they just given me link and replied as you can check info there. but what I would like to know is whether someone from this forum has transferred or not ,so that I can take some guidance. by the way thank you very much for your kind response,Kiitos xx

[Kössi K]

Hi again,
I'd still recommend emailing them again and saying what you told here, that you can'd find the relevant info online. Or call them, or if possible, even better to visit their office personally.

And like said, it completely depends on your korkeakoulu and the target korkeakoulu, whether they allow it or not - if someone here doesn't have the exact same course and the same target schools as you, their experience will not be of any help to you. It was pointed out at that site I linked, for example.
I considered switching from Turku to Tampere some years ago (University) but even as a Finn, and a major student, they told me it likely won't be allowed. They also said the best time is to do it after BA, before starting the MA, that 'then it may perhaps be maybe possible'. (So yeah, sounded very convincing..)

One option, of course, is to apply via the entrance exams next spring again, and if you get in your target korkeakoulu, you can apply for a transfer of credits to your degree, for the studies/courses you've already finished in the previous school.

I don't know what those part-time studies you mentioned are, you should also ask that person and/or their school about those. And call migri about the residence permit renewal - I remember there being certain requirements about the credit amounts per year.