Finnish as a Second Language

High-quality Finnish language courses at the University of Oulu offer you a strong start into learning Finnish and a path to continue your Finnish studies all the way to more advanced working life Finnish courses.

These courses are taught by the University of Oulu's qualified, and much liked, Finnish-language teachers, who will be there to support you along the way.

The University of Oulu offers participants also from outside the university (non-degree students) to participate in the university's Finnish languages courses. Non-degree students can apply for all other Finnish courses, except he Survival Finnish Course and Beginners' Finnish Course 1. For courses organised by Centre for Languages and Communication Lingua (see below), we do not accept non-degree students in distance or online groups. This restriction doesn't apply to Finnish language courses organized by the Faculty of Humanities (Working Life Finnish).

The courses have a certain numbers of seats reserved for non-degree students, varying from course to course. These Finnish as a second language courses are part of the normal university course offering, and thus, most of the courses are held during the day.

Finnish language courses organized by Centre for Languages and Communication Lingua

Elementary level (A1)

• Beginners' Finnish Course 2, 5 ECTS (You can participate in the course if you have basic Finnish language skills.)

Intermediate level (A2-B1)

• Intermediate Finnish Course 1, 5 ECTS OBS! The group for spring 2025 is full.
• Intermediate Finnish Course 2, 5 ECTS OBS! The group for spring 2025 is full.
• Intermediate Finnish Course 3, 5 ECTS OBS! The group for spring 2025 is full.

Advanced level (B1–B2)

• Conversational Skills in Finnish 3 ECTS
• Ready, Set, YKI! Prep course for national language test, 3 ECTS
• Finnish for Teaching, 2 ECTS

Finnish language courses organized by the Faculty of Humanities, Working Life Finnish

Advanced level (B1-B2/C1)

• Knowledge of Language Structures 1, 5 ECTS
• Knowledge of Language Structures 2, 5 ECTS
• Language Training 1 Finnish Society and Work Communities, 2 ECTS
• Language Training 2 Culture and Communication in Finnish, 2 ECTS
• Language Training 3, Professional Expertise and Communication in Finnish, 2 ECTS
• Language Training 4 Communication in Job Search, 2 ECTS
• Getting to know Working Life – Orientation to Work-life in Finnish, 2 ECTS
• Getting to know Working Life – Practical training, 5 ECTS
• Academic Writing and Reading, 5 ECTS
• Academic Speaking and Interaction skills, 5 ECTS
• Advanced Practical Training, 5 ECTS

The Finnish teachers of the University of Oulu are happy to help you to choose the right-level Finnish language course for you. To participate on the Finnish courses, you will need to apply for a non-degree study right in the eForms-sytem. See the instructions here.

International students and personnel of the University of Oulu:
Please see the information on the Languages and Communication Unit website.

The University of Oulu has a compherensive selection of Finnish language courses to choose from.

If you are interested in taking Finnish courses at the University of Oulu, please contact:

Finnish language courses organized by Lingua:

Please contact us at study.languages@oulu.fi. Please provide us with the following information:

- Which course are you interested in? What group are you interested in? Please enter the course code (code + four numbers indicating the group) and the course name.
- What is your Finnish language level? How much Finnish have you already studied?
- Can you attend contact lessons in Oulu?


Finnish language courses organized by the Faculty of Humanities, Working Life Finnish: Finnish lecturer, Anne Koskela, email anne.koskela@oulu.fi