Insurance Cover for Incoming Exchange Students | International Office | Arrival to Tampere | Accommodation | Studying - Credits and Length of Stay | Orientation | Student Card | Travel and Canteen Discounts | Finnish Language and Culture | Student Tutoring | Computer Facilities | Exchange Certification
Application and Registration
Incoming exchange students are requested to send ECTS forms (1. Application form, 2. Transcript of Previous Records, 3. Learning Agreement), all duly signed and stamped by both departmental coordinator and institutional coordinator of the sending institution. The forms should first be sent by fax to +358 3 2452 360 and then by post to PIRAMK University of Applied Sciences, Kuntokatu 4, FIN-33520 TAMPERE. The deadline for autumn semester is 15 May, and for the spring semester 15 October.
Incoming students are also requested to complete the electronic registration form. A link to the form will be sent to students along with the Letter of Acceptance. This is to ensure that all student benefits (local travel discount, train travel discount, canteen discount etc.) can be allocated to students from the very beginning of the stay in Finland. After registration exchange students are entitled to all the benefits offered by PIRAMK University of Applied Sciences to all its students. Some benefits offered by the student union PAKO ( http://www.pako.fi/english/index.html ) are not available to non-members. Membership is advisable.
Insurance Cover for Incoming Exchange Students
PIRAMK University of Applied Sciences recommends all exchange students to take travel insurance as it is advisable for their own safety. Incoming students have to check whether their home institution has insured them during their stay abroad. Otherwise, they have to take care of their insurance by themselves.
PIRAMK University of Applied Sciences has an accident insurance, liability insurance (the so called vicarious liability) and the insurance against treatment injury for all its students and it applies to incoming exchange students too (not during the free time).
Music students only: Before arriving in Tampere, foreign students should take care of their instrument insurances. PIRAMK University of Applied Sciences accepts no liability for damaged instruments.
Students from Europe (EU/EEA -countries and Switzerland):
Students must send a copy of their European Health Insurance Card when they return their registration form. After registration, students are entitled to student health services.
NB! Students of nursing, midwifery, public health nursing, physiotherapy, biomedical laboratory science and radiography & radiotherapy must send max. 30 days old negative MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) test result at least 1 week before arrival by e-mail, fax or post. The test swabs must be taken from the nose AND throat (and possible infected areas) and results should be clearly indicated in English or Finnish!
NB! Students taking courses from hospitality management and food studies & facility management must send max. 30 days old negative Salmonellosis test result at least 1 week before arrival by e-mail, fax or post. Results should be clearly indicated in English or Finnish!
Students from outside the EU/ EEA countries:
Students coming from outside the EU/ EEA countries for the purpose of study or student exchange are required to have health insurance.
According to PIRAMK policy is that if the student exchange lasts for less or exactly three months students must send a copy of their insurance policy (in English). It must include travel insurance covering costs of illnesses during the stay in Finland (hospital stay, transport to home country) and death (transport to home country or burial).
If the study or student exchange lasts for more than three months, health insurance is a requirement for obtaining a residence permit for studies.
Foreign students must have a health insurance policy that covers the costs of medical care. If the duration of the studies is at least two years, it is sufficient that the insurance policy covers pharmaceutical costs. The health insurance must be in force upon entry into Finland. The insurance policy must be issued by a reliable and financially sound company or institution. For more information: Finnish Immigration Service, www.migri.fi
NB! Students of nursing, midwifery, public health nursing, physiotherapy, biomedical laboratory science and radiography & radiotherapy must send max. 30 days old negative MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) test result and an X-Ray Thorax at least 1 week before arrival by e-mail, fax or post. The test swabs must be taken from the nose AND throat (and possible infected areas) and results should be clearly indicated in English or Finnish!
NB! Students taking courses from hospitality management and food studies & facility management must send max. 30 days old negative Salmonellosis test result at least 1 week before arrival by e-mail, fax or post. Results should be clearly indicated in English or Finnish!
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International Office
Address: Kuntokatu 4, 2nd floor, wing C1
Open: Mon–Fri 9:00–15:30
FAX: +358 3 245 2360
Incoming students/trainees: incoming.students@piramk.fi
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Arrival to Tampere
If you arrive on a weekday (Monday - Friday) and have informed the International Office or/and the international coordinator about your arrival (date, time, place) in good time, we will try to arrange for your student tutor to meet you at the railway station or coach station in Tampere/Virrat/Mänttä/Ikaalinen.
Tampere-Pirkkala Airport: Bus connection: http://www.paunu.fi/pdf/tmp.pdf
There aren´t many buses in a day from the airport to the city centre and it may be difficult to use the local buses with luggage so a taxi is recommended. Taxi to the city centre is approx. 30 EUR. They are usually waiting outside terminal 1. (If not, there is a taxi phone inside the terminal.)
Ryanair offers cheap flights to Tampere-Pirkkala airport. Check the timetable here.
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport: There is an express bus connection to Tampere from outside the International Terminal arrivals hall (platform 13) http://www.matkahuolto.fi/en/. The price is approx. 20 EUR and tickets are sold on the bus. Please note that there may be a change in either Keimolanportti service station or the city of Hämeenlinna.
From Tampere city centre to the PIRAMK University of Applied Sciences main campus: Several city buses come from the city centre: 16 (to Leinola), 18 (to Atala), 19 (to Atala), 28 (to Sorila) and 29 (to Linnainmaa). Our stop is the same as the university hospital (TAYS, a big white building complex on the left). A single fare costs 2 EUR and single tickets are purchased on the bus (entry from the front only).
Harbours: There are bus connections from Turku and Helsinki harbours. Check the timetables here.
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Accommodation
Before booking the accommodation please consult the International Office of PIRAMK. Please note, however, that you are required to make your housing arrangements. Student housing situation in Tampere is difficult. Apply for accommodation as soon as possible and make sure you have it before you book your flights. If you begin your studies in autumn the deadline for housing arrangements is 30th June (for housing starting in August/September). If you come for a spring semester the deadline is 30th November (for housing starting in January).
Temporary accommodation: If you arrive in Tampere in the evening or during the weekend you have to prepare to book temporary hostel accommodation. For more information:http://www.tampere.fi/english/tourism/accommodation/index.html
Long-term accommodation (on-campus): PIRAMK University of Applied Sciences has a limited number of rooms at the student residence in the main building. For more information please contact incoming.students@piramk.fi.
The Tampere Student Housing Foundation (TOAS): The foundation offers student housing at several locations all around the city to students of the four universities in the city. However, TOAS may provide housing for only limited amount of PIRAMK exchange students. For more information/application please visit http://www.toas.fi/Housing_application.1029.0.html
Please note that when you arrive in Tampere you will need to go to TOAS office personally to sign the tenancy contract and collect your key. The office hours are Mon-Fri 9:00 – 15:30 and on the first and last working day of the month: 8:15 – 18:00. If possible try to arrive in Tampere during these office hours. If you arrive at some other time, you have to be prepared to arrange temporary accommodation until the following weekday. TOAS only leases apartments and rooms for full months.
NB! Mänttä, Ikaalinen and Virrat campuses have separate accommodation arrangements. More information will be given when the study programme is confirmed. For more information please contact incoming.students@piramk.fi.
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Studying - Credits and Length of Stay
PIRAMK University of Applied Sciences uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) with the following parameters:
* 1 ECTS credit = 27 hours of student work
* 60 ECTS credits = academic year
Incoming students must complete a minimum of 5 credits/month to remain a full-time student with full benefits (student discount etc.). For detailed and specified reasons the amount may be less by agreement between sending and hosting university.
Minimum stay for incoming students is 90 days = 3 months.
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Orientation
Orientation days will be arranged for all the incoming students. More detailed information will be sent to students along with the Letter of Acceptance. During the orientation students get information on PIRAMK, studying and living in Tampere. The orientation will also include a tour of the main campus facilities and introduction to the surroundings, information on student health care and international activities arranged for students. Students receive their discount cards and electronic keys at the orientation. Virtual tour of the main campus:
http://www.piramk.fi/web/mm.nsf/lupgraphics/Pictures_Campus.pdf/$file/Pictures_Campus.pdf
NB! For the electronic keys you need to prepare for a 20 euros deposit at the orientation. The deposit will be returned after the key has been returned at the end of your stay.
In Finland the weather can be very cold in the winter. Thus, you should pack an ample supply of warm clothing such as coats, hats, sweaters, warm socks, long underwear, etc. You will also need at least one pair of sturdy, comfortable and warm boots or walking shoes as well as casual shoes. And if you are arriving in the winter time put some warm clothes on when travelling, because the temperature can drop even below minus 20 degrees also in big cities.
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Student Card
As a member of the Student Union PAKO you will get a student card. By showing a card you get discounts for example at student restaurants, museums, theatres, concerts and on local buses. You will also get 50% discount on train and coach tickets. More information: http://www.pako.fi/english/index.html
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Travel and Canteen Discounts
Lunch: Students are entitled to a 40 – 50% discount at the university canteens. Lunch costs 2,60 EUR. Some placements also offer student discount lunches, but generally workplace lunch costs about 4 – 6 EUR.
Tampere City Transport: With a certificate from PIRAMK University of Applied Sciences, students can get a discount from the regular monthly ticket (normal price: 44 EUR, for students: 33 EUR) or stored value ticket (normal price: single fare 1,40 EUR, for students 1,05).
Railways and long-distance buses: With a certificate from PIRAMK University of Applied Sciences, students can get a 50% discount card for the trains. For the card you need one passport size photograph (coin operated photo machine available at the train station) and your passport/identification. Long-distance bus routes over 80 km’s also enable you to get discount tickets with the same card.
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Finnish Language and Culture
Finnish language and culture course is offered to incoming students and the course is included into your study programme for 2 credits. Courses are highly necessary, as basic skills will assist in daily life (shopping, travel, training etc.) and particularly older citizens may not speak other languages. More information will be given upon arrival.
Finnish Society and Culture is a series of lectures. You can have 2 credits for the course or just go to listen to the lectures you are interested in. More information at http://www.uta.fi/sitr/courses/studiageneralia.php
PIRAMK University of Applied Sciences also arranges annually a course called Finnish Way of Life which takes a closer look at the particularities of life in Finland. The course does not award students with credits, and can be attended whenever the topic is of interest. Information on the course is available at the International Office.
For independent Finnish language learning: http://www.uuno.tpu.fi/
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Student Tutoring
International students are assigned local tutor students. They will contact the arriving student before the exchange and after arrival show the town. They also assist for example in finding whatever the students’ needs may be (hobbies, special interests, sports etc.) from the wide variety our locations offer.
Tampere: http://www.tampere.fi/english/sportsandleisure.html
Ikaalinen: http://www.ikaalinen.fi/english/
Mänttä: http://www.mantta.fi/english.html
Virrat: http://www.virrat.fi/ (only in Finnish)
PIRAMK University of Applied Sciences has the student union – PAKO – with its member associations in each campus. PAKO for example leases Survival Kits to exchange students who need basic necessities. They also arrange a variety of social student gatherings during the academic year. More information available on the website http://www.pako.fi/english/index.html
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Computer Facilities
At the orientation session incoming students will be given a set of user codes and passwords for accessing the PIRAMK computers. Several computer rooms are available at the main campus and usually 1 - 2 facilities on each campus for which students will get more detailed instructions after arrival. Students are given a free printing quota of black and white pages (amount depends on the length of stay, more is available for purchase at student price).
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Exchange Certification
Students will be given documentation for both their participation in the exchange programme (certificate of attendance) and for completed studies (transcript of records). If the student’s last evaluation is later than three days prior to departure, we can not guarantee that the student will have his/her documentation before departure. In this case, the documentation will be sent as a copy to the home institution and the originals will be mailed to the student’s home address given in the registration form.
We hope you enjoy your stay in Finland – you are warmly welcome! - International office staff
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