SIMHE Studies – Finnish, Swedish and English courses for immigrants
Please read before applying
Who can apply?
SIMHE courses are targeted to individuals who have moved to Finland from another country and live currently in Finland.
Those who are not degree students at the University of Vaasa will have priority in the selection to SIMHE courses. If you are a degree student at the University of Vaasa or at another higher education institution in Vaasa, please see whether your institution or the Linguavaasa network offers a suitable course for you.
Before applying, remember to check that the timetable suits you! To ensure good learning results, active participation to lessons is required. The lessons are not recorded since they involve a lot of interactive practice and group activities. You will also need to reserve time for self-study.
About the courses
The courses range from starting level A0 to basic level A2.2 on the CEFR European skill level scale. To select the right course for you, please read the course descriptions and check the CEFR: European language skill levels (Kielibuusti.fi). Choose the course that starts from a level that corresponds to your current level. If you are a total beginner, select course 1a that starts from level A0.
Most SIMHE courses are organised day-time online but there are some groups that meet at the University of Vaasa campus. In order to participate to online courses, you need to have online meeting devices (a microphone and a webcam).
SIMHE courses are equivalent to the ones organised for university students. When you complete a course, you will obtain ECTS credits and can download a transcript of records as a proof of your achievement.
How to apply?
The next application period will open in November.
You'll find a short description and link to more information for all the available courses below. To apply, you need to fill out an application form. In some courses there is also a compulsory pre-assignment you need to pass. You will be informed about the selection or rejection via email before the start of the course.
Since the number of participants per course is limited and we have many applicants in line, please apply to the course only if you know you are committed to participate actively. In case you have applied but cannot join the course, please contact us immediately at simhe (a) lists.uwasa.fi.
After being selected to the course, you will need to go through an identification process in order to get credentials to the university's study platform Moodle. The identification can be done easily online using Finnish online banking codes. You will receive a link for the identification before the course begins. If you don't have Finnish banking codes, we will meet you on campus or online to complete the identification. Please note that you need to have a valid passport or equivalent identification document.
Questions?
Don't hesitate to contact us at simhe (a) lists.uwasa.fi.
Finnish courses
Finnish as a Foreign Language 1a: introduction, 2 ECTS
CEFR Start level: 0 – No knowledge of Finnish
CEFR Target level: A1.1 – Beginner, basics of language proficiency
Are you an absolute beginner in Finnish? Start your studies with this course. You will learn how to introduce yourself and discuss and ask questions about everyday events.
Groups in spring 2024
Application opens 1.11.2023
Finnish 1a, online, 16.1.–15.2.2024 FULL
Finnish 1a, online, 18.1.–19.2.2024 FULL
Finnish as a Foreign Language 1b: basic knowledge, 3 ECTS
CEFR Start level: A1.1 – Beginner, basics of language proficiency
CEFR Target level: A1.2 – Basics of language proficiency
Do you already know the very basics of Finnish such as introducing yourself and having simple everyday discussions? Continue your studies with this course. You will learn how to communicate in spoken and written Finnish in everyday situations related to for example housing and daily routines, and gain basic vocabulary in these areas.
Groups in spring 2024
Finnish 1b, online, 5.3.–30.4.2024 (application opens 8.1.2024)
Finnish as a Foreign Language 2a, 2 ECTS
CEFR Start level: A1.2 – basics of language proficiency
CEFR Target level: A1.3 – You can manage simple everyday situations and write a little.
If you already have completed Finnish 1a and 1b or have equivalent knowledge of Finnish, this course is for you. You will learn how to communicate about travel, sickness and health, leisure and hobbies, and will be able to actively use vocabulary related to these topics.
Please note that to be selected to the course, you will need to pass a pre-assignment that is due on the 8th of December. You will get the instructions after sending your application.
Groups in spring 2024
Application opens 1.11.2023
Finnish 2a, online, 16.1.–15.2.2024 FULL
Finnish as a Foreign Language 2b, 3 ECTS
CEFR Start level: A1.3 – You can manage simple everyday situations and write a little.
CEFR Target level: A2.1 – You can manage ordinary service situations.
On this course, we will learn vocabulary related to nature, education and service situations, and practice communicating in various service situations in Finnish. After completing the course, you will be able to speak and write about your past, your studies, your future hopes and your career.
Groups in spring 2024
Finnish 2b, online, 12.3.–2.5.2024 (application opens 8.1.2024)
Finnish as a Foreign Language 3a, 2 ECTS
CEFR Start level A2.1 – You can manage ordinary service situations.
CEFR Target level A2.1 – You can manage ordinary service situations.
Let’s start negotiating in Finnish! After completing this course, you can speak about matters related to work and leisure in Finnish. You will learn how to express your opinions and justify them. You know how to act in situations requiring negotiation.
Please note that to be selected to the course, you will need to pass a pre-assignment that is due on the 8th of December. You will get the instructions after sending your application.
Groups in autumn 2024
Application opens 1.11.2023
Finnish 3a, online, 16.1.–15.2.2024
Finnish as a Foreign Language 3b, 3 ECTS
CEFR Start level A2.1 - You can manage ordinary service situations.
CEFR Target level A2.2 - You understand familiar topics fairly well. You write simple language.
Let’s learn about work-related topics and language needed in job-seeking! This course prepares you to speak about your skills and matters related to your own field.
Groups in spring 2024
Finnish 3b, online 10.4.–31.5.2024 (application starts 8.1.2024)
Finnish as a Foreign Language 4, 5 ECTS
CEFR Start level A2.2 – You understand familiar topics fairly well. You write simple language.
CEFR Target level B1.1 – Intermediate level. Moderate language proficiency in normal situations.
After completing this course, you will be able to communicate in spoken and written Finnish about your skills and express yourself in a convincing way, taking the audience into account. You will be able to search for information about companies of your field and compile a poster based on that information. You will be able to prepare documents for job applications, make a video CV and answer typical job interview questions.
Please note that to be selected to the course, you will need to pass a pre-assignment that is due on the 8th of December. You will get the instructions after sending your application.
Groups in spring 2024
Application opens 1.11.2023
Swedish courses
Swedish as a Foreign Language 1a, 2 ECTS
CEFR Target level: A1.1 – beginner, basics of language proficiency
Are you an absolute beginner in Swedish? Start your studies with this course. After completing the course, you will know how to introduce yourself and share basic information about yourself, your family and hobbies in Swedish.
Groups in spring 2024
Application opens 1.11.2023
Swedish 1a, online, 10.1.–12.2.2024
Swedish as a Foreign Language 1b, 3 ECTS
CEFR Target level: A1.2 – basics of language proficiency
Do you already know the very basics of Swedish such as introducing yourself? On this course you will learn more basic Swedish within themes like everyday life, travelling and culture. After finishing the course, you can read simple texts, share your opinions and use appropriate language in e.g. a shop situation in Swedish.
Groups in spring 2024
Application opens 8.1.2024
Swedish 1b, online, 6.3.–29.4.2024
Swedish as a Foreign Language 2a, 2 ECTS
CEFR Target level: A2.1 – You can manage ordinary service situations.
Let’s learn more Swedish for service situations, everyday conversations and writing simple messages. After completing the course, you can use appropriate language in a shop and restaurant situation, talk about the weather and tell about something that happened to you in the past.
Groups in spring 2024
Application opens 1.11.2023
Swedish 2a, online, 10.1.–12.2.2024
Swedish as a Foreign Language 2b, 3 ECTS
CEFR target level: A2.1 – You can manage ordinary service situations.
After completing this course, you can talk about your body, common sicknesses and book an appointment to the doctor in Swedish. You can also share opinions, make comparisons, give road directions and read and write short texts about familiar matters.
Groups in spring 2024
Application opens 8.1.2024
Swedish 2b, online, 6.3.–29.4.2024
Swedish as a Foreign Language 3b, 3 ECTS
CEFR Target level: A2.2, You understand familiar topics fairly well. You write simple language.
After finishing the course, you can write a job application, and discuss, write and read about work and economy. In addition, you will gain the core knowledge about Finland-Swedish and Swedish culture.
Groups in spring 2024
Application opens 1.11.2023
Swedish 3b, online, 18.1.–21.3.2024
Business Communication in Swedish, 5 ECTS
CEFR Target level: B1–C1.
Upon completion of the course, you will have the basic knowledge of structures and key vocabulary of the Swedish language to be able to communicate about topics related to your field of study.
Groups in spring 2024
Application opens 8.1.2024
English courses
English 1: Basic, 5 ECTS
CEFR Start level: 0 – no knowledge of English
CEFR Target level: A1.2 – basics of language proficiency
Are you an absolute beginner in English? During this course you will learn the very basics: how to introduce yourself, how to ask and answer questions, how to speak and write produce simple sentences and how to understand and use everyday expressions.
Groups in spring 2024
English 1, on campus, 6.3.–18.4.2024 (application period starts 8.1.2024)
English 2: Basic, 5 ECTS
CEFR Start level: A1.2 – Basics of language proficiency
CEFR Target level: A2.1 - You can manage ordinary service situations.
Let’s continue with the basics! After completing this course, you will be able to communicate about travel, leisure and hobbies, and ask for help in emergency situations. You will understand frequently used expressions related to you and your family, employment, daily routines, shopping, etc. You can write a short, simple message, for example holiday greetings.
Groups in spring 2024
English 2, on campus, 22.4.–5.6.2024 (application period starts 8.1.2024)
English 3: Pre-Intermediate, 3 ECTS
CEFR Start level: A2.1 - You can manage ordinary service situations.
CEFR Target level: A2.2 - You understand familiar topics fairly well. You write simple language.
During the course, you get to practice and expand your vocabulary related to occupations, work experience, education, etc. The course includes discussions about work-related topics and traditions of various cultures and festivals.
Groups in spring 2024
English 3, on campus, 22.1.–23.2.2024
English 4: Pre-Intermediate, 2 ECTS
CEFR Start level: A2.2
CEFR Target level: A2.3
During the course, you will practice and expand your vocabulary related to work, life events, office activities, traveling, etc. The course offers the opportunity to practice speaking, listening, reading and writing skills so that you can become an independent user of English.
Groups in spring 2024
English 4, on campus, 27.2.–28.3.2024 (application period starts 8.1.2024)
Strengthen Your English Skills
CEFR Start level: A2.3
CEFR Target level: B1.2
This course is for those who want to revise their English skills and further build them in for use in university studies or professional life. We practice reading, writing, listening and speaking to ensure you become an independent user of English.
Groups in spring 2024
Strengthen Your English Skills, on campus, 8.4.2024–23.5.2024 (application period starts 8.1.2024)
Frequently asked questions
Should I study Finnish, Swedish or both?
It depends on your career and life plans. Both Finnish and Swedish are official languages in Finland. If you have the time to invest for both languages, it is definitely an asset in the job markets. In Finland in general, Finnish is the majority language. However, Swedish is widely spoken in the Ostrobothnia region where 50,6 % of the population is Swedish-speaking.
Why is attendance and active participation required?
The learning activities are designed so that you get a lot of practice with your peers. The more you attend the classes the more you get to practice and the more you learn. The lessons are not recorded.
Do I need to buy a book or other materials for the course?
Usually not, we mostly use online materials. You will receive more information about the materials from the teacher after you have been accepted to the course. Literature can be borrowed, for example, from Tritonia Academic Library.
These are not the right courses for me. Where can I find more options?
You can find information about language courses and self-study resources from the Welcome Office webpage.
What is the difference between SIMHE courses and Linguavaasa courses?
SIMHE language courses are open for all internationals living in Finland – you don’t have to be a student to enrol. The courses are targeted especially for those who don’t have the opportunity to study the languages as part of degree studies.
Linguavaasa courses are offered only for students at the following universities: Hanken School of Economics, Vamk University of Applied Sciences, Novia University of Applied Sciences, Åbo Akademi University, University of Helsinki (Vaasa unit) and University of Vaasa.