Internationalisation and Mobility of International Degree Students
Student exchange offers an excellent chance to combine diverse studies, personal growth, as well as new experiences and friends in an interesting environment. Embrace the world that the University of Vaasa offers you.
Why study a part of your degree abroad?
- Enhance and strengthen language skills
- Develop communication and interpersonal skills
- Plan for an international career or working abroad in the future
- Foreign exchange is a part of your degree
- Study something you cannot study at the University of Vaasa
- Explore the culture of the host country and the home countries of other exchange students
- Gain new and different experiences, memories, and friendships
- Personal growth as a student and an individual
How does an exchange complement your degree?
An exchange adds valuable experience and language skills to your degree. During the exchange, you can study subjects that are not offered by the University of Vaasa. All the courses completed during the exchange are generally transferred to your degree, with six main ways of recognition:
- Replacement of courses or modules based on content equivalence
- Inclusion in the courses or modules of your study track
- Inclusion in additional/elective studies
- Recognition as a separate module or study package according to the academic unit's regulations
- As part of the International Studies study package (comprising a preparatory course for exchange and exchange studies)
- In a Double Degree program, you follow a precise study plan, studying at the exchange destination and/or writing a thesis, which will be recognized by both the University of Vaasa and the exchange university, allowing you to receive degrees from both institutions.
Exchange programmes
You can pursue international studies in various ways, such as through exchange studies, participating in summer schools, or completing a double degree. You can also do an internship abroad.
Take a look at the following options for pursuing international studies that might interest you.
International degree students can participate in student exchange by completing courses at one of our partner universities during one term or by completing an international double degree during one academic year.
You can also apply for exchange at a university abroad on your own. This is called a freemover exchange.
Partner universities
In the MoveON portal, you can see the partner universities in Vaasa on the map. NOTE: Not all the partner universities in the portal include student exchange or participate in application rounds. The destinations included in the application rounds will be updated on the above websites for Erasmus, Nordplus and Bilateral exchange destinations before application periods start.
You can choose a freemover exchange if you don’t find a preferred destination among the university's partner universities, or if you are interested in a specific university or country that is not among our exchange options. In a freemover exchange, you arrange a study place yourself and cover the costs on your own.
Double Degree
Students of the Bachelor's Programme in International Business (BIB) have the opportunity to apply for an international Double Degree programme.
In the Double Degree programme, you complete the first two years of your bachelor's degree at your home university and the third year following the study plan of the Double Degree programme at the partner university. The Bachelor's thesis is written during the final year at the partner university. The studies in the Double Degree programme are recognized by both the University of Vaasa and the partner university, and you will receive a degree certificate from both universities.
Students of the Master’s Programme in International Business (MIB), Master’s Programme in Strategic Business Development (SBD), and Master’s Programme in Finance have the opportunity to apply for an international Double Degree programme.
In the Double Degree programme, you complete the first year of your master's studies at your home university and the second year following the study plan of the Double Degree programme at the partner university. The thesis is written during the second year at the partner university. The studies in the Double Degree programme are recognized by both the University of Vaasa and the partner university, and you will receive a degree certificate from both universities.
Summer School
The University of Vaasa offers its students the opportunity to attend exchange studies during the summer term by participating in foreign summer courses. Summer schools are well-suited for students who cannot take part in a semester or year-long exchange.
Summer schools are especially held from June to August. Studying in summer courses typically lasts from around two weeks to a month, depending on the amount of studies. Summer schools consist of a wide range of options in terms of price and content, which students should inquire about on the respective university websites.
Most summer schools have a fee, but there are also free-of-charge summer schools available. In a paid summer school, the student directly pays the participation fee to the organizing university according to their instructions. The University of Vaasa does not cover the participation fees on behalf of the students. Students can apply for grants from the Mobility Services of the University of Vaasa to support their participation in summer schools.
Contact information
Contact Person: Fredrika Sourander
