The joint application process for spring 2024 is now underway
Are you a young person under the age of 25 without a degree or qualification? Apply for studies in the spring joint application process.
Three joint application processes will be arranged in the spring. You can apply for most of the study options only during the spring joint applications. In the autumn, significantly fewer study options are available. With a joint application for higher education, you can apply to any higher education institutions in Finland, both universities and universities of applied sciences. These are the important dates for the joint application process for the spring:
- The application period for post-basic education is 20 February – 19 March 2024.
- The first joint application period for higher education is 3–17 January 2024.
- The second joint application period for higher education is 13–27 March 2024.
In the application process for post-basic education, you can apply for general upper secondary education or vocational upper secondary qualifications, for example. The joint application process for higher education is divided into two parts in the spring. During the first joint application period, you can apply for programmes in languages other than Finnish or Swedish, for Uniarts Helsinki, and for Theatre Arts at Tampere University. During the second joint application period, you can apply for all programmes in Finnish or Swedish at institutions of higher education.
Obligation to apply for education for persons under the age of 25
If you are under the age of 25 and do not possess a degree or qualification, you must apply for a study place for studies beginning in the autumn. The obligation to apply for education leading to a degree or qualification applies to both those applying for a labour market subsidy and those applying for an unemployment allowance from Kela or an unemployment fund. The obligation is based on the Unemployment Security Act.
Your obligation to apply is met when you apply for at least two study places that begin in the autumn. Remember that you must also be able to meet their admission requirements. You can also apply for vocational training through continuous application or apprenticeship training. The education applied for must lead to a vocational or higher education degree. The education may also take place abroad.
Students who have only completed comprehensive school can apply for two places in upper secondary school. The upper secondary studies must constitute at least 150 credits or be organised at a boarding school. You may apply for a general upper secondary school for adults only in the even that it has been agreed upon with the TE Office or local government trial in advance. Students graduating upper secondary school in the spring must also apply for studies beginning in the autumn.
You may lose your right to unemployment benefits beginning on 1 September in the event that:
- you do not apply for at least two education programmes without a valid reason
- you personally obstruct your application process (e.g. by not participating in the entrance exam), or
- you refuse to accept a place to study that has been offered to you.
- If you interrupt your studies later without a valid reason, you will not be eligible for unemployment benefits.
Read more
Unemployment security for persons under the age of 25
Managing financially during studies
Information on the application process and educational options
If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact our Education and Training Guidance service!
You can reach our educational advisors by phone at +358 295 020 702 or through Job Market Finland’s chat service and online form. We also offer educational advice on Facebook.