The application process

The application process to study abroad has two steps: first the student applies within the University of Lapland and only after the nominations of the University of Lapland the student can apply to the host university that makes the final decision.

Step 1: University of Lapland application deadline January 31st, 2012. 

Fill in the online application on SoleMOVE. Students applying to north2north programme fill in also an additional north2north application form. In addition, attach a motivation letter to your application written in English. You should write a motivation letter for every host institution that you are applying with your application form.

Include the following information in your motivation letter(s):

1) Why you should be chosen for the host institution in question and why are you applying for this university
2) What field and what kind of studies are you planning on studying, and how would you include the studies completed in to your degree at the University of Lapland. Clarify, for example, could you transfer the courses completed abroad in your major or would you be doing a minor studies while studying abroad.
3) Discuss what would studying abroad mean for your degree or for your career. Do not forget to mention also your language skills or your international experiences.

Nomination criteria

Selection for university level exchange places (bilateral, n2n, Nordlys, FIRST and the university level Erasmus places) at the University of Lapland is based on the following criteria:

- how beneficial the student exchange period would be for the studies of a student; the stage of the studies and compatibility with the courses offered at the host university - motivation - academic standing (grades and the number of completed credits)
- language skills

Being actively involved with the international activities of the University of Lapland and other international experiences are an asset. The nominations within the programmes Erasmus, Nordplus and FIRST are based mainly on the number of completed credits.

The nominations within the programmes Erasmus, Nordplus and FIRST are based mainly on the number of completed credits.

The decision about the selected students is made by the rector/dean based on the recommendations of the international coordinators of the faculties.

Step 2: Application to the host university (deadline depends on the host university)

At the second step of the application process the student applies for the host university that makes the final decision about accepting the student. The student should check up on the application procedure, the needed application documents of the host university and give the necessary documents to the coordinator in time. Students should also fill in the learning agreement form and ask the signature of the coordinator of the faculty.

The coordinator will send the selected students’ applications to the host universities that will make the final decision about selecting students.

Admission decision from the host university and exchange student grants

The students often receive the final admission to study abroad from the host university quite late. Only after this the student can be sure about the exchange. In June and October International Office is sending out the information letter for outgoing students with necessary form to confirm the exchange and apply for the grant. At this point the student should send a copy of the Certificate of Admission to the International Office and sign an agreement for receiving the grant. After receiving the agreements the International Office will pay the exchange student grant to the account of the student. However, often the student has already started his or her study abroad.

Cancelling the study abroad

If the student cancels his/her exchange because of personal reasons (e.g. graduation, ending of the study grant provided by KELA, or receiving a job or a right to study at another university)  after the application forms have been sent to the host university, the student has to pay 84 euros back as a cancellation fee. The cancellation fee is not, however, collected if the cancellation is due for example to a serious illness, pregnancy or military service.

The cancellation fee will be collected also if the student ends his/her exchange period ahead of time: before 3 months of stay. In case of ending the exchange period before 3 months, the student should notify the International Office and Student Services immediately. A free mover, who cancels his/her exchange after returning the confirmation form to the International Office, is also obligated to pay the cancellation fee.