Pre-arrival support at Tampere University
Mai Tran
Tampere University starts supporting international students well before they arrive in Finland. Once you accept your study place, the university provides step-by-step guidance through its “New Students” pages, from explaining how to activate your TUNI account, complete enrollment, and register your student status to guiding you to access all the digital tools you’ll need. The information is easy to understand, even when you don’t know anything about Finland. During the summer, each programme also sends personalized emails with practical details, where you can get to know your first-year study plans, schedules, and instructions for helpful info sessions.
One of the most useful tools is the Welcome Week Moodle platform, which opens in early August. After activating your university account, you can access videos, guides, and essential information about studying, campus services, Finnish culture and transportation. The Moodle page is a great way to prepare at your own pace before going to Finland the first time.
Orientation Week: A Supportive Start to Student Life
Your experience with Tampere University begins with the Welcome Week (or called orientation week) in late August. This week helps international students settle academically, socially and practically. Through a series of online and on-campus sessions, the university explains everything from study registration and the academic calendar to grading practices, course schedules and where to find support throughout your studies year. There are also sessions about useful student services, counselling and support when living in Finland. One notable event in Welcome Week is the service fair, where you can explore the various support units available at the university and meet representatives from organisations connected to student life.
Each faculty hosts its own welcome session as well. These happen on the university campus and are the first opportunity to meet programme staff, learn more about the curriculum and get used to the program’s association.
Meeting Your First Friends: The Tutoring Programme at Tampere University
For me, one of the best supports Tampere University gives to new international students is its tutoring programme. From the moment you accept your study places, senior students from your degree (tutors) reach out, add you to group chats, and start helping you long before you even land in Finland. It already feels reassuring to know there are real people waiting to welcome you.
You will get to meet your tutors mostly in the welcome week. Tutors and “fuksi captains” put together a full week of activities that mix essential study info with fun social events. You get tours around Tampere, introductions to Finnish student culture, relaxed hangouts, picnics, where you can genuinely get to know your new classmates. The atmosphere is always warm and easygoing – and you can ask anything if you don’t know as no question is too simple or embarrassing. What I love most is how you never feel like you’re figuring things out alone. The support from tutors continues after the orientation week throughout the academic year. Tutors stay active throughout the autumn, checking in, answering questions and organizing smaller meetups.
For international students like me, this makes a huge difference. Moving to a new country is of course overwhelming and full of new surprises, but having senior students to guide you, explain cultural things and share their own experiences help me relieve a lot of stress. It’s one of the reasons Tampere University feels welcoming from day one, even if you arrive not knowing anyone or anything about Finland.
International Events at University
Aisa Khormali
Along with the tutoring events, there are some organisations like the ESN FINT which arranges different events. The events take place all around the year for all degree and exchange students in which international students get to enjoy them the most, because there are some events that are meant to be for internationals. Do you want to know what events we have here?
There are some party nights as ‘’Symposium” where you can meet lots of internationals to party, dance, and sing karaoke together. You also get a chance to meet new friends and unwind.
These organisations also arrange dozens of different activities from sewing nights to movie nights and from hiking in the winter time to grilling your sausage “ In Finnish makkara” in nature, they also plan some trips to see aurora in northern Finland and some group tours inside and outside Finland. There are also some academic trips where you can join for “Excursions” to see different companies to familiarize with them and also make some connections for your future career.
Study and Stay Services
The Study & Stay programme is basically the hub for everything an international student might need at Tampere University. Throughout the year, it offers practical workshops, career events, language sessions, and community support to help students settle in and grow both academically and professionally. From LinkedIn and CV workshops to job-hunting lectures, alum talks, and Finnish language meetups, the events are designed to make life in Finland easier and more rewarding. The programme also includes a Moodle space where students can find immigration and integration guidance, career tips, entrepreneurial resources, and even recordings of past sessions. It’s a genuinely supportive space where you can ask questions, connect with other students, and stay updated on opportunities around Tampere.
Libraries: More Than Just a Place to Lend Books
Kenneth Ali Djaja
One thing I love about studying in Tampere University are the libraries, and if you think that they are just places to borrow books from then you are missing out! There are two types of libraries that international students have access to: university libraries, and public libraries run by the city. Both provide basic services such as lending books and offering a nice, quiet place to study, but they also provide specialized services that can support your personal development. For example, the Sampola Library has the Tekomo space for creatives which allows you to use sewing machines, vinyl pressers, and 3D printers. For the more musically inclined of you, the Metso Library has music rooms with pianos and recording devices that you can book free of charge.
There are many more services than the ones I’ve mentioned, so I encourage you to explore your options and get a library card as soon as possible. For more information on how to make a library card check out this article for university libraries and this article for public libraries.
Taking Care of Yourself While Studying
As you juggle meeting new friends, attending events, and studying, it’s always good to remember to take care of yourself too. This is why Tampere University provides a broad range of services that helps you maintain your physical and mental health. First, there’s the SportsUni membership, which for a small fee gives you access to sports facilities and equipment on every major campus. We’re talking about gyms, stretching rooms, basketballs, badminton rackets, and even sledges.
Personally, I like to go to the gym, which, in my experience, is a very open and friendly environment. I only started gymming about a year ago, but thanks to the friends I’ve made there, I’ve learned a lot about how to keep myself in shape. I should note that some gyms also have saunas you can use, in true Finnish fashion. So, if you need to relax after a workout or just want an escape from the Finnish winter, the gym’s sauna is the place to be!
Besides SportsUni, the university also provides guidance and counseling services. These services are very helpful for international students because, let’s be honest, studying abroad can be a daunting experience. There’s absolutely no shame in seeking support with career-planning and maintaining your personal well-being, so if you ever find yourself in need of these services then don’t hesitate to make use of them.
Conclusion
Tampere is a wonderful place to study. Whether your goal is to be the top of your class, experience new culture, or socialize and make new friends, TAU is there to support your every need. So, what are you waiting for? Are you ready to take the next step and unlock your potential? As we say in TAU: Human Potential Unlimited.
About the writers
Hi, my name is Mai, and I’m studying in the Sustainable Urban Development Bachelor’s program. Studying in Tampere, Finland, has been one of the greatest experiences. Tampere University has supported me a lot, from the moment I was accepted to the time I first arrived and began my studies here.
Hello! My name is Aisa. I am in my second year of master’s studies. I am studying biomedical technology. I love Tampere University and the journey I began a year ago has been easier with all the support from my dear friends and university.
Hei, my name is Kenneth, and I am a second year in the Bachelor’s program in Socially Sustainable Societies. I have been living in Finland for over 5 years and I have experienced first hand just how much Tampere University and Finland more generally have supported me.
