Open for applications now
You can apply for initial vocational qualifications all year round. You will need to know Finnish for your studies. Only the Vocational Qualification in Tourism Industry is fully available in English. Find a list of initial and partial vocational qualifications that are currently accepting applications on our pages in Finnish:
The initial vocational qualifications and partial qualifications are taught in Finnish. They consist of 180 competence points and typically take 2–3 years to complete.
You can also complete an individual unit or units of a qualification. By completing a unit of qualification, you can quickly acquire the skills you need or expand your expertise.
Language skills and application requirements
Before applying, remember that most of our programmes and qualifications are taught in Finnish. Therefore, you will need to know Finnish to become a student at Stadin AO. The required language proficiency level is often stated in the qualification description, for example: “The minimum Finnish language proficiency level is A2.2.” Refer to the description scale of language proficiency levels (in Finnish, source: Finnish National Agency for Education).
You can apply if you have a certificate from the Finnish education system or a YKI certificate (National Certificate of Language Proficiency).
If you do not have a certificate from Finland, we will assess your language skills. Read more under the section Applying for Programmes.
Application process
See the instructions below. Remember to attach the required certificates to your application as instructed. We will not process applications that do not include this attachment
- Check below whether Option A or Option B is suits you the best.
- Fill in the application form (in Finnish).
- Attach the required certificates to your application as instructed. We will not process applications that do not include this attachment. See the instructions under ‘Application attachments’ below.
- If we assess your Finnish-language skills to be sufficient for studying, you will be contacted after the application period.
- basic education certificate
- general upper secondary education certificate/matriculation examination certificate
- initial vocational qualification certificate (note: not further vocational qualification or partial qualification) or
- YKI certificate (National Certificate of Language Proficiency), with all sections passed at a minimum grade of 3 or
- integration training programme certificate, in which all areas of language proficiency have been assessed to be at least A2.2, unless a different language level is specified for the qualification.
- You will receive a text message invitation to a Finnish language assessment.
- Language tests for the application period of 7 March – 3 April 2025 will be held between 8 and 9 April. The invitation will include more detailed instructions, schedules and the test location.
- With the assessment, we can ensure that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to study in Finnish.
- If your language skills are sufficient in the test, you will be contacted after the application period.
Attach a language certificate and other certificates to your application:
- as a link to Studyinfo’s completion information
- as a PDF file
- as an image.
You can submit the attachments via email during the application period to: liitteet@edu.hel.fi.
Write Jatkuva haku (Rolling admission) as the subject of the email.
Sign the message by using your full name.
You can also send your attachments securely via the Secure Mail service. Follow these steps: stadinao.liitteet@hel.fi.
- Go to https://securemail.hel.fi/kumppanit.
- Sign up for secure email with your own email address.
- You will receive a link to your email address for sending a secure email. Click the link in the email to open the secure mail window.
- Add stadinao.liitteet@hel.fi as the recipient.
- Write Jatkuva haku (Rolling admission) as the subject of the email.
- Attach your certificates from your device by first choosing the files and then clicking the Attach button.
- Sign the message by using your full name.
You will receive a reply to your email once the secure email has been opened at Stadin AO.
We will not process attachments received after the application period.