INFORMATION FOR VISITING STUDENTS

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1 Studying at TeaK INFORMATION FOR VISITING STUDENTS The University of the Arts Helsinki (in Finnish Taideyliopisto, in Swedish Konstuniversitetet) was launched on January 1st 2013 with the merger of the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts, Sibelius Academy, and Theatre Academy Helsinki. The Theatre Academy (in Finnish Teatterikorkeakoulu, in Swedish Teaterhögskolan, TeaK in brief) is the biggest educational institution in the fields of theatre and dance in the Nordic and Baltic countries. It provides ambitious education up to doctorate level in theatre-related arts. There are about 400 students at the Academy and about 40 premieres are produced during each academic year. The degree structure is according to the Bologna model: Bachelor s Degree (BA) with 180 ECTS credits (3 yrs of full time studies) and Master s Degree (MA) with 120 ECTS (2yrs of full time studies) The degree programmes at TeaK are Acting (BA, MA) Acting in Swedish (BA, MA) Directing (BA, MA) Dramaturgy (BA, MA) Lighting and Sound Design (BA, MA) Dance (BA, MA) Choreography (MA) Dance Pedagogy (MA) and Theatre Pedagogy (MA) Live Art and Performance Studies (MA) TeaK participates in various international student exchange programmes, including Erasmus, Nordplus and FIRST. In addition, TeaK has Bilateral Agreements with schools of higher education outside Europe. Internationalisation is a high priority for us and we warmly welcome exchange students from all over the world. The academic year at TeaK consists of two terms, which generally run from September until December (autumn term, application deadline for exchange students 31st March) and from January until May (spring term, application deadline 1st October). Some courses may start already in August.

2 Student Services and Facilities Facilities at TeaK include e.g. library services, computer facilities, including individual accounts, gym free of charge, movement classes, dance studios, Training Theatre with versatile theatre wardrobe, stage property and props. TeaK students can have free tickets to the school s own performances. More information about student benefits can be found under Student Union and Health Care and Insurance sections below. Student Union Membership of the Student Union is compulsory for degree students and optional for exchange and visiting students. The membership fee has been around 100 /academic year (it s also possible to take the membership for only one semester). There are several benefits for members, so being a member is very useful and recommendable also for exchange students. To show your membership and receive all the benefits, you need a student card, which you can order here (as soon as you ve become a member): Benefits include e.g. hot meals at reduced price in university student cafeterias around Finland (starting from about 2,50 a meal), health care, cheaper tickets for cultural activities (concerts, theatres, museums etc.) and up to 50% discounts in long-distance trains and coaches. Health Care and Insurance Members of the Student Union are entitled to use the services of the YTHS (The Finnish Student Health Care Service, YTHS services, which include preventive health care, mental health care, medical care and dental health care, are either free of charge or reasonably priced. Please note that YTHS services do not cover hospital treatment, maternity clinic or repatriation costs. International students from outside the EU are obliged to have insurance for the whole duration of their stay in Finland. Should you have problems with finding a suitable insurance, please contact the International Relations Coordinator at TeaK. Citizens of the EU and EEA countries are covered by the National Health Insurance plan administered by KELA (The Social Insurance Institution) and in order to be covered, you must have the European Health Insurance Card from your local social security office before arriving in Finland. Students from EU are also strongly advised to have a medical insurance, which covers e.g. hospital treatment and repatriation. Students from outside EU/EEA area must have a sufficient insurance already when applying for a visa in their home countries. Please note: the Theatre Academy does not insure exchange students for accidents, which take place during classes, performances or practices. Please make sure you or your home school has an insurance which covers also this kind of accidents. Accommodation The Theatre Academy does not have a dormitory of its own and international students are advised to contact Helsinki Student Housing Foundation (HOAS) well before arriving in Finland.

3 Helsinki Student Housing Foundation (HOAS) HOAS has a special quota of accommodation for exchange students staying in Helsinki for 1-12 months. You can find more information as well as apply for an apartment/ a room on Exchange students. If you have any questions about the application please send an to housing@hoas.fi. The rent ranges between 240/month (shared room in shared apartment) and 565/month (studio apartment), a room in a shared apartment is around 410/month. Please pay close attention to the information and instructions from HOAS, especially on how to confirm the reservation and how to pay the deposit. Visa and Residence Permit Visas Please see the web pages of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Finland ( for information on visa requirements, visa application forms, required insurances, contact details of Finnish Embassies and Consulates abroad and other important information regarding formalities before arrival. More information is also available at the web pages of the Directorate of Immigration: Residence Permit If you come to Finland to study for a complete degree, or if you take part in an exchange programme where your stay in Finland exceeds three months, you may need a student residence permit. EU/EEA citizens, as well as citizens of the Nordic countries, do not usually need a residence permit they must, however, register their residence in Finland at a police station if their stay in Finland exceeds three months (for Nordic citizens, six months). Please, see the Immigration Police website: endocument It s also recommendable to apply for a Finnish social security number, if you stay in Finland for more than three months (needed for example for opening a Finnish bank account). Please, see the registry office website: Non-EU/EEA citizens need to apply for their student residence permit before their arrival in Finland. Please see for more information e.g. on documents needed for a residence permit. Fees International students accepted on the basis of agreements (Erasmus, Nordplus, FIRST, Leonardo, bilateral agreements) do not pay tuition fees.

4 The Student Union of the Theatre Academy Helsinki charges an annual membership fee, which includes Student health services. The membership fee, including the Health Service fee is around 100/academic year, as mentioned before. Please see Student Union -section for more information. The average monthly living expenses for a student range from approximately 700 to 900 in the Helsinki area. Exchange students from Russia (FIRST Student Exchange Programme) are advised to open an account in a Finnish bank right after their arrival in Helsinki. The monthly scholarship will be paid to this account. Enrolment Procedures All international non-degree students, who have been given the right to study at the Theatre Academy, should enrol themselves at the Academy in the beginning of their stay. You will receive more information upon arrival. Arriving in Helsinki and at TeaK We will try to arrange a tutor to pick you up from the airport/harbour/train station provided you arrive during weekdays (Monday-Friday) between 8am 5pm. Please inform the International Relations Coordinator about your time of arrival together with your flight numbers and we will let you know whether it is possible to arrange a tutor to meet you upon arrival. Helsinki-Vantaa airport is located in Vantaa, about 20 kilometres from the centre of Helsinki. The bus journey from the airport to the centre takes about minutes. The local bus 615 costs about 5.00 and the Finnair bus about The final stop of both buses is the central railway station located in the centre of Helsinki. You can travel to TeaK from the city centre either by bus, tram or tube (metro). The bus or tram (number 6 or 7B) takes about 10 minutes. The nearest stop to TeaK is called Haapaniemi. If you prefer the tube, TeaK is within a walking distance from the tube station Hakaniemi. Finnish Language Course at TeaK The University of the Arts Helsinki organizes a Finnish language and culture course, Arts Café, for international students. The group meets once a week. More information about the course and registration upon arrival. More Information on the Finnish language, Helsinki and Finland plenty of useful information for a student in the Helsinki area

5 Finnish courses If you are interested in learning some Finnish before your arrival, please see the following websites: Finnish for beginners a more demanding course, with instructions in Finnish donnerwetter.kielikeskus.helsinki.fi/finnishforforeigners a course of the University of Helsinki Language Centre Finland The following web pages are helpful when looking for information on Finland: useful information about studying and living in Finland virtual.finland.fi Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Finland Statistics on Finland in English Finnish Meteorological Institute (Weather Forecasts) Centre for International Mobility: Information on education, training and youth issues Information on train timetables, routes, tickets and prices Information on coach timetables, routes, tickets and prices Ships and ferries from Helsinki Information on travelling by plane Travel agency for young people and students Helsinki Following web pages will help you find information on Helsinki, including free time activities The official website of the City of Helsinki kartta.hel.fi Map of Helsinki with a search function for street addresses Hotels and useful information on Helsinki - journey planner for Helsinki and surroundings, you can also find the best routes for cycling and walking here Transport in Helsinki and surroundings What s up in Helsinki? Finnish National Opera The Finnish National Theatre The Swedish Theatre in Helsinki Helsinki City Theatre Sibelius Academy (Music) - Academy of Fine Arts National Board of Antiquities Movies Information on sports activities in Helsinki Helsinki City Official Tourism Website. Information e.g. on attractions, shopping, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and other events. Visiting Address: Pohjoisesplanadi 19. Tel tourist.info@hel.fi

6 Contact Information: University of the Arts Helsinki Theatre Academy PO BOX 20 (visiting address: Haapaniemenkatu 6) FI UNIARTS FINLAND Web: International Relations Coordinator Jonna Sundberg Mobile