Finnish for International Students

DURING THE AUTUMN SEMESTER of 2024 Finnish courses for exchange students will be organized at three campuses (City Center, Kumpula, and Viikki) as well as through online Zoom classes. 

All courses for exchange students (that are listed below) require registration on Sisu system. Registration for SUO-113 and SUO-114 courses will take place 13.8. - 4.9.2024. If you miss the registration, you can inquire with the course teacher if there is still space available in the course.

You should always start registration via your primary study plan on Sisu. NB. here you can find some additional instructions on how to register on the courses on Sisu!

SUO-113 Finnish for Exchange Students, short course (3 credits, lessons once a week, Autumn 1st + 2nd period)

SUO-113 Groups in Autumn 2024:

Group A: CITY CENTER Thursday 8–10. Teacher: Saija Pyhäniemi (saija.pyhaniemi[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

Group B: KUMPULA Friday 8–10. Teacher: Karoliina Kopsa (karoliina.kopsa[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

Group C: ONLINE Monday 16–18. Teacher: Karoliina Kopsa (karoliina.kopsa[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-114 Finnish for Exchange Students 1 (5 credits, lessons twice a week, Autumn 1st + 2nd per.)

SUO-114 Groups in Autumn 2024:

Group A: CITY CENTER Tuesday & Thursday 16–18. Teacher: Karoliina Kopsa (karoliina.kopsa[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

Group B: CITY CENTER Monday & Wednesday 16–18. Teacher: Veera Hatakka (veera.hatakka[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

Group C: VIIKKI Tuesday & Thursday 8–10. Teacher: Emilia Harjunpää (emilia.harjunpaa[at]helsinki.fi). Course page. 

Both SUO-113 Finnish for Exchange Students, short course and SUO-114 Finnish for Exchange Students 1 are beginner courses, so you don't need to know any Finnish when you start the course. 

If you have studied Finnish before, you can also participate in the intermediate and advanced Finnish courses for degree students (such as Finnish 2, 3 or 4) if there is space available in the groups.

DURING THE SPRING SEMESTER of 2025 Finnish courses for exchange students will be organized at City Center campus.

All courses for exchange students (that are listed below) require registration on Sisu system. Registration for SUO-113 and SUO-114 courses will take place 26.11.2024 - 10.1.2025. If you miss the registration, you can inquire with the course teacher if there is still space available in the course.

You should always start registration via your primary study plan on Sisu. NB. here you can find some additional instructions on how to register on the courses on Sisu!

SUO-113 Finnish for Exchange Students, short course (3 credits, lessons once a week, Spring 3rd + 4th period)

SUO-113 Groups in Spring 2025:

Group A: CITY CENTER Wednesday 10–12. Teacher: Paula Hongisto (paula.hongisto[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-114 Finnish for Exchange Students 1 (5 credits, lessons twice a week, Spring 3rd + 4th period)

SUO-114 Groups in Spring 2025:

Group A: CITY CENTER Tuesday & Thursday 16–18. Teacher: Tanja Asikainen-Kunnari (tanja.asikainen[at]helsinki.fi). Course page

Group B: CITY CENTER Tuesday & Thursday 8–10. Teacher: TBA. Course page

Both SUO-113 and SUO-114 are beginner courses, so you don't need to know any Finnish when you start the course. 

If you have studied Finnish before, you can also participate in the intermediate and advanced Finnish courses for degree students (such as Finnish 2, 3 or 4) if there is space available in the groups.

Nice to know: You can also check out the ALICE courses (Academic Language and Intercultural Exchange courses) organised by the Language Center.

For more information about the Finnish courses, please contact teachers of the courses or address suomenkurssit(a)helsinki.fi.

The courses listed below are specifically designed for degree students at the University of Helsinki. Exchange students can participate in these courses if there is space available. Please note that the courses involve a lot of independent work and group work.

ACADEMIC YEAR 2024-2025

Finnish language courses for the academic year 2024-2025 will be offered through face-to-face instruction on campus (city center, Kumpula, Viikki) or as online courses via Zoom.

You must register for the courses on the Sisu system. Registration for the autumn semester 2024 courses will take place 13.8. - 4.9.2024. Exceptions to this are 1) The Finnish 1B and 2B courses, that start in the second period of the autumn. Their registration period is in October. 2) The courses that are part of the KiViTa network's education. Their registration period is already in the summer. You will find more detailed information in the course list below.

If you miss the registration deadline, you can inquire with the course teacher whether there is still space available.

You should always start your registration via your primary study plan on Sisu. N.B. here you can find some additional instructions on how to register on the courses in Sisu!

Autumn semester 2024 courses

SUO-111 Finnish/Suomi 1A (3 credits, lessons twice a week, Autumn 1st per.)

SUO-111, Group 1: CITY CENTER Monday and Wednesday 8–10. Teacher: Paula Hongisto (paula.hongisto[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-111, Group 2: SELF STUDY ONLINE COURSE. Teacher: Tiina Nahkola (tiina.nahkola[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-111, Group 3: VIIKKI Tuesday and Thursday 16–18. Teacher: Emilia Harjunpää (emilia.harjunpaa[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-111, Group 4: KUMPULA Tuesday and Thursday 8–10. Teacher: Nina Sudenkallio (nina.sudenkallio[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-111, Group 5: KUMPULA Monday and Wednesday 8–10. Teacher: Karoliina Kopsa (karoliina.kopsa[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-111 Group 6: ONLINE Monday & Wednesday 8–10. Teacher: Nina Sudenkallio (nina.sudenkallio[at]helsinki.fi).

SUO-112 Finnish/Suomi 1B (2 credits, lessons twice a week, Autumn 2nd per.)

SUO-112, Group 1: CITY CENTER Monday and Wednesday 8–10. Teacher: Paula Hongisto (paula.hongisto[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-112, Group 2: SELF STUDY ONLINE COURSE. Teacher: Tiina Nahkola (tiina.nahkola[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-112, Group 3: VIIKKI Tuesday and Thursday 16–18. Teacher: Emilia Harjunpää (emilia.harjunpaa[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-112, Group 4: KUMPULA Tuesday and Thursday 8–10. Teacher: Nina Sudenkallio (nina.sudenkallio[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-112, Group 5: KUMPULA Monday and Wednesday 8–10. Teacher: Karoliina Kopsa (karoliina.kopsa[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-112 Group 6: ONLINE Monday & Wednesday 8–10. Teacher: Nina Sudenkallio (nina.sudenkallio[at]helsinki.fi).

SUO-115 Intensive Course in Finnish 1/ Suomea intensiivisesti 1 (Finnish 1A + 1B + 2A, 8 credits, lessons three times a week at the city center campus, Autumn 1st and 2nd per.) Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 8-10. Teacher: Tiina Nahkola (tiina.nahkola[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-121 Finnish/Suomi 2A (3 credits, lessons twice a week, Autumn 1st per.)

SUO-121, Group 1: CITY CENTER Tuesday and Thursday 8–10. Teacher: Paula Hongisto (paula.hongisto[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-121, Group 2: ONLINE Monday and Wednesday 16–18. Teacher: Réka Aarnos (reka.aarnos[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-122 Finnish/Suomi 2B (2 credits, lessons twice a week, Autumn 2nd per.)

SUO-122, Group 1: CITY CENTER Tuesday and Thursday 8–10. Teacher: Paula Hongisto (paula.hongisto[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-122, Group 2: ONLINE Monday and Wednesday 16–18. Teacher: Réka Aarnos (reka.aarnos[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-130 Finnish/Suomi 3 (5 credits, lessons twice a week, Autumn 1st and 2nd per.)

SUO-130, Group 1: CITY CENTER Tuesday and Thursday 16–18. Teacher: Leena Ferreira (leena.ferreira[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-130, Group 2: ONLINE  Monday and Wednesday 8–10. Teacher: Elina Nurminen (elina.nurminen[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-131 Puhekieli tutuksi / Spoken Finnish (3 credits, lessons once a week on Zoom, Autumn 1st and 2nd per.) Tuesday 10-12. Teacher: to be announced later. Course page. 

SUO-132 Kaunokirjallisuuden lukupiiri / Learn Finnish by reading literature A2 (2 credits, lessons once a week at the city center campus, Autumn 1st and 2nd per.) Thursday 10-12. Teacher: Sari Päivärinne (sari.paivarinne[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-140 Finnish/Suomi 4 (5 credits, lessons twice a week on Zoom, Autumn 1st and 2nd per.) Monday & Wednesday 8-10. Teacher: Heikki Kononen, heikki.kononen[at]helsinki.fi. NB! This course is part of the KiViTa network's education. Applications for the course are submitted during summer (2.5.-11.8.) through Opintopolku. For more information, please check the course page.

SUO-141 + SUO-142 Kulttuuria ja ajankohtaisia ilmiöitä 1 / Finnish culture and current topics 1 (2/3/5 credits, lessons twice a week at the city center campus, Autumn 1st and 2nd per.) Wednesday & Friday 10-12. Teacher: Veera Hatakka (veera.hatakka[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-210 Työelämän suomea / Workplace Finnish (5 credits, lessons twice a week at the city center campus, Autumn 1st and 2nd per.) Tuesday 12-14 & Thursday 14-16. Teacher: to be announced later. Course page.

SUO-220 Mediasuomen kurssi / Media Finnish (5 credits, lessons twice a week on Zoom, Autumn 1st and 2nd per.) Tuesday & Thursday 8-10. Teacher: Heikki Kononen, heikki.kononen[at]helsinki.fi. NB! This course is part of the KiViTa network's education. Applications for the course are submitted during summer (2.5.-11.8.) through Opintopolku. For more information, please check the course page.

SUO-240 Kulttuuria ja ajankohtaisia ilmiöitä 2 / Finnish culture and current topics 2 (5 credits, lessons twice a week on Zoom, Autumn 1st and 2nd per.) Monday & Wednesday 10-12. Teacher: Saija Pyhäniemi, saija.pyhaniemi[at]helsinki.fi. NB! This course is part of the KiViTa network's education. Applications for the course are submitted during summer (2.5.-11.8.) through Opintopolku. For more information, please check the course page.

SUO-241 + SUO-242 Kielioppia verkossa / Finnish Grammar Online (2/3/5 credits, self study online course, Autumn 1st and 2nd per.) Teacher: Nina Sudenkallio (nina.sudenkallio[at]helsinki.fi). NB! This course is part of the KiViTa network's education. Applications for the course are submitted during summer (2.5.-11.8.) through Opintopolku. For more information, please check the course page.

SUO-311 Kuuntele ja kirjoita 1 / Listen and Write learning method (3 credits, independent studying, teacher: Sari Päivärinne, sari.paivarinne[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here)

SUO-312 Kuuntele ja kirjoita 2 / Listen and Write learning method (2 credits, independent studying, teacher: Sari Päivärinne, sari.paivarinne[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here)

Spring semester 2025 courses

You must register for the courses on the Sisu system. Registration for the spring semester 2025 courses will take place 26.11.2024 - 10.1.2025. Exceptions to this are Finnish 1B and 2B courses, that start in the 4th period. Their registration period is in March. 

If you miss the registration deadline, you can inquire with the course teacher whether there is still space available.

You should always start your registration via your primary study plan on Sisu. N.B. here you can find some additional instructions on how to register on the courses in Sisu!

SUO-111 Finnish/Suomi 1A (3 credits, lessons twice a week, Spring 3rd per.)

SUO-111, Group 1: CITY CENTER Monday and Wednesday 16–18. Teacher: Paula Hongisto (paula.hongisto[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-111, Group 2: SELF STUDY ONLINE COURSE. Teacher: TBA Course page.

SUO-112 Finnish/Suomi 1B (2 credits, lessons twice a week, Spring 4th per.)

SUO-112, Group 1: CITY CENTER Monday and Wednesday 16–18. Teacher: Paula Hongisto (paula.hongisto[at]helsinki.fi).

SUO-112, Group 2: SELF STUDY ONLINE COURSE. Teacher: TBA 

SUO-125 Intensive Course in Finnish 2/ Suomea intensiivisesti 2 (Finnish 2B + 3, 7 credits, lessons three times a week at the city center campus, Spring 3rd and 4th per.) Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 8-10. Teacher: Tiina Nahkola (tiina.nahkola[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-121 Finnish/Suomi 2A (3 credits, lessons twice a week, Spring 3rd per.)

SUO-121, Group 1: CITY CENTER Tuesday and Thursday 8–10. Teacher: Saija Pyhäniemi (saija.pyhaniemi[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-121, Group 2: ONLINE Monday and Wednesday 16–18. Teacher: Réka Aarnos (reka.aarnos[at]helsinki.fi) Course page.

SUO-121, Group 3: KUMPULA Tuesday and Thursday 8–10. Teacher: TBA Course page

SUO-121, Group 4: VIIKKI Tuesday and Thursday 16–18. Teacher: TBA Course page

SUO-122 Finnish/Suomi 2B (2 credits, lessons twice a week, Spring 4th per.)

SUO-122, Group 1: CITY CENTER Tuesday and Thursday 8–10. Teacher: Saija Pyhäniemi (saija.pyhaniemi[at]helsinki.fi). 

SUO-122, Group 2: ONLINE Monday and Wednesday 16–18. Teacher: Réka Aarnos (reka.aarnos[at]helsinki.fi) 

SUO-122, Group 3: KUMPULA Tuesday and Thursday 8–10. Teacher: TBA

SUO-122, Group 4: VIIKKI Tuesday and Thursday 16–18. Teacher: TBA

SUO-130 Finnish/Suomi 3 (5 credits, lessons twice a week, Spring 3rd and 4th per.)

SUO-130, Group 1: CITY CENTER Tuesday and Thursday 16–18. Teacher: TBA Course page.

SUO-131 Puhekieli tutuksi / Spoken Finnish (3 credits, lessons once a week on Zoom, Soring 3rd and 4th per.) Friday 10-12. Teacher: TBA Course page. 

SUO-140 Finnish/Suomi 4 (5 credits, lessons twice a week at the city center campus, Spring 3rd and 4th per.) Monday & Wednesday 8-10. Teacher: Leena Peniche Ferreira, leena.ferreira[at]helsinki.fi. 

SUO-141 + SUO-142 Kulttuuria ja ajankohtaisia ilmiöitä 1 / Finnish culture and current topics 1 (2/3/5 credits, lessons twice a week at the city center campus, Spring 3rd and 4th per.) Monday & Thursday 10-12. Teacher: Paula Hongisto (paula.hongisto[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-210 Työelämän suomea / Workplace Finnish (5 credits, lessons twice a week at the city center campus, Spring 3rd and 4th per.) Monday and Wednesday 12-14. Teacher: Emmi Pollari (emmi.pollari[at]helsinki.fi). Course page.

SUO-230 Oman alan suomea / Finnish in your own field of work (5 credits, lessons once a week at the city center campus, Spring 3rd and 4th per.) Friday 10-12. Teacher: Leena Peniche Ferreira, leena.ferreira[at]helsinki.fi. 

SUO-241 + SUO-242 Kielioppia verkossa / Finnish Grammar Online (2/3/5 credits, self study online course, Spring 3rd and 4th per.) Teacher: Tanja Asikainen-Kunnari (tanja.asikainen[at]helsinki.fi). 

SUO-311 Kuuntele ja kirjoita 1 / Listen and Write learning method (3 credits, independent studying, teacher: Sari Päivärinne, sari.paivarinne[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here)

SUO-312 Kuuntele ja kirjoita 2 / Listen and Write learning method (2 credits, independent studying, teacher: Sari Päivärinne, sari.paivarinne[at]helsinki.fi, Course page here)

Nice to know: You can also check out the ALICE courses (Academic Language and Intercultural Exchange courses) organised by the Language Center.

For more information about the Finnish courses, please contact the teachers or address suomenkurssit(a)helsinki.fi. 

Students who already have an advanced level of language proficiency (at least Level B2.1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) can enhance their written or spoken skills in the Finnish language by participating in courses offered in the Finnish Language and Culture study track. Instruction in Finnish Language and Culture is open to all students at the University of Helsinki who have the required language proficiency. Adequate language proficiency can be demonstrated through the Finnish Matriculation Examination in the second language (s2) or the National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) test, or by taking the Finnish Language and Culture proficiency test. Learn more about demonstrating language proficiency and the Finnish Language and Culture studies here.

1. Question: "I don't know any Finnish yet. Can I start studying Finnish directly in the second period of the autumn with the Finnish 1B course?"

Answer: You need to complete the Finnish 1A course first. After that, you can proceed to the 1B course. Following the Finnish 1B course, you can choose the Finnish 2A course, and so on.

2. Question: "I completed the Finnish 2B course last year. Now I want to continue my Finnish studies! Which course can I choose?"

Answer: You can choose one of the following courses: Finnish 3, Spoken Finnish or Learn Finnish by Reading Literature. If you wish, you can even take all of these courses! 

The courses "Finnish 3" and "Spoken Finnish" are offered in both the autumn and spring semesters. Course "Learn Finnish by Reading Literature" is only offered in the autumn semester.

3. Question: "I am currently studying on the Finnish 3 course. What can I study next?"

Answer: You can choose one of the following courses: Finnish 4, Spoken Finnish, Learn Finnish by Reading Literature or Finnish Culture and Current Topics 1. If you wish, you can even take all of these courses!

The courses "Finnish 4", "Spoken Finnish" and "Finnish Culture and Current topics 1" are offered in both the autumn and spring semesters. Course "Learn Finnish by Reading Literature" is only offered in the autumn semester.

4. Question: "I haven't completed the Finnish 3 course at the University of Helsinki, but I have been studying Finnish independently. I believe my language proficiency is at about level A2. Can I enroll in the Finnish 4 course?"

Answer: The Finnish 4 course is likely a good choice for you. However, it is recommended that you still take the online placement test to get an assessment of your skills. You can also contact the teacher of the Finnish 4 course for guidance.

5. Question: "I completed the Finnish 4 course this year, but I noticed that there are no Finnish 5 courses in the academic year 2024-2025! What should I do?"

Answer: No worries! You can choose any of the following courses during the autumn semester 2024: Workplace Finnish, Media Finnish, Finnish Culture and Current Topics 2, or the Finnish Grammar Online Course. 

In the spring of 2025, you can choose Workplace Finnish, Field-specific Finnish or the Finnish grammar online.

6. Question: "I completed the Finnish 5 course last year, but I noticed that there are no Finnish 6 courses in the academic year 2023-2024! Can I continue my Finnish studies?"

Answer: Absolutely! In the autumn of 2024 you can choose Media Finnish, Finnish Culture and Current Topics 2, or the Finnish Grammar Online Course. 

In the spring of 2025, you can choose Field-specific Finnish or the Finnish grammar online course.

7. Question: "I have completed the Finnish 1-4 courses as well as the Workplace Finnish, Media Finnish and Finnish Culture and Current topics 2 courses. I'm really interested in the Spoken Finnish course. Can I take it this academic year?"

Answer: The Spoken Finnish course is best suited for approximately A2 level, intended for students who have studied Finnish for 10-20 credits. Therefore, this course is likely not the best option for you. You might consider the Finnish Grammar Online Course or the Listen and Write learning method instead. You can contact suomenkurssit(a)helsinki.fi to discuss different options for developing your Finnish language skills.