Mobility Online application instructions

By selecting a degree programme you are able to see the general content as well as the possible degree programme-specific content. You do not have to select a degree programme to see the Open University's instructions.

Here you find detailed instructions for how to apply for student exchange at the University of Helsinki in the Mobility Online portal. 

Start from the on­line portal

  • NOTE: If you are applying to North2North exchange or as a visiting student, you need to click on the "Erasmus SMT, Visiting student, Freemover.... " banner at the top of the page and select the correct programme. The online application will open in a new window.
  • For exchange students, the application starts from the Mobility Online portal. Start by choosing the right academic year.
  • In the portal, choose at least:
    • your country
    • home institution
    • exchange program
    • the correct academic year
  • To narrow down the search result: select the correct faculty. If your home university has a university-wide agreement or an agreement with two faculties at UH, leave the faculty field empty (partner institution will be University of Helsinki).
    • click “Show details” 
  • Once the list of your own exchange opportunities is opened, please click on the green dot next to the study field in the agreement (often the study field closest to your academic background) and a new window will open. Fill in the online application. 

Fill in the on­line ap­plic­a­tion form

  • Fill in the application form with care. All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory. Please note that you can not edit the application form yourself after sending it. 
  • Personal details: Remember to check that you fill in your correct e-mail address! This e-mail address will be used for all communication concerning the application process.
  • Data concerning the contact person in case of emergency: Fill in the person you want to be contacted in case of emergency (e.g. mother, father).
  • Data concerning the planned study: "The faculty (in some cases department / subject) at the University of Helsinki which you apply to study at”. In most programmes the faculty is the one listed in the exchange agreement, please consult your home institution's exchange coordinator regarding the correct faculty. If you apply through university-wide programmes (e.g. University Bilateral Agreements and Erasmus university-wide agreements or Erasmus Global student exchange), choose the Faculty you intend to take at least 50% of studies from as the Faculty. The faculty can later during the application process be updated by the International Exchange Services based on the student’s Learning Agreement and background.
  • Here you can find information about the teaching periods. The application form automatically gives the first day of the Orientation Week as the starting date of the exchange. Please edit the date only if you have agreed on exceptional dates with the International Exchange Services at the University of Helsinki. The exchange period starts from the Orientation week and ends, depending on the programme, on the last day of the examination and independent study week or at the end of the last month of the term. 
  • Once you have filled in the form click on the “Send application” button. If you need to update any information on the application form after sending in the online application form, please contact studentexchange(at)helsinki.fi.

  • Please note that filling in the online application is just the first step of your application and there are still further steps that need to be completed before your application is complete. After you have filled in your online application form you will receive an email to the address you gave in the online application form with further instructions.

Cre­ate user­name and enter your ap­plic­a­tion ac­count

You will receive an email confirming that the application process has started. Click on the link in the email. Fill in your Date of birth (DD.MM.YYYY) and click “Continue”.

  • Create a username and a password which both have minimum 8 and maximum 12 characters, at least one number, at least one upper case letter and no special characters. For example: Username1, passWord1.
  • Click on the “Login to Mobility-Online” button (you’re directed to your application account). You will receive another email confirming the registration. All the following steps of the application process are explained in this email.
  • Once you are directed to your application account you will need to select a security question (and answer to the question).
    • NB! Due to a technical error, the drop-down menu for security questions might not appear. In this case, write something in the answer field. You will also need to change your password. 
  • Proceed with your application by completing the necessary steps in your application work-flow. You are required to do the steps in the given order.

Com­plete the steps of your ap­plic­a­tion work-flow

  • Complete personal data: Click on the “Complete personal data” link to complete your personal details. Save the data by clicking on the “Update personal details” -button.
  • Apply for housing: NB! The University of Helsinki highly recommends you to apply for housing with this form. Click on the "Enter the housing application" link to fill in the housing application. A new page will open with the following question “Would you like to apply for a furnished Unihome/HOAS apartment with this application?”. If you want to apply for housing, select “Yes” and the actual housing application opens. To save your housing application form, click on the "Save" button. Here you can find more information concerning the housing application for exchange students.
  • Complete Learning Agreement (except Erasmus students): You must start by looking for suitable courses. You can start your search by reading the instructions for course selection. You will need to fill in your preliminary Learning Agreement in the Mobility Online. The Learning Agreement must always be approved by a member of staff (academic or administrative) at your home university. Please note that the Learning Agreement is a preliminary study plan. The Learning Agreement is often made based on the course information/catalogue for the current academic year, so changes at a later point are possible. To add courses, click on "Enter further courses..." and save the data with the "Create" button. Please note that you will have to insert the courses one by one. Fill in the course unit code (e.g. ECGS-200), course unit title and the number of ECTS at the host institution. It is important to state the number of ECTS so that your coordinator can accept your Learning Agreement. If you wish to delete a course click on the trash bin icon next to the course. To modify an already added course, click on the "Update record" icon next to the trash bin icon. Please note that for visiting students the Learning Agreement is a separate document (the online version of the Learning Agreement in Mobility Online is for exchange students only). 
  • Download Learning Agreement (except Erasmus students): Once your Learning Agreement is ready, click on the “Download Learning Agreement” link and the Learning Agreement opens as a pdf- file. You can save it on your computer so you can print it out later. Note that in the Learning Agreement the course code, course title and ECTS credits at the home institution can be left blank at this stage. You must discuss with the coordinator at your home university about the course recognition/transfer of credits.
  • Erasmus students: Confirm by ticking the box that you have made the Learning Agreement in the system your home university uses for exchanging online/digital Learning Agreements. The Learning Agreement doesn't need to be signed by your home university at this point. Please note that the Learning Agreement should be signed by your home university no later than the application deadline. If you have a pdf-document of the Learning agreement that is signed by your home coordinator, also do this. After confirming, you are able to continue with your application and upload the rest of the required application documents. 
  • Upload all required application documents to your Mobility Online application account as pdf: Motivation letter, Learning Agreement, Transcript of Records, Language Certificate (only applicable for visiting students), Invitation Letter (if required). You can put all document in the same pdf, but don't put them as a zip-file.

Sub­mit your ap­plic­a­tion

Once you have completed all the above mentioned steps, your application is ready to be submitted. Submit the application by clicking on the link "Confirm that you have uploaded all required documents". Tick the box and then "Submit". This completes your application (there is no separate submit/send button).

The International Exchange Services has received your application even if your application is not yet marked as "Application documents received" in Mobility Online. Your application will be reviewed as soon as possible, but not before the end of the application period. Please wait patiently and note that we can't answer enquiries about your application status. You will be notified per email if your documents should require revision or correction.  

Information on acceptance/rejection will be sent to you at the latest six weeks after the application deadline. 

Ques­tions

In case you are not able to find the information you need on our website, please contact the International Exchange Services at studentexchange(at)helsinki.fi. 

Mobility Online technical support: please contact studentexchange(at)helsinki.fi with a detailed description (if possible, attach a screen shot) of your technical problem.