Staying in Finland after graduation

As you continue your stay in Finland after completing your degree, apply for a new suitable residence permit well in time. Migri’s page for graduates provides information on the different permit types and the application procedure for these.  

We invite all our bachelor’s and master’s graduates to explore the continuation of their academic journey at the University of Helsinki through our international master’s programmes and doctoral programmes. You can also apply to a suitable programme at other Finnish universities.   

Additionally, you can upskill yourself after your degree by taking courses at the University of Helsinki’s Open University, the Centre for Continuing Education HY+, or by pursuing non-degree studies at the Faculty of Humanities (offered mostly in Finnish and Swedish). 

You can also register for courses offered by adult education centres which offer the opportunity to learn a new language, skill, or pick up a hobby at a low cost.  

If you choose to transition to a career path after finishing your studies and need support on this journey, the University's Career Services and their Supporting Immigrants in Higher Education in Finland (SIMHE) team offer individual and group career counselling sessions, traineeship guidance, drop-in job support and much more. These services are available to all alumni up to 12 months after graduation. 

Additionally, International House Helsinki offers employment coaching for international professionals by appointment. The City of Helsinki, City of Espoo, and City of Vantaa also provide a host of employment services that can support your professional life.  

You can also consider services provided by Job Market Finland, where it is also possible to register as a job seeker. InfoFinland has collated many useful resources on working in Finland that we invite you to take advantage of.  

If you would like to explore the option of building your own venture, check out the various paths of support for entrepreneurship offered by the University of Helsinki.  

As a prominent hub of innovation, Finland offers many other avenues of entrepreneurial support through the Maria 01 startup campus, the Startup Foundation, the Shortcut, and the business advisory services by the City of Helsinki. 

As you continue your journey in Finland, there are ample opportunities to further strengthen your network here —both professionally and socially. Joining a mentoring programme, using platforms such as LinkedIn and Eventbrite to connect with professionals in your field and attend networking events, or attending city events can be a good start towards expanding your network. Facebook events and groups can also be helpful in finding hobby groups and events as can initiatives by organisations like Luckan, TAT, and Startup Refugees.  

Volunteering is another great way to meet new people and make connections. A list of volunteering opportunities can be found on the websites of the City of Helsinki, City of Espoo, and City of Vantaa. Opportunities specifically for English speakers in Finland are listed on the Citizen Forum website.  

 The City of Helsinki, City of Espoo, and City of Vantaa provide physical and mental health services for residents. These are your go-to places for any health concerns instead of the student health services after your student status expires. 

In addition to these, while the MIITTI initiative arranges free-of-cost workshops, courses, and events to support mental health and wellbeing, organisations such as Mieli (and Mieli Without Borders), and HelsinkiMissio provide mental health support including crisis counselling. 

Besides the discounted UniSport membership as a member of the Helsinki Alumni Community, you can also explore the sports and physical wellbeing services provided by the City of Helsinki, City of Espoo, and City of Vantaa.