USA

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.

University of Helsinki offers the following exchange destinations in the United States:

  • University-wide bilateral exchange agreement (students from all faculties; any restrictions are explained in the destination details below): American University, George Mason University, Mississippi State University, State University of New York at New Paltz (SUNY New Paltz), University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.
  • Faculty- or unit-wide bilateral exchange agreement: Hofstra University (Law), Emory University (Theology), Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Geosciences and geography)

IMPORTANT: The United States State Department requires all visa applicants to unlock their social media accounts for government review. The department said consular officers will be on the lookout for posts and messages that could be deemed hostile to the United States, its government, culture, institutions or founding principles. Applicants who refuse to set their social media accounts to “public” and allow them to be reviewed are currently rejected. 

Language proficiency: Prepare to be required to complete a fee-based language test (TOEFL or IELTS). Those selected for an exchange will be provided with instructions for fee-paying language tests. However, in many cases native speakers of English or students studying in a completely English-taught degree programme are exempt from the test, so please check the exchange university's instructions.

Students must pay their accommodation and living expenses as well as travel, insurance, vaccinations, and visa costs. Students must also pay various administrative costs which when combined can amount to a large sum, in some cases over $1 000. Read the exchange universities' web sites for information on the various costs.

Vaccinations: schedule getting vaccinations required by the university you are selected to as soon as possible after being selected. It can take time to check which vaccinations you have, and some vaccine series may take months to complete.

American University, Washington D.C.
George Mason University, Virginia
Mississippi State University
SUNY New Paltz (State University of New York at New Paltz)
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM)
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

American University, Washington D.C.

Student testimonials

"American University was, in my opinion, the best exchange university available. One of the main reasons was its location in Washington D.C. AU's international and liberal values also attracted me"

"The courses were of high quality and rewarding, but the workload is slightly higher than at Finnish universities"

Who can apply?

  • Students of all faculties
  • Bachelor’s students
  • Proof of English skills You need to pay for a language test (usually TOEFL or IELTS; a more affordable Duolingo has also been possible) after being selected for the exchange by University of Helsinki.
  • Students with minimum GPA of 3,75

What can you study here?

Restrictions:

  • AU recommends that you should not apply to the School of Communication courses due to limited course offerings.
    • Usually Communication students have chosen courses from: Graphic Design, Marketing, International Communication / Cross-cultural communication of interest.
  • Law (graduate): Law is a graduate level degree so students who are interested in taking law courses while on the Abroad at AU program are limited to law related courses but are not permitted to study at our law school.
    • Usually Law students have chosen courses from: JLC (Justice Law and Criminology). Some students are also interested in taking courses in the government/political science and international relations department.
  • Though students may pick courses from five schools at American University, some courses require students to have already completed previous classes in the subject before they can enroll in the course. Like other American University students, Abroad at AU (exchange) students must be able to provide proof of completing and meeting any prerequisites listed for a course when required.
  • Additionally, not all courses are open to Abroad at AU students. Restrictions to course enrollment are outlined on website (link broken 11/2025, to be updated)

How many credits do you need to complete?

4 courses per semester
4 undergraduate courses = 12 AU credits = about 24 UH credits (ECTS)
1 AU undergraduate credit = 2 ECTS

Terms

August - December / January - May

Housing, costs and fees

SEVIS and J1 visa fees $405
Mandatory Student Fees $321
AU Health Insurance $990 (fall semester) / $1,381 (spring semester)
Meal Plan $2,581
Rent/Housing (based on Double Occupancy) $5,619
Personal Expenses $944
Books $500

TOTAL (amount student must prove they have available): $10,955 (fall semester) / $11,346 (spring semester)

Exchange opportunities available 

4 students for one semester

George Mason University, Virginia

Student testimonials

"I found the quality to be good in terms of teaching, teaching methods, and courses. In the United States, there is a lot of emphasis on in-person participation in classes, and active engagement in lectures can impact your final grade"

Who can apply?

  • Students of all faculties
  • Bachelor’s or Master's students
  • Proof of English skills: You need to pay for a language test (usually TOEFL or IELTS) after being selected for the exchange by University of Helsinki.
  • Students with minimum GPA of 3,2 for Bachelor-level applicants and 3,8 for Master-level applicants

What can you study here?

Bachelor's students can only take undergraduate courses. 

Master's students can choose to take either undergraduate or graduate courses, but the GPA requirement is 3,8 in both cases, and the application requirements for Master's students apply.

Master students need to have completed at least one semester of Master's studies before the start of the exchange.

100-199         Lower-division undergraduate courses; primarily for freshmen
200-299         Lower-division undergraduate courses; primarily for sophomores
300-399         Upper-division undergraduate courses; primarily for juniors
400-499         Upper-division undergraduate courses; primarily for seniors
500-799         Graduate-level courses

Restrictions:

  • All classes in the School of Business and most in the School of Engineering require prior departmental approval.
  • Limited availability due to demand: Courses in the College of Engineering & Computing (Specifically undergraduate IT & Computer Science).
  • Law courses are not open to exchange students. Criminology is open

How many credits do you need to complete?

4 courses per semester
4 undergraduate courses = 12 GMU credits = 24 UH credits (ECTS)
3-4 graduate courses = 9-12 GMU credits = 22,5-30 UH credits
1 GMU undergraduate credit = 2 ECTS
1 GMU graduate credit = 2,5 ECTS

Terms

August - December / January - May

Housing, costs and fees

  • On-Campus Housing
    $3,255 - $4,160 Per semester (triple occupancy)
    $3,720 - $4,800 Per semester (double occupancy)
    $4,505 - $5,345 Per semester (single occupancy)
     
  • Mandatory Health Insurance
    $966 (fall)
    $1,500 (spring/summer)
    Health insurance is required for all exchange students on a J-1 visa
     
  • Food
    $2,145 - $2,505 Per semester meal plan in housing without full kitchen
    $190 - $2,505 Per semester meal plan in housing with full kitchen
    $1,600 - $2,800 Per semester for living off campus
     
  • Public Transportation
    Free with Mason ID: Campus shuttle and local CUE bus (around Fairfax)
    $4 - $6 / one-way: Metro train to Washington, DC
     
  • SEVIS Fee
    Non-immigrant Visa Application Fee $180 Paid to the U.S. Government
    Minimum of $131 (varies by country) Paid to U.S. Consulate
     
  • Personal Expenses
    $2,330 Per semester for students living on-campus
    $3,566 Per semester for students living off-campus
     
  • Books and Supplies
    $600 Per semester (books can be bought used or rented for less)

Exchange opportunities available 

No places available in the October 2025 application round

Mississippi State University

Student testimonials

"Most of the courses were really thorough and detailed. The topics were really interesting. Especially one professor was really inspiring."

Who can apply?

  • Students of all faculties
  • Bachelor’s students
  • Proof of English skills: you can replace a fee-paying test with a certificate of B2 proficiency from the Language Centre.
  • Students with minimum GPA of 3,2

What can you study here?

  • Faculties at Mississippi State (MS State)
  • Courses
  • You can only choose undergraduate courses.
    • 1001-2999    Lower division courses; Undergraduate credit only
    • 3001-4999    Upper division courses; Undergraduate credit only
    • 4000             Directed Individual Study (Undergraduate)
    • 5011-5999   Fifth year undergraduate or Professional courses
    • (6011-8000  graduate)

How many credits do you need to complete?

4 courses per semester
4 undergraduate courses = 12 MS State credits = 24 UH credits (ECTS)
1 MS State undergraduate credit = 2 ECTS

Terms

August - December / January - April

Housing, costs and fees

  • Housing and meals: undergraduate ca. $5,218/semester, graduate ca. $6,878.
  • Undergraduate application fee $60, International fee $150/semester; campus activities fee $5, capital improvement fee $50.
  • If you are chosen as an applicant to Mississippi State you need to prove to them you have $9,720.

Exchange opportunities available 

No places available in the October 2025 application round

SUNY New Paltz (State University of New York at New Paltz)

Who can apply?

  • Students of all faculties
  • Bachelor’s students
  • Proof of English skills: you can replace a fee-paying test with a certificate of B2 proficiency from the Language Centre.
  • Students with minimum GPA of 3,2

What can you study here?

  • Only for undergraduate courses.
  • Classes

Restrictions:

  • SUNY New Paltz does not offer all the fields available at University of Helsinki. The only academic area restricted at New Paltz is Digital Media Production.

How many credits do you need to complete?

4 courses per semester
4 undergraduate courses = 12 SUNY credits = 24 UH credits (ECTS)
1 SUNY undergraduate credit = 2 ECTS

Terms

August - December / January - May

Housing, costs and fees

Total: $12,360 estimated costs and fees for one semester. Consists of the following:

Food Service $2,880
Room Rent $5,550
Insurance: Although the insurance varies from year to year, the 2022-23 insurance rates for incoming exchange students were:

  • Fall + 16 days: $1,188.67
  • Spring/Summer: $1,491.14
  • 2025 possibly only $1,070, subject to change

College Fee $30
Health Center Fee $170
Books $650*
Personal Expenses $1,860*

*these are estimated expenses to be budgeted for, but not billable to the student. Textbook costs are high. Students may wish to rent, or purchase online copies of texts to save money.

Orientation Fee $150
Health Service fee (doctor’s office on campus) Approx. $170/semester

Exchange opportunities available 

4 students for one semester

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM)

Student testimonials

"The quality depended on the course; I had similar lectures that we have in Finland; one person in front and the whole class was listening and in the other hand, one of my courses was really great, teacher was passionate about his topic and we had a lot of group discussions. Teaching was mostly similar than what I'm used to; In Finland the pace is definitely faster and the lectures are more structured. Still, 3/4 of my courses were really good quality and teaching was great and we were going towards more hard topics each day. Compared to Finland we also had more readings as a home work. All of my classes also had mandatory attendance"

Who can apply?

  • Students of all faculties
  • Bachelor’s or Master's students
  • Proof of English skills:
    • Master level: You need to pay for a language test (usually TOEFL or IELTS) after being selected for the exchange by University of Helsinki.
    • Bachelor level: fee-based TOEFL/IELTS test or certificate from a UH Language Centre teacher in at least B2 level English. However, the destination recommends C1 level (above-average English proficiency). If a Bachelor-level student is selected for the exchange, he or she will still have to take the subject's own ELI language test, which according to current information is free of charge. Please check for possible exemptions for native speakers of English.
  • Students with minimum GPA of 3,2
  • If you are a Bachelor student and University of Helsinki chooses you as an applicant to UHM, you need to have completed at least one academic year, 60 ECTS, of studies at University of Helsinki by the time you do the application's second part, i.e. apply in UHM's own system. UHM doesn't count language courses (at least not English) or field courses and internships into the 60 ECTS requirement. Studies you may have completed at University of Helsinki's Open University before you started your degree may also not count, if they are not transferred to your current degree. The application deadline for UHM's fall semester ends March 1st, and for the following spring semester October 1st.

What can you study here?

If you have a previous undergraduate degree, University of Hawai'i will consider you a graduate student even if you are an undergraduate at University of Helsinki.

Bachelor course codes:

  • 100-199         Initial or introductory courses
  • 200-299         Second-year courses
  • 300-499         Third- and fourth-year courses 

Master course codes: 500–800

  • 600-699        Graduate courses
  • 700                Thesis Research (master’s)
  • 700-799        Advanced graduate courses
  • 800                Dissertation Research
     
  • Restrictions: of fields taught in Helsinki, Hawaii has closed Law and Medicine from exchange students. You also cannot be admitted to the Academy for Creative Media.
  • Availability of courses in the following fields may be limited or restricted to degree-seeking students only: Academy for Creative Media, Business, Dental Hygiene, Education, Music, Nursing, Travel Industry Management. For more details, see the page on restrictions.

How many credits do you need to complete?

Bachelor level: 12 undergraduate credits (courses have different scopes, choose 12 credits). 12 UHM undergraduate credits = 30 UH credits (ECTS).
Master level: 8 graduate credits (courses have different scopes, choose 8 credits). 8 graduate credits = 30 UH credits (ECTS)
1 UHM undergraduate credit = 2,5 ECTS
1 UHM graduate credit = 3,75 ECTS

Terms

August - December / January - May

Housing, costs and fees

According to their page for costs and fees for exchange students, one semester will cost you ca. $10,000 even without tuition fees, although a previous UH student at UHM estimated that the final expences were around $15,000 in total (including leisure expenses).

Exchange opportunities available 

1 student for one semester

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Student testimonials

"All the courses were of high quality, but of varying levels of difficulty. At Bachelor level, courses were fairly easy and sometimes the teaching felt almost like high school, as there was a lot of group work and discussion. On the other hand, in one Master's level course we had to read a whole book every week, which was a lot of work"

Who can apply?

  • Students of all faculties
  • Bachelor’s or Master's students
  • Proof of English skills: A B2 certificate from a teacher at the Language Centre can be recognized instead of a fee-paying test
  • Students with minimum GPA of 3,5

What can you study here?

Exchange students can apply for fields taught at the College of Arts and Sciences.

Courses:

  • Catalog
  • Courses
  • Departments, look for information about the fields at the College of Arts and Sciences
  • 100-189: Introductory Undergraduate Courses
  • 190-399: Courses for Undergraduate Students
  • 400-699: Courses for Advanced Undergraduate and Graduate Students
  • 700-999: Courses for Graduate Students

Restrictions:

  • Exchange students cannot apply for courses in the professional schools such as business, journalism, public health, nursing, medicine and law. You also cannot apply to computer science, education, pharmacy, biomedical engineering, government or social work.

How many credits do you need to complete?

4 courses per semester
4 undergraduate courses = 12 UNC credits = 24 UH credits (ECTS)
4 graduate courses = 12 UNC credits = 30 UH credits (ECTS)
1 UNC undergraduate credit = 2 ECTS
1 UNC graduate credit = 2,5 ECTS

Terms

August - December / January - May

Housing, costs and fees

  • Housing (double occupancy in Residence Hall) $3,371
  • Meal Plan $1,445 - $2,361 (depends on plan selected)
  • Health Insurance $1,295
  • Books and Supplies $300 - $500, varies
  • Travel and Personal $500 - $1,350, varies
  • Study Abroad Fee $100 exchange
  • Visa Fee $350

Exchange opportunities available 

No places available in the October 2025 application round