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Using a study voucher at Uniarts Helsinki

A new national study voucher pilot offers free Open University studies to young people who have not received a study place.

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What is a study voucher?

A study voucher is a government‑funded initiative that allows a young person without a study place to complete up to 30 credits of Open University studies free of charge.

The aim is to open doors to higher education for as many young people as possible. With the voucher, you can explore different fields, strengthen your skills, and find a suitable pathway for further studies.

With the study voucher, you can try out Uniarts Helsinki’s Open University courses and get to know different fields of study. This way, you can find out if Uniarts Helsinki could be your direction. Depending on your interests, you can take individual courses in music, performing arts or visual arts, complete language and communication studies, or choose a study module.

The first study vouchers will be granted to young people who participated in the spring 2026 Finnish joint application but did not receive a higher education study place.

Who can receive a study voucher?

The study voucher is intended for those who have been left without a study place the Finnish joint applications in higher education. This means that you did not receive a study place or did not accept an offered place by the deadline in the joint application occurring after you completed your degree and after the law has entered into force.

You are eligible for a study voucher if you completed the Finnish matriculation examination or a vocational upper secondary qualification in Finland before turning 29 years old, and you graduated between 1 December 2025 and 30 June 2028.

Study options available for the voucher

With the study voucher, you can explore university-level studies by trying courses from different fields. Finding your own path is easier when you can test different options with no rush.

You can complete up to 30 credits’ worth of Open University studies free of charge with the voucher. Open University courses can later be included in a degree at Uniarts Helsinki.

Courses at Uniarts Helsinki that you can study with the voucher are available in the Open University course listing. The first relevant courses for the study voucher will be published by 2 June.

The application period for teaching in the autumn semester is in June–August, for teaching in the spring semester in November–December and for summer teaching in April–May. You can read more instructions on applying to the Open University on Uniarts Helsinki’s website.

All studies available with the study voucher can also be found in the Opin.fi service, which gathers open higher education studies from Finnish universities in one place.

Check out the study voucher courses of different academies

Learn more about the studies offered by Uniarts Helsinki’s academies. These courses are especially suitable for you who are studying with a study voucher!

How to use the voucher

You can use the study voucher to complete up to 30 credits in a open higher education studies. You can use it to complete studies at one or several institutions.

The study voucher can be activated in the Opin.fi service starting 5 August 2026. It is valid for two years from the date of activation. You can use the study voucher as a means of payment when registering for open higher education courses listed in the Opin.fi service.

Apply to Uniarts Helsinki’s Open University by filling in the course-specific electronic application form. You can find the current registration period and links to the study guide and the application form in the Open University course list.

If you are selected for studies, you can use your study voucher as a payment method. First, create an account and activate the study voucher in the Opin.fi service.

Applying and paying with the study voucher

  1. Learn more about the use of a study voucher in the opin.fi service and check whether you are entitled to a study voucher.
  2. Create a user account in the opin.fi service.
  3. Activate the study voucher by following the instructions on opin.fi.
  4. Learn more about Uniarts Helsinki’s courses and apply for studies in the Open University’s application service.
  5. After the application period has ended, you will receive an email informing you of your admission to the studies and the payment of the study fee.
  6. Verify your right to study by paying the study fee. At the payment stage, select study voucher as the payment method and follow the instructions on the page.

In case of problems related to the activation of the study voucher, use the feedback form on the opin.fi website. Questions related to the courses offered or the application form are answered by Uniarts Helsinki’s Open University.

We offer study guidance and advice to support you in choosing studies and planning your learning path.

You can send questions directly to the Open University study team by email at avoin@uniarts.fi – you will receive personal guidance and advice for your situation.

Are you wondering what studying at Uniarts Helsinki is like or how to start your studies in practice? Read more about the Open University’s practices and student benefits on the page Studying at the Open University.

More information

Please contact us at avoin@uniarts.fi if you need more information about using the study voucher at Uniarts Helsinki.