Study Right Based on Previous Studies

If you have interrupted your studies at some point, you can reapply for a Study Right Based on Previous Studies in order to complete your studies. This requires that you do not currently have a valid study right to professional teacher education and that you aim to finish your education started earlier in Finland.

Selection criteria

1. The applicant shall commit to finishing the studies in either professional teacher education, (guidance counselor training or special vocational teacher studies in Finnish) he or she has previously started at a Finnish school of professional teacher education.
2. The applicant must meet the eligibility requirements for professional teacher education.
3. The applicant does not currently have a valid study right for the programme. The applicant has terminated the degree programme or the student's study period has terminated.
4. The applicant must have completed at least 10 credits of suitable studies in teacher's pedagogical education. 
5. In addition to the above, right to study may also be granted to an applicant who has an equivalence decision from the National Board of Education, according to which the applicant must complete studies in teacher education at a Finnish university as supplementary studies.
6. The applicant has paid the application processing fee.
7. The applicant will pass an interview or selection test, if applicable.
8. The unit's resources allow the student to be accepted to the programme.

Professional teacher education involves health requirements. In the application form, applicants are asked to provide information about any health-related factors that may form obstacles for their studies. In addition, the selection of students may be affected by any previous decisions on the cancellation of study rights. In the application form, applicants are asked to provide information about any previous cancellation of study rights due to their health or any endangerment of other people's safety (Act 953/2011).

If you want to check your eligibility, please contact us This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Application and processing fee

Study right based on previous studies is applied for with an electronic form in the Studyinfo (Opintopolku in Finnish). Applying for a study right is an ongoing process. Fill in the electronic application form and add the necessary attachments. Processing applications for study right based on previous studies is subject to a fee of EUR 50 (Decree 1440/2014). The processing fee is nonreturnable.

 » Fill in the application at Studyinfo

Attachments of the application 

Attachments of the application

1. Diploma of eligibility
2. Equivalence decision for a university degree obtained outside Finland
3. Certificates of professional experience required for eligibility
4. Up-to-date transcript of records from previous studies
5. Certificate of termination of studies

Those who have previously studied at Oulu University of Applied Sciences do not need to add these attachments to the application.

Payment details

All applicants have to pay the processing fee of EUR 50 and attach a receipt of the payment with the application.

Payment recipient: Oulun ammattikorkeakoulu Oy
Bank: Osuuspankki
Account number (IBAN): FI32 5741 4020 0600 54
BIC: OKOYFIHH
Enter the following in the message field: Oamk 43000020

Selection as a student and the change application procedure

Applications will be processed in the last week of each month in the order of arrival, including applications received by the end of the previous week except on July and holiday seasons at the of the month. The School of Professional Teacher Education will notify each applicant of the result of the student selection process within two weeks after making the selection decision. The approved applicant will have at least seven (7) days to accept the decision.

If the applicant considers that the student selection has not been made in accordance with the selection criteria or that the student selection procedure has been carried out incorrectly, they must contact the School of Professional Teacher Education. If the matter is still not clarified, the applicant may request a written correction from the Rector of Oulu University of Applied Sciences within 14 days of the publication of the selection results. A request for rectification, which is addressed to the Rector of the University of Applied Sciences and signed by the applicant, must be submitted to School of Professional Teacher Training either by e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by post to Oulu University of Applied Sciences, School of Professional Teacher Training, Yliopistokatu 9, 90570 Oulu.

Study right period

The study right is granted for a maximum of one year. The right to study begins after the notification in accordance with the selection decision, but no later than the beginning of the month following the notification. 

Further information