South Karelia offers a wide range of study opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you want to study Finnish language, complete a degree, or learn about lifelong learning, the region has high-quality educational institutions and student-friendly services. Educational institutions provide assistance with all matters related to studying.

You can study at different levels of education in universities and vocational institutions in the region. Finland's official education portal is called Opintopolku, and where you can learn about the Finnish education system and educational institutions, the education they offer, and how to apply for a place to study. 

• Opintopolku (opintopolku.fi/en)
• Education for immigrants - Studyinfo (opintopolku.fi/en)

If you have a degree and/or work experience, you can also apply for recognition of your qualifications through the Finnish National Agency for Education. Get familiar also with the SIMHE counselling for immigrants who are interested in higher education studies in Finland or who have prior higher education studies from abroad.

• Recognition of qualifications | Finnish National Agency for Education (oph.fi/en)
• SIMHE-Karelia for Immigrants (karelia.fi/en)

Educational institutions operating in South Karelia

• LUT University (lut.fi)  
• LAB University of Applied Sciences (lab.fi)
• Saimaa Vocational Collage SAMPO (edusampo.fi)
• STEP Vocational Education (step.fi/en)

You can read more about studying Finnish on the Living -page. LUT University and LAB University of Applied Sciences offer degree programs in both Finnish and English. Vocational studies are mainly in Finnish, but language support may be available.

Lifelong learning

The South Karelia Adult Education Center, South Karelia Summer University, and Joutseno College offer general education opportunities as well as courses in languages and creative fields.

• Adult education centre of South Karelia (ekko.fi)
• Etelä-Karjalan kesäyliopisto (kesyli.net) (in Finnish)
• Joutsenon Opisto (joutsenonopisto.fi) (in Finnish)

Integration studies

If you are new in Finland, you may be referred to social and cultural orientation courses, which are often linked to your integration plan.