LAB has currently almost 300 partner universities, so everyone will surely find a place where to apply for exchange. However, to make sure that the exchange period will be completed smoothly, student needs to have completed the ongoing studies in LAB with decent success and pace. Also, every year some partner universities are more popular than the others which means some places have more students wanting to go there than we can send. For these reasons, a certain selection criterion needs to be used. 

LAB criteria for the student exchange  

1. Minimum of one (1) year of studies completed before the student exchange (some degree programmes require 2-4 semesters before student exchange - please check the minimum requirement of your degree programme.)
2. Success and progress in studies at LAB (around 60 ECTS / year).  
3. Suitability of the exchange period to the student’s curriculum at LAB.  Exchange period needs to fit in to the normal studying time. It cannot take place during the last semester of studies.
4. Suitability of the host institution courses to the student's curriculum at LAB.  
5. Sufficient knowledge to study in language of instruction based on transcript and other documents. Tested if needed.  
6. Study and career related goals and motivations specified in the application.  
7. Exchange takes place in a destination that genuinely supports student’s internationalization (not for example in the country of residence or home country).
8. Department’s approval.  
9. If needed, an interview

Internal application 

First of all: discuss your exchange plans with your tutor teacher / Departmental Coordinator well in advance.

The actual application goes in two phases: first you need to apply in the internal application round at LAB to see which institution you will get to apply to.

In the second phase, you will apply to your host institution abroad. 

There are two internal application rounds for exchange studies abroad, both during the spring semester. Application periods during year 2025:

• 22.1. - 5.2.2025 for next autumn & spring semesters and the whole academic year.
• 15.4. - 5.5.2025 supplementary application period for next spring semester for all the remaining places. Note the changed timing (no application period in the autumn anymore)!

Next application periods (for exchanges taking place in academic year 2026-2027 ) have not been confirmed yet, but they will be informed here in early autumn 2025.

Application info will be organised during the application period - it is a must for you to attend (or at least listen the recording afterwards)! Come to learn how to apply and get answers to your questions. Also other "pop-up type" meetings will be organised for you to stop by with your questions. 

Application info session (supplementary application period for spring 2026) was held on 16.4.2025

• Recording of the application info session (16.4.2025)
• Pdf material of the application info session (16.4.2025)

Outside the application periods you can also book an individual meeting time with exchange coordinator. Check out available meeting times from here.

The internal application to LAB is done in  two  stages: 

1. First fill in the application form (link available here during the application period)

In your application indicate three partner institutions (for Double Degree -application only one is required) you want to apply to in order of preference, answer some motivational questions and inform what type of studies you wish to complete while abroad, etc. 

2. You will receive a confirmation email which contains a link to the  LAB Mobility-Online system. The appendices will be uploaded to your user account via workflow. In this stage you need to finalise your application by submitting photo of yourself, your transcript (opintosuoritusote) and CV in English. Your transcript does not need to be signed, you can download it yourself from Peppi (Atomi). CV is freeform (though, must be in English). Remember also to submit your application.

Both of these steps need to be completed during the internal application period!

Applications will then be processed together by the faculty and LAB International Mobility Services. The decisions will be sent to students via email by 15th March (main application round) or 15th June (supplementary application round).  

Application to the host institution 

After you have got a confirmation that you have been accepted to a study abroad by LAB, you will be officially nominated to the host institution by LAB International Mobility Services. After the official nomination, you are allowed to contact the host university abroad and start their application process according to their instructions. Do not contact them before this! In the confirmation message there will be information also about the next steps of your exchange.  

The preparation for the exchange period in autumn semester starts usually in March-April and for the spring semester usually in September-October. Please note that after receiving the confirmation of acceptance from LAB, you are responsible for completing the exchange application to the host institution according to their deadlines so check the deadlines yourself. International Mobility Services will help you with the preparations, if needed.

Note that you are responsible for all the arrangements. However, we will go through the process in Go Abroad Kick Off sessions which are a compulsory part of the exchange process (you will be invited by email). Regarding the rest of the preparations, check out the section Preparations for studies and placement abroad.

After you have received official acceptance from your host institution, you will take care of maintaining the contact to your host institution yourself. 

Note! For Institute of Design and Fine Arts' students also a rejection from the host institution is possible. If this happens in your case, you should contact the International Mobility Services to check whether some other option might still be available for you.

Learning agreement

Students going for exchange will have to do a learning agreement (LA) together with their faculty contact person which will set up your study plan abroad. The learning agreement is done digitally as a step in your LAB Mobility-Online workflow.

Find out the course selection from the host institution. You may have got the course listing by email or if not, check the host institution’s website. Make an initial plan for the courses you are going to participate before you meet up with your faculty’s contact person. When meeting up with him/her, you will go through the courses together and see whether some changes need to be made.

Learning agreement must be signed by three parties: student, responsible person from LAB and responsible person from the host institution too. The LA needs to be signed digitally by the student before you can apply for the funding from LAB. Follow the instructions given in the Go Abroad Kick Off sessions.

Once you start your studies abroad and if there are any changes to your initial LA, you will have to enter the "during the mobility" steps (changes to LA) in LAB Mobility-Online. Please note, that you are not allowed to make any changes to the LA before the host institution has signed or rejected it. Changes before that leads to technical issues.

Continue with the following links