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FAQ - incoming exchange students
FAQ - incoming exchange students
On this webpage we have collected different questions about application process to LAB University of Applied Sciences and other topics, which can help you when considering applying for exchange studies at LAB.
About application process
If you are interested in a student exchange period at LAB University of Applied Sciences, please contact your home institution's international office. You can be considered as an exchange student if there is a student exchange agreement between your home institution and LAB University of Applied Sciences. The home institution selects the candidates for student exchange. After you have been selected by your home institution to be a candidate for student exchange and your home institution has nominated you, you can apply to LAB as an exchange student.
Student nominations are based on agreements between our universities. Agreements are for specific study fields. There can be different reasons why a student is nominated for a wrong study field.
If you think you should be nominated for some other study field, please contact your home university about this or incoming@lab.fi.
Note! Students are nominated for study fields that they are studying in their home university.
Unfortunate it’s not possible for exchange students to do their final thesis during their exchange period in our university.
About application documents
You are expected to have sufficient skills in English language to be able to study at LAB. If English is not your native language, a document proving your knowledge of English is required. The expect English level is B2 (CEFR level). NOTE! The students whose native is English, can attach a free-form document stating that the student's mother tongue is English.
Approved language tests and specific requirements:
A certificate/document from your home institution (e.g. a teacher, language center or the International Office) in English stating that you have B2 level competence of English.
IELTS Academic, IELTS indicator or IELTS Online
Minimum overall score 6.5, all band scores at least 5.5
PTE Academic or PTE Academic Online
Minimum overall score 62, all band scores at least 54
TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition
Minimum overall score 90, writing score min. 22
TOEFL iBT (new version in 2026)
Minimum score 4,5
Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency
Minimum Score level C
Cambridge B2 First
Minimum score 170
Cambridge International IGCSE
First language in English Syllabus 0500 and 0990
SAT test Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
Minimum score 600
Oxford ELLT
Minimum score 7
A Degree completed in English
Proof of completing an upper secondary degree or at least Bachelor/Master degree in English at an institution located in the following countries: an EU or EEA country, Australia, South Africa, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, or the United States. The official document must state that English was the language of instructions; if the language is not specified or multiple languages are listed, at least half of the credits must have been completed in English.
We usually sign Learning Agreements after final acceptance. Your departmental coordinator will sign your Learning Agreement.
About courses and course lists
The courses for exchange students are available in the online Study Guide.
A Learning Agreement and a Study plan are the same thing. It is a list of courses you're planning to study during your stay at LAB. You need to look at our course lists and choose which courses you want to study during your exchange.
Note also that there can be changes in course lists still at the beginning of the semester.
Very often there will be some changes in the Learning Agreements. Our teachers help students with the course choices when the students arrive to our university and the teachers know which courses are available.
Incoming exchange students may take some courses cross faculties and study fields if they meet the courses' prerequisites.
However, please note that courses from the Institute of Design and Fine arts are available only for the students of design and fine arts.
Language and culture courses and interdisciplinary courses are open for all exchange students.
Exchange students can take some online courses, but the most of the courses should be on-campus courses.
All the courses for exchange students are in English.
The estimated workload for full time student in one academic year is 60 ECTS credits, meaning 30 ECTS credits per semester (and that is the recommended amount). Please note that a credit does not refer to the duration of a course, but to the estimated amount of work required. One credit refers to approximately 27 hours of work by the student. Credits are used to define the extent of a given course.
Other topics
The academic year at LAB University of Applied Sciences is divided into autumn and spring semesters. Within these semesters each faculty has their own study period and course schedule (this means that courses may start at different time). Exams are included in the study periods and there are no separate exam weeks.
Every semester starts with the orientation. Orientations are intended to help you to start your studies.
Autumn semester starts at end of August or early in September. Autumn semester ends usually middle of December.
Spring semester starts early in January and ends usually at end of April or early in May.
Orientation days are organised in the beginning of the semester.
Orientations will tell you about:
LAB University of Applied Sciences
Campus tour
You get to meet other exchange students
Finnish culture
Student union and how to get a student card
And much more
Your international coordinator can sign that, contact incoming@lab.fi about this.
In Finland we have four seasons, so get ready for it. It's recommended to buy winter clothing in Finland, because the clothes sold in Finland are suitable for the climate here. The clothes bought in warmer countries may not be warm enough for the Finnish winter. We have many clothing stores where you can get clothes suitable for the Finnish weather. We also have good and stylish second hand stores to buy good garments and other supplies. Read more about living in Finland.
At LAB, you can use MOVEO, a wellbeing and exercise service that is designed for students and staff, offering its members low-threshold group fitness classes, a wide range of ball game sessions, and access to a campus gym.
KOE is the Student Union of LAB University of Applied Sciences. We want to make your study time your life's best time! Our mission is to ensure that your studies goes well and smoothly! They make the students’ voice heard in the decisions that concern students. KOE also organizes events and free time activities to counterbalance the busy student life.
As a member of the student union you will get a student card. With the student card, you are entitled to a huge amount of member benefits and discounts in Finland. As a member of KOE you also get benefits at KOE’s events.
If you can't find an answer from our Incoming Exchange Student Guide, you may contact us. Please note that during our application period we might have delays with replies. Kindly avoid sending multiple messages to avoid over-crowding the inbox.
