Student Exchange
Internationalization and networking are key words in today’s business world. That is why around 40 percent of industrial engineering and management (IEM) students from Oulu complete a part of their studies abroad. IEM students have always been enthusiastic travelers, so the University of Oulu, the IEM research unit, and the staff offer extensive opportunities for student exchange. You can go on exchange for a full academic year or just a semester. It is even possible to go abroad multiple times during your degree. Going on exchange is easy, and The University of Oulu awards grants to exchange students. Abroad, you can take courses for your IEM major or your engineering specialization.
- More information about different exchange programs can be found on the University of Oulu’s student exchange pages.
- Detailed instructions for applying can be found on the University of Oulu’s international mobility services website.
- You can ask the academic advisor and the Faculty of Technology’s exchange coordinator for more details about going abroad. (Essi Ranua, Study.Technology@oulu.fi)
Erasmus and Nordtek
The European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students offers the opportunity to go on exchange to EU member states, as well as countries like Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Turkey. As part of the same application round, you can also apply through the Nordtek network to other Nordic and Baltic countries.
The main application period for this program is in the spring, but remaining slots can also be applied for in the autumn. The application deadline for the autumn semester is the preceding spring (February–March), and for the spring semester, it is the preceding autumn (September–October). Students are expected to complete either 30 or 60 ECTS credits during their exchange, depending on whether they stay for a semester or a full academic year. The call for applications for the ERASMUS program always comes from your own faculty.
In the ERASMUS program, there are exchange agreements with numerous different destinations. The easiest way to browse them is via SoleMOVE, which is also the platform where you submit your electronic application for these destinations.
Overseas destinations and ISEP
The Faculty of Technology’s and IEM’s Own Overseas Destinations
In addition to the ISEP and ERASMUS destinations, IEM students can also apply to the following destinations available for the Faculty of Technology during the application round for destinations outside Europe:
- Hong Kong: City University of Hong Kong
- Singapore: National University of Singapore
- Taiwan: National Chung Hsing University
- Thailand: Kasetsart University
More information and additional overseas destinations can be found here.
ISEP
Through the International Student Exchange Program, you can head to the USA and other countries to study. The duration of the exchange is one semester, and the accommodation, food, and tuition costs (~2,900€) are paid before departure. ISEP requires a TOEFL or IELTS language test, which you’ll need to go and take in Helsinki if you are accepted into the program. In the ISEP program, you first apply to the program itself, and then at a later stage, separately to the universities. The student quota for the program varies annually. The application for ISEP is done in connection with the application round for destinations outside of Europe. (non-EU) exchange applications, and more details can be found on the international mobility services website.

