In Oulu, you can learn Finnish in many places and on many level skill levels. Find the best language course or institution for you on this page.
Learn Finnish
Finnish for different skill levels
Learning to read and write
Reading and writing studies are meant for immigrants who can't write in their own native language, are not familiar with the Latin alphabet or whose reading or writing skills are weak.
The studies range from 0,5 – 1 semester. The studies are free of charge.
More information:
Oulu Upper Secondary School for Adults:
Upper Secondary School for Adults
kanslia.aikuislukio@ouka.fi
Oulu-opisto:
Oulu-opisto
asiakaspalvelut.ouluopisto@ouka.fi
Vuolle Institute:
Vuolle (website in Finnish)
opisto@vuolleoulu.fi
Adult Basic Education (AIPE)
Adult basic education basic studies
The basic studies are meant for students who have received little or no basic education in their home country. The goal is to learn Finnish and other basic education subjects and prepare for adult basic education, continued schooling or employment.
In order to participate in adult basic education basic studies, your Finnish skill level must be between A0 – A1.3. The length of the studies is determined based on your personal curriculum. The studies are free of charge.
Adult basic education final studies
The final studies are meant for students who have received little basic education in their home country. In order to participate in the final studies, your Finnish skill level must be at least A2.1.
The goal is to study the Finnish basic education syllabus or part of it and receive the prerequisites to study on the secondary level or be employed. The length of the studies varies from 1–2 semesters based on your personal curriculum. The studies are free of charge.
More information:
Oulu Upper Secondary School for Adults:
Upper Secondary School for Adults
kanslia.aikuislukio@ouka.fi
Vuolle Institute:
Vuolle (website in Finnish)
opisto@vuolleoulu.fi
Basic Finnish studies
Multicultural Centre Villa Victor
Non-stop courses for all skill levels throughout the year. Studies are offered as contact-teaching during the days and as remote teaching during the evenings, also in the summers. Specialized courses are offered 2–3 times a year.
You may apply to the courses via the Villa Victor customer service in Oulu10, Torikatu 10. Studies are free of charge.
Multicultural Centre Villa Victor Finnish language studies
opettajat.villalvictor@ouka.fi
Oulu Upper Secondary School for Adults
See the current course offerings on the website or contact customer service for more information. Courses are offered in the days and evenings. The courses are free of charge.
Oulu Upper Secondary School for Adults – Finnish as second language courses
kanslia.aikuislukio@ouka.fi
Oulu-opisto
See the current course offerings on the website or contact customer service for more information. Ask about pricing of individual courses.
Oulu-opisto
asiakaspalvelu.ouluopisto@ouka.fi
Oulu University of Applied Sciences
Some courses are organized through the Oulu University of Applied Sciences. Courses are subject to a charge.
Oulu University of Applied Sciences OAMK
simhe@oamk.fi
University of Oulu
There is a limited number of course spaces for non-university students. Apply through separate study right application. Courses are offered to people with Finnish skill of A1 – B1. Courses are subject to a charge.
University of Oulu Finnish as second language courses
study.languages@oulu.fi
Summer University of North Ostrobothnia
See the current course offerings on the website or contact customer service for more information. Courses are subject to a charge.
Finnish language courses at the Summer University of North Ostrobothnia
Vuolle Institute
See the current course offerings on the website or contact customer service for more information. Ask about pricing of individual courses.
Vuolle Institute (website in Finnish)
opisto@vuolleoulu.fi
Vuolle courses for highly educated immigrant women
Courses are meant for highly educated immigrant women who know some Finnish and want to learn more. Courses are offered until the end of 2026.
Applications are open continually. Courses are free of charge.
Vuolle Institute (website in Finnish)
opisto@vuolleoulu.fi
National Certificates of Language Proficiency (YKI)
If you want to prepare for the National Certificate of Language Proficiency, contact one of the following organizers:
Multicultural Centre Villa Victor, opettajat.villavictor@ouka.fi
Courses are free of charge.Oulu Upper Secondary School for Adults, kanslia.aikuislukio@ouka.fi.
Courses are free of charge.University of Oulu, study.languages@oulu.fi.
Courses are subject to a charge.
Integration Training (KOTO)
Integration Training (KOTO) for immigrants includes Finnish or Swedish learning. The training promotes integration which supports access to education, employment, and participation in Finnish society.
The training is organized primarily as employment training. Please contact employment services.
Also read about services for immigrants on the BusinessOulu website
Advanced Finnish studies
Multicultural Centre Villa Victor
You can register for the remote courses on the website. Applications to online courses are continually open. Minimum Finnish skill level B1. Courses are free of charge.
Villa Victor Finnish language courses
opettajat.villavictor@ouka.fi
Oulu Upper Secondary School for Adults
For example, you can take upper secondary Finnish as second language courses. See the current course offering on the website or contact customer service for more information. Minimum Finnish skill level B1. Courses are free of charge.
Oulu Upper Secondary School for Adults
kanslia.aikuislukio@ouka.fi
University of Oulu
Working Life language courses
Apply via separate study right application. Minimum Finnish skill level B1.1. Courses are offered to skill levels of B1 – C1. Courses are free of charge.
Other advanced language courses are also available. There is a limited number of course spaces for non-university students. Apply through separate study right application. Courses are offered to people with Finnish skill of B1 – B2. Courses are subject to a charge.
Finnish as second language courses by the University of Oulu
Coaching for Finnish universities
Coaching courses are meant for immigrants who aim to participate in university studies. Minimun Finnish language skill B1.1. Coaching is organized every year. See the application periods and instructions on the website. Contact teaching. Coaching lasts for 6 months. Coaching is free of charge.
Oulu University of Applied Sciences OAMK
simhe@oamk.fi
Other Finnish language teaching
Coaching for immigrant parents
Language club for immigrant parents brochure (in Finnish; pdf)
Towards working life – coaching for immigrant parents (in Finnish, pdf)
KOTVA – From home, to work OSAO, info@osao.fi
Children are welcome to come with you. Teaching is free of charge.
Preparatory education for an upper secondary qualification (TUVA)
Preparatory education for an upper secondary qualification (TUVA) is meant for people of school age and others who do not have an upper secondary education.
In TUVA, students learn Finnish and other school subjects, as well as receive support and guidance for choice of career. The education prepares you for vocational education, upper secondary education or employment.
TUVA requires a basic education diploma or comparable education. The required language skill is determined by the institution. The studies are free of charge.
More information:
Oulu Upper Secondary School for Adults:
Upper Secondary School for Adults
kanslia.aikuislukio@ouka.fi
Municipal Education Consortium OSAO:
OSAO
ovi@osao.fi
Luovi Vocational College:
Luovi
info@luovi.fi
NB! Luovi’s courses are meant for all people who need special support in their education, for example, due to difficulties in studying in a public institution.