Asiakasnäkymä

Higher education preparatory programme for immigrants (MaVa)

Free-of-charge MaVa training develops Finnish language skills and study skills for immigrants who want to apply for a higher education degree in Finnish. The studies include both in-person and online instruction.

Service organiser

Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulu

Language

Finnish

Charges

The service is free of charge

Implementation

Hybrid service

Individual guidance

Group guidance

Contact service

Remote or online service

Advisory service

Other service

Who is the service for?

The target group consists of immigrants who plan to apply to a Finnish-language higher education institution. Applicants must have at least B1-level proficiency in Finnish. The aim of the programme is to raise language skills to B2 level and to develop the study skills needed for higher education studies.

Municipality of residence

Municipality of residence does not matter

Age

All people of working age

Situation

In need of additional training

Looking to change careers

Person with higher education

Immigrant (integration period ongoing)

Immigrant (integration period over)

Immigrant (outside the workforce)

How can I participate in the service?

You can apply to the MaVa programme by completing an application on the Opintopolku.fi website during the application period. Make sure that you meet the eligibility requirements for the programme. If you are eligible, you will receive an invitation by email to an entrance examination.

The entrance examination is held on Metropolia’s campus and includes reading comprehension, listening comprehension, writing, and an interview. No advance information is provided about the examination, and you should be prepared to spend the entire day there.

If you are selected for the programme, you will receive an email with instructions on how to accept the study place. Confirm your place according to the instructions and begin your studies on the agreed start date. Remember to monitor your email throughout the process and follow the instructions you receive.

Benefits of participating in the service

The MaVa programme helps you develop your Finnish language skills and learn the basic study skills needed for higher education studies in Finland. During the programme, you receive support for group work, learn to use digital learning environments, and gain insight into Finnish study culture. The programme also helps strengthen your self-confidence as a student and prepares you for entrance examinations and applying for degree studies.

Note: Completing the preparatory programme does not give you direct admission to degree studies. You must apply for a degree programme through the national joint application system. Students who complete the programme have a separate quota in the joint application process for Metropolia’s degree programmes. Read more about the preparatory programme quota in the joint applicationexternal link, opens in a new tab.

After completing the programme, you can study free of charge at Metropolia Open University of Applied Sciences for two semesters.

Conditions for participating in the service

You can apply to the MaVa programme if you are an immigrant with at least B1-level proficiency in Finnish.
You must have a previous educational background and the intention to continue your studies at a Finnish-language higher education institution.
Participation requires submitting an application through the Opintopolku.fi service within the application period and successfully completing the entrance examination.
The programme is specifically intended for applicants who want to develop their Finnish language skills to B2 level and gain the skills needed for higher education studies.

Maahanmuuttajien valmentavien opintojen valintakokeiden ja opintotietojen henkilörekisteriexternal link, opens in a new tab

How is the service organised?

Fields and content of the programme

In the MaVa programme, you can choose from three fields:

Social and Health Care
Multidisciplinary track (e.g. business, technology, culture)
Media

In autumn, all of the above fields are available; in spring, only the social and health care field is offered.

The scope of the studies is 30 ECTS credits, and in all fields the studies last approximately six months. The programme consists of six courses that develop Finnish language skills and the competencies required for higher education studies:

Finnish language proficiency and field-specific terminology
Academic skills and the development of basic study and digital skills
Communication skills (in Finnish and English)
Basic subject-specific knowledge in the chosen field (e.g. social and health care, media, or multidisciplinary studies)
Mathematical skills or field-specific studies

Form of delivery

The MaVa programme is delivered as blended learning (on-campus and online) or entirely online. The exact mode of delivery may vary depending on the field of study (please check the implementation details on each programme’s website).

The instruction includes:

group work,
guided study under the supervision of a teacher, and
independent online assignments.

Moodle and Zoom/Teams are used as learning environments. The studies are full-time, and participation in teaching sessions is mandatory.

Service accessibility

Participation requires bringing your own equipment

Where and when?

More information on the time

Applications to the MaVa programme are accepted twice a year. For programmes starting in the autumn semester, three fields are available: the multidisciplinary track, social and health care, and media. In the spring semester, only the preparatory programme in social and health care is offered.

Up-to-date information on application periods and programme implementation can be found on Metropolia’s website (see below).

Time

The time of the service is agreed upon separately.