International teaching cooperation

Blended intensive courses coordinated by the University of Helsinki include a short study period at the University of Helsinki and virtual interactive group work. The virtual component must gather the participants to work on joint topics at the same time. The blended intensive course includes a component which takes place in Finland. 

Participants of the course arrive from the foreign partner universities, which are organizing the intensive course together with the University of Helsinki. The course also includes participants from the University of Helsinki.

Criteria for Erasmus+ blended intensive course (BIP) funding:

• At least two European universities in addition to the University of Helsinki are involved in organizing the course. These universities need to be located in two different Erasmus+ programme countries (EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, North Macedonia, Turkey and Serbia and starting from 2027-2028 also Switzerland and UK)
• There is an face-to-face intensive course component which takes place in Finland lasts for 5-30 days, usually 5 days
• Even though there are are no rules about the minimum duration of the virtual component, it must be interactive in nature and bring true added value to the course
• Course scope is at least 3 ECTS credits (if learners are students)
• Minimum number of 10 learner participants from European partner universities
• Learner participants can be Bachelor's or Master's level students or doctoral researchers or staff members

Erasmus+ BIP funding, when the University of Helsinki is the coordinator of the course:

Erasmus+ funding will be granted to the coordinating university with 400 euro per participant coming from a university located in an Erasmus+ programme country for 10-20 learner participants, i.e. 4 000-8 000 euro in total. Notice that participants from UH do not count towards the funding. The funding can be used for costs such as administrative or personnel costs, for example, for a course assistant fee, costs of teaching space, costs of creating teaching material, visits or meals during the intensive course. 

For courses to be arranged in 2026-2027, funding applications must be submitted at least 4 months prior to the course by filling in this e-form. Funding will be awarded on first-come-first-serve basis to courses fulfilling the BIP requirements until all UH funding has been used.

For courses to be arranged in 2027-2028, funding application must be submitted by 15.1.2027 by filling in this updated e-form. UH will apply for Erasmus+ funding for all the courses that fulfill the BIP requirements.

Notice that BIP funding cannot be used to cover travel or accommodation costs to teachers or learners from partner universities. Participants from partner universities can apply for daily funding from their own university.

Good practices in implementation of the virtual component of BIP

The EU Commission has created a brief guide presenting good practices in the implementation of the virtual component of a BIP (pdf).

Further information: studentexchange@helsinki.fi

Blended intensive courses, which are coordinated by the University of Helsinki's international partner universities, include students or staff members taking a course together. The course includes a short study period abroad and virtual group work. The virtual component must gather the participants to work on joint topics at the same time.  

When the University of Helsinki is an official participant of an Erasmus+ blended intensive course, which is organized by a foreign partner university:

- participation must be agreed on at least 3 months prior to the blended intensive course. Please note that there is a summer break. Due to the break, please agree on courses taking place in September or October before May 15th.
- including students requires that there is a valid exchange agreement between the universities, which includes blended mobility
- the unit taking part in the course is committed to sending participants to the course
- teaching and research staff members from the University of Helsinki can use Erasmus+ teacher exchange funding if they are co-teaching the course
- participating administrative staff can use Erasmus+ staff exchange funding
- participating students from the University of Helsinki can apply for Erasmus+ funding 
- credits completed during the course will be transferred to the University of Helsinki

Further information: studentexchange@helsinki.fi

Funding opportunities for international intensive courses

In addition to Erasmus+ blended intensive course funding, intensive course funding is available from the following:

• Nordplus: For intensive courses organized in the Nordic and Baltic states. Nordplus funding is not available for intensive courses for doctoral researchers. More information about the funding 
  
   
• Team Finland Knowledge. More information about the funding 
  
   
• Erasmus+ KA2 Cooperation partnerships can include intensive courses for students. More information about the funding

Please note that credits must be awarded to the participants of international intensive courses.

More information about funding opportunities for intensive courses and support for preparing funding applications is available from educationprojects@helsinki.fi.

 

Practical support for international course cooperation arrangements

If your degree programme organises a project that involves, for example, an intensive course or other studies abroad, the International Exchange Services and Education Cooperation unit can help the project/course participants acquire the certificates needed to secure financial aid for studying abroad from Kela and provide them with access the University of Helsinki’s instructions for studying abroad, among other things.

If you wish, the international application round for any exchange period/intensive course included in your project can also be organised in a customised manner by the International Exchange Services and Education Cooperation unit using the Mobility Online application system. The application system enables automatic messages to the applicants and admitted students, which saves you the effort of sending emails. The system complies with the principles of “tailor-made exchange”, which means that the admission criteria and message content, among other things, can be tailored according to your wishes.  

By recording exchange periods in the application system, you also help to keep the University informed of your project/intensive course. This benefits further exchange agreement negotiations and student mobility funding applications. 

The tailor-made programme is also convenient for any degree programme projects that involve organising intensive or other customised courses for international student visitors at the University of Helsinki. International Exchange Services and Education Cooperation can help the international students participating in your project/course to acquire the right to study at the University of Helsinki as well as the related student discounts and IT credentials. We will also help you make sure that the studies completed by the students at the University of Helsinki are recorded in the University’s study register.

For more information about the tailor-made application system and other support available from the International Exchange Services and Education Cooperation unit for organising international intensive courses, contact International Exchange Services and Education Cooperation at studentexchange@helsinki.fi

Research groups receive many inquiries about laboratory and research placements. The University recommends concluding an employment contract with international students for the duration of their traineeship.  Students can also be accepted as trainees without a salary if, for example, they have obtained an Erasmus grant.

For more detailed instructions on hosting trainees, see Flamma.