Welcome to the world of opportunities!

Thank you for your interest in SMU Exchange! While you prepare your application, you may want to learn in advance what your (and the Global Learning Office’s) plans, expectations, and responsibilities are. This information guide will help you prepare for a well-planned exchange program. Please review this guide carefully and thoroughly so that your application is full and complete for the selection process. And remember, we are here to assist you throughout all phases of the exchange program! Please e-mail Miyuki.arai@smu.ca if you have any questions or concerns.

Why should I study abroad?

There are many reasons and benefits. When you study abroad, you not only enrich your academic experience but also develop intercultural communication skills, competencies and confidence. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience through which you build your resume, learn about different cultures, and make new friends from around the world. Besides you have the support of the home and host universities throughout the journey.

What are the semester dates in Finland?

Autumn semester: September-December (orientation program in late August)

Spring semester: January-May (orientation program in the beginning of January)

Is there funding?

Yes! The funding program is called the “Erasmus+” International Credit Mobility. Read on below.

Erasmus+ partner school option 1: University of Jyväskylä

What is University of Jyväskylä like?

University of Jyväskylä (JYU) is an internationally ranked research university and is one of the largest and most popular multidisciplinary universities in Finland. JYU provides a genuinely supportive and enjoyable environment for studying. JYU has 14 300 students from about 100 countries. They believe that interaction with people from different cultures and backgrounds is an essential part of academic studies and the university experience. The population of Jyväskylä is around 148,000, and the city is located about 170km north of the capital city, Helsinki. See more information about Jyväskylä here. SMU and JYU have been exchange partners since 2006.

What subjects are offered at JYU? In what language?

Many courses for exchange students are offered in English by the following Centre/Faculty:

Centre for Multilingual Academic Communication
Faculty of Education and Psychology

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Faculty of Information Technology

Faculty of Mathematics and Science

Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences

School of Business and Economics

See more information about courses for exchange students here.

Erasmus+ funding at JYU

Successful students can receive a grant of €4,788 (approx. CAD$7,750) for 4months of exchange study at JYU.

Number of grants available for AY2026-27: 4

Four (4) successful applicants will be selected for the JYU exchange program, and those four students will receive an Erasmus+ mobility grant each. Each grant consists of 900euro-stipend per month for 4 months plus a travel subsidy of 1,188euros for a total of 4,788euros. Funding will be given by JYU after students arrive in Finland; therefore, students need to pay out of pocket any upfront expenses such as the residence permit application costs and international airfare. Top up grant for participants with fewer opportunities where available.

Erasmus+ partner school option 2: LUT University

What is LUT University like?

LUT University was founded in 1969 and is one of the top-ranked higher education institutions in Finland. LUT University describes themselves as, “We are trailblazers in promoting the energy transition and the regenerative use of natural resources, and we help build resilient communities, industry, and businesses through data, research, and education.” (see more here). LUT University welcomes every year around 200 exchange students to its Lappeenranta campus located by beautiful Lake Saimaa only two-hour train ride away from the capital Helsinki. The population of Lappeenranta is 73,000 inhabitants. See more information about Lappeenranta here. SMU and LUT have been exchange partners since 2005.

LUT University offers exchange studies for selected study fields at the Lahti campus in Lahti, even closer to the capital area. The population of Lahti is approximately 122,000 inhabitants.

What subjects are offered at LUT University? In what language?

Fields of study for exchange students, many of which are in English, at the Lappeenranta campus include:

Business (Business Administration)
Technology (Chemical Engineering, Computational Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Energy Technology, Environmental Technology, Industrial Engineering and Management, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering (only Master)
Social Sciences (Social Sciences, Communication Sciences)
Fields of study for exchange students, many of which are in English, at the Lahti campus include:
Industrial Engineering and Management (only Bachelor)
Software Engineering (Bachelor and Master)
See more information about LUT University courses for exchange students here.

Erasmus+ funding at LUT

Successful students can receive a grant of 5,688euros (approx. CAD$9200) for 5months of exchange study at LUT.

Number of grants available for AY2026-27: 3

Three (3) successful applicants will be selected for the LUT exchange program, and those three students will receive an Erasmus+ mobility grant each. Each grant consists of 900euro-stipend per month for 5 months plus a travel subsidy of 1,188euros for a total of 5,688euros. Funding will be given by LUT after students arrive in Finland; therefore, students need to pay out of pocket any upfront expenses such as the residence permit application costs and international airfare. Top up grant for participants with fewer opportunities where available.

Additional Information

Can I receive transfer credits towards my SMU degree?

It depends on which courses you have left to complete for your SMU degree. Please meet with your academic advisor (see here) as a first step. Your advisor will not be able to tell you which courses to take (-- it is up to you to research the partner university’s courses) but can 1) confirm if any of the remaining SMU program requirements can be completed abroad during the exchange program and 2) go over the Letter of Permission process with you.

Note: JYU and LUT course credits are weighted differently from SMU courses. If you plan to earn 15 credit hours from the exchange semester towards your degree, you should aim to validate 30 “ECTS” credits at JYU/LUT.

You must attain a grade of C or higher in most cases for the host university credits to be accepted by SMU. Please note that the host university’s grades will not be used in the calculation of your SMU GPA – the transfer credits will show on your SMU transcript with a code, “TR”, instead of a letter grade.

What did former exchange students say about studying in Finland?

Watch Caitlin’s testimonial here! Caitlin studied at JYU for a semester in the 2022-23 academic year.

Am I eligible?

The Exchange Program is open to all SMU students (Canadian and Non-Canadian students, full-time or part-time) who are in good academic standing and have completed at least 30 credit hours at SMU. We welcome applicants of diverse backgrounds and abilities. Students who are eligible to receive transfer credits towards their SMU degree will be prioritized.

Important: Your official transcript will be sent from the host university upon completion of the exchange program; however, it will take a couple of months for the transfer credits to be added to your banner account. Therefore, if you are in your final year of your Bachelor program, please discuss your graduation timeline with the academic advising office.

What are my costs?

You will be responsible for SMU tuition (paid at SMU for the transfer credit hours), $100 study abroad admin fee, international and in-country travel, travel insurance, housing, food, communication, passport application, Finnish immigration* application, any fees charged by the host university and miscellaneous/personal expenses.

The average living expenses for a single student in Finland amount to about €700-900 (approx. CAD$1150-$1500) per month.

Do I need a visa to study in Finland?

Yes. Exchange students need to obtain a “Residence Permit” to study in Finland. The Residence Permit application process begins as soon as your acceptance letter is issued by the host university. Students need to prove that they have 800euros per study month. Important: After completing an electronic application, all applicants must visit a VFS Global application centre in person to prove their identity, NO EXCEPTIONS. For students in Nova Scotia, the closest VFS Centres to Halifax are in Montreal or Ottawa. Budget for your travel to a VFS Centre accordingly. See more information at:

Guide for students applying for a residence permit here

How to apply for a residence permit provided by the Finnish mission in Canada here

The VFS.GLOBAL Finland Residence Permit Application Centres here

How do I apply? When is the application deadline?

You will submit your application for the Erasmus+ Finland exchange program (Fall 2026 and Winter 2027) to the SMU Global Learning Office by March 2 2026 at 4pm*.

To complete your application, you will:

fill out your Study Abroad Application (https://studio.smu.ca/s/StudyAbroadApplication2021.pdf)
write a one-page letter of intent. (Tip: book an appointment with The Writing Centre once you have a draft https://studio.smu.ca/wc-student-tutoring)
print (in pdf) your unofficial transcript from banner
prepare your resume, and
secure two references (one must be from a SMU professor of one of your courses) – referees can email their letters directly to Global@smu.ca. Inquiries can be sent to Miyuki.arai@smu.ca.

Once you have all four pieces of application documents (except for references), upload them at the application link here https://smuniversity.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_55UpfboKu5sImUe.

*If not all grants are allocated after the selection process, applications will continue to be accepted for the Winter 2027 exchange program on a first-come, first-served basis up to 4pm on August 31 2026.

What happens after you apply?

Once your application package is received, the Global Learning Office will be in touch to schedule a short interview. If you are selected, 1) you will be nominated to the host university as SMU’s Erasmus+ credit mobility grant recipients by the SMU Global Learning Office and 2) you will be instructed to complete a set of applications for the host university by late April (Fall Exchange Program) or by late September (Winter Exchange Program). Once the host university accepts you into the program, you will be provided with all program-related information.

As soon as your acceptance is confirmed by the host university, you will start the Residence Permit application process with VFS Global.

You will arrange your own international travel.

You will also be expected to attend our pre-departure orientation meetings at SMU. The host university will also organize a mandatory orientation program at the beginning of the exchange semester.

From Acceptance to Pre-departure

Once you are accepted into the program by SMU and by the host university, there are other steps you will follow to prepare for your departure. Those steps include the following and additional information about each item will be provided later:

Request approval for taking host university courses for the transfer of credits (via a Letter of Permission Request Form)
Apply for a passport within 6 months of the expected end date of the exchange program.
If you are a non-Canadian student, ensure your Canadian Study Permit and Visa remain valid for re-entry to Canada after the exchange program. (If you are a Canadian Permanent Resident Card holder, check the expiry date, too.)
Apply for a Finnish Residence Permit
Arrange travel insurance (mandatory)
Purchase airline tickets
Attend pre-departure briefing meetings and learn to manage travel risks
Register in courses at the host university
Apply for housing as directed by the host university
Get to know other SMU students who will be on exchange in the same semester
Inform the Global Learning Office if applying for a student loan, and keep in touch with the SMU Financial Aid & Awards Office
Research the host country and region
Request accessibility services to the host university, as required
Register your travel
Complete the waiver form
Attend the orientation at the host university (mandatory)
Pay SMU tuition and $100 fee at SMU
Review the post-experience reporting requirements and book a re-entry workshop
Receive an official transcript from the host university so your credits will be added to banner