Course registration

You can start registering for courses offered during the autumn term 2023-2024 on 7 August 2023 at 8:00 (CET+1) and for the spring term on 20 November 2023 at 8:00 (CET+1).

Registration is mandatory for all courses and the participants are admitted according to order of registration. When the number of course participants is limited, adult learners (i.e. people who are not degree students at ÅAU) are prioritized. The deadline for registration is usually 7-10 days before the starting date of each course. You can find all the courses on the Courses in English page. Course information for the next academic year is published in June.

By registering for an Open University course you commit to following the Åbo Akademi University Code of Conduct. Please make sure you fill in your email address correctly. You will receive information regarding admittance to the course by email approximately one week before the course starts.

The courses are intended for adult students. No previous knowledge of the subject or previous degree or academic studies are required, but a good demand of English is needed.
Please note that studies at the Open University do not give the right to study as a regular student at Åbo Akademi University, nor does it constitute an eligible basis for a visa application.

For questions regarding the course registration data register, please contact opu@abo.fi. The description of the course registration data register in Swedish can be found here.

Course Registration

Courses organised by our partners (e.g. the summer universities), have their own registration procedures.

Fees

The Open University charges a fee of 50€/term. This fee covers your participation in one or more courses during the same term. Please note that your registration for Open University courses is binding. The study fee is sent a few weeks into the course by mail if you have an address in Finland and by e-mail to those living abroad.

The academic year is divided into two terms:

• Autumn term 1.8–31.12
• Spring term 1.1–31.7

Our partners (for example Summer Universities, adult education centers or Folk High Schools) charge their own fees in addition to the Open University fee, for the courses they arrange. This fee is charged all participants, also students and personnel at Åbo Akademi.  A list of our partners can be found here.

In some courses there might be additional costs for course material.

The following groups are exempted from the course fee:

• Degree students at Åbo Akademi University. More information on the intranet.
• Exchange students at Åbo Akademi University.
• Students at the upper secondary level.
• Personnel at Åbo Akademi University.

Cancellation fee

• If you have registered for a course, but are unable to attend, you should immediately cancel your application.
• You can do it for free until two days after final registration date. Use the link included in the confirmation email sent to you after registration or send an email to opu@abo.fi.
• If the cancellation is made later than two working days (2) after the registration time of the course has expired, 20 EUR will be charged as a cancellation fee.
• The cancellation fee is also charged in the case of non-participation. This means if a student has been accepted to the course, but has not logged in to the course page or participated in contact instruction.
• If a student has logged in to the course page or participated in contact instruction, she/he is considered a participant of the course and is charged the study fee for the term.
• The cancellation fee applies to everyone, also registered students (including undergraduate and exchange students at ÅAU).
• The cancellation fee is not charged in force majeure situations (illness etc.), but they must be confirmed by a doctor’s certificate.

How do I pay?

• When you have been accepted to the course, you will receive an invoice in the mail a few weeks after the start of the course and should then pay the tuition fee as quickly as possible. (Notification of admission to the course is sent out by e-mail one week before the course starts).
• Overdue unpaid invoices goes to collection and affects your ability to participate in the Open University’s courses in the future.

Study guidance

Courses are generally arranged as online courses or as evening and weekend classes.

The grading system used at Åbo Akademi University corresponds to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). The grading system uses a scale from 5–1 (A-E) where 5 (A) is the highest score while 1 (E) is the lowest pass. Some courses are graded on a pass/fail basis.

A study credit (1 sp) equals an average study output of 25–30 hours, and includes, for example, lectures, oral exercises, written work and literature studies.

For planning of studies or study guidance please contact our study advisor:

Majlen Saarinen
The Centre for Lifelong Learning at Åbo Akademi University
Tehtaankatu 2
20500 Turku
Phone: +358 2 215 4500
E-mail: majlen.saarinen@abo.fi

We have digital scheduling for guidance sessions. Read more about it here.

Supplementary studies for non-degree students (extra students)

You can apply for a right to study as an extra student in order to complete one or a few daytime courses offered at Åbo Akademi University. More information about supplementary studies for non-degree students (extra students).