Welcome to University of Helsinki
News, stories and updates for applicants and international students at the University of Helsinki
Every other year a group of new international students start their academic career in the MURE Master’s Degree Programme.The www.studyinlahti.fi website provides information for students about accommodation, study advice, everyday life, etc.
With over 100 000 inhabitants Lahti is the 8th largest city in Finland. As part of the Helsinki metropolitan area, it is located in the southern part of the country with an easy connection to the capital city.
By Yafei Zhao, Master’s Degree Student at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
Generally speaking, we cannot survive without food, but we could be alive without furniture. However, furniture are as important as the necessities of life. Anyway, we need furniture no matter where we live!
It is common that there is no furniture in the students’ apartment, like HOAS, HYS. It is very necessary that we could get the furniture as soon as possible. Here are some information about where to get the furniture in Helsinki. If you prefer new stuff, IKEA is the best option and it is in our student price range; If second hand stuff does not matter to you, then many Second Hand Shops are available. They are relatively cheaper, especially furniture. Sometimes, with the same price, you may get better quality.
Anyway, good luck for your new life in Helsinki. Have a good START!
IKEA Vantaa & Espoo
Free Bus from Kiasma Museum and shopping centre Dixi (Tikkurila) EVERY day, clear blue bus with yellow IKEA.
IKEA also has a delivery service which charges depending on the delivery destination. Starting price is from 39€.
Timetable:
| To Vantaa | From Vantaa | |||||
| Kiasma | Mon-Fri | Sat | Sun | Mon-Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 10:15 | 09:15 | 11:30 | 11:30 | 10:15 | 12:45 | |
| 12:15 | 10:45 | 13:15 | 13:45 | 12:45 | 14:45 | |
| 14:30 | 13:15 | 15:15 | 15:45 | 14:30 | 17:30 | |
| 16:30 | 15.00 | 18:15 | 16:45 | |||
| Dixi | 11:00 | 10:00 | 12:15 | 12:45 | 11:15 | 13:45 |
| 13:00 | 11:30 | 14:00 | 15:15 | 13:45 | 15:45 | |
| 15:30 | 14:00 | 16:00 | 17:15 | 15:30 | 17:00 | |
| 17:30 | 15:45 | 16:15 | ||||
| To Espoo | From Espoo | |||||
| Kiasma | Mon-Fri | Sat | Sun | Mon-Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 12:00 | 10:00 | 12:00 | 12:30 | 10:30 | 12:30 | |
| 13:00 | 11:00 | 13:00 | 13:30 | 11:30 | 13:30 | |
| 14:00 | 12:00 | 14:00 | 15:00 | 13:00 | 15:30 | |
| 15:30 | 13:30 | 16:00 | 16:30 | 14:00 | 17:30 | |
| 17:00 | 14:30 | 17:30 | 15:00 | |||
| 18:00 | 16:00 | 20:00 | 17:30 | |||
For more information, check out IKEA’s website: www.ikea.com/fi
Helsinki Metropolitan Area Reuse Centre Ltd
A non-profit organization hoping to reduce the amount of waste and increase environmental awareness. You may find almost everything in the stores, like furniture, electric appliances, kitchen stuff and clothes etc.
If you have the Student Card or Certificate of Attendance, 10% discount is available.
Stores and address:
Working hours: Mon-Fri 09:00-20:00, Sat 10:00-16:00, Sun 12:00-16:00.
Website: www.kierratyskeskus.fi/in_english/shops
Fida Secondhand Shops
They have secondhand clothes, small furniture and other small items.
Working hours: Mon-Fri 9:00-18:00/19:00, Sat 10:00-16:00
Website: www.fidainternational.fi/fida-2nd-hand-shops
Online Flea Markets and Facebook
There are also free online marketplace services, where registered users are able to buy and sell anything from clothes to furniture. Beware of scammers and read the shipping policies carefully!
Check out: Tori.fi and Huuto.net
Certain Facebook groups also offer the possibility for users to sell and buy different items, but be extra careful – it’s more difficult to detect scams when users can’t always be verified.
Check out: Helsinki Buying, Selling, Giving Away and Students in Helsinki Buy/Sell/Exchange
Last but not the least – Pick up furniture
There are sometimes designated recycle rooms in residential areas, which you may open with your own house key. You may find small pieces of furniture, kitchen equipment, carpets etc. left by moved-away tenants.
The policy is usually first comes, first served – so if you are lucky, you may find a complete set of furniture for your new room. Good Luck!
There is a new functionality on finding flatmates at the Lyyra rentals page.
“If the landlord has marked the apartment suitable for roommates you can leave your own message under the rental add. This way you can show others that you would be willing to rent the apartment as long as you could find someone to rent it with. If someone else has left their message you can answer him/her and find a roommate and a home!”
As Helsinki is a capital and a vibrant student city, it might be challenging for you to find the flat of your dreams. When you start hunting for a place to stay, these two are a must:
More information on HOAS, Lyyra and several other housing options can be found in the Housing Guide brochure.
Be prepared to pay 400-600 EURO per month for housing. There are cheaper options too, but they are located further outside of the city centre.
If you get a housing offer, take it as it may be the only offer you get! There have been students rejecting offers in the past years, with unfortunate consequences… Unfortunately, the university has no emergency housing available.
Once you have found an apartment, please take the time to read the useful tips on the Lyyra Housing Guide website. The Housing guide gives information on things that helps you when you are moving in, it gives advice on how to take care of your apartment etc.
University of Helsinki