Oulu provides students with a wide range of field to study, lots of opportunities for free time, affordable living and high-quality services.
Student Guide
Living options
Higher education studies in Oulu are usually centered in Linnamaa and Kontinkangas districts. There is plenty of apartments and housing options for students surrounding these districts and the city centre.
PSOAS and Otokylä ry are the leading providers of student housing in Oulu.
PSOAS
Foundation-based PSOAS provides affordable housing for all students living in Oulu and studying post-comprehensive studies. PSOAS website.
Otokylä ry
Association-based Otokylä ry provides housing mainly for students. Otokylä website.
Other options
Healthcare services
Higher education students' healthcare services are mainly provided by FSHS (Finnish Student Health Service). FSHS services are available for international degree students. FSHS is not available for exchange students. Read more about healthcare services for exchange and international students on FSHS website.
Information on healthcare services is also provided on the website of the wellbeing services county of North Ostrobothnia.
Travelling and getting around
You can travel from other cities to Oulu by plane or train. The airport is located in Oulunsalo, which has excellent bus connections to the city centre. The train station is located in the city centre, which most of the bus and car transportation travels through.
Local busses
Oulu Public Transport operates the bus transportation in Oulu region. View the local bus transportation schedules here.
Bicycles
Oulu is a cyclist's paradise. There is over 900 kilometers of cycle lanes in Oulu. The cycle lanes are in brilliant condition and the signs along the lanes are excellent. Oulu is known for its many residents who cycle to work or school all around the year.
A particularly good cycle lane connection in Oulu is the cycle lane connecting Linnanmaa and the city centre. The lane, called "pyöräbaana" ("bicycle road"), is broad and painted in red to make it easy to follow.
Exercise and outdoor activities
University of Oulu, Oulu University of Applied Sciences and the vocational colleges of Oulu have combined the exercise services for higher education students. You can access the higher education exercise services by becoming a member of UniMove.
The City of Oulu offers discounts for students in all its facilities, for example at swimming pools and fitness gyms.
Many private businesses also offer discounts for students.
Culture and leisure
Culture and leisure
The European Capital of Culture 2026
Oulu has been selected as the European Capital of Culture 2026! Oulu and its near-by areas provide you with lots of culture and things to do and see every day of the year, ranging from lively summer festivals to the atmospheric Lumo Light Festival in the winter. You can easily check out what is happening in Oulu today from Oulu Event Calendar.
Libraries
The Main Library located in the city centre and the 23 other libraries provide a good network for those hungry of knowledge. Oulu City Library is part of OUTI libraries, meaning that one library card can be used at all OUTI libraries. Read more about the libraries' services on their website.
Oulu University Library provides library services for both students of University of Oulu and Oulu University of Applied Sciences. Learn more on the website of Oulu University Library.
Art & museums
Most of the museums in Oulu are part of the Oulu Museum and Science Centre. The centre's most popular attractions are Science Centre Tietomaa, Oulu Museum of Art, Northern Ostrobothnian Museum, Kierikki Stone Age Centre and Turkansaari Open Air Museum.
Oulu Museum and Science Centre website
Cinema and theatres
You can visit the cinema in Oulu in Finnkino, Star and Oulu Film Centre cinemas.
The biggest theatres in the city are Oulu Theatre, Theatre Rio, Oulun Työväen Näyttämö and The Student Theatre of Oulu.
Oulu Theatre
The Student Theatre of Oulu
Local travel
You can find the best tips for local travelling in Oulu Region from VisitOulu website.
Student life in Oulu
Student associations provide students with support and advice on all matters related to studying and student life. The associations also offer students a channel to influence both in higher education institutions' administrations and inside the student movements.
Student Union at the University of Oulu (OYY)
Oulu University of Applied Sciences Student Union (OSAKO)
Student associations
Student life needs to have a balance of study and leisure. Different interest societies offer students opportunities for leisure. They gather together students who have common interests. There are interest societies related to for example culture, music, gaming, sports and exercise, fields of studies, entrepreneurship and politics.
