Tredu FAQ

Applying for vocational qualifications 

Apply for the course or program during the application periods indicated on Tredu’s website. The application process is described on the course introduction page. To ensure that your application remains valid, please complete all the steps in the application process. 

Fill in the application form 

• Please fill in the application form, for which you will find a link on the course introduction page. Tredu does not accept emails or motivation letters as applications. 

• Please complete the application carefully and attach the requested attachments. 

• Certificates must be translated into Finnish or English by a qualified translator. 

• The attachments must be submitted by the closing date for applications. 

Demonstrate your language skills 

• Finnish language skills are required for the courses. 

• The required language level (CEFR) is indicated on the course description page. 

• You will be invited to a language test once your application has been saved. The language test cannot be taken remotely. 

• If you have a certificate of language proficiency, please attach it to your application. If your language skills are sufficient, you do not need to take the language test. 

 

Attend any admission and aptitude tests, interviews or compulsory info sessions 

• The application process may include a language test, an admission and aptitude test, an interview, or a compulsory information session. 

• These are usually held on Tredu’s campus. 

• The interview may sometimes take place by telephone. 

 

Demonstrate your language skills 

• Finnish language skills are required for the courses. 

• The required language level (CEFR) is indicated on the course description page. 

• You will be invited to a language test once your application has been saved. The language test cannot be taken remotely. 

• If you have a certificate of language proficiency, please attach it to your application. If your language skills are sufficient, you do not need to take the language test. 

 

Attend any admission and aptitude tests, interviews or compulsory info sessions 

• The application process may include a language test, an admission and aptitude test, an interview, or a compulsory information session. 

• These are usually held on Tredu’s campus. 

• The interview may sometimes take place by telephone. 

 

Demonstrate your language skills 

• Finnish language skills are required for the courses. 

• The required language level (CEFR) is indicated on the course description page. 

• You will be invited to a language test once your application has been saved. The language test cannot be taken remotely. 

• If you have a certificate of language proficiency, please attach it to your application. If your language skills are sufficient, you do not need to take the language test. 

 

Attend any admission and aptitude tests, interviews or compulsory info sessions 

• The application process may include a language test, an admission and aptitude test, an interview, or a compulsory information session. 

• These are usually held on Tredu’s campus. 

• The interview may sometimes take place by telephone. 

• Citizenship or residence permit in Finland or in EU/ETA/Schengen countries, valid until 30th June 2025 or longer. 
  Please attach a photo of your residence permit (both sides) on the application form.  
   

• Fluent in English language 
  Language skills (both written and spoken) will be tested in the admission interview (for those who are invited).   

• Basic level of Finnish language is required.  
  If the applicant is of compulsory school age, Finnish is not required. 
  Language skills (both written and spoken) will be tested in the admission interview (for those who are invited).  
   

And in case of 1. or 2. 

1. Qualification equivalent to Finnish basic education of nine years (minimum)

Vocational Qualification in Business (for youth, sports and business)
Vocational Qualification in Restaurant and Catering Services
Vocational Qualification in Cleaning and Property Services  

• Applicants of compulsory education age are prioritized.  

• All certificates must be translated into Finnish or English by a certified translator.   

• Please note, that you are not qualified to apply if you have a vocational education or bachelor’s degree in Finland or abroad.   

2. Qualification equivalent to Finnish general upper secondary education (high school diploma) 

Vocational Qualification in Business (for adults)
Vocational Qualification in Tourism 

• All certificates must be translated into Finnish or English by a certified translator.  

• Please note, that you are not qualified to apply if you have a vocational education or bachelor’s degree in Finland or abroad.   

Language tests as part of the application process cannot be taken remotely. Entrance tests, interviews and information sessions are usually held on the premises of the institution, face-to-face. If remote participation is possible, this will be indicated on the course description page. 

You do not need a certificate. The English language proficiency required for study will be demonstrated in an interview. At the same time, sufficient Finnish language skills will also be demonstrated. 

• You can find Tredu’s English programs here 

• You can find all qualifications and courses in Finnish here 

• You can find the courses and services for immigrants here
  

• The basic vocational qualification and the preparatory training for vocational qualifications (TUVA) are free of charge for the student.
• The prices for further vocational qualifications, specialist vocational qualifications and short training courses are indicated in the course descriptions on the Tredu website.
• A fee may be charged for learning materials and supplies that remain with the student after the training.

You can study in Finland as an international student at universities and higher education institutions. Tredu is neither a university nor a higher education institution, but a vocational college. The main language of instruction at Tredu is Finnish. In four English-language programs, Finnish language skills are also required. Tredu does not have separate study programs for international students. 

It is possible to apply to study at Tredu from abroad.  

• Applicants for courses and programs organized in Finnish must already have a good command of Finnish at the application stage. 

• For English-language courses, applicants must be resident or hold a residence permit in Finland or in EU/EEA/Schengen countries. Applicants must have a good command of English and some knowledge of Finnish. 

Students under 18 years of age must have a guardian in the Tampere region. You can find information on all matters affecting eligibility on the course description page. 

Tredu does not have a student residence. Students can rent low-cost accommodation from student housing providers. Read more:  

Tampere Student Housing Foundation

POAS – Rental apartments in Tampere 

No, you cannot. Studying at Tampere Vocational College Tredu is full-time studying, according to your own Personal Skills Development Plan (PSDP).   

Students can work while studying, but there are limitations. If you are applying Student financial aid from Kela (https://www.kela.fi/financial-aid-for-students), there is a limitation of how much money you can earn per month if you are also getting aid from the government. Also, the Finnish Immigration Service is limiting the number of working hours per month if your residence permit in Finland is based on your studies (max. 30h/month).   

Tredu does not offer Finnish language training at the moment.  

You can find Finnish language courses online, for example:  

• FinnishCourses.fi
  

• The Summer University of Tampere
  

There are also multiple mobile apps for learning the language, like: 

• Suomipass
• Duolingo 
• WordDive 

• You can apply for school travel support through the OMAKELA online application form, just like for study grants. 

• You can log in with your bank IDs or a mobile certificate. 

• The application form includes a route guide to help you find out how long your journey will take and whether public transport will be available. 

• If you use public transport services such as Matkahuolto, Walt, HSL, Nysse or Föli for your school trip, Kela can grant you a so-called “purchase right” as soon as you submit your application. In this case, you can immediately buy a ticket at a subsidised price for school travel, for example, from the ticket vendor’s online shop. 

• In other situations, Kela will pay the subsidy to you or the school transport provider after the application has been processed. 

No, you cannot. Studying at Tredu is full-time studying, according to your own Personal Skills Development Plan (PSDP).