Student Housing in Oulu

Known as the "City of the North", Oulu combines modernity with the natural beauty of the Arctic environment. The city boasts a modern design, with unique architecture and a wide range of student services. Although Finnish is the main language, English is commonly spoken, so you won’t have a problem communicating with locals and other international students.

Oulu's location in the Arctic region offers unique experiences, such as the northern lights during winter and the midnight sun in summer. Moreover, the city has a dynamic cultural scene with festivals, events and activities to enjoy. Be ready for a unique Erasmus experience!

Student apartments for rent in Oulu

There are different options of student apartments for rent in this Finnish city. On the one hand, there’s the studio apartments, which are only for you. They have everything you need (bedroom, kitchen, living room) in a small space. There are also one-bedroom apartments available. Some of them may have separate beds, which means that two people, other than couples, can live in them, if they have no problem sharing all the spaces in the apartment.

On the other hand, sometimes you’ll find apartments with several rooms to share, although this is not the alternative that you’re going to find the most.

An interesting fact to keep in mind: some flats even have a private sauna! That can make the price a bit higher, about 1800 € for a one-bedroom apartment, but it can be worth it if you think you’re going to use it frequently and you can afford it. Even if the flat you like doesn’t have a private sauna, you should look closely at the characteristics because the building of which they are part of may have a sauna for tenants.

Student rooms for rent in Oulu

One of the preferred options for students in Oulu is to rent a room in a shared apartment or in a residence hall. The cost of this type of accommodation is cheaper than that of full flats, so it’s probably going to be what you’re looking for if you’re going on a student budget.

Note that some apartments require that everyone living there must be of the same sex, i.e. female or male. Read the description well so you don't waste time when looking for your room!

Student accommodation in Oulu

Here are some of the most convenient neighbourhoods to live in this Finnish city as a student:

Flats for rent in the city centre of Oulu (Keskustan suuralue)

Living in the centre of the city is ideal if you want to be close to the places of interest, and the cultural and leisure venues most frequented by students. This is the liveliest area of the city and is also next to the central train station. Mind you, because of all these conveniences, the cost of rentals here may be a little higher than in the surrounding neighbourhoods. But it can be worth it!

Apartments in Kaijonharju and Linnanmaa

These two neighbourhoods are located north of the city centre. Linnanmaa is home to the main campus of the University of Oulu and the Oulu University of Applied Sciences. Kaijonharju is next to it, so they are two ideal areas to live in if you’re going to study there. Choosing these neighbourhoods means being in a residential area that’s full of students, and with easy access to green areas to enjoy in your free time.

Rooms for rent in Raksila

This district is located on the other side of the central train station regarding the Finnish city centre. In fact, it’s halfway between the centre and the Kontinkangas Welfare Campus of the University of Oulu, so it’s a good choice for those who are going to study there. It’s a quiet, residential area, from which you can reach the livelier area in a short time by bicycle, on foot or by public transport.

Erasmus accommodation the universities of Oulu

In this city there are two prominent universities: the University of Oulu and the Oulu University of Applied Sciences. The former has two campuses, one in Linnanmaa and one in Kontinkangas, while the latter has its campus also in Linnanmaa. For the campuses in this neighbourhood, you can consider that one and also Kaijonharju, while for the Campus in Kontinkangas, you can live right there, in Raksila or even the city centre.

Student residences in Oulu

The universities in Oulu have agreements with an association called Northern Finland Student housing Foundation (PSOAS) and offer student housing through it. This Foundation has residences in different parts of the city, so you have to check if the one that has an agreement with your university suits you. They usually include features such as shared bicycle service, sauna and even leisure common areas.

Frequently asked questions about studying in Oulu