SIMHE services at higher education institutions

The aim of SIMHE services is to facilitate the access of highly educated migrants to higher education and their study progress, completion of degrees and employment in the Finnish labour market. To this end, the services promote the identification and recognition of previously acquired competence. SIMHE services also support the access of second-generation immigrants to higher education.

The higher education institutions responsible for SIMHE services support immigrants by providing preparatory education, language training, career guidance and advice, for example. The annual number of users of SIMHE guidance services has increased from approximately 500 to just under 4,000 between 2017 and 2024. 

The ten higher education institutions responsible for SIMHE services engage in extensive network cooperation with other higher education institutions, public authorities and stakeholders to develop SIMHE services at the regional, national and international level. In cooperation with other actors, SIMHE services play a key role in streamlining service pathways for international talent into higher education and employment.

The cooperation of the higher education institutions responsible for SIMHE services is coordinated by the Finnish National Agency for Education, which also leads the SIMHE steering group together with the Ministry of Education and Culture. The steering group promotes the dissemination of good practice in higher education, supports the activities of the higher education institutions responsible for SIMHE services and develops cooperation between authorities to support the integration of highly educated migrants and international students.

SIMHE services support the responsible internationalisation of Finnish higher education by promoting accessibility and the Finnish Government's goal of raising the higher education attainment rate of young people to 50%. 

The services are supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture and part of the strategy-based funding of higher education institutions. You can read more about the services on the higher education institutions' own websites.

SIMHE-Karelia offers guidance services for immigrants living in the North Karelia and South Karelia regions. The services are aimed at immigrants who are highly educated or interested in pursuing higher education in Finland.

SIMHE-Karelia offers study and career guidance and preparatory education for higher education. Guidance is available on choosing and applying for suitable studies, the identification and recognition of previous qualifications, Finnish language studies and career paths. The preparatory education is intended for those who wish to pursue higher education in Finnish. SIMHE-Karelia engages in cooperation with educational institutions and employment services, among others.

The services of SIMHE-Oamk are available for immigrants across the entire Northern Finland region. SIMHE guidance services provide information on the Finnish higher education system and the possibility to pursue higher education studies as a degree student or as complementing studies. SIMHE-Oamk also supports those who have already started their studies. In addition to this, SIMHE-Oamk provides support for the recognition of prior learning and guidance for career planning and additional education for immigrants with earlier higher education studies.

SIMHE-Oamk engages in close cooperation with other actors promoting the integration and employment of immigrants in Northern Finland and other higher education institutions in the region.

Tampere University of Applied Sciences is responsible for the SIMHE services of the entire Tampere University Community (Tampere University of Applied Sciences and Tampere University). SIMHE services offer personal guidance for people with an immigrant background on matters related to applying for higher education, studies, choices and the recognition of prior learning. SIMHE services also offer Finnish language courses to support academic skills and employment.

Individual guidance for immigrants eligible for higher education and highly educated immigrants. Guidance discussions are based on the person’s educational background and educational and professional interests in Finland as well as questions related to language skills.

Advice is also given to small groups and everyone interested at public study information events. The SIMHE services of JYU engage in extensive network cooperation with the City of Jyväskylä, local universities of applied sciences and other education and training providers to provide higher education advice in the region of Central Finland. Operations also focus on improving the processes of student applications and employment support.

The University of Vaasa's SIMHE services support highly educated immigrants in applying for higher education, skills identification and building career paths. We provide information and tools for higher education and studying, jobseeking and Finnish working life practices, particularly with regard to the labour market in Ostrobothnia, which is characterised by the energy, technology and export sectors.

We offer free career and study guidance in Finnish and English. We engage in cooperation with Ostrobothnian and national networks, such as higher education institutions, employment services and companies that also need talent for business, social and health services.

See a short overview video (1:49 min) on SIMHE-services.