Laurea does not have its own student dormitories or other housing for students. Accommodation is available with student housing associations and companies close to most Laurea local units.
International exchange students coming to study at Laurea in the city of Kerava (Laurea Kerava) can apply for accommodation from HOAS and different sources from the private market.
International (as well as Finnish) degree students coming to study at Laurea's Kerava unit cannot apply for housing from HOAS this year.
Please notice that the apartment situation in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area is extremely difficult and thus it is important to start looking for accommodation as soon as possible and preferably from several different sources! When you receive a housing offer, we strongly advice you to take it.
In Finland it is very common for the students to live further away from campus or higher education institution. Remember that it is easy to travel around Helsinki region: the public transport in Helsinki is ranked among the best in Europe! You can check the transport connections from your apartment to the centre or campus areas at Helsinki Region Transport Journey Planner http://www.reittiopas.fi/en/ .
If you do not have an apartment before arriving in Finland, be sure to make a reservation for a hostel early enough! The hostels are often fully booked especially in early September. You can search for a hostel at http://www.hostellit.fi/?lang=EN. Or you can try e.g. CheapSleep hostel where you can get a discount on the prize with the booking code STUDENT at www.cheapsleep.fi. You can also try couch-surfing, a volunteer-based network for accommodation, http://www.couchsurfing.org/.
Private sector housing:
Apartments and rooms in the private markets are rented both furnished and unfurnished, and for a fixed term (e.g. 5 months) as well as for a minimum of 12 months (after which contract is continuous). Read the advertisements carefully to make sure what is included in the rent. You might need to buy home insurance and pay for electricity and internet connection separately.
Lyyra
Lyyra Rentals is a free of charge rental housing service designed especially for students.
Through the Lyyra Housing Service landlords/-ladies may offer an apartment for rent to higher education students, both Finnish and exchange students and students can also look for an apartment or a shared flat. The service is free of charge and no commission or other fees are collected.
Go to https://www.lyyra.fi/asunnot/
Forenom
Forenom is an accommodation and relocation service provider. The service covers the supply of accommodation in apartments from studios to family houses, and from basic apartments to luxury housing. Apartments are fully furnished and equipped for quick moving in and comfortable living.
Forenom offers flats for both short and long term needs. The rent starts from approx. 500/month/person (basic apartments). Forenom apartments are best rented with a group of flatmates (notice that you have to form the group yourself!). So Forenom apartments are an excellent choice especially if you are arriving with a girlfriend/boyfriend/a group of friends but they are suitable for students arriving alone as well.
The rent includes full furniture, electricity, water, TV, pillows, blankets (without bed linen) and dishes. So basically all you need to have when moving into a Forenom apartment is your own toothbrush!
If you want to make sure you have an apartment in Finland before arrival Forenom is an excellent choice!
Links to internet pages with 'For Rent' advertisements