Student organisations

Student unions – what are they?

In Finland, each higher education institution has a student union to look after students’ interests. When you get your Finnish student card, you become a member of your local student union. The university student unions have a national umbrella organisation, the National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL). Similarly, polytechnic students unions belong to the Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (SAMOK).

Student union membership entitles you to a variety of student discounts – and also, the student unions organise a lot of different activities you can take part in.

Please refer to the subsections to find out more about SYL and SAMOK, and what they can offer you.

Student clubs and associations

On top of the student unions, which operate on a national and institutional level, your faculty or department probably has it’s own student club. In addition to that, there usually are several separate clubs and student associations that centre around some hobby, sport, or other interest. You will find information about these on your institution’s noticeboards, from the student services, or your fellow students.