Student benefits for Open University students

Studying at the Open University is a part-time activity that does not lead to a degree. Open University students are therefore not eligible for student financial aid or any student benefits or discounts, such as discounted meals in the campus restaurants or the sporting opportunities that are available to our degree students.

A three-year study voucher pilot will begin in August 2026, offering young people who did not secure a higher education place through the joint application process, or who did not accept the study place offered to them, the opportunity to receive, under certain conditions, a study voucher worth 30 credits for studies in open higher education. More information about study voucher.

If you are unemployed, please contact the local employment services to inquire about the possibility to complete Open University courses on a part-time basis without losing your unemployment benefits. Unlike full-time studies, part-time studies will generally not make a person ineligible for unemployment benefits. You will be considered to be studying full-time, if you earn, on average, five or more credits per month. In some cases it may be possible to study full-time as part of an employment plan. Please be sure to contact employment services before starting your studies at the Open University. They will consider whether an unemployed person remains eligible for benefits while studying on a case-by-case basis.

As of 1 July 2026, a legislative amendment has entered into force allowing jobseekers aged 25 or over to study Open University and other open higher education courses at universities, universities of applied sciences, adult education centres and summer universities without losing their unemployment benefit.

Study leave may be granted to working adults to allow them to take time off from work to complete studies or training. Visit the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland website to read more.

Published: 20.4.2020

Updated: 23.6.2026

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