Accommodation 

Living in Kokkola

COU does not have any accommodation facilities of its own. In Kokkola the students can apply for the student apartments of Tankkari Real Estate Company. The application period for the autumn term is 15 June – 31 July and for the spring term 15 November – 15 December. You can also submit an application any time to the apartments that are available.

Most of the buildings of Tankkari were built in the 1980’s. The apartments are tidy and well equipped with e.g. cable and telephone connection. The Tankkari apartments have club rooms, laundry facilities and saunas and the parking lots are equipped with electricity supply. Water and electricity are included in the rent. The saunas can be used free of charge.

Please fill in the documents with care and return the application together with the enclosures to Kiinteistö Oy Tankkari, Kustaa Aadolfinkatu 1, 67100 Kokkola.

The amount of rent depends on the size of the apartment and on the age of the building. The cheapest rents are 149 € / month, which include a room and a shared kitchen and bathroom. Families and couples can apply for family apartments, which have one or two bedrooms. Their rents are 250-482 €. The rents include electricity and water.

You can also rent an apartment on your own. Then you should be prepared to pay higher rents and also a deposit that is paid prior to renting the apartment. The deposit equals 1-3 months’ rent and it will be refunded when the rental period is over. There are several rental agencies in Kokkola, here are some addresses:

www.skv.fi
www.op-kiinteistokeskus.fi
www.bjorndahl.fi
www.nsa.fi

Ylivieskan vuokra-asunnot Oy offers students in Ylivieska either communal apartments or studios, both of good quality. In order to apply for an apartment you need to fill in the application form which is available at Ylivieskan Vuokra-asunnot Oy.

For further information:
Ylivieskan Vuokra-asunnot Oy
Juurikoskenkatu 6
84101 YLIVIESKA
TEL. (08) 4110 800
FAX (08) 410 462

You can also rent an apartment from a private market. In this case the rents are usually a bit higher and you would have to pay a deposit that equals 1-3 months’ rent. Local newspapers are a good way to start looking for an apartment as well.
Also check:

www.skv.fi
www.opkk.fi

Living in Pietarsaari

Students may apply for student housing from Ab Bodgärdet Oy. The apartments are either shared ones (for 1-3 persons) or family apartments. The rent may vary from 200 to 300 €. For more information, please contact SKV Pietarsaari Oy.

You can also rent an apartment through a housing agency or from a private market. In this case the rents are usually a bit higher and you would have to pay a deposit that equals 1-3 months’ rent. Local newspapers are a good way to start looking for an apartment as well.
Also check:

www.etuovi.com
www.regionline.fi
www.skv.fi
www.riska.fi
www.versum.fi
www.pietarsaarensanomat.fi

Cost of living

In average, living in Finland isn’t more expensive than anywhere in Europe. The basic needs, e.g. food, rent and free-time take approx. 500€/month. Here is an estimation of the basic needs:

Rent 150-200 €/month
Food 200 €/month
Free-time 80 €/month

It is, of course, up to you how much money you spend. However, you should be prepared to spend more money at the beginning of study, since that’s when you have to obtain books, a student card and pay a possible rent deposit or advance payment as well as your residence permit. You should also acknowledge the money needed for travel. There are plenty of wonderful places and towns worth seeing in Finland. For example, the famous Finnish Lapland is definitely worth a visit. Furthermore, it is easy to travel to the neighbouring countries Sweden and Estonia.

Meals

COU departments are scattered in Kokkola. Every department has a restaurant where students can have a well-balanced and nutritious warm meal at a very affordable student price. Lunch in the restaurant costs approx. 2,35 €. It includes a warm meal, drink, salad and bread. The students have to show the meal subsidy card supplied by KELA (The Social Security Institution of Finland) to be eligible for the cheaper price. Without the card the price of lunch is approx 5 €. Lunch is served from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

Student Restaurants in Kokkola

Technology and Business / Campus Restaurant
Talonpojankatu 2, 67100 Kokkola

Health Care and Social Services / Restaurant Elämänsuola (‘Salt of Life’)
Terveystie 1, 67200 Kokkola

Art
Business Institute / Student Restaurant
Vingenkatu 18, 67100 Kokkola

Student Restaurants in Ylivieska

Technology and Social Services / Ravintola Messi
Vierimaantie 7, 84100 Ylivieska

Humanities and Education / Student’s restaurant
Opistontie 4-6, 84800 Ylivieska

Student restaurant in Pietarsaari

Student’s restaurant
Paul Hallvarinkatu 1, 68600 Pietarsaari

Meal subsidy for students of higher education

Students in higher education are eligible for discounted meal prices in restaurants that acknowledge subsidised meals. These restaurants exercise the maximum meal prices confirmed by the government. The meal subsidy amount has been deducted from the prices. The students are eligible for the subsidised prices only when they show a valid student card or KELA meal subsidy card. If you are eligible for the subsidised meal but don’t have the student card, please contact your department’s study affairs officer for the meal subsidy card. COU students are eligible for meal subsidy cards.

Your department’s study affairs officer will give you the KELA meal subsidy card!