The University of Lapland will introduce an internship subsidy for degree students studying within the target time from the beginning of 2026. The subsidy amounts to €1,500 for a three-month internship and can be granted to a student once during their studies. Students may decide whether to use the subsidy during their bachelor’s or master’s studies.

The internship must be included in the degree, and its planning is carried out together with the faculty’s internship advisor and the employer. Students are responsible for finding their own internship position, and the employer will invoice the university for the subsidy after the internship has ended.

Mariel Tähtivaara, Chair of the Board of the Student Union of the University of Lapland (LYY), sees the reform as an important addition to students’ opportunities:
– The introduction of the internship subsidy is an important step toward more equal and accessible higher education, and we want to thank the university for the good cooperation in making this possible, Tähtivaara says.

With this reform, bachelor’s students will also have equal opportunities to undertake internships. LYY welcomes the change and sees bachelor-level internships as supporting students’ employment prospects and skills development.

– The reform expands opportunities for students to gain practical experience earlier in their studies and supports the building of career paths, Tähtivaara adds.

The internship subsidy applies to all degree students except those in teacher education and social work, where internship funding is arranged in other ways. The subsidy will be available for the first time from 1 January 2026.