The north2north programme is the University of the Arctic’s (UArctic) student mobility programme. It supports mutual understanding of the northern regions and promotes high-quality education in North America, the Nordic countries, and Russia. As a speciality of the programme, your exchange studies must be related to the northern or Arctic region.
In addition to north2north exchange, UArctic also offers the online study module Circumpolar Studies.
Next call for applications for north2north exchange: 1–16 November 2026. You can apply for exchanges during academic year 2027–2028. Available host university options outside of Europe will be updated during autumn semester 2026.
North2north exchange
For whom
The programme is open to Bachelor’s and Master’s level students.
Please note! If you are a student from outside the EU/EEA, discuss with your study programme coordinator whether exchange studies could extend your studies and/or affect your tuition fee. You are required to be registered as present in a UEF degree programme throughout the exchange and until you have transferred credits completed during the exchange into your UEF degree.
Before you apply, please note:
- Studies taken during a north2north exchange must be related to the north or the Arctic in some way – for example, studies related to northern regions, nature, cultures, peoples or languages.
- If you have a contract of employment at UEF: you can apply for exchange, but your employment contract must expire well before the exchange begins. You cannot go on student exchange during a valid employment contract with UEF.
Where can I go?
North America and the Nordics. The programme also includes a limited number of placements in the UK and Australia.
Applying
The application period is 1–15 November annually. A possible supplementary call for applications may be held in February, 1–15 February.
Please always check the Calls for Applications on Kamu for updated information. International Mobility Services will post a call for applications before the application period, with details on available host institutions.
Please note! Not all UArctic partner universities participate in the north2north mobility programme. Host universities for each application round are announced separately in the call for applications.
Applying to North American, UK and Australian institutions
Host institutions in North America, Australia, Denmark and the UK charge tuition fees from exchange students. However, the north2north programme allocates a limited number of tuition fee waiver placements at North American, UK and Australian institutions each year. You can apply for these placements during the application period.
When applying to North America, the UK or Australia, you must compile a TOP 3 list of your preferred host institutions from those listed in the call for applications.
How to complete your application in SoleMOVE:
- In the Exchange information tab, select as your host institution the north2north country where your first-priority university is located (for example, north2north CA if your first choice is in Canada).
- North2north universities are not listed separately in SoleMOVE – you can only select a north2north country as the host institution.
- Your second option may be another north2north country, another exchange programme (e.g. a bilateral exchange or ISEP), or you may leave it blank if you are only applying to north2north.
- Write your TOP 3 list in the additional data field on the Enclosures tab, or in your motivation letter.
You must be prepared to accept a placement at any of the institutions on your list.
Please note! Due to the limited number of placements in the UK and Australia, your TOP 3 list must include at least one institution in North America. UEF cannot guarantee placements.
How the selection process works:
- The University of Eastern Finland makes a preliminary selection of candidates and submits the information to the north2north coordinators at the Finnish National Agency for Education.
- The north2north programme makes the final selection of candidates and allocates tuition fee waiver placements.
Due to the limited number of waiver placements, not all applicants from UEF may be selected. If you are not awarded a placement at one of your three choices, we will contact you about other available options – often there are places available at other north2north institutions.
The list of institutions offering waivers is updated annually. The finalised list of host institutions and detailed instructions on compiling your TOP 3 list are always provided in the call for applications.
Applying to Nordic partner universities
Please note: For exchanges to the Nordic countries, the Nordplus programme (e.g. the Nordlys network) is recommended as the primary option.
Host universities in Sweden, Norway and Iceland do not charge tuition fees from exchange students. Danish host institutions (Denmark, Greenland, Faroe Islands) charge tuition fees from north2north exchange students unless there is a bilateral agreement between the home and host institution.
When applying to Nordic institutions, you do not need to submit a TOP 3 list. Simply specify in your application which host university you wish to apply to.
Funding
You are responsible for your travel costs, accommodation and other expenses. The north2north programme provides a mobility grant, the amount of which is confirmed annually.
Grants for academic year 2026–2027:
- North American, UK, and Australia’s host institutions, one semester: EUR 2,000
- Nordic host institutions, one semester: EUR 1,500
More information about Funding your studies abroad.
Further information
- North2north programme at UArctic: University of the Arctic (new tab)
- Member institutions (please note the restrictions above): north2north partners (new tab)
Further information is also available from International Mobility Services, [email protected].