The summer course for beginning literary translators is intended for students of Finnish language and culture in universities outside Finland who are at the end of their studies or newly graduated and oriented towards translation as a profession.
Students sitting on the stairs of the University of Helsinki main building
Photo: Satu Haavisto

It is not currently possible to apply for this support.

Further details regarding the continuation of the support will be confirmed by the end of the year 2026, and the information will be updated on our website.

More information can also be obtained from FILI.

 

The translation course is organised in cooperation with the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) and the Finnish Literature Exchange FILI. The course is held in Helsinki every other year in August. The upcoming course will be held from August 18 to August 29, 2025.

During the course, you will attend lectures and participate in workshops in which you will translate mainly literary texts. The programme also includes meetings with writers and visits.

Back to top

You can apply for a place on the translation course if

  • you study Finnish language and culture in a university outside Finland
  • you are at the end of your studies or newly graduated
  • you are oriented towards translation as a profession and you have some experience on translation
  • your level of proficiency in Finnish is very good, and
  • you can understand different nuances in Finnish literary texts.

You also need to have a sample of a text you have translated. Your sample could have been published, for example, in an anthology, a literary magazine or another publication. We can accept unpublished translations, too, if you have acquired a statement for its quality from a translation expert whose native language is the same as yours. Translation samples do not need to be sent to EDUFI. It is enough that the teacher providing the recommendation will have seen the published translation or the statement given about the translation.

We select 10-15 participants on the course. FILI may also select some participants who may not meet all the above criteria.

Back to top

Fill out the Webropol form by the deadline specified in the application instructions. The instructions will be published before the application period begins. The next course will take place in 2027. Ask your teacher to complete the recommendation form found on this page and send it to hakemukset_skk(at)oph.fi by the same deadline. If you have difficulty obtaining the recommendation on time, please contact: skk(at)oph.fi.

Back to top

The course director and a representative from FILI will select the most suitable applicants for an interview. The selection criteria include factors such as Finnish language proficiency, experience in reading fiction (including Finnish-language literature), and the applicant's native language. After remote interviews, a maximum of 16 participants will be chosen for the course.

Those selected for the course will receive instructions for pre-course assignments well in advance.

Back to top

Tuition on the course, the course material and accommodation are free of charge. NB: Accommodation is offered free of charge for the entire month of August 2025.

You can also apply for a travel grant from EDUFI. To apply for the travel grant, you will need to state this in the relevant section of the application form.

If a selected participant resides in Finland, they are not eligible for a travel grant or, typically, for accommodation funded by the Finnish National Agency for Education.

Back to top

Contact address: skk(at)oph.fi

 

Back to top