Unemployed job seekers over 25 gain unrestricted access to open university studies
A legislative amendment entering into force on 1 July will allow unemployed job seekers aged 25 and over to pursue open university courses without restrictions while retaining their unemployment benefits. The change, confirmed on 16 June, removes previous barriers that required labour authorities to assess the impact of studies on job-seeking obligations (Iltalehti).
Under the new law, individuals in this age group can enrol in open university courses, summer universities, or adult education centres without risking a reduction in their unemployment benefits. Additionally, they will no longer be required to report their studies to labour authorities, nor will the authorities investigate the studies’ compatibility with job-seeking requirements (Ilta-Sanomat).
Auli Hänninen, CEO of the General Unemployment Fund YTK, stated that the amendment lowers the threshold for unemployed individuals to pursue education. "Previously, a job seeker might have refrained from starting, for example, open university studies due to fear that they could affect unemployment benefits based on the authorities’ assessment," Hänninen said in a press release (Ilta-Sanomat, Iltalehti).
Key changes and limitations
While the new regulation expands opportunities for those over 25, it also removes the previous option for job seekers to receive unemployment benefits while completing self-directed studies, such as a 30-credit module at an open university with labour authority approval. Under the new law, unemployment benefits will no longer cover the full duration of such studies (Ilta-Sanomat).
The amendment does not apply to studies that began before 1 July, meaning only courses starting in July or later will be eligible under the new rules (Iltalehti). Open university studies typically require tuition fees, which remain the responsibility of the student (Iltalehti).
Job seekers must still actively seek full-time employment, be available for work, and participate in employment-promoting services if offered. These obligations remain unchanged despite the new flexibility in studying (Ilta-Sanomat, Iltalehti).
Rules for younger job seekers unchanged
The legislative amendment does not affect individuals under 25, who already had the right to pursue open university studies without losing unemployment benefits. For this group, studies are permitted for a maximum of three months, with an average scope of no more than five credits per month (Ilta-Sanomat).
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is currently examining whether studies under a separate study right could also be pursued without affecting unemployment benefits. The results of this assessment are expected by April 2027 (Iltalehti).
