General terms and conditions

On the verge of encounter, silence and realization

Valamo College is a public college open to everyone, operating in a unique monastery environment. It offers diverse education in different areas of life. Valamo College organizes approximately 150 short courses annually. In addition to the college's own teachers, experts in various fields are responsible for teaching.

Registration instructions

You can register for Valamo College courses online, by phone or by email. Registration made online requires an accommodation request, which is confirmed by Valamo by phone or email. Please note that we cannot always guarantee that the desired option will be realized.

The registration period ends approximately two weeks before the course, but it is worth asking about available places even after this. The course price will be invoiced approximately one month before the course.

Also read the cancellation terms and conditions below on this page. By registering, you accept the terms and conditions.

Prices

Valamo College course prices include tuition, accommodation and breakfast, as well as meals listed in the course program. Prices vary depending on the accommodation option. The college receives support from the Finnish Orthodox Church for the implementation of some courses, and therefore the price of these courses is more affordable than normal. No other discounts are granted for the prices of supported courses.

The materials and supplies required for the courses are not included in the course price, they can be purchased from the college or the teacher.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available in three different levels. The available room option will be confirmed upon registration, depending on the booking situation. Course participants will be primarily accommodated in the two-story college hotel. There is a small kitchen-living room on both floors, where you can store and prepare your own food. The college hotel has single and double rooms, each with its own toilet, shower and kettle. The rooms are simply furnished. Bed linen and towels are included in the accommodation price.

The monastery guesthouse has single, double and triple rooms. The rooms do not have their own toilet, the toilet and shower are shared at the end of the corridor. Bed linen and towels are included in the accommodation price.

The monastery hotel is a hotel-level accommodation. There are rooms for 1-3 people. The rooms are comfortably furnished and spacious. The rooms have a shower, toilet and kettle.

Accommodation is available from 4 pm on the first day of the course, and the rooms must be vacated by 12 pm on the day of departure.

Smoking is prohibited in all accommodation options. The rooms of those participating in short courses are not cleaned.

Meals

Meals are mainly served in the café-restaurant Trapesa. Meals are available at the times indicated in the program.

Course prices include tuition, accommodation, breakfast and meals indicated in the course program.

Food allergies must be reported when registering.

In addition to the meals included in the course, you can purchase meals, snacks, refreshments or coffee at Trapesa at the daily prices.

Discounts

A 10 percent discount on the course fee for regular-priced courses is granted to full-time/full-time students, the unemployed, pensioners, those on job alternation and care leave, those on rehabilitation support, and caregivers. The information entitling to the discount must be provided upon registration. The 10 percent discount is not granted to church-supported courses or day visitors.

By showing your course card, you can get a small discount on some of Tuohus' products and half-price admission to exhibitions and the museum.

We target the support we receive from the Finnish Orthodox Church to people under 35, who are an underrepresented group in icon courses, and we offer them a special 40 percent discount on all icon painting courses.

If you are attending several consecutive courses, it is worth inquiring about a tailored package offer.

Discount after three courses

When you have attended three regular-priced courses within 12 months, you will receive a 50 euro discount on the price of the next course. Each period of the Icon Line accrues a discount of one course. Courses supported by the church or courses offered at a reduced price do not accrue a discount.

Keep a record of your participation and state the three courses you have attended when registering. We will check the matter in the system and you will receive a discount. The benefit is valid from the end date of the last course of the year.

Cancellation conditions

When registering, the student agrees to comply with the following cancellation conditions:

The student can cancel the registration without costs no later than two weeks before the start date of the course. If the cancellation is made after this time, a 30 percent cancellation fee will be charged from the course fee. If no cancellation is made at all, the full course fee will be charged. Cancellation is made by email: myyntipalvelu(at)valamo.fi

If the cancellation is due to illness and the cancellation is made less than two weeks before the start of the course, the course fee can be refunded against a medical certificate.

Unpaid course fees will be handed over to a debt collection agency.

If the course is cancelled for reasons attributable to the institute, the course fee will be refunded or it can be transferred to another course. The institute has the right to change the program if necessary.

Free student places

Note! All free student places for 2026 have been granted.

Valamo College grants 10 free student places annually, which can be applied for with a free application. The application must include the following information: the course for which the free student place is being applied for, who is applying for the place, contact information for the applicant, and free-form justifications.

Applications are sent by email to the rector and are processed together with the monastery management. Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis and applicants are notified of the decision.

A free student place includes participation in the course, accommodation, and meals according to the course program.

Course opening

At the beginning of each course there is a course opening, which goes through the course program and practical arrangements.

 

Course Feedback

A course feedback form will be distributed during the course, you can also provide feedback using the online form.

 

Other

Children are welcome in the monastery and the college. During the courses, children are the responsibility of their parents.

Please come to the course without perfume.

We reserve the right to make changes.

 

 

 

 

There are no admission requirements or high thresholds for studying at Valamo. All you need is to want to live for a while in the everyday life of an Orthodox monastery while respecting it. Warmly welcome!

 

"There are no entrance requirements or high thresholds for studying in Valamo. All you need is to want to live for a while the everyday life and celebrations of Valamo, respecting the monastery and its life. We make it easy to be and learn, welcome!"