Join already as a student

It is wise to join the union already as a student. Nearly every university student can find a suitable union from among Akava’s affiliates. By joining, as a student, the union that best knows your field of interest, you ensure security and support for the duration of your working life.

Information about the affiliates’ student activities and student membership is provided at, for example, Akava’s university tours and events, and from representatives of the affiliates who are responsible for student membership issues.

The aim of Akava’s student activities is to ensure that university students have access to the appropriate information about working life. A knowledge of the rules of working life will help to support one’s future career and smoothen the transition from studies to employment.

Representatives of Akava for students participate each year in various fairs and organise two extensive university tours: Akava Camp in the autumn and the Working Life tour in the spring.

Akava and its affiliates hope that the university tours will improve students’ knowledge about working life and ensure that students are able to stand up for their own rights once they enter the workplace. The tours also provide information about the various affiliates and their activities. There will also be representatives present to provide information specifically about the student activities of the Akava affiliates.

How do I join Akava?

Akava members are organised on the basis of their field of education. For example, it is easy for a student of law or technology to find the appropriate affiliate to join. It is not that simple, however, for everyone. It is not always clear for students of the humanities, for example, which affiliate is most appropriate for them. In such a case, students are encouraged to contact the student representatives of the affiliates and request advice and guidance.  

Please note that Akava does not have any direct personal members, even though many say that they are a member of Akava. An individual person, as well as students, always join an Akava affiliate, thereby making them a member of the central federation as well.

You can become a member of the union during your studies if you fulfil the student member criteria of the affiliate in question and you complete the required membership application. Most affiliates have an electronic application form that can be submitted online. Once the affiliate has accepted your application, your membership will enter into force as of the date you submitted your application.

When you become a member of an Akava affiliate, you may also join the unemployment fund, which is essential for unemployment security. In case you don’t find a job immediately upon graduation, the earnings-based unemployment benefit will prove to be very useful.

Student membership is generally free, but a separate fee is collected for membership in the unemployment fund. Some affiliates require students to pay a membership fee only during those months of employment in which the condition for employment is met. Once you have joined the union, you will receive instructions regarding the payment of the membership fee.

An employed person can authorize the employer to handle the payment of the membership fee, that is, to deduct the fee from the salary and pay it to the union on behalf of the employee. The membership fees for the union and unemployment fund are both deductible in the employee’s taxation.

Become a permanent member after graduating

When you have graduated, you can continue your membership as a permanent member. Please inform your union that you completed your studies.

The membership fee for a permanent member of the union is generally defined as a specific percentage of the salary. The membership fee practices and amounts vary from affiliate to affiliate.

Akava for students brochure