Kotka
Get to know Kotka and apply for student housing.
Beginning the studies
Welcome to study at Xamk!
Instructions for beginning the studies
3 steps in securing your study place
Entering Finland and residence permits
Programme-specific instructions, including time and place for beginning the studies
Username and computer for the studies
Student union Kaakko and student card
Questions about beginning the studies?
Student Affairs Advisors help you in general study-related matters and the Studies Coordinators (counselling teachers) in questions related to study contents and other academic issues. You can find their contact details in the programme-specific instructions on this site.
Admission Services helps you in questions related to the offer of admission, enrollment as student and tuition fees.
Admission results
All results in the Joint Application, spring 2024 are published by 31 May.
- Admitted students receive an offer of admission by email when the result has been published.
- All applicants receive a notice of result for all application options in one email on 31 May 2024 at the latest.
Students may be admitted from the waiting list until 30 July. Please note that all study programmes do not use waiting lists and the amount of places on the waiting list may be limited.
You can follow your results in real-time if you have access to My Studyinfo service (Finnish personal ID number and online banking codes with e-identification enabled, mobile certificate or an electronic ID-card needed).
You will receive a notice by email both from Xamk Admission Services and the Studyinfo service, when you have been admitted to study at Xamk.
The email from Studyinfo service includes the link you need for accepting the offer of admission, and is sent automatically within 24 hours after the admission result has been published.
Acceptance of the study place and enrollment for the academic year can also be done using My Studyinfo service.
3 steps in securing your study place
Accept the offer of admission by 11 July 2024, 3 pm Finnish time (UTC +3).
Accept the offer and enrol as student through My Studyinfo service or via the link included in the email you received from Studyinfo.
Accept the offer within 7 days from the notice of admission if you are:
- admitted from the waiting list after 31 May, or
- admitted in supplementary application.
If you cannot accept the offer electronically, please contact the Admission Services.
If you do not accept the offer by the deadline, you will lose it.
Accepting an offer of admission is a binding choice, and you cannot cancel or change your choice later. When you accept an offer of admission bindingly, all the other higher education study programmes you have applied to in the joint or separate applications will automatically be cancelled.
You can only accept one offer of admission for higher education study programmes beginning in autumn semester 2024 (1 August – 31 December).
Visit Studyinfo to read more about accepting an offer of admission.
Enrol as an attending or non-attending student when accepting the offer of admission.
- The link for enrolment appears on the screen after you have accepted the offer of admission.
- If you do not enrol as a student, you are not granted a study right at Xamk.
- If you are liable to pay tuition fee: See instructions for paying the tuition fee and pay the fee by the given deadline. Your enrolment for attendance will be registered automatically after your tuition fee payment has been received at Xamk.
Do you need to postpone the beginning of studies?
You can postpone the beginning of studies, if you have acceptable grounds for enrolling for non-attendance. In this case you need to accept the offer of admission, enrol for non-attendance and deliver a certificate on the acceptable grounds for the non-attendance by the deadline for accepting the study place offer.
Only the following reasons are acceptable grounds for non-attendance for the first study year:
- You complete military service, civilian service or voluntary military service for women in Finland.
- You need leave from studies to care for child in connection with the child’s birth or adoption.
- You are unable to begin your studies due to illness or disability.
Upload the missing certificates to your application form by 11 July, if you have been asked to do so.
You have been asked to upload certificate copies required in the Joint Application to your application form already during the application period.
If any certificate needed in student selection is missing from your application form, Xamk Admission Services will notify you about it by email. You can access your application form through My Studyinfo service or via the link you received from Studyinfo after submitting your application.
The student selection is conditional until information about your qualifications used for applying has been checked. Qualifications are verified either from the national database in Finland or from the certificate copies uploaded on the application form.
Entering Finland
Non-EU/EEA students need a student residence permit for the studies delivered on campus. Note that you cannot apply for a residence permit for studies that are delivered fully online.
You will need to add your Learner ID code to your residence permit application. The code helps the Finnish Immigration Service in processing your application more fluently. You can find this code e.g. from the offer of admission email you received from Xamk.
The residence permit application is submitted online but in addition, you must personally visit a Finnish embassy or consulate for identification as part of this process. The process takes several months.
Submit your residence permit application and book the required appointment to the Finnish embassy/consulate immediately (within a week from admission), to ensure you have the permit in time and can be present on campus by the given deadline.
To find the nearest Finnish embassy/consulate and to check their instructions for appointment booking, please visit Finland abroad website. It is important to act quickly because the appointment times may be limited in some embassies/consulates.
Instructions for a student residence permit
- Guide for students to apply for a residence permit
- Instructions on the Finnish Immigration Service website
- Video: how to get a student’s residence permit in Finland
- All videos and webinars on Finnish Immigration Service channel on YouTube
Residence permit or visa for part-time studies
The Finnish Immigration Services make decisions on residence permits for part-time studies on a case-by-case basis. Information on the mode of study is included in the admission notice and certificate of attendance for the purpose of applying for a residence permit.
In case the residence permit is not granted, the student may apply for a travel visa for the contact lesson days.
If you are a citizen of an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you do not need a residence permit to enter Finland. However, you may need to apply for EU-registration. See instructions for EU citizens on the Finnish Immigration Service website.
It is important that you get to know the regulations for a smooth enter to Finland.
If you are planning to apply for a D visa for entering to Finland, read the instructions carefully.
Follow the regulations also closer to your arrival as situations / instructions may change at short notice.
Get to know Finnish Government’s information about Travel to and From Finland.
Apply your student housing well ahead of your arrival to Finland to ensure you have the accommodation prepared and you can start your studies on campus by the given deadline.
Every campus city has different instructions for applying the student housing, follow the instructions and apply your student housing immediately after you have accepted the offered study place. Further information: Campuses and student housing
Note that Xamk does not offer any accommodations for students.
Remember to register with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency when you start your studies in Finland. The registration is free of charge and beneficial for you.
Register with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) for the following reasons:
1) You will be given a Finnish personal identity code unless you have already received one from the Finnish Immigration Service or the Finnish Tax Administration.
In Finland, a personal identity code is used to identify persons.
You must have a personal identity code:
• to receive a transcript of study records from your Finnish university.
• when you deal with the Finnish authorities.
2) You will be registered an address in Finland.
The address can be registered as temporary or as permanent.
Note that you may need to have a Finnish personal identity code and a registered address in Finland to open a bank account or to get a service contract with mobile phone operator.
Programme-specific instructions
Studies begin:
- Monday 26th August 10.15 AM at Kouvola Campus.
- Participation in the orientation days is mandatory for all students. Orientation days programme 2024 (pdf.).
- Prepare to present the original documents (school certificates, identification document) you used when applying at the beginning of your studies. The student selection is conditional until information about your qualifications used for applying has been checked. Qualifications are verified either from the national database in Finland or students must present the original documents by the given deadline 9 September 2024. Detailed timetables for checking of the documents will be given by Student Affairs Office in August.
- Lectures according to weekly timetables (Select “Group search” and paste the group code IBKV24SP > Search. Select the group from the search results > Add. Hide search results.)
- Study plan in the study guide
Instructions for students from outside Finland
The contact days in this programme are delivered in-class on the Kouvola Campus, Finland. If you are unable to be present on campus when the studies begin due to delays in the residence permit process, contact your Student Affairs Advisor for further instructions. All students must be present on campus by 9 September 2024. The next possibility to start studies after that will be in January 2025 with a new group. Information on Xamk refund policy
Contact information
- Student Affairs Advisor Emilia Kiesilä, tel. +358 50 572 4607, Xinfo service
- Studies Coordinator Hugh Clack, tel. +358 44 702 8758, hugh.clack(a)xamk.fi
Studies begin:
- Monday 26th August 9AM online
- Participation in the orientation days is mandatory for all students.
- A link to the first online session will be sent by email before the studies begin to students.
- Lectures according to weekly timetables (Select “Group search” and paste the group code EEMI24SP > Search. Select the group from the search results > Add. Hide search results.)
- Study plan in the study guide
Online studies
The first year studies are delivered fully online and don’t require presence on campus. You take part in the orientation and lectures online at times marked on the timetables. You must ensure that you have a stable high-speed internet connection for remote online sessions and that your computer/laptop is equipped with a camera, microphone & speakers/headset. A mobile phone (smartphone) is not a suitable device for studies.
Contact information
- Student Affairs Advisor Kirsi Rouhiainen, tel. +358 50 312 5027, Xinfo service
- Studies Coordinator Hannu Poutiainen, tel. +358 40 653 1618, hannu.poutiainen(a)xamk.fi
Studies begin:
- Monday 26th August 9.30AM at Kouvola Campus, Meduusa studio, address Rykmentintie 4.
- Participation in the orientation days is mandatory for all students.
- Prepare to present the original documents (school certificates, identification document) you used when applying at the beginning of your studies. The student selection is conditional until information about your qualifications used for applying has been checked. Qualifications are verified either from the national database in Finland or students must present the original documents by the given deadline 9 September 2024. Detailed timetables for checking of the documents will be given by Student Affairs Office in August.
- Lectures according to weekly timetables (Select “Group search” and paste the group code GDKV24SP > Search. Select the group from the search results > Add. Hide search results.)
- Study plan in the study guide
Instructions for students from outside Finland
The contact days in this programme are delivered in-class on the Kouvola Campus, Finland. If you are unable to be present on campus when the studies begin due to delays in the residence permit process, contact your Student Affairs Advisor for further instructions. All students must be present on campus by 9 September 2024. The next possibility to start studies after that will be in January 2025 with a new group. Information on Xamk refund policy
Contact information
- Student Affairs Advisor Emilia Kiesilä, tel. +358 50 572 4607, Xinfo service
- Studies Coordinator Brenda Jiménez, tel. +358 44 702 8575, brenda.jimenez(a)xamk.fi
Studies begin:
- Monday September 2nd 10AM at Mikkeli Campus.
- Participation in the orientation days is mandatory for all students.
- Prepare to present the original documents (school certificates, identification document) you used when applying at the beginning of your studies. The student selection is conditional until information about your qualifications used for applying has been checked. Qualifications are verified either from the national database in Finland or students must present the original documents by the given deadline 9 September 2024. Detailed timetables for checking of the documents will be given by Student Affairs Office in August.
- Lectures according to weekly timetables (Select “Group search” and paste the group code ITMI24SP > Search. Select the group from the search results > Add. Hide search results.)
- Study plan in the study guide
Instructions for students from outside Finland
The contact days in this programme are delivered in-class on the Mikkeli Campus, Finland. If you are unable to be present on campus when the studies begin due to delays in the residence permit process, contact your Student Affairs Advisor for further instructions. All students must be present on campus by 9 September 2024. The next possibility to start studies after that will be in August 2025 with a new group. Information on Xamk refund policy
Contact information
- Student Affairs Advisor Kirsi Rouhiainen, tel. +358 50 312 5027, Xinfo service
- Studies Coordinator Reijo Vuohelainen, tel. +358 50 312 4952, reijo.vuohelainen(a)xamk.fi
Studies begin:
- Monday 26th August 2024 9AM at Kotka Campus.
- Participation in the orientation days is mandatory for all students.
- Prepare to present the original documents (school certificates, identification document) you used when applying at the beginning of your studies. The student selection is conditional until information about your qualifications used for applying has been checked. Qualifications are verified either from the national database in Finland or students must present the original documents by the given deadline 9 September 2024. Detailed timetables for checking of the documents will be given by Student Affairs Office in August.
- Bring a vaccination certificate for all vaccinations you have received.
- Lectures according to weekly timetables (Select “Group search” and paste the group code BNKT24SP > Search. Select the group from the search results > Add. Hide search results.)
- Study plan in the study guide
Instructions for students from outside Finland
The contact days in this programme are delivered in-class on the Kotka Campus, Finland. If you are unable to be present on campus when the studies begin due to delays in the residence permit process, contact your Student Affairs Advisor for further instructions. All students must be present on campus by 9 September 2024. The next possibility to start studies after that will be in August 2025 with a new group. Information on Xamk refund policy
Contact information
- Student Affairs Advisor Auli Kuusikunnas, tel. +358 44 702 8940, Xinfo service
- Studies Coordinator Jussi Mähönen, tel. +358 50 473 4000, jussi.mahonen(a)xamk.fi
Studies begin:
- Monday 26th August 9AM at Savonlinna Campus.
- Participation in the orientation days is mandatory for all students.
- Prepare to present the original documents (school certificates, identification document) you used when applying at the beginning of your studies. The student selection is conditional until information about your qualifications used for applying has been checked. Qualifications are verified either from the national database in Finland or students must present the original documents by the given deadline 9 September 2024. Detailed timetables for checking of the documents will be given by Student Affairs Office in August.
- Bring a vaccination certificate for all vaccinations you have received.
- Lectures according to weekly timetables (Select “Group search” and paste the group code BNSA24SP > Search. Select the group from the search results > Add. Hide search results.)
- Study plan in the study guide
Instructions for students from outside Finland
The contact days in this programme are delivered in-class on the Savonlinna Campus, Finland. If you are unable to be present on campus when the studies begin due to delays in the residence permit process, contact your Student Affairs Advisor for further instructions. All students must be present on campus by 9 September 2024. The next possibility to start studies after that will be in August 2025 with a new group. Information on Xamk refund policy
Contact information
- Student Affairs Advisor Päivi Pesonen, tel. +358 50 312 5037, Xinfo service
- Studies Coordinator Tuulia Litmanen, tel. +358 40 0489, tuulia.litmanen(a)xamk.fi
Studies begin:
- Thursday 29th August 9AM online
- Takine part in the online study sessions is mandatory for all students. A link to the first online session will be sent by email before the studies begin to students who have confirmed their enrolment in the programme.
- Lectures according to weekly timetables (Select “Group search” and paste the group code RHSA24SVY > Search. Select the group from the search results > Add. Hide search results.)
- Study plan in the study guide
Contact information
- Student Affairs Advisor Päivi Pesonen, tel. +358 50 312 5037, Xinfo service
- Studies Coordinator Juhani Multanen, tel. +358 50 599 8571, juhani.multanen(a)xamk.fi
Username and computer for the studies
Username for Xamk services
You will need to have the username and password at use when the studies begin. If you have online banking codes from a bank in Finland, you can get Xamk username by logging in to the identity service.
The username for new students is available in the service within appr. 1-2 working days after you have accepted the offer of admission and enrolled as an attending student.
The service uses online banking codes from a bank in Finland for authentication and to activate your Xamk username you need to change your password there.
Please write down the username you get from the service.
In case you face problems either in authentication or in creating your own password, please try again later. If it still will not succeed, you can create a service desk help request to IT support at Xinfo.
If you do not have access to the identity service:
- Students who do not have a Finnish ID number and therefore cannot access the identity service will get the username from the Student Affairs Office before the studies begin, 9 August at the latest.
- If you have a Finnish ID number but do not have online banking codes from a bank in Finland to access the service with, please contact the Student Affairs Office after 1 August, at Xinfo and request for the username.
Computer for the studies
Students primarily use their own devices like laptops in the studies. There are given recommendations for the device and support available also before the studies begin.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Xamk uses multi-step authentication, which you must enable when logging in for the first time to a service that requires authentication. Read the instructions before logging in here.
Before the studies begin
Familiarize yourself with studying at Xamk and the services available for students, as well as digital studying environment by completing these two online courses. You can work with the course materials and tasks when it suits you best, and sign out whenever you need without losing any completed tasks. When you are finished, you may upload a certificate to be used later on in Study and career planning course.
Online orientation course 1: Digital Environments
Online orientation course 2: Xamk orientation
Study skills course
You can acquire the first 2 ECTS credits by completing the course Study skills. The course opens on 1 April. The course consists of 8 sections including versatile material, and assignments about various study-related topics. After completing all assignments, the teacher will give you the grade ‘Pass’ in Xamk’s Peppi system.
You can join the course here: Opintojakso: Study skills, year 2024 | Xamk Learn. The course key is: studyskills24”
This course is a valuable source of different study skills and a new student can reflect his/her readiness for higher education studies. Note that this course is a bachelor-level course. If a master student completes this course the 2 credits will be included in your personal study plan as extra credits.
Tuudo is a mobile app designed to help students in their everyday life.
- Download Tuudo app free of charge from the app store of your phone (Google Play Store, Apple App Store).
- Open Tuudo and select South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences – Xamk from the list of institutions.
- Log in with the student account from the menu and you will have access to all sections on Tuudo.
- Or select “Proceed” in the New student section (no login required) and you can check new student’s orientation path.
With the username you can access the intranet Lux.
Please add @edu.xamk.fi after your username when you are logging in. During the studies all news, instructions and other information are provided for students through the intranet service.
If you need a certificate about your study place at Xamk before the studies begin:
- you can use the result email sent for all applicants in Joint Application.
- you can use the email sent from Xamk’s Admission Services.
- you can download the certificate by yourself from the student register Peppi.
Login to Peppi > Orders > Select the document > Select the language and press Order > Download the electronically signed study certificate from the Documents tab.
Campuses and student housing
Study planning
At the beginning of the studies every student makes a PSP (personal study plan) together with a Studies Coordinator. The PSP support the studies and development of a student’s professional identity, more information on our website.
Xamk provides tuition in two semesters (spring, autumn) as well as during summer studies, academic caledar is here.
Student health care service
All degree students (bachelor and master degrees) enrolled for attendance in higher education can use the health care services provided by FSHS. Students can use the health care services primarily in the town where the studies are located in but also remote services and consultations are available.
Students beginning the studies in August 2024 need to pay the fee on their own initiative according to instructions given by Kela.
Check the instructions for new students at FSHS page.
Students who are entitled to FSHS services are required to pay the health care fee annually to Kela, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, regardless if they use the services or not. Kela is a government agency that provides basic economic security for everyone living in Finland.
Also foreign students must pay the healthcare fee. You don’t have to pay the fee if you have social security coverage from another EU/EEA country or from Switzerland or the United Kingdom and you send the required document of it to Kela.
Students from EU/EEA countries: European Health Insurance Card
Students from other EU or EEA countries than Finland will have to provide a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) when accessing FSHS services. The card must be obtained before coming to Finland. Students from Britain and Northern Ireland may provide a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
Students will have to present the card at each visit, whether remote or in person. In the absence of a card, students may provide a provisional replacement certificate.
Funding your studies
Kela financial aid is available in the form of study grant, government guarantee for a student loan and housing supplement (available on certain conditions only). The qualifying conditions for student financial aid are: full-time study, academic progress and need of financial assistance.
Students in bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes are also eligible for discounted meals. In the beginning of studies, you can ask for a meal subsidy card on paper from the student affairs office, or you can download the mobile Pivo meal subsidy card.
This is how you can activate the mobile meal subsidy card:
1. Download Pivo app, sign in with your online bank user identifiers and add your payment details.
2. Open Pivo and select Student card
3. Under Authentication, select Meal Subsidy Card, if you are NOT a member of Student Union Kaakko
4. Create a meal subsidy card by following the app’s instructions.
If you are not a Finnish citizen and have come to Finland for study purposes, the general rule is that you cannot get financial aid from Finland. The eligibility criteria for financial aid from Kela is available on their website.
Students are eligible for general housing allowance on the same terms as everyone else. Find out more from Kela website.
If you are unemployed or about to lose your job in Finland, consult your TE services office for information on the possibility for independent study supported by unemployment benefit.
Students have to pay for their own living expenses (including food, accommodation, clothing and social activities) and costs for books and other study material.
When planning your studies in Finland it is important to know the costs for the living and studying and to arrange sufficient funding for your studies.
Costs for basic necessities per month are estimated to be:
- housing (student apartments) appr. EUR 300-400
- lunch (canteen on campus) EUR 60
- self-cooked food EUR 100
- books and material EUR 40
- incidental expenses EUR 90
- Total EUR 590-690
In addition, costs per month for clothing, travelling, commuting or social activities should also be considered. An average Finnish student spends a total of EUR 600-800 monthly.
In the full-time studies there are requirements for presence on lectures and other practical study methods in daytime, during weekdays. Though students may work part-time during the studies, one is not advised to plan the personal finances on it. Finding a part-time work may be difficult, especially without knowledge of the Finnish language.
Students with a residence permit for studies have a limited right to work during the academic year, see Finnish Immigration Service website for more information. Also then the main purpose of the stay in Finland is studying and making progress in the studies.
Student Union Kaakko and student card
Student Union Kaakko is present on all four campuses of South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences: Mikkeli, Savonlinna, Kouvola and Kotka. Any member of Student Union Kaakko may apply to become an active operator in the student union. The work to promote and support student life is important and interesting – if you would like to join, keep your eyes and ears open year-round so that you will not miss the application process.
Joining student union as a member is the official and for this reason the recommendable way to receive the official student statement and student card, which gives you access to numerous student discounts and makes your life much cheaper and easier in Finland. The student card also works as a smartphone app (android and IOS) under the app called slice.fi.
The undertakings specified in the Universities of Applied Sciences Act will continue to be the most important responsibilities of the student union: it acts as a link between its members, promoting their social and intellectual objectives and efforts, as well as their objectives related to studies and students’ position in society. For its part, the student union prepares students for an active and critical citizenship and promotes social awareness. South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences has various bodies and steering groups that include representatives from Student Union Kaakko.
If you decide not to join the student union, there are some student benefits available with separate certificates. The Student Affairs Office will give you information on them during the orientation week.