Foundation Year
Business
Foundation year will kickstart your learning journey!
This programme has been created by South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Xamk, to offer qualified applicants who did not receive a place during the rolling admission, a chance to join the degree studies.
Full time Bachelor-level studies
- location: Kouvola, Finland
- extent of studies: 60 ECTS/ 1 academic year
- tuition fee: €10 700
- early bird discount 10%
Entry requirements
- rolling admission, 15 November – 28 February or until the programme is filled
- applicant meets the entry requirements for bachelor’s degree studies: a school certificate and IELTS 5.5 or equivalent
Mode of study
- full-time studies
- studies are delivered between 1st September 2026 and 31st May 2027
- pathway programme, degree students’ benefits do not apply
Opportunity to study in Finland
Finland consistently ranks high in the world happiness ranking, quality of education and security. It is also abundant in nature and peaceful environment. Finland is a technological forerunner in various sectors and innovation is supported by a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem producing some of the world’s most successful companies.
Why choose the Foundation Year
During the studies of the foundation year, you will increase your proficiency, build the necessary skillset and gain an in-depth understanding of the core subjects of the Business sector to excel in your future degree studies.
The programme consists of a full academic year’s worth of courses provided by the South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences. After the foundation year, you have the opportunity to transfer straight for the second year of studies in a degree programme in the field of Business at Xamk , and the ECTS credits from the foundation year will be transferred towards your degree.
During the programme, you will learn what studying in a Finnish University of Applied Sciences is like, gain credit points for your future degree studies and get to familiarize yourself with living in Finland. All this helps you to smoothly transition to a full-time degree student after the foundation year. The study modules include:
- 25 ECTS of language and digital skills studies
- 35 ECTS of business foundation studies
The regular degree scholarships do not apply to the foundation year, but we want to reward the top students from the group (to be eligible for the award, the student must meet the direct transfer criteria). The top students will receive additional rewards after they have finished the foundation year and been accepted to continue in a degree programme at Xamk. Best students have the priority to choose the programme they want to continue their studies in.
If you don’t meet the required criteria, we will assist you in finding the best possible opportunity for you to continue your studies in Finland.
Programmes
- Bachelor of Business Administration, Data Analytics (BBA), Kouvola campus
- Bachelor of Business Administration, Digital International Business (BBA), Kouvola campus
Advancing to degree studies
The students who have successfully finished the foundation year programme will be eligible to transfer to a bachelor’s degree at Xamk.
The conditions to enter the bachelor’s degree studies are:
- 60 ECTS obtained from the foundation year
- Grade point average of at least 3.25 (in a scale from 1-5)
- Passed language assessment at the end of the programme
- Paid tuition fee per academic year. Degree students are entitled to scholarships. The Early Bird scholarship is a 10% discount on the tuition fee of the first study year at Xamk.
Welcome to Kouvola
Kouvola is the biggest town in the region with approximately 87,000 inhabitants. It is a large town with plenty to see and experience and Kouvola campus it provides a cosy environment for students.
Attractions range from the Repovesi national park to the Tykkimäki amusement park. Four top sports teams, versatile hobby opportunities and night life that is filled with live music guarantee recreation for everyone.
There are many ways to spend free time in Kymenlaakso – sports and culture are equally available. Xamk has a versatile sports programme that includes guided courses and classes. Xamk offers, for instance, such activities as floorball, badminton and kettlebell exercises. An ice rink, ball sports and gym practice are also available. Xamk even has its own American football team!
In Kymenlaakso, you can, in general, choose from numerous sports alternatives, such as downhill skiing, golf, tennis, bowling, climbing, canoeing, ball sports, gym, swimming…
Culture can be enjoyed in the form of movies, theatre, concerts and other events. The nature in Kymenlaakso is unparalleled. You can enjoy the view of the sea by the Gulf of Finland or the rapids of the Kymijoki river, or immerse yourself in the lake scenery in the Repovesi national park, all these places being located just within a short drive from each other.
Traveling
It is easy to travel from Kouvola to other parts of Finland. The distance to Helsinki is only about 140 kilometres. There is an easy train connection from the Helsinki-Vantaa airport to Kouvola. The journey takes only 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Kouvola campus
Studying at the Kouvola campus offers excellent opportunities to develop and grow in one’s field. Modern learning environments, such as classrooms and well-equipped workshop facilities, support the acquisition of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. There are about 2600 students on campus.
Located just a kilometer from Kouvola’s city center, the campus blends a historic setting with modern infrastructure, offering students a comfortable and inspiring place to study and grow.
More information about Kouvola
Frequently asked questions
No, however, the students who successfully accomplish the studies will be offered a study place in one of the degree programmes in English in Xamk. Please, note that since the Foundation Year does not lead to a degree itself, some of the degree students’ benefits do not apply here, e.g. Kela supported lunch discount, YTHS medical on-campus services, international mobility opportunities etc. However, those will be available once you transfer to degree studies upon completion of this programme.
Students must meet the entry requirements for direct admissions for the Bachelor’s programmes:
- 60 ECTS obtained from the foundation year
- Grade point average of at least 3.25 (in a scale from 1-5)
- Passed language assessment at the end of the programme
- Paid tuition fee per academic year. Degree students are entitled to scholarships. The Early Bird scholarship is a 10% discount on the tuition fee of the first study year at Xamk.
If these entry requirements are met, the Foundation year reward can be achieved as follows:
- additional 10% reward with grade point average 4.5;
- additional 25% for the Top student upon the completion of the programme
Absolutely, and we will provide additional guidance on this when the programme has commenced. The programme is designed to enhance the students knowledge in the main field-related subjects, which will help them pass the entrance exams to other UAS’ better.
The programme will be conducted in Kouvola. The students of this programme will have access to the same study and sports facilities as other Xamk students.
Yes, however, the best performing students will have the priority to choose preferred degree programme they want to continue in since the number of seats per programme is limited.
Certainly! We aim to provide all our students with sufficient advisory and integration services to help them become a part of the local community.
Yes, we will refund the paid tuition fee in total if a student gets accepted to a degree leading education programme in Finland before end of May 2026. Students are also eligible for a full refund in case they change their mind and submit the refund application within 14 days after the tuition fee payment or if their residence permit application was refused.
Although we will ensure the students are provided with support to complete all the courses, there is still a chance some students may struggle with certain courses. In case if some courses are not completed, students will still receive ECTS for the completed courses, and they will remain valid in their personal study register.
MORE INFORMATION
Kouvola campus
Kouvola campus
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Xamk
Xamk
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Finland
Finland
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