Student life
Xamk is a community of over 12 000 students and staff members!
“It’s your time to enjoy student life and create wonderful memories!”
Explore the possibilities
Services for students
Activities and hobbies
Housing
Student benefits and wellbeing
Services for students
At Xamk, we will do our best to create an inspirational learning environment and support our students. Therefore, we have created services, which will help our students not only enjoy their studies, but also their lives in Finland!
Student Tutors
Our student tutors act as your peer guides, helping you adjust to campus life, routines, and your new environment. They foster team spirit in your group and keep you informed about events and opportunities.
Student Affairs Office
Located on every campus, the Student Affairs Office offers guidance on academic and practical matters. Each degree programme has a dedicated advisor, and our 24/7 e-services ensure help is always available.
Student Life and Community
Join various student associations and events organized by Student Union Kaakko. From sports to hobbies, Kaakko fosters community spirit, promotes well-being, and ensures there’s something fun for everyone.
Integration teams
Integration support is part of the International Services’ activities at Xamk. The integration support team guides in questions related to settling and living in Finland and campus town. Often with different local actors, the integration support team organises activities and events for the students to get familiar with the different campus cities.
Activities and hobbies
Activities to try in Finland
Skiing, skating, sledding, wall-climbing, ice fishing, swimming in lakes, hiking, camping, canoeing, paddle boarding… the opportunities are endless!
Activities on campus
Bored on your free period? Try some of our campus activities such as basketball, gym, air hockey, disc golf or table tennis.
Check our podcast! Xamk’s Wellbeing Management student Abdessamad tells about his hobbies and free time activities in campus town Mikkeli. What are these hobbies? How did he find them? What activity he has found to be good for a better understanding of Finns and the Finnish culture?
I play bowling with my friends. I also do cycling tours in Mikkeli, which is one of our campus cities. I heard about these hobbies from my friends.
– Abdessamad, student at Xamk
Trips in Finland
Visiting Finnish Lapland is a must experience! Try downhill skiing, visit Santa Claus village or see the Northern Lights from a glass igloo. Taking a ferry ride to nearby countries like Sweden or Estonia is extremely popular and worth experiencing. Many students like to visit other Finnish cities such as Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, Jyväskylä and of course the other campus cities.
I am the type of person who enjoys peace, Finnish nature, fresh air, and its general stability. Those are things that literally make Finland stand out from other destinations.
– Quynh Anh Vu, Xamk alumni
Housing
The housing situation in South-East Finland is good, compared to the situation in the Helsinki region or other similar European metropolises.
The rental level is relatively low, and finding affordable accommodation is quite easy. However, you should keep in mind that at the beginning of the autumn term there are many students looking for accommodation. So, remember to be quick to apply for housing either through the student housing services or in the private rental sector.
Degree students arrange housing themselves before their arrival in Finland. Get to know student housing in campus cities. Please look for more information:
Kotka
Kouvola
Mikkeli
Savonlinna
Rent levels for studio apartment during four years, as a average rents in the area. The general housing allowance has been deducted from the sum.
Student benefits and wellbeing
Health care
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 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. 2023 fee: EUR 36,80 per term, you are entitled to general health, dental and mental health services.
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. More info on new students website!
Other benefits
- Discounts in public transport
- Students in bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes are eligible for discounted meals at the Xamk restaurants on our campuses and other student restaurants across Finland.
- You have access to affordable student housing
- Nationwide and local discounts
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.
Tips for students
Getting started
How to look for your new accommodation? These, and more of your queries related to starting your journey, are answered in this video.
Moving to Finland
Know more about practical aspects of moving to Finland, including to pack in your luggage, how to reach Kouvola through public transportation, and other aspects about settling down.
Living costs
Living in Kouvola can be more affordable compared to living in bigger cities in Finland. This video will help you in figuring out how to handle your finances wisely, save money and create a monthly budget.
Shopping
Which kind of stores are available for you to shop in the area? Where can you buy your groceries and other essentials from?
Good to know about Finland
As you start living your new life in a new country, there are many nuances of trying to settle in smoothly and effectively in a new culture. This video will guide you through the essentials of your new life in Finland.
Part-time jobs
In Finland, finding a job can be time taking process, even for a local person. What are the essential aspects to consider when looking for a part-time job along with your studies? Find some tips about CV, job portals, networking and much more in this video.
Contact Admission Services
Xamk’s Admissions Services primarily assists with matters related to applying for degree studies. You can contact us by phone or through our online form.
Mon-Fri 09.00-12.00
Degree education in Finnish:
- +358 44 702 8891
- +358 40 585 6610
Degree education in English:
- +358 40 585 6610
Contact request via online form: