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, autumn 2023 are published by 24 November 2023.
- 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 24 November 2023 at the latest.
Students may be admitted from the waiting list until 12 December 2023. 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.
You will receive the official admission letter in the email from Xamk Admission Services. You can use the letter as proof of your study place when applying for a residence permit.
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.
3 steps in securing your study place
Accept the offer of admission by 1 December 2023, 3 pm Finnish time (UTC +2).
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 24 November, or
- admitted in supplementary application.
If you cannot accept the offer electronically, please contact the Admission Services.
If you don’t 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 spring semester 2024 (1 January – 31 July).
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 don’t 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. The Admission Services notifies you by email when the payment and enrolment are in order.
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 1 December, 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. In case there is something unclear about your qualifications or certificates, you may also be asked to present the original certificates at the beginning of your studies.
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 (first study year in Environmental Engineering and Rehabilitation programme).
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’s important to act quickly because the appointment times may be limited in some embassies/consulates.
- When Xamk has received your tuition fee payment, the Admission Services will send you an official certificate of attendance with a confirmation of the paid tuition fee by email.
- You can submit your residence permit application already before receiving this document and attach it to the submitted application when you receive it.
- 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.
Instructions for a student residence permit (by the Finnish Immigration Service)
- 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 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.
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.
Student housing is provided by a separate housing organisation (not the university). Arrange your accommodation as soon as possible. Further information: Campuses and student housing
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.
You can find the most up-to-date information on how to register and other useful information about registration on website.
Programme-specific instructions
Select your programme from the menu below to find the programme-specific timetables and instructions.
How to check your weekly timetable on Timetable Manager
- Copy your group code from the programme-specific instructions.
- Open the Timetable Manager. Change the language to English if needed.
- Select “Group search” and paste the group code you copied > Search.
- Select the group from the search results > Add. Hide search results.
Studies begin:
on 4 September 2023 at 10.00 am on Kouvola Campus, Main building, classroom 357, address Paraatikenttä 7, Kouvola
- Orientation days 4-8 September. Participation in the orientation days is mandatory for all students. Orientation programme (PDF) *updated 1 September*
- Lectures according to weekly timetables from 11 September onwards.
- Group code: IBKV23SP
- All students are welcome, and recommended, to come to campus even before the Orientation Week, to meet with lecturers, make use of the campus facilities, etc. Book an appointment with the Studies Coordinator Mr. Hugh Clack, hugh.clack(a)xamk.fi, especially if you have previous university/UAS level studies. He is available from 14 August to 1 September.
- Study plan in the study guide
Studies delivered on campus
The studies 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 11 September 2023 at the latest. The next possibility to start studies after that will be in August 2024 with a new group.
Information on Xamk refund policy
Contact information
- Student Affairs Advisor Mirka Jääskeläinen, tel. +358 44 702 8972, mirka.jaaskelainen(a)xamk.fi
- Academic issues from mid-Aug onwards: Studies Coordinator Hugh Clack, tel. +358 44 702 8758 , hugh.clack(a)xamk.fi
Studies begin:
on 28 August 2023 at 9.00 am Finnish time (UTC +3), online
- Orientation days 28 August – 1 September. Programme for 28-30 August (PDF). 31 August and 1 September are reserved for personal study plan discussions. Participation in the orientation days is mandatory for all students.
- Lectures according to weekly timetables from 4 September onwards.
- Group code: EEMI23SP
- 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 3125 027, kirsi.k.rouhiainen(a)xamk.fi
- Academic issues from mid-Aug onwards: Studies Coordinator Hannu Poutiainen, tel. +358 40 653 1618, hannu.poutiainen(a)xamk.fi *updated 17 April 2023*
Studies begin:
on 28 August 2023 at 9.30 am on Kouvola Campus, Meduusa studio, address Rykmentintie 4, room MS12.
- Orientation days 28 August – 1 September. Participation in the orientation days is mandatory for all students.
- Lectures according to weekly timetables from 4 September onwards.
- Group code: GDKV23SP
- Study plan in the study guide
Studies delivered on campus
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 4 September 2023. The next possibility to start studies after that will be in August 2024 with a new group.
Information on Xamk refund policy
Contact information
- Student Affairs Advisor Mirka Jääskeläinen, tel. +358 44 702 8972, mirka.jaaskelainen(a)xamk.fi
- Academic issues from mid-Aug onwards, Studies Coordinator Katariina Silvola, tel. +358 44 702 8563, katariina.silvola(a)xamk.fi
Studies begin:
on 1 September 2023 at 12.00 noon Finnish time (UTC +3) on Mikkeli Campus, building M (Mikpoli), classroom MB310 address Patteristonkatu 2, Mikkeli
- Orientation days Fri 1 September and Mon 4 September, programme informed in the beginning of the orientation. Participation in the orientation days is mandatory for all students.
- Orientation and lectures continue according to weekly timetables from 5 September onwards.
- Group code: ITMI23SP
- Study plan in the study guide
Studies delivered on campus
The studies 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 11 September 2023 at the latest. The next possibility to start studies after that will be in August 2024 with a new group.
Information on Xamk refund policy
Contact information
- Student Affairs Advisor Kirsi Rouhiainen, tel. +358 50 3125 027, kirsi.k.rouhiainen(a)xamk.fi
- Academic issues from mid-Aug onwards: Studies Coordinator Reijo Vuohelainen, tel. +358 50 312 4952, reijo.vuohelainen(a)xamk.fi
Studies begin:
on 28 August 2023 at 9.00 am on Kotka Campus, main lobby, address Pääskysentie 1, Kotka
- Orientation days 28-30 August (preliminary programme, PDF). Participation in the orientation days is mandatory for all students.
- Lectures according to weekly timetables from 31 August onwards
- Group code: BNKT23SP
- Bring a vaccination certificate for all vaccinations you have received.
- Study plan in the study guide
Studies delivered on campus
The studies 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 11 September 2023 at the latest. The next possibility to start studies after that will be in August 2024 with a new group.
Information on Xamk refund policy
Contact information
- Student Affairs Advisor Auli Kuusikunnas, tel. +358 44 702 8940, auli.kuusikunnas(a)xamk.fi
- Academic issues from mid-Aug onwards: Studies Coordinator Jussi Mähönen, tel. +358 50 473 4000 , jussi.mahonen(a)xamk.fi
Studies begin:
on 7 September 2023 at 8.15 am Finnish time (UTC +3), online
- Orientation days online 7 and 8 September. Participation in the orientation days is mandatory for all students. The link for joining the orientation is sent by email before the orientation.
- Online lessons during autumn semester 2023: 2-3 October, 15-16 November, 29-30 November, 8 December. Check timing from the weekly timetables.
- Group code: RHSA23SVY
- Study plan in the study guide
Online studies
The studies are delivered fully online and don’t require presence on campus. You take part in the orientation and lessons 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 Päivi Pesonen, tel. +358 50 3125 037, paivi.pesonen(a)xamk.fi
- Academic issues from mid-Aug onwards: Studies Coordinator Marjo Heikkilä, tel. +358 50 312 5139, marjo.heikkila(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.
- 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 at Xinfo.
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.
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.
Online orientation course 1: Xamk Digital environments 2023 – Digital tools
Online orientation course 2: Xamk Orientation 2023 – Studying and services
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’re finished, you may upload a certificate to be used later on in Study and career planning course.
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 admission letter sent from Xamk by email, or the result letter sent for all applicants.
When you have got your username for Xamk services, you can also order an electronic study certificate in 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. The study certificate includes instructions on how to verify the electronic signature.
Campuses and student housing
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 January 2024 need to pay the fee on their own initiative for spring semester 2024 by 31 January 2024 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.
Adult education allowance can be granted to employees and entrepreneurs who have at least eight years of employment history. You need to have been employed by your current employer for at least one year before the beginning of the studies to be supported, and you also need to leave your work on part-time or fully unpaid study leave.
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.