Kouvola Campus
Digital International Business and Game Design
Beginning the studies
Welcome to study at Xamk!
**This website is being updated for August 2021**
Instructions for beginning the studies
Uploading certificate copies on Studyinfo.fi
Entering Finland and residence permits
Programme-specific instructions
Laptop needed for the studies (opens to a new window)
Student card and the student union Kaakko
Come back to this site later for more information:
- end of March: Weekly timetables for semester 2021 available, see programme-specific instructions
- end of April: New student’s orientation path on Tuudo app updated for autumn 2021
- end of May: Timetable for beginning the studies available, see programme-specific instructions
- June-August: student usernames for Xamk systems available, information package (pdf) published, Xamk online orientation course available
New student’s orientation path on Tuudo app
Tuudo is a mobile app designed to help students in their everyday life. You can find new student’s checklist on Tuudo – it helps you to remember the most important things before the studies begin. The orientation path is fully updated for autumn 2021 by the end of April. Read more about Tuudo here.
Information package for new students
is available here in pdf format in during the summer. If you begin your studies on campus, a hard copy of it is available in the beginning of studies too.
Information on coronavirus
Xamk management follows the coronavirus situation carefully and is prepared to make decisions on study arrangements accordingly. However, our aim is to begin studies in Digital International Business, Game Design and Information Technology on campus, according to study plan for the programmes. Studies in Environmental Engineering, Wellbeing Management and Rehabilitation begin online as planned.
Follow our info page on coronavirus situation for changes and updates:
Admission results
Higher education institutions publish admission results gradually according to their own schedules. 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 can follow your results in real-time.
- All results in the Joint Application, Spring 2021 will be published by 4 June 2021.
- At Xamk, results will be published gradually during February-April, depending on the student selection method and programme:
- SAT: mid-February
- Pre-task for Rehabilitation (Master): end of February
- Online entry exam in Business: mid-March
- FINNIPS entry exam in Technology: mid-March
- Online entry exam in Game Design: end of March
- Online entry exam in Technology: end of March
- Entry exam in Finland in Business: end of April
- You will receive a notice by email both from the Studyinfo.fi service and Xamk Admission Services, when you have been offered a study place at Xamk.
When all the results in the joint application have been published (4 June 2021), you will receive an email with a link to the admission results letter. This letter is sent to all applicants. The letter includes the admission results of all the study programmes you have applied to in joint application. You can see this information also on My Studyinfo service.
Students may be admitted from the waiting list until 2 August 2021. Please note that all study programmes do not use waiting lists and the amount of places on the waiting list may be limited.
Notices of admission
You will receive a notice by email both from Xamk Admission Services and the Studyinfo.fi service, when you have been admitted to study at Xamk. You may receive either one of the emails first.
The email from Xamk Admission Services includes the official admission letter that you can use as proof of your study place e.g. when applying for housing or a residence permit.
The email from Studyinfo.fi service includes the link you need for confirming your study place, and is sent automatically within 24 hours after the admission result has been published.
Confirming the study place and enrolling for the studies
There are two phases in confirming the study place:
1. accepting the study place and
2. enrolling as student
3. If you have been asked to provide certificates about your qualifications in the notice of admission you receive from Xamk, upload the required documents to your application form on Studyinfo.fi after enrolling as student.
Accepting a study place is a binding choice, and you cannot cancel or change your choice later. When you confirm a study place bindingly, all the other higher education study programmes you have applied to in the joint or separate applications will automatically be cancelled.
Please also remember that if you don’t confirm the study place by the given deadline, you will lose the study place offer.
If you receive a study place offer that you wish not to accept, please decline the offer through Studyinfo or by email to Admission Services.
1. Accept or decline the study place offer and enrol as student through Studyinfo
- by 16 July 2021, 3 pm Finnish time.
If you are admitted from the waiting list or in supplementary application, you must confirm the study place within 7 days from the notice of admission. Students liable to pay tuition fee for the studies need to follow separate deadlines given in the admission letter in order to qualify for the Early Bird scholarship at Xamk.
Detailed instructions for confirming the study place electronically are available on Studyinfo.fi service.
If you cannot confirm the study place electronically, please contact the Admission Services at Xamk: admissions@xamk.fi.
Note that you can only confirm one study place per academic semester. This means that if you are accepted to several study programmes beginning in autumn semester 2021 (1 Aug – 31 Dec), you have to choose which place you wish to confirm. Please read more about the one place per term provision on Studyinfo.fi.
2. Enrol as an attending or non-attending student when confirming the study place.
The link for enrolment appears on the screen after you have accepted the study place bindingly.
Please note however that if you are liable to pay tuition fees, your enrolment for attendance will be registered automatically after the fee has been paid (see instructions below).
You are granted a study right when you have been accepted as a student to Xamk and you have enrolled as an attending or non-attending student. All students are required to enrol for attendance or non-attendance also during studies, it is done every academic year during given enrolment periods. Academic year is the time between 1 August and 31 July.
Enrolment and tuition fees
- The admission is conditional if you are liable for paying the tuition fee: you first confirm your study place and pay the tuition fee by the given deadline. Your enrolment for attendance will be registered automatically after the payment has been received at Xamk.
- The Admission Services notifies you by email when the payment has been checked and the enrolment registered.
Do you want to postpone the beginning of studies?
It is possible to postpone the beginning of studies by confirming the study place and enrolling for non-attendance. You can enroll for non-attendance for the first study year for the following reasons only:
- You need to complete military service, civilian service or voluntary military service for women in Finland.
- You are on maternity, paternity or parental leave.
- You are unable to begin your studies due to illness or disability.
3. Upload the required qualification and employment certificates to your application form on Studyinfo.
Information about your qualifications used for applying is checked and the student selection is conditional until the check-up is complete. Qualifications are verified either from the national database in Finland or from the certificate copies submitted on the application form.
You have been asked to upload certificate copies required in Joint Application, Spring 2021 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.
The missing certificate copies must be uploaded to your application form on Studyinfo by 16 July 2021, 3 pm Finnish time.
Uploading certificate copies on the application form
The certificate copy can for example be a photo you take of the certificate with your mobile. Please make sure the quality of the photo is sufficient and add the name of your qualification in the file name.
You can access your application form through My Studyinfo service or through the link you received in the confirmation email after submitting your application. Upload your certificate copies in the “Certificates required in connection with student selection (UAS)” section on the application form.
Entering Finland
Residence permit
Non-EU/EEA students need a student residence permit. You can begin the student residence permit application online at Enterfinland.fi. Remember that you must personally visit a Finnish embassy or consulate as part of this process. Start your residence permit process as soon as possible, carefully following the immigration authorities’ instructions and regulations, so that you can receive your permit in good time before your studies begin!
You can find detailed information and advice on the residence permit requirements and procedures on the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) website.
NB! Missions of the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs interrupted the receiving and processing of residence permit applications in March 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). These exceptional arrangements are still in effect in many missions.
While abroad, you can still submit your application through the Finnish Immigration Service’s Enter Finland online service. Your application will be accepted for processing once the exceptional arrangements are no longer in effect and you have identified yourself.
Please follow the Finnish Immigration Service’s Corona page and their page on effects of the coronavirus outbreak on customers who are abroad for further updates.
Step-by-step guide for starting your immigration process during COVID-19 outbreak:
- Prepare for the application by checking you have all the necessary attachments and information before you begin.
- Create your user account in Enter Finland online service
- Fill in the application form for student residence permit carefully and accurately. Also attach all the required documents. This will help the Immigration Service when they will process your application later.
- Please follow the bulletins issued by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on the ministry’s web page. Book a time for identification immediately when the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has announced that the exceptional arrangements are no longer in effect. You can find a list of Finland’s embassies and other missions online.
- Pay and submit your application.
- Visit the selected authority to identify yourself.
- Follow the processing of your application.
EU Citizens
If you are a citizen of an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you don’t need a residence permit to enter Finland.
Please see information about the EU citizens registration procedure on Finnish Immigration Service website https://migri.fi/en/i-am-an-eu-citizen.
British citizens
If you are a British citizen and you arrive in Finland for the first time after 31 December 2020, you must apply for a residence permit in the same manner as other persons coming from non-EU countries.
Please see information and Brexit-related instructions on Finnish Immigration Service website https://migri.fi/en/brexit/en.
Instructions on travelling
Entry regulations, self-isolation and covid-19 tests upon arrival
It is good to note, that many countries continue to restrict inbound passenger travel, and that exceptional visa regulations, for example, may be in force. Check updated entry regulations from the authorities of the country of your travel destination.
Depending on the country you travel from or the means of transport you use, you may be required to restrict non-essential close contacts and self-isolate when arriving in Finland, or to get tested for covid-19. Please read and follow the recommendations (quarantine, testing) for passengers arriving in Finland carefully. The recommendations are provided and frequently updated by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. Information on other languages than English can be found at thl.fi/matkustajaohje.
Travel arrangements and insurance
We highly recommend you to make the travel arrangements as late as possible to avoid any situations which might cause extra costs to you. You are always recommended to take out a comprehensive travel insurance. It is particularly important now that you make sure your insurance policy provides sufficient coverage.
Programme-specific instructions
Studying at Xamk
Information about study right
Right to study
The University of Applied Sciences (UAS) studies are regulated by the University of Applied Sciences Act and Decree defining e.g. the right to study and the enrolment for attendance and non-attendance (Act 932/2014/§ 28-30).
You have a right to complete the studies leading to a UAS degree according to the guidelines stipulated in the degree programme and its curriculum, as well as in the degree regulations.
The regular study time is determined by the extent of the degree. The notified time of non-attendance that is in accordance with the regulations explained before will not be included in the maximum time of taking the studies.
| Extent of the degree | Regular study time | Time of study right |
| 240 cr | 4 years | 5 years |
| 210 cr | 3,5 years | 4,5 years |
| 90 cr | 3 years | 4 years |
| 60 cr | 2 years | 3 years |
| Double degrees | based on DD agreement | regular study time + 1 year |
Certificate on the study place
You can use the admission letter sent from Xamk by email as a certificate of your study place.
When you have got your username for Xamk services, you can also order an electronic study certificate in Peppi system. Login to Peppi at https://peppi.xamk.fi (use other browser than Internet Explorer) > 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.
Losing the right to study
If you have not enrolled for attendance or non-attendance or do not deliver the required documents proving the legal grounds for your non-attendance by the set deadline, you lose your right to study.
A student who has failed to enrol, has a right to apply for restoration of study right from the Director of Education for the study programme. It is not possible to restore the study right if the student’s study time has ended. There is a handling fee in the amount of 50 euro collected for processing the application (Council of State Decree 1440/2014 § 3). The fee is paid electronically when submitting the application.
If you have not completed the studies in the given time, you lose the right to study, unless the UAS for a particular reason extends your time for completing the degree.
New student's orientation path on Tuudo app!
Tuudo is a mobile app designed to help students in their everyday life. You can already now find new student’s checklist on Tuudo – it helps you to remember the most important things before the studies begin. The orientation path is fully updated for autumn 2021 by the end of April.
- 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.
- Select “Proceed” in the New student section (no login required).
- Select “For New Students” from the menu.
You have access to some of the other sections on Tuudo as well, but not yet all of them. Later, when you have Xamk username at use, you can log in to Tuudo by selecting “Log in with student account” from the menu.
Getting the username for Xamk services
If you have online banking codes from a bank in Finland, you can get Xamk username by logging in to the authentication service. The username for new students is available in the service before the studies begin (exact time to be published here later). If admitted from the waiting list or in supplementary application: please note that the username is available within appr. 1-2 working days after the student has confirmed the study place 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. While applying for the username you also accept the network rules.
If you start changing the password in the service, you have to follow the procedure until the end. 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 at xinfo.xamk.fi.
Please write down the username you get from the service.
You can log in to Xamk online orientation before beginning the studies with your Xamk username and password, and you will also need them already during the first days of studying, when accessing our services and systems.
Access to Student intranet with your username
With the username you can access Student, the intranet for Xamk students, at https://student.xamk.fi. During the studies all news, instructions and other information is provided for students through the intranet service. You will receive more information about the service in the beginning of studies but it’s possible to start familiarizing yourself with it already in advance.
Applying for a student card
After receiving your username and password, you can order a student card by becoming a member in the Student Union Kaakko. Submit the membership application through Kaakko website. You need your student number for the application, please find instructions for it below. The student card can be used for many purposes: it is your library card, payment card for student priced lunch and card for logging in to the printer/scanners on campus.
This is how you find your student number: Log into Peppi service at https://peppi.xamk.fi > Student number is the number sequence of 7 numbers that appears after your name on the Peppi desktop, e.g. 1800123.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A NEW PASSWORD
- the password must be at least 10 characters long
- use large and small letters, numbers and/or special characters like: !?:;()=+*-#.
NB! Some special characters, as @ and %, could cause log in problems!
Please do not use:
- your own name
- date of your birth or the rest of your Finnish personal ID
- ä, ö, or å letters
- previous passwords
- an easy-to-guess password
IF YOU DON’T HAVE ACCESS TO THE AUTHENTICATION SERVICE
Students who don’t have a Finnish ID number and therefore cannot access the authentication service will get the username from the student affairs office by email before the studies begin (exact timetable to be confirmed).
If you have a Finnish ID number but don’t have online banking codes from a bank in Finland to access the service with, please request your username from the student affairs office via https://xinfo.xamk.fi.
Student Union Kaakko
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.
More info about the student card and the Student Union Kaakko from:
https://www.opiskelijakuntakaakko.fi/en/home/
Bring your own device
Students primarily use their own devices like laptops in the studies (does not concern Game Design students). There are given recommendations for the device and support available also before the studies begin.
Find out moreStudying at Xamk
See e.g. the academic calendar with schedule for tuition and holiday periods
Find our moreBeginning your studies after a year of absence?
Information about enrolment for those who have postponed the beginning of studies.
Find the info hereStudent 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 also in other towns than where the studies are located in. There are also remote services and consultations available.
Information on the student health care services is provided at https://www.yths.fi/en/fshs/fshs-2021/.
All 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.
Students beginning the studies in August/September 2021 need to pay the fee on their own initiative for autumn semester 2021 by 30 September 2021 according to instructions given by Kela.
Accommodation
Degree students arrange housing themselves prior to their arrival in Finland. Student housing is available through local student housing organisations. Xamk cannot offer accommodation for students.
- Student housing in Kouvola: www.kouvolanasunnot.fi/opiskelijat/students
- Student housing in Mikkeli: www.moas.fi
Most of the student residences have the basic furniture including bed, desk, chair, and table and benches in the kitchen. Make use of all the second hand shops available for other things you will need: mattress, pillow, blanket, dishes etc!
See more info on student housing and travelling to the campus cities on the programme-specific info pages
Tuition fees and scholarships
Your liability for paying the tuition fee has been checked in the application process. The tuition fee is to be paid by the deadline for confirming the study place according to instructions given in the admission letter. Separate deadlines apply for the Early Bird scholarship.
The scholarship scheme at Xamk is mainly based on student’s progress in studies. Additional scholarships are granted on the basis of studies in Finnish language.
You can find more information about the fee and scholarship policy from www.xamk.fi/tuition-fees.
Funding your studies
Financial aid for Finnish students
Information about Kela financial aid for students: in Finnish / in English
- 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.
- 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 (Financial aid for foreign students).
General housing allowance
- Students are eligible for general housing allowance on the same terms as everyone else. Find out more from Kela website: in Finnish / in English
Information on the adult education allowance (aikuiskoulutustuki): in Finnish / in English
- 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. Find out more on TE-services website in Finnish / in English
If you need advice on the above described possibilities for funding your studies, please contact the Admission Services at admissions@xamk.fi.
The cost of living
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.
Working while studying
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: http://migri.fi/en/studying-in-finland . Also then the main purpose of the stay in Finland is studying and making progress in the studies.
Friend Family Programme
Programme offers international degree students the opportunity to get to know Finland and Finnish culture, language and lifestyle through local families and their everyday lives.
It is based on mutual understanding and voluntariness between the student and the family. The aim of the programme is to promote internationality and the knowledge of different cultures.
What do we expect from the student?
- Commitment to the programme
- Student is initiative and eager for getting to know Finnish culture
- Student is responsible for his/her own life (studies, any payments, housing, free time hobbies and other things)
What to do with the family?
- The best way to get to know Finnish culture is to spend time with the family
- You can decide together what kind of activities you would like to do together according to your schedule and resources
- The most important thing is common time with the friend family
You will learn more about our Friend Family Programme in the beginning of studies.
Start building your career in Finland
Career planning is a continuous process that helps you manage your learning and development. This is a model for international students starting their studies and heading for employment in Finland.
This model helps you better understand the study path in the Finnish universities of applied sciences and guides you to working life in Finland.
We hope this model is a useful tool during your studies in Finland!
For more information, please see www.xamk.fi/kilkaseng.