Aalto University and Xamk engage in strategic collaboration

The objective is to increase the number of flexible study paths and to contribute to the emergence of innovations.

Aalto University and South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences Xamk have agreed upon strategic collaboration. The institutions’ collaboration is intensified in education, research and innovation activities.

With regard to education, the most important objectives are to make student transfers between Aalto University and Xamk more flexible and to offer cross-boundary learning opportunities. In addition, collaboration will be increased in the development of opportunities related to online studying and education export as well as in sharing the expertise of the teaching staff.

There is a path for you after Xamk to enter a master’s program of Aalto University

Have you completed an UAS bachelor’s degree of engineering at Xamk with good grades? Have your optional studies especially enhanced your competence in mathematics and science? This kind of background gives you an opportunity to continue studies in Aalto University’s two-year-long master’s programmes in the field of technology and engineering.

The application process of the master’s programmes is competitive in nature. Admissions mainly base on the recognition of competences acquired in previous studies. There is no entrance examination.

This move is Xamk’s strategic objective and it provides us with a better position with regard to the structural change of the Finnish higher education institution field. I’m pleased that of all universities Aalto – a cutting edge university with a strong orientation towards the business sector – is our strategic partner. This kind of close collaboration between independent operators can be described as the so-called third road. The ownership and the right of decision remains within the region.

Jyrki Koivikko, Chairman of the Xamk Board of Directors (2017-2021)

Degree programmes

Path to doctoral programs of Aalto University

To be eligible for doctoral studies, students must hold a relevant master’s degree awarded by a university or a university of applied sciences; or hold a relevant applicable study programme abroad, which in the awarding country gives eligibility for the corresponding level of higher education. The degree as a basis for doctoral studies shall provide the student with an adequate knowledge and skills needed for doctoral studies in the programme chosen. The university may require a student admitted to complete the necessary supplementary studies in order to meet this requirement. The student shall also fulfill the defined language proficiency needed for doctoral studies.

The central criteria for assessing potential doctoral candidates include the candidates’ academic performance and potential for doctoral studies, the quality and feasibility of the research proposal together with the candidate’s possibilities to complete the studies within the target time. The suitability of the previous degree as the basis of the doctoral degree as well as the suitability of the research proposal to the programmes research profile is taken into account. The availability of supervision for the dissertation project is of great importance when selecting doctoral candidates.

More information about applying to the doctoral programmes of Aalto University can be found here.

Renewing the world of work through research and innovations

Both Aalto and Xamk have undertaken to improve the national competitiveness and to build a sustainable society by contributing to the emergence of new innovations and by fostering entrepreneurship. This is carried out by improving the collaboration in research and innovation activities.

In addition, the collaboration aims at improving the efficient and flexible use of both parties’ research infrastructure and facilities.

“Aalto University wishes to collaborate with Finnish higher education institutions and companies – together we are stronger in the international competition. I’m convinced that the intensifying collaboration in the fields of technology, art and business between Aalto’s innovation ecosystem and operators in South-East Finland will create new know-how, reformative capacity, vitality and job openings. Aalto University and Xamk’s bio-economy teaching and piloting collaboration plans are already well underway’, states Ilkka Niemelä, President of Aalto University.

This is a significant development for those who have completed master’s degree in Xamk. Now they can continue their studies in Aalto’s doctoral programmes if they meet the requirements. We will provide clear descriptions of these requirements jointly with Aalto”.

Heikki Saastamoinen, Xamk CEO and President.