FAQ about applying

All applicants of the University of Applied Sciences’ Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes, including native speakers of English, must demonstrate their English language proficiency. Check the list of accepted test results: English language requirementsarrow_forward.

No, Duolingo language test is not accepted. Only tests, exams and degrees listed here are accepted: English language requirementsarrow_forward.

If you have taken one of the accepted language tests, but your score is below the minimum requirement, your results cannot be accepted.

Attestation or apostille is not needed. We only require official translations (with translator’s signature and stamp) of the educational documents, if the original documents are not in English, Swedish or Finnish.

You can apply if you graduate by the time the studies in the degree programme begin. You need to attach a temporary certificate of your graduation issued by an educational institution and your latest transcript of records on the application form. If you get selected as a student, the selection will be conditional until we have checked the final degree certificate. A more detailed timetable for submitting the required documents can be found in: Admissions Criteria Rolling Admission 2025-2026launch.

Your graduation year is of no importance when you apply to SAMK. As long as you have completed a qualification that provides eligibility for higher education studies in the country you studied in, you can apply. You must have completed at least an upper secondary level qualification (for example high school). SAMK welcomes students of any ages.

Please note that if you are under the age of 18 when you start your studies in Finland, you are legally a minor and you can’t for example make a rental agreement for accommodation, electricity contract or open a bank account by yourself. Therefore, life in Finland as a minor student without parents can be very challenging.

Unfortunately, you cannot apply after the application period. You have to wait for the next application period to send your application.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to transfer from abroad. If you wish to study at SAMK, you will have to apply through our separate application. Information on upcoming application periods: Apply to degree studies – Application periodsarrow_forward.

Study credits cannot be directly transferred. However, we have good practices for recognition of prior learning. If you get selected as a student, you can then talk with your tutor teacher about the recognition of prior learning and compensation of the courses you have previously completed elsewhere. For this process, you will need sufficient documentation of your previous studies (such as course descriptions), so that your tutor teacher can evaluate whether they correspond to the curriculum of the degree programme you have been admitted to.

If you wish to transfer to SAMK from another Finnish higher education institution, you can find more information about the transfer requirements: Apply for a transferarrow_forward

Unfortunately, there are no entrance scholarships at SAMK. SAMK’s bachelor level students who are due to pay the annual tuition fee may apply for the following partial scholarships:

•            Success in Studies Scholarship (50 % of the paid fee)

•            Finnish Language Skills Scholarship (1500 euros or 3,000 euros) and

•            The Student Ambassador Scholarship (200–500 euros).

We do not admit scholarships in advance; students can apply for the different scholarships during their studies (after each academic year). You can read more about scholarships on this page: Tuition fees and scholarshipsarrow_forward

Paid tuition fees are non-refundable except for specific, predetermined reasons. The list of acceptable reasons for a refund can be found: Tuition fees and scholarships refund policyarrow_forward. If your circumstances are not included in this list, you are not eligible for a refund. Therefore, it is essential that you read the refund policy in advance so that you are aware of the conditions. By paying the tuition fee, you commit to SAMK’s policies.

Our international degree programmes are offered and taught in English, and there is no Finnish language skill requirements in the student selection of these programmes. However, learning Finnish is essential for integrating into Finnish society. Although most Finns speak English, many jobs require knowledge of the Finnish language. Learning Finnish will therefore strengthen your position in the job market when you enter working life after your studies.

Finnish language studies are included in the curriculum, and for example in the Nursing programme Finnish language is the work language during the practice periods.

SAMK offers Finnish language scholarships for our students to encourage Finnish language learning. More information about the Finnish language scholarships are available: Tuition fees and scholarships – Scholarship programmearrow_forward

Bachelor studies take place at campus and can include for example:

• lectures
• discussions
• debates
• group assignments
• exams
• independent learning assignments such as essays or learning diaries

Study methods depend on both the teacher and the course type.

There is some general information about teaching methods in Finland on this Edunation’s web page: Teaching methods in Finland that are guaranteed to help students achieve the best learning experience ever! launch

Approximately 30 ECTS of the studies consist of work placement in a local company, hospital, or some other workplace. Nursing studies include also practical training with hospital training dolls and other nursing students in our classrooms that have been arranged like a real hospital room. Compared to traditional university studies, studying in a polytechnic is much more practical.

You can find the curriculum of each degree programme: Curriculalaunch