We are happy to host international students!
Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) accepts international students by several exchange programmes and agreements. Please note that SAMK is a multi-campus university. To ensure the most rewarding academic experience incoming exchange students will be placed on our campuses based on their Degree studies in their home universities.
SAMK has partner universities all over the world and takes part in several networks and exchange programmes such as: Erasmus+, Nordplus, FIRST and Magellan. In addition, we have many bilateral agreements with universities around the world.
From SoleMOVE online system you can see the current partner universities of SAMK.
Here is a blog post from our exchange student (Autumn semester 2021)
Get-together event for SAMK exchange students in 2022
Application process
After your application for an exchange period abroad has been approved by the International Office at your home university, we require an official nomination from your home university in order to provide you with access to our online mobility tool SoleMOVE.
The application procedure will be carried out with SoleMOVE online system. You will find more information below. Please read it through carefully.
SAMK has two nomination deadlines:
- deadline for nominations for the autumn semester and for the whole academic year: 30 April
- deadline for nominations for the spring semester: 31 October
SAMK has two application periods:
- deadline for applications for the autumn semester and for the whole academic year: 15 May
- deadline for applications for the spring semester: 15 November
Available traineeship placements and other limitations in course offering
- Please note that SAMK is not able to accept students for traineeship placements in the field of Nursing.
- In Physiotherapy traineeship placements are limited.
- In the field of Maritime Technology and Management work placements, thesis work or professional qualification courses are not possible for incoming exchange students.
After SAMK has received the nomination from your home university, you will receive a password to SoleMOVE and you can start to fill in your application. You will need to upload the following application documents (in English):
- Motivation Letter (background, expectations for exchange)
- Transcript of records (showing your grades from home university, in English)
- Copy of your passport (only required from students outside EU/EEA-countries). Please note that your passport should be valid 6 months after your exchange period ends.
Please note that SAMK does not accept applications sent by post.
In regard to the Learning Agreement, check courses available for exchange students on Study Guide. If your institution is already successfully connected to the Erasmus Without Papers network, please send us the Learning Agreement digitally. You can find the responsible persons on each faculty from the section below called Digital Learning Agreement and responsible persons in SAMK.
Students can find courses and course descriptions in Study Guide. Courses for the academic year 2023-2024 are published in March-April 2023 in Study Guide. Some courses for the spring semester 2024 can still be published in autumn 2023.
In the Study Guide, choose "Courses suitable for exchange students".
The normal workload for students is approximately 30 ECTS credits / semester.
You can plan your own study programme according to your needs and wishes. Note however, that:
- You are advised to take courses primarily from the faculty you apply to.
- SAMK has campuses in four cities and you should choose courses only from one city.
- Please note that we offer business studies on two campuses and you will be placed on a campus which offers the most suitable courses for your Degree Programme at home.
- The courses are arranged only if a certain number of students enroll.
- Students will be accepted into courses in the enrollment order (at the beginning of the semester). The courses have a limited number of places. You will receive more information on the course enrollment during the orientation week.
- The definite registration usually takes places upon arrival.
Remember to have a look at the prerequisite studies. You might, for example, need to have previous studies in the field of a course.
The academic year at SAMK is divided into two semesters. There is normally very little tuition during the summer. You are expected to arrive at the beginning of the semester. If you arrive late (over 5 days), you may not be able to attend the courses any more. Please also note that our orientation week for incoming exchange students is mandatory. More information about the orientation week can be found below.
Academic calendar
- Autumn semester: end of August (orientation) - end of December
- Spring semester: beginning of January (orientation) - end of May
Grading scale
ECTS grade / Result / Finnish / English:
A / 5 / Kiitettävä / Excellent
B / 4 / Hyvä / Very Good
C / 3 / Hyvä / Good
D / 2 / Tyydyttävä / Satisfactory
E / 1 / Tyydyttävä / Sufficient
F / 0 / Hylätty / Failed
In addition, students' performances may be evaluated with pass/fail basis.
Available traineeship placements and other limitations in course offering
- Please note that SAMK is not able to accept students for traineeship placements in the field of Nursing.
- In Physiotherapy traineeship placements are limited.
- In the field of Maritime Technology and Management work placements, thesis work or professional qualification courses are not possible for incoming exchange students.
- In Energy and Environmental Engineering courses are offered in English only during the Autumn semester.
Studying at SAMK
The academic year is divided into two semesters: the autumn semester runs from the end of August until December, and the spring semester lasts from the beginning of January until the end of May. There is some variation between the degree programmes. In addition, we have a summer semester but it is reserved for work placements and individual study.
More information about studying at SAMK can be found on the Study Info website.
If your home university is already connected to the Erasmus Without Paper network, you can use the Digital Learning Agreement. When sending the digital document, please choose the appropriate person as "responsible person" in SAMK:
- Faculty of Logistics and Maritime Technology (including international business)
- business programmes: Saija Arslan
- engineering and maritime programmes Daniela Tanhua
- Faculty of Technology: Marcel van Geffen (marcel.van.geffen (a) samk.fi)
- Faculty of Health and Welfare:
- social services: Päivi Muranen
- nursing: Maarit Harjanne
- physiotherapy: Johanna Vähä-Jaakkola (johanna.vaha-jaakkola (a) samk.fi)
- Faculty of Service Business:
- tourism: Jaana Ruoho
- business and administration: Yki Myntti
Email addresses are firstname.lastname@samk.fi (ö=o and ä=a).
- Degree programmes taught in English are marked with *)
- Degree programmes taught in Finnish offer also some courses in English. These courses are available to exchange students.
- For more information on SAMK curricula and courses, visit our Study Guide.
Welfare & Health
Degree Programme in Fine Arts, Bachelor/Master of Culture and Arts
Degree Programme in Elderly Care, Bachelor/Master of Social Services and Health Care
Degree Programme in Health Promotion, Master of Health Care
Degree Programme in Nursing, Bachelor of Health Care *)
Degree Programme in Physiotherapy, Bachelor of Health Care *)
Degree Programme in Rehabilitation Counselling, Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care
Degree Programme in Social Services, Bachelor/Master of Social Services
Service Business
Degree Programme in Business Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration
Degree Programme in Management and Service Business, Master of Business Administration
Degree Programme in Tourism, Bachelor of Hospitality Management *)
Logistics and Maritime Technology
Degree Programme in Sustainable Business Management, Master of Business Administration *)
Degree Programme in Industrial Management, Bachelor of Engineering
Degree Programme in International Business, Bachelor of Business Administration *)
Degree Programme in Business Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration *)
Degree Programme in Logistics, Bachelor of Engineering *)
Degree Programme in Industrial Management and Technology, Bachelor of Engineering *)
Sea Captain's Degree Programme, Bachelor of Marine Technology *)
Technology
Degree Programme in Artificial Intelligence, Bachelor of Engineering *)
Degree Programme in Mechatronics, Bachelor of Engineering *)
Degree Programme in Energy and Environmental Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering
Practical information
Welcome to SAMK! Now that you have been admitted to SAMK, you can start to prepare yourself for the exchange period in Finland. Below you will find important information concerning practical matters of your exchange period at SAMK. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!
Before arrival please remember to check that you have submitted all the required documents.
Residence permit
Non-EU/EEA students need a student residence permit. 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. When applying for your permit, remember to apply for Finnish social security number at the same time.
More information: Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) (on migri.fi)
Visa
If you are coming from a non-EU/EEA country you will need a visa to enter Finland. When applying for visa, remember to apply for Finnish social security number at the same time.
If you are an EU/EEA country student, you don’t need a visa or a residence permit. Once you get here, you will need a Finnish social security number from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. Having this number is essential for you, no matter how long you stay. You need it in order to be issued the Transcript of Records and other important Erasmus+ documents concerning your stay at SAMK.
In addition, if you are staying for more than three months, you must complete the registration procedure at the local Digital and Population Data Services Agency.
More information: Finnish Immigration Service
Please check the insurance policy of your home university.
We strongly recommend that you get a comprehensive health, travel and accommodation insurance.
SAMK has an accident insurance for incoming exchange students. The insurance covers accidents occurred during student’s studies and direct travel between the campus and place of accommodation.
Students coming from EU/EEA countries should request a European health insurance card from their home country.
Students coming from non EU/EEA countries should have a certain insurance required by Finnish Immigration Services when applying for their student visas. More information and requirements on Finnish Immigration Services website.
There are several options available. The rent varies according to the size, location and facilities of the chosen apartment. It is also possible to share an apartment. The apartment can be located quite close to the campus so the student can use a bike or go by walk to the campus.
Private brokers of rental apartments are for example:
Pori
The International Relations Secretary of the SAMK Campus Pori assists exchange students from partner universities in finding accommodation but the apartment needs to be rented from private housing market.
Torget
Torget has special prices for SAMK students, please contact info(at)torgethotel.fi. You can stay in Torget either for a short or a long time. One option is that you reserve a room for a short period of time and familiarise yourself with Pori and then look for a long-term option elsewhere.
Porin YH-Asunnot (on www.porinyhasunnot.fi)
If you choose to stay at Porin YH-asunnot, please apply accommodation through this link https://hakemus.tampuuri.fi/porinyhasunnot/?hakemustyyppi=7.
You can change the language of the form from the bottom right corner. You can choose just Next from the bottom of the page to fill in the application form (or if you already know for example that you are searching for a 2-room apartment, select that and press Next). Add to the application form that you are a “SAMK exchange student”.
Vuokralukaali Apartments (on vuokralukaali.fi)
Vuokralukaali has a diverse selection of rental accommodation from Pori. Please visit their website for more information and if you have any questions, contact directly Siiri Sillanpää, siiri.sillanpaa@vuokralukaali.com or Juha Virén, juha.viren@vuokralukaali.com.
Rauma
Exchange students and Double Degree students in SAMK Campus Rauma can rent a room from Old Station. The rent varies according to the size of the room and if it is a single, double or triple room. More information and pictures of different options available from Kirsitarmo(at)gmail.com or +358 400 469 582 Whatsapp.
If Old Station is full, the International Relations Secretary of SAMK Campus Rauma assists you in finding accommodation from private housing markets.
Kankaanpää
Housing will be arranged for you by SAMK. The students’ dormitory is situated in the center of Kankaanpää.
The apartment consists of two rooms (one/student), a kitchen and bathroom. The average rent is 170 euros a month + 15 euros water bill. If you want to share your room with some other student, both students will pay 85 euros + 15 water bill.
Rooms are furnished (bed, blanket, pillow, desk, chair and closet). Bed linen are not included, but you can rent bed linen from Sataedu.
Internet connection is available upon request for a small fee.
Satakunta University of Applied Sciences is committed to providing an equal and accessible university environment for every student. Special attention is paid to barriers to learning and special arrangements are made to support students with special needs.
Please contact the international office to notify SAMK well in advance for special arrangements.
You should bring along an official certificate of the need for learning support.
For information on accessibility issues in SAMK, please visit this website.
In SAMK every international student has a tutor who helps you with issues regarding your stay and studies. Tutors are Finnish or international degree students of SAMK. You will be contacted by your tutor a few weeks before you come. You can ask him or her about practical matters on your stay.
Please note that the tutor will most likely be able to help you if you arrive during weekdays between 8.00-22.00. They are tutoring other international students at the same time which means that sometimes they might be busy but do not worry, everything will work out for the best!
Tutors will arrange free time activities and trips for you, together with the student union SAMMAKKO. You can also suggest travel destinations or activities that you would wish to experience once in Finland!
By joining the student union SAMMAKKO you will receive the student card with discounts and benefits around Satakunta. For more information, please visit the SAMMAKKO website!
Arrival information to SoleMOVE
Once you know when you will be arriving to SAMK, please remember to update your arrival information to SoleMOVE. That way we can inform the tutors about your arrival as well!
Green Erasmus+
- Ferries from other European countries arrive to Helsinki and Turku harbour from where you can continue to Pori and Rauma by train or bus.
- Campuses are close to bus and train stations.
- Useful website: https://erasmusbytrain.eu/plan-your-journey/
Below you can find the dates of the orientation weeks for international students. The days are full of important information so it is good to arrive to Satakunta well in advance!
SAMK Campus Pori orientation weeks:
- for autumn semester arrivals: 21 - 25 August 2023
- for spring semester arrivals: 4-5 January 2024 (NB: dates changed!)
SAMK Campus Rauma orientation weeks:
- for autumn semester arrivals: starting 21 August 2023
- for spring semester arrivals: starting 8 January 2024
During the orientation week we will tell you more about studying at SAMK, about our electronic services and student life in general. Please remember that attending the orientation programme is obligatory for exchange students.
This information is only for health care students coming to SAMK Campus Pori and attending practical training:
All tests and vaccinations must be taken in your home country prior to your departure.
1. All health care students coming to SAMK Campus Pori
All students must fill in the Health Form with information regarding the following vaccinations:
- MMR (measles, mumps and rubella): 2 doses / Lifetime. It is mandatory.
- Tetanus: 3 doses / Lifetime. It is mandatory.
- Polio: 3 to 4 doses / Lifetime. It is mandatory.
- Diphtheria. It is mandatory.
- Influenza vaccination, taken between November – April. It is mandatory for health care students. If you are coming for the Spring term, this vaccination must be taken in your home country.
- Chicken pox. It is recommended for all students. It is mandatory for students of nursing, physiotherapy and social services to get the vaccination if you haven’t had chicken pox disease earlier in your life.
- Hepatitis B: It is mandatory for nursing students and recommended for physiotherapy and social work students.
The vaccinations must be valid when you arrive to Finland.
2. All nursing, physiotherapy and social sciences students doing clinical practice must send a filled health form with the following information:
- Negative tuberculosis skin test (Mantoux test or IGRA test) or chest X-ray, negative MRSA-test. Either the test or the x-ray must be taken within the last 3 months before coming to Finland (Doctor’s statement).
- Students practicing in maternity or neonatal wards must also send:
- Chest X-ray. It must be taken in the last 3 months.
- Whooping cough booster during last 5 years
If your test results are positive, your clinical practice in Finland is not possible.
The results should be given clearly in English and must be sent three weeks in advance to the contact persons mentioned in the health form.
3. Please note:
All students from countries mentioned below must send a doctor's statement of a chest X-Ray at least two weeks before their arrival. The doctor’s statement cannot be older than three months. The results should be given clearly in English.
Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Ecuador, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Romania, Russia, South Korea, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda and Vietnam.
4. Additional information
In addition, every student doing clinical practice must send an Extract on Criminal Background in advance to riitta.rissanen(at)samk.fi.
EU citizens, please bring along your European health insurance card.