Academic Year
Academic year is divided into three semesters. Check when your degree programme starts and where.
Autumn semester 1.8.2023–31.12.2023
Spring semester 1.1.2024–31.7.2024
Periods of the academic year:
1st period 1.8.–22.10.2023
2nd period 23.10.–31.12.2023
3rd period 1.1.–17.3.2024
4th period 18.3.–19.5.2024
5th period 20.5.–31.7.2024
However, the last period (Summer semester) is reserved for work placements, meaning that there is normally no tuition in June and July. During the summer you can for example pass exams or online courses, or do your training.
Studying
We can offer our students many possibilities to enhance their knowledge and practical skills. In addition to traditional lectures, thesis and exams, we offer various chances to learn through projects. The Enterprise Accelerator helps students who have a business idea or an operating company. The students will also be assisted in enterprise succession or in the acquisition of an enterprise. We have a wide international connections and partnership universities in many countries. International operations include exchange of students, trainees, teachers and experts, development of study contents in cooperation with foreign counterparts, internationalizing study plans and various RDI projects.
Tutoring
Student tutors have been chosen to help you from the very first days of your studies. They will make you acquainted with your own campus and its facilities and also with the city, if needed. A student tutor is a student from the second or third year who has made an agreement with SAMK to support and help the students during their first semester of studies. During the first study week the student tutors give their own group information about e.g. library services, IT systems and the study environment. The teacher tutor in charge organises the activities of peer tutors.
SAMK arranges orientation days for new international degree students in the beginning of each semester. The programme during the days is drawn up to help the students settle into student life and the new environment as quickly as possible. The programme introduces students to the various services, regulations and systems at SAMK.
Progress of Studies
Degree program includes basic and professional studies, a practical training, and a thesis. The practical training introduces the student to practical work tasks that are essential especially to the professional skills and to the application of knowledge and skills in professional work. The degree also includes some elective studies and project studies.
Depending on the degree program, the degree consist of 210-270 credits, i.e. approximately 60 credits per year. One credit is equivalent to 27 hours of student work, and one year of studies is equivalent to 1600 hours of student work.
Your progress is reviewed yearly to check if your studies are full-time. You are considered a full-time student if you are enrolled in a course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree. Your progress is regarded as satisfactory if your period of full-time study does not substantially exceed the standard study time for your course of study.
Individual Study Plan (ISP/HOPS)
At SAMK, every student compiles an individual study plan (ISP/HOPS) with the help of his/her teacher tutor at the initial states of the studies. The purpose of this plan is to make the curriculum more personal and it is based on the future career plans of the student.
With the help of this plan, it is easier for you to understand the structure of your studies, and how you should proceed with them. It includes information on the mandatory, elective, and alternative studies, and a roadmap of the courses. You may also include a practical training plan in your individual study plan. Completion of your studies is monitored and your individual study plan is updated at least once a year, or when necessary, during development discussions with your tutor teacher.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL/AHOT)
Recognition of prior learning (RPL/AHOT) promotes lifelong learning. A university student is given the opportunity to demonstrate that, through prior learning, he or she masters the learning outcomes regardless of where or how the competence has been acquired. The competence must correspond with the learning objectives of the curriculum of the study program.
You may apply for recognition of learning acquired earlier as a part of your degree program. If you want your competence to be recognized, you should contact the degree program coordinator at the initial stages of your studies.
Services
Student Office
From the Student Office you can get e.g. study certificates and official transcripts of records.
International Office
International Relations Secretary can help you if you wish to get more information about studying or doing the internship abroad.
Facilities for self-studying
You can find several smaller or bigger rooms for independent studying all over the campuses. They will be introduced to you during the first days of the studies.
Meals
There is a student cafeteria in every campus. University students can buy meals at discounted prices in those restaurants. Discount cards are given to new students in the beginning of their studies.
Sports facilities
As a student you can use the Campus Gym and versatile university sport services to support your well-being.
Read more: campusmowe.fi/en
Communication Channels
Email address
Each student gets his or her own email address. Students have an e-mail address in the format samk-id@student.samk.fi (e.g. sa12345@student.samk.fi).
Email is definitely our most important communication channel, as our staff members send messages relating to courses and studying in general to personal email addresses. Emails are always sent to SAMK email addresses, even though a student may have other email addresses as well.
Intranet Oiva
We have intranet, Oiva, for students where you can find important study related matters. The user ID and password are available when school begins. Online noticeboard can be found in our student intranet.
It Systems
Helpdesk
SAMK’s Helpdesk will help you in solving IT problems. You can ask for help by writing your problem to the ServiceDesk.
User ID (SAMK-ID)
When you commence your studies, you will obtain a user ID (called SAMK-ID) and a password for the systems used at SAMK. They also serve as your IDs for the information network and email system. Here are the instructions for SAMK-ID registration (username and password). Please note that you can only register your SAMK-ID after your right to study has started.
Moodle
Online instruction and online learning refer to the utilisation of the information network in teaching and learning. Some courses may be entirely online. During the courses, online learning can also be used to support traditional teaching methods.
Loki
Loki-system includes: personal curriculum (HOPS), curricula, course descriptions, enrolment for study units, registration for the academic year, information board and study guide.
Tuudo
Tuudo is an application which makes coping with the day-to-day student life easier. In Tuudo mobile app you can e.g. familiarize with the new student's orientation material (no SAMK ID needed!), enrol for studies, check your completed studies and your personal timetable, use library services, view our campus maps, and give course feedback.
Shortcuts
You can find email, Moodle, Loki and other it services from SAMK's website in the right top corner "shortcuts"/ "Oman väen oikotiet".
Office365
You can use Microsoft Office programs freely. You can download them to your computer or use the web applications or both.
You also have OneDrive for Business available, where you can save your files and share files with other students and teachers.
Equipment recommendations, students' laptop
- A computer which complies with these recommendations can be used in all degree programmes. A lighter version is sufficient for most programmes, e.g. in the Faculty of Health and Welfare and Business Administration.
- Windows 10 operating system
- At least 8 Gt of main memory, preferably 16 Gt
- 3–4 years of guarantee is recommended, (for example the extension of the guarantee)
- At least Full HD screen
- SSD disc 120G, recommended 256Gb
- A good battery that lasts several hours
- An integrated camera
During your studies
Are You Interested in Entrepreneurship
In the enterprise accelerator you can direct your studies for the benefit of your own entrepreneurship.
To Working Life
In project learning, practical training and a summer job you learn in practice the skills needed in work.