• studying at a partner university abroad
• the recommended timing is when at least the first year of studies have been completed
• duration of 2-12 months, but a semester or academic year is recommended
• produce 5 credits/month, the studies are accepted as part of the HAMK degree

Who can study abroad?

All degree students who have completed at least the first year of their studies and who have made progress in their studies in accordance with their personal study plan can go abroad. The appropriate time to change varies from programme to programme.

Selection criteria

As a general rule, all students will be able to go to the exchange destination of their choice. If there are more applicants than places available, the selection will be based on the following selection criteria:

• First-timer status: a student applying for an exchange for the first time has priority over a student who has already been on an exchange before.
• Stage of studies: first priority is given to the student who has the last chance to go on an exchange period before graduation.
• Study progress: the exchange student’s studies must have progressed in accordance with the study plan.

If there are more applicants than places, the first choice will be made according to the selection criteria mentioned above. If there are still more applicants than places, a lottery will be held to select the remaining applicants.

Note: You can only go on exchange to South Korea and the USA for one semester.

Where can I go?

You can study at more than 100 different partner universities abroad from HAMK. You can choose from both within and outside Europe. For more information, see the “before the exchange” section.

What can I study abroad and how will it affect my studies at HAMK?

You should check the courses offered by your host university well in advance with your international affairs planner. You can choose from a wide range of courses to suit your degree. Discuss the suitability of courses with your guidance counsellor. Before starting the exchange, a Learning Agreement is drawn up with your guidance counsellor, in which the student, the sending institution and the host institution agree on the content of the exchange period. Carefully planned studies abroad will not delay your studies at HAMK as they will be accepted as part of your HAMK degree.

How do I start preparing to study abroad?

It’s a good idea to start preparing for the exchange as early as possible. Please carefully read the “before the exchange” section and explore interesting options by visiting our partner universities, and also contact the HAMK International international affairs planner in good time.

Before the exchange

During the exchange

After the exchange

NOTE: The student has 2 months after the end date of the exchange to put things in order, otherwise the balance will not be paid (possibility of recovery).

Interruption or shortening of the exchange

• all or part of your work placement
• full-time work placement
• duration 2-12 months
• a work placement abroad provides 6 credits/month and counts as part of the degree at HAMK
• you can go during the first year
• you can also start a work placement immediately after graduation if you start the application process during your studies
• if the student applies for an internship grant from HAMK, he or she will not receive any other financial support from HAMK or the Finnish National Board of Education.
• the student can be paid for the work placement and still be entitled to a traineeship grant
• for nursing education, the work placements are generally organised through the university. In this case, the application timetable for student exchanges is followed.

Who can go on a Work placement abroad?

All degree students and recent graduates who have started the application process during their studies.

Where can I go?

Companies, universities and private and public organisations are all suitable for traineeships. There are plenty of options, as students usually choose their placements independently. There are options all over the world.

You can find placements available, for example, on these pages:

EDUFI traineeship for higher education students and recent graduates
Erasmus-intern
Work and Travel (in Finnish)
ErasmusInSchool

However, there are a number of organisations that are not eligible for Erasmus+ placements:

• European Union organisations, listed here
• Organisations managing EU programmes (e.g. National Agencies)

However, diplomatic missions abroad (embassies, consulates) in the student’s home or home country are allowed as Erasmus+ work placements. The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has announced that it is now accepting university trainees in embassies or consulates also through Erasmus+.

Other organisations abroad representing the student’s home or home country (e.g. cultural and scientific institutes, regional representations, schools, export centres) are acceptable placements. The student’s country of origin or provenance is the country of the sending higher education institution and/or the student’s country of origin/citizenship.

Digital skills for an Erasmus work placement

Erasmus+ aims to increase the number of traineeships that develop students’ digital skills. Digital skills could include any of the following: digital marketing (e.g. social social media management, web analytics); digital graphic, mechanical or architectural design; development of apps, software, scripts, or websites; installation, maintenance and management of IT systems and networks; cyber-security; data analytics, mining and visualisation; programming and training of robots and artificial intelligence applications. Note: Generic customer support, order fulfilment, data entry office tasks are not considered in this category.
There is a section in the Learning Agreement where the employer assesses whether the internship counts in this category. The European Commission only collects statistical data on this information.

How do I start preparing for my work placement?

It’s a good idea to start preparing well in advance. Look carefully at the “before the change” section and explore the different possibilities. You should also contact your programme’s placement coordinator and your work placement supervisor well in advance. Together, you’re sure to find the right placement for you!

Before the change

During the exchange

After the exchange

Interruption or shortening of training

Do you want to expand your knowledge in your field and develop your international skills at the same time? There are good opportunities to do so by completing a double degree.

A double degree is a form of cooperation between HAMK and a foreign partner university, in which the student completes a predetermined part of his/her studies at both universities and receives a degree certificate from both universities. It is similar to a study exchange, but the courses to be taken are more specific than for exchange studies and the exchange period is always at least one year. One year is 60 credits and the course must be accepted by both schools.

The basic prerequisite for starting a double degree at HAMK is that the student has completed two years of studies, has successfully completed the studies and has sufficient oral and written language skills. For more information, please contact the international affairs planner of your school.

Double degree partners

Partner	​Country	​HAMK Degree Programme
FHV – Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences	Austria	International Business, Management in Sustainable Business
Thomas More Kempen University of Applied Sciences	Belgium	Business Information Technology
University of West Bohemia	Czech Republic	Business Administration
Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft Ludwigshafen (HWG)	Germany	International Business
​Technische Hochschule Deggendorf	​Germany	​International Business
​Hochscule Worms	Germany	International Business
Hochschule Niederrhein, Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences	Germany	International Business
Hochschule Offenburg	Germany	Business Information Technology
​​Bern University of Applied Sciences	​Switzerland	​Business Administration; Business Information Technology; International Business

There are three types of short-term exchanges:

1. SAP studies offered by RUN European University
2. Erasmus+ short-term blended mobility
3. Master’s or teacher education exchange studies

SAP studies offered by RUN European University

• SAP= Short Advanced Programmes always include a short exchange period and on-line teaching.
• Students apply for SAP studies via the courses offered by RUN European University (https://run-eu.eu/).
• After you have received the acceptance information from the host institution, send an email to international@hamk.fi and inform us which SAP you have been accepted to. After that, you will receive instructions on how to complete the SoleMOVE application and how to apply for a grant via SoleGRANT. Remember to inform your guidance counsellor, they you are participating in a SAP.

Erasmus+ short-term blended mobilities

Include a short-term exchange period and also a compulsory virtual component.

• Open to all students.
• The short exchange period is between 5 and 30 days.
• The duration of the virtual session is not explicitly defined.
• The minimum duration of the whole course is 3 credits (= short exchange + virtual course).
• Studies/internships abroad are applicable to the degree and the period abroad is fully recognised as part of the degree.
• Short exchanges can take the form of summer schools or intensive courses at universities abroad, for example, with a virtual component.

Master’s or teacher education exchange studies

• The duration is 1 month or less, which requires presence on site.
• The minimum duration is 2 credits.
• The credits earned during the exchange will be included in your degree or teacher training.

If you want to go on a short exchange, contact the international affairs planner in your programme.

Before the exchange

Learning agreement for studies abroad (opintosuunnitelma)
Erasmus+ Student Charter – Erasmus+-opiskelijan peruskirja
Additional support for student with children

During the exchange

Documents (if necessary)
Changes to Learning agreement (page 3 of above Learning Agreement)

After the exchange

Letter of Confirmation

SoleMOVE – when you return
Credit transfer application

Before the exchange

Learning agreement for traineeships
Erasmus+ Student Charter 
Additional support for student with children

During the exchange
–

After the exchange

Traineeship Certificate

SoleMOVE – When you return

SoleMOVE

Logging in and filling in application
Filling in a digital learning agreement on SoleMOVE
Replying to an additional information request
When you return

Short-term (less than 2 months) studies and work placement

SoleMOVE instructions

SoleGRANT instructions
Applying for a grant

Erasmus+ Online Linguistic Support OLS language training online

The purpose of the OLS language training is to assess the need for language training and to measure the development of language skills during the period abroad. Participation is voluntary. If you would like to participate, please contact international@hamk.fi.

About HAMK’s accident insurance

HAMK’s accident insurance is valid for student exchanges and unpaid internships and only covers the daily internship/study period and the journey between the internship/school and the local residence. The HAMK accident insurance does not cover accidents during free time, travel sickness, luggage or damage to persons or property caused to others. It is therefore the responsibility of each exchange student to ensure that he/she has adequate insurance cover, in accordance with the following guidelines. You must not go on an exchange without adequate insurance cover.

ALL THOSE GOING ON A STUDENT OR TRAINEE EXCHANGE MUST PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES:

1. Travel insurance
   You must have your own travel insurance for the duration of your exchange, check with your insurance company. Travel insurance does not usually cover normal medical expenses, so you will need separate sickness and accident insurance or a European Health Insurance Card.

2. a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if you are going to an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.
   For more information, see European Health Insurance Card
   Each country provides care according to its own system. You will have to pay the same patient fees and co-payments as permanent residents. If you go to a hospital or doctor who is not covered by the scheme in that country, you will have to pay the costs yourself.
   OR
   health insurance/sickness and accident insurance if you go outside the EU/EEA countries.
   Sometimes the host country or institution will recommend a particular type of insurance, but usually it is sufficient to have a comprehensive policy.
   A few non-EEA countries have signed a social security agreement with Finland, for more information, please visit the Kela website: Social security agreements
   If the host institution or employer asks for a HAMK certificate of insurance (an English-language explanation of what the HAMK’s insurance covers for its students), you can get it from the HAMK office ( international@hamk.fi )

IN ADDITION, ALL THOSE GOING ON A PLACEMENT WITH A PAID WORK PLACEMENT MUST FIND OUT:

1. Does the employer’s insurance include liability insurance?
   If your employer does not include you in their liability insurance, the work placement will most likely not be possible, as it is almost impossible for an individual to obtain liability insurance for the duration of their work.
2. Insurance during working hours
   In paid work placements, you are usually insured by your employer for the time you work, but different countries have different practices, so check this carefully. Note! HAMK’s accident insurance is not valid for paid work placements. Therefore, if your employer does not insure you during your working hours, you will have to take out accident and sickness insurance yourself, both during working hours and during your free time.

NOTE: Internships for recent graduates
HAMK’s insurance does not cover the internship period of recent graduates.

Insurance abroad – who is responsible?

	Exchange and double degree (3-12 months)	Work placement (unpaid)	Work placement (paid)
Accident insurance (covers study/training time and travel between school/work and home)	HAMK	HAMK	EMPLOYER
Liability insurance	HAMK (not USA and Canada)	HAMK (not USA and Canada)	EMPLOYER
Travel insurance, free time	STUDENT	STUDENT	STUDENT
Health insurance (European Health Insurance Card or non-EU health insurance/sickness and accident insurance)	STUDENT	STUDENT	STUDENT

Insurance glossary

Travel insurance = Travel insurance protects and compensates you if something happens during your trip. Check the conditions with your insurance company.

Liability insurance = Liability insurance is insurance that covers damage you cause to third parties for which you are legally responsible.

Before you go abroad, it’s good to remember:

1. Check the vaccinations required by the destination country and get them well in advance. In some countries, vaccinations are compulsory for visas, but it is always a good idea to get the recommended vaccinations.
2. Check out the EU health care website EUtervey.fi for information on getting sick when travelling abroad.
3. Visit your doctor, especially if you take regular medication.

Also check out:
1. Health guide for travellers (only in Finnish)

To Europe

If you are an EU national going to another EU country:
You do not need to obtain a residence permit or visa in advance from Finland when you go on an exchange. If your stay abroad lasts longer than 3 months, in some countries you will need to register your residence permit. This is usually done with the local police or other authority.
Check with your host university or traineeship centre to see which documents are required in your host country. You will usually need a valid passport, proof of place of study, a guarantee of sufficient funds (e.g. study grant decision, scholarship decision), proof of health insurance (Kela E-form) and passport photos.

If you are a non-EU or EEA national going to an EU country:
If you are not an EU or EEA national, check the residence permit requirements. As a general rule, third-country nationals should always apply for a separate residence permit for the exchange period at the nearest consulate of the country of destination.

Outside Europe

If you are travelling outside the EU:
Check visa regulations. For more information on visas and residence permits, contact the Finnish embassy in the country of destination.
Visa and/or residence permit can be obtained from the Finnish embassy in the country of destination before your departure and can take from a few weeks to a few months.

https://um.fi/missions

If you are going to a high-risk area, you should make a travel notification at www.matkustusilmoitus.fi .

By making a declaration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can contact you if necessary, for example in the event of a crisis situation.