Exchange Studies

Inquiries related to studies

Contact the guidance counsellor of the degree programme.

Other inquiries

Contact international@hamk.fi

Before your arrival, please check the following information:

• Accommodation
• Arriving to campus
• Immigration information and Finnish identity code
• Financial matters
• Student union HAMKO

COVID-19 latest updates

Please check the latest official updates on the website of the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare.

Before making any arrangements to come to Finland, please check and organise insurance coverage that is comprehensive for your whole time in Finland. Because of the unpredictable situation, we recommend that you make the necessary arrangements, such as booking flights, as late as possible, and remember to check the flight cancellation terms. HAMK is closely following the situation and we continue to follow the government guidelines. Incoming students should be prepared to voluntary quarantine when they arrive in Finland.

Important information for returning to home country and possible need for negative Covid-19 test result

When you return to your home country after your exchange period at HAMK, check the possible restrictions and regulations regarding entering your home country. Some countries may be restricting entry. You need to check the current regulations governing entry from the officials of your destination country before travel. You also need to check in advance if a negative coronavirus test is required of arriving passengers. For example, some countries require a negative result from a PCR test or an antigen test. Some countries also require a negative IgM antibody test result (source: https://thl.fi/en/web/infectious-diseases-and-vaccinations/what-s-new/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-updates/travel-and-the-coronavirus-pandemic).

If you are required to take a Covid-19 test before departure from Finland, you need to contact a private health care clinic. Make sure that you receive an official certificate of the result of the Covid-19 test for the authorities (e.g. a text message is not an official certificate).

You need to pay for the test yourself. You should also check your insurance coverage and contact your insurance company for possible reimbursement of the cost of the test. You can find information on the private health care clinics at each of HAMK campuses here.

There are no free Covid-19 tests available for symptomless customers in Finland.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need to stay in quarantine when I arrive in Finland?

Read the official instructions here.

Can I come to campus during the voluntary quarantine?

No, you should avoid all contacts during the voluntary quarantine period, read more here.

If I get symptoms of COVID-19, what should I do?

For further instructions, read more here.
You can also find information on Finnish healthcare services on HAMK’s website.

Can I come come to campus if I feel sick?

No, you cannot come to campus if you feel sick.

Can I go shopping during the voluntary quarantine?

You should avoid all contacts during the voluntary quarantine. You can buy groceries also online (Instructions have been sent to your email. If you have not got the instructions by email, contact international@hamk.fi).

Where can I buy masks and hand disinfectant?

At all supermarkets (also from online shops).

I am feeling very stressed, who can I contact?

You will find contact information here.

HAMK’s academic year is divided into two semesters (autumn and spring) and four teaching periods.

Students often complete two consecutive modules (2 x 15 ECT) during one semester. There are also some separate courses available that have less ECTS credits than for one module (e.g. Orientation to Finnish Culture and Society, 2 ECTS).

Please note that the teaching period dates include exams and the exam dates will be announced at the beginning of each study module. Some module parts have assignments or exercises instead of an exam.

HAMK’s academic year is divided into two semesters (autumn and spring) and four teaching periods.

Students often complete two consecutive modules (2 x 15 ECT) during one semester. There are also some separate courses available that have less ECTS credits than for one module (e.g. Orientation to Finnish Culture and Society, 2 ECTS).

Please note that the teaching period dates include exams and the exam dates will be announced at the beginning of each study module. Some module parts have assignments or exercises instead of an exam.

The nomination deadlines are:

• 15 April for the autumn semester
• 15 October for the spring semester

The application and learning agreement deadlines are:

• 30 April for the autumn semester
• 30 October for the spring semester

If you wish to study at Häme University of Applied Sciences as an exchange student we need an official nomination by your home institution by the given deadline.

Step 1

You need to be nominated by your home institution’s international coordinator by the given deadline (see above). The international coordinator of your home institution needs to send the nomination information through HAMK’s online application system – SoleMOVE. For access to SoleMOVE, the international coordinator of your institution should contact international@hamk.fi. We will create a user account for the international coordinator to nominate you through SoleMOVE.

Step 2

After you have been nominated, you will receive an email containing the instructions on how to fill in the online application form in SoleMOVE. The email will be sent from the address noreply@solenovo.fi with the title “Instructions for exchange application form of Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK)”. Please also check your junk mail in case the email is there. If you have any questions, please contact international@hamk.fi.

After HAMK has received the nomination from your home university, you will receive further instructions on how to fill in your application and download the required documents online.

HAMK uses the SoleMOVE online mobility programme for receiving the applications.

When filling in your application (after the nomination), you will need to download the following application documents (in English):

• Motivation Letter (background, expectations for exchange)
• Transcript of Records (showing your grades from home university, in English)
• Learning Agreement (see detailed information below at “Learning Agreement”)
  1. If you are applying as an Erasmus student, you do not have to add the Learning Agreement to your SoleMOVE application. You are required to simultaneously complete the Online Learning Agreement (OLA) and HAMK’s contact person will add the OLA to your SoleMOVE application once they have checked and signed it.
  2. If you are not an Erasmus student, add the Learning Agreement – which has been signed by you and the responsible person at your home university – to the Enclosures section in the SoleMOVE application.
• Applicants to Degree Programme in Design: also portfolio (presentation of previous design work)

One ECTS credit is equivalent to a 27-hour workload. This includes contact lessons, teamwork and independent work.

HAMK’s academic year is divided into two semesters (autumn and spring) and four teaching periods.

Students often complete 30 ECTS credits during one semester (= two teaching periods). For example, you can choose two different modules (2 x 15 ECTS) but they must be from two consecutive teaching periods.

Studies offered in the degree programmes at our campuses:

Hämeenlinna University Centre

Valkeakoski Campus

Riihimäki Campus

Lepaa Campus

Mustiala Campus 

Evo Campus

Please note that the distances between the HAMK campuses range from 10 to 100 kilometre​s. We advise that you select studies only from the campus where your degree programme is situated. Read more here.

PLEASE NOTE:

A good command of English is needed to study at HAMK as an exchange student.

HAMK’s recommendation for English language skills is level B2 in The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Exchange students applying to International Business: students outside the EU that do not study their degree in English, language certification is required when you submit your application; either TOEFL 79 or IELTS 6.0

A Learning Agreement is a document in which you list the study modules you want to complete at Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK).

Erasmus+ students should use the Digital Learning Agreement. It should be signed by all three parties (1. student, 2. responsible person at home institution and 3. responsible person at HAMK = guidance counsellor).

Other exchange students should use their home university’s Learning Agreement template and add the Learning Agreement signed by the student and the responsible person at the student’s home university to the Enclosures section in the SoleMOVE application. After the application has been submitted, HAMK’s guidance counsellor will check and sign the Learning Agreement and will add the final updated Learning Agreement to the Enclosures section of the SoleMOVE application.

Fields of education and HAMK’s responsible person for signing the online learning agreement / learning agreement:

Please note that as an exchange student you are not included in HAMK’s insurance policy. You need to have your own insurance.

For further information about insurance, please check the updated information on Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) website.

We have bilateral agreements with around 120 educational institutions abroad and our whole exchange programme system is based on these agreements. In special cases, students can be accepted as a freemover from outside the above schemes. Due to the limited number of available spots, we prioritise students from our partner institutions. Applications from freemovers will be reviewed only after the available spots have been allocated to students from our partner universities.

The freemover applicant must be a degree student of a higher education institution in the same field of study that the student wishes to study at Häme University of Applied Sciences. The acceptance of a freemover student is done on a case-by-case basis. The freemover student must be nominated by their home institution according to the instructions given on this website.

Tuition fee

HAMK’s tuition fee is applicable to freemover students who are non-EU/EEA citizens and whose home university does not have a student exchange agreement (e.g. Erasmus+, Erasmus+ Global, bilateral) with HAMK.

The tuition fee for bachelor’s studies for one semester is €4850 and for the whole academic year €9700. HAMK does not provide any scholarships for freemover exchange students.

When your exchange period has been confirmed in SoleMOVE you will receive an email informing you that your student ID has been created. This ID gives you access to HAMK’s student systems.

You must activate the ID through self-service (without strong identification).

Here is some important information for you after you have arrived and started your studies at HAMK:

• HAMK Moves
• IT services
• Library and information services
• Living and leisure time
• Meals
• Student health care
• Student services
• Student wellbeing

We hope that you have enjoyed your exchange period at HAMK. Before you return home, remember to take care of the following matters.

Inform your guidance counsellor at least two weeks in advance that you are leaving.

Accommodation 
One calendar month before departure, remember to terminate your rental agreement as instructed. You will find more information here for each location.  Contact the housing office or landlord and agree on how to return your key.

Moving Out, Cleaning and Deposit 
Make sure that the apartment is as clean as it was when you moved in. If something is missing or broken, please be honest and inform the landlord about that. When everything has been settled, the deposit will be paid to you. Make sure that your bank account number has been given to the housing office or landlord so that the deposit can be paid to you. Please do not leave anything in the apartment. Try to recycle as much as possible (other students, Facebook fleamarkets, local fleamarkets, recycling centres).

Learning Agreement 
If you made changes to your Learning Agreement, ask the guidance counsellor to sign it.

Transcript of Records 
Remember to ask for the official Transcript of Records at this address studentservices@hamk.fi.  If any courses are missing, contact your guidance counsellor.

Letter of Confirmation/Attendance
You can ask the guidance counsellor to print your Letter of Confirmation from SoleMOVE or you can ask them to sign your home university’s Letter of confirmation.

Letter of Arrival / Letter of Departure
If you have your own Letter of Arrival or Letter of Departure from your home university that needs to be signed, contact the HAMK guidance counsellor of the degree programme of your exchange studies.

Feedback
Login to SoleMOVE and complete the SoleMOVE Feedback section. Please complete the feedback so that we can get valuable information about your exchange experience in order to develop our services for exchange students.

HAMK user ID and access to HAMK’s online programmes 
You will have access to HAMK’s online programmes for 28 days after the end of your studies at HAMK. If you need to access to the programmes after this, please contact IT Services it@hamk.fi .

HAMK Access Key Card
Remember to return your key card before you leave. A fee of 30 euros will be charged if you do not return your key card.

Have a safe trip home and keep in touch with HAMK! We hope to see you here in Finland again in the near future.

STUDIES

Where can I find my timetable?
When you start your studies at HAMK, you will be instructed on how to enrol on the modules/courses and search for timetables. If you wish to search the timetable of your studies in advance, HAMK’s timetables are available at lukkarit.hamk.fi. NB: The course timetable will be published slightly before the start of the teaching period.

Do I need to bring my own computer with me?
Yes, BYOD (bring your own device). Read more here about BYOD and other IT-related information.

I want to change my course or I have problems with my courses, what should I do?
Contact your home institution and your guidance counsellor at HAMK.

What certificates do I need before I leave?
Check with your home institution.

Where can I get my certificates?
Read more in section BEFORE YOU RETURN HOME.

ACCOMMODATION

How do I find accommodation?
Please read the section BEFORE YOU ARRIVE – Accommodation.

Do I need to buy furniture?
Check with your apartment provider.

Is there an internet connection in my accommodation? Is it wireless?
In student housing apartments (HOPS), there is normally internet (wireless or wired) but you may need to make a separate agreement with the operator. If you are living in a private sector apartment, normally you should make an internet agreement of your own.

Do I need to pay for the electricity?
In student apartments, the electricity is usually included in the rent. In private sector apartments, you might need to make an electricity agreement of your own. Ask your apartment provider about it.

Do I need to pay the water fee?
In student apartments, monthly water fee is usually included in the rent. In private sector apartments, ask about this from your apartment provider.

There are some problems with my accommodation, what should I do?
Contact the accommodation provider.

Where can I wash my clothes?
In student housing apartments, there is often a laundry room. If not, you might have to purchase your own washing machine. If you live in a private sector apartment, ask your landlord if the building has a laundry room.

My internet is not working, what should I do?
Contact your internet service provider.

Where can I take my trash?
There are recycling bins outside your apartment. Recycling the right way is very important, so pay attention that you recycle right way. Also, empty bottles are worth money in Finland.

My friend is coming to visit me, can they stay in my apartment?
You should ask about this from the housing office or your landlord first. Also, if you are living in a shared apartment, negotiate this also with your flatmate.

Can I drink tap water in Finland?
Yes, you can. Finland has one of the cleanest drinking waters in the world.

Do I need to terminate my rental agreement?
Yes, see section above BEFORE YOU RETURN HOME – Accommodation.

What do I with my survival kit?
See section above BEFORE YOU RETURN HOME – Moving Out, Cleaning and Deposit.

I have bought extra furniture, what can I do with it?
See section above BEFORE YOU RETURN HOME – Moving Out, Cleaning and Deposit.

How do I get my deposit back?
See section above BEFORE YOU ARRIVE – Accommodation.

TRAVEL

Which airport do I need to fly to?
Go to this page and click the name of the campus location.

How can I get from the bus/train station to my accommodation?
It is suggested to take a local bus or a taxi to your accommodation.

How do I get from my accommodation to the bus/train station?
It is recommended to take a taxi, especially if you have heavy luggage with you. Please book a taxi in good time before your bus or train leaves, as it might take some time for the taxi to arrive.

GENERAL

I need Finnish mobile number, how can I get it?
When you arrive, you can purchase a prepaid SIM card at R-kioski.

Do I need insurance?
Please read the section above INSURANCE.

How can I join HAMK Student Union?
Information can be found on the HAMKO web pages.

How can I order a survival kit? How and where can I pay it?
Once you are a member of HAMKO, you can then order a survival kit here .  The survival kits are only for exchange students.

What kind of winter clothing do I need?
Read more here.

Where can I buy winter clothing?
Most clothing stores, markets and fleamarkets in Finland.

How can I meet the other students?
Join the Whatsapp group. Take part in the student activities organised by HAMKO or the tutors of your degree programme.

Do I need to register for a Finnish personal identity code?
Please read the section BEFORE YOU ARRIVE – Immigration information – Finnish identity code (ID number).

I need to book an appointment to the doctor, how can I do that?
Contact the school nurse. You will find campus-specific information about student health care here. The general emergency number in Finland is 112.

How do I get my library card?
Please read here.

I feel very stressed, who can I contact?
You will find contact information here.

I want to go to gym
Read more about sports activities for each campus here.

Where can I buy lunch?
Each campus offers student-friendly meals. Read more here.