Lapland University of Applied Sciences (Kemi campus)

Lapland University of Applied Sciences operates in Finnish Lapland by the Arctic Circle, with premises in the towns of Rovaniemi, the home of Santa Claus; and in Kemi and Tornio in Southern Lapland close to the Swedish border. Lapland UAS is the EU’s northernmost university of applied sciences and offers a modern and international learning environment with good services for students, staff and visitors, in a unique environment offering periods of perpetual daylight and twilight, as well as the northern lights.

Bachelor Courses in English

Electrical Engineering; Mechanical & Production Technology; Social Services and Nursing.  Students must choose a minimum of 30 ECTS units, or 15 credit hours, per semester.  For more information about courses taught in English, click here.

Note: Students are recommended to choose courses that match their studies at home.  Also, if students would like to have guided/clinical practice, it must be requested before placement; this type of internship/guided practice cannot be guaranteed and is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Master Courses in English
None available

Language Courses
All exchange students can choose to study Finnish language and culture courses.

Accreditations
Information can be found here.

Orientation

Before the semester starts, there will be an orientation week arranged for all incoming exchange students. During the orientation week you will be introduced to Lapland UAS and to your new learning environment: you will receive all the basic information so that you are ready to start your exchange studies. You will also be introduced to your new home town and to the Finnish culture. In addition, everyone will have their own international student tutor as their buddy throughout the whole exchange semester, whom you’ll meet upon your arrival.

Internships
Limited unpaid internships can sometimes be arranged in the areas of nursing and engineering.

Students with Disabilities
It has been made possible for all physically challenged to move within all buildings of campus.  Other special needs should be discussed separately.

Grades & Transcripts

The university uses the Finnish 1 to 5 point grading system as follows:

The minimum passing grade is 1, or E.  ECTS letter grades are shown on the transcript as well as Finnish numeric grades.  For additional details on transfer of credits, click here or refer to the Student Guidebook.

Every exchange student is issued an official transcript after the exchange semester.

Health Insurance
Exchange students are required to arrange an adequate health insurance policy prior to arrival.

Textbooks
No cost

Students planning to stay in Finland for more than three months must apply for a residence permit prior to entering Finland.  Additional details are available.

Housing
Apartments. Lapland University of Applied Sciences does not have dormitories; instead in Kemi, the apartments are rented through the private sector. Apartments of 1-3 furnished rooms with a shared kitchen and a bathroom are typically offered for exchange students. For more information on housing in Kemi, click here.

Meals
Students can enjoy an inexpensive (student priced) lunch in the campus restaurant. Usually there is a choice of three different main courses (meat/fish, soup, vegetarian), salad, bread and drinks. Normally, students eat lunch at the university restaurant and prepare their other meals at home. In addition, there are many different types of restaurants available in the city.

Transportation

Fly into Helsinki and then take a domestic flight from Helsinki-Vantaa to Kemi-Tornio airport; the flight time is approximately one hour.  Alternatively, you can take a day or night train from Helsinki Railway Station to Kemi (approximately 8-10 hours); it is easier to travel if you take a direct connection to Kemi without changing trains along the way.

Once in Kemi, you can easily go places by walking.

Entertainment
Kemi is located on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, into which the region’s three great rivers (the Simo, Kemi and Tonio Rivers) flow. That is why the Kemi area is sometimes called Sea Lapland.  There are many kinds of opportunities to enjoy the surrounding nature: skating, ice fishing, skiing, hiking and more.  The city has its own swimming pools, as well as gyms and sport centers.  Floor ball and volleyball is also available to students in the university gymnasiums.  The Kemi-Tornio area also offers something to those interested in culture; there are museums, libraries, and a city theatre in Kemi.  Cultural events vary from blues and jazz festivals to a traditional whitefish festival.

Shopping
There are many shops in the city center, from which you can find most everything you need. In addition, Tornio and Haparanda on the Swedish side with all their shops and restaurants are not too far away. Grocery stores are usually open every day of the week.

Climate
Kemi enjoys 24 hours of daylight during the summer, with temperatures ranging from 55ºF to 85ºF.  Snow season is from October to May, but the dry cold is quite tolerable with appropriate layers of clothing.  Winter temperatures range from -10ºF to 30ºF.