There are many practicalities that students should take care of before study exchange or a traineeship abroad.
In the following pages and in the Practical Information Guide you find important information on these practicalities; what you need to do before leaving home country and after coming to Finland and starting your studies at Lapland UAS.
Information sheet_STUDENTS_Spring 2025_Lapland UAS
ECTS credits are based on the workload students need in order to achieve expected learning outcomes.
Learning outcomes describe what a learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do after successful completion of a process of learning. They relate to level descriptors in national and European qualifications frameworks.
Workload indicates the time students typically need to complete all learning activities (such as lectures, seminars, projects, practical work, self-study and examinations) required to achieve the expected learning outcomes.
60 ECTS credits are attached to the workload of a full-time year of formal learning (academic year) and the associated learning outcomes. At Lapland University of Applied Sciences student workload is 1600 hours for an academic year, whereby one credit corresponds to 27 hours of work.
The workloads of all the courses are measured and displayed in ECTS credits.
ECTS Grading Scale
Erasmus Charter for Higher Education 2021-2027 and policy statement
Lapland University of Applied Sciences has been granted the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education 2021-2027:
Erasmus Charter for Higher Education 2021-2027 – Lapland University of Applied Sciences
Erasmus Policy Statement 2021-2027 – Lapland University of Applied Sciences
Accommodation in Rovaniemi
As an incoming international exchange student you have two main accommodation possibilities:
Application deadline for applying is always around the end of June (for autumn semester) or around the end of November (for spring semester).
Exchange students have an opportunity to apply for accommodation from Domus Arctica -säätiö (DAS). For example, DAS Lauri and DAS Eero (in Opintie) are located at Rantavitikka, 140 metres from Lapland UAS Rovaniemi campus.
Apartments are furnished and monthly costs vary according to the type of the accommodation. DAS offers two different types of accommodation options for exchange students:
Please check DAS websites for more information about the accommodation types, costs and application process.
2. Housing companies. More information available here.
You can also look for an apartment from Rovaniemi through the housing companies and private sector. These apartments are usually unfurnished. The rent depends on the area and the condition of the apartment. More information about renting an apartment in Rovaniemi can be found here.
Accommodation in Kemi and Tornio
Exchange students are accommodated either in Kemi or Tornio depending on their study program or the location of the practical training placement. When applying please indicate what kind of accommodation you prefer, we try to fulfill your expectations. If you want to move in to the flat together with another person, please name the person in question.
Lapland University of Applied Sciences does not have dormitories. The apartments are rented by housing companies, private sector or you can rent an apartment from a Lapland UAS student who is on exchange.
Exchange students apply the accommodation in Kemi or Tornio by filling in the application for accommodation in Kemi-Tornio. You need to attach the application to your SoleMOVE application.
Accommodation is located within a 3 km radius of the Lapland UAS education units. Students live mainly in two or three bedroom apartments. The bedroom can be shared with other student. You will share a kitchen and a bathroom/shower with one or two other students. The apartments are furnished. The rent depends on what kind of accommodation you have. Internet is not included in all of the rental apartments. International services provides internet connection for exchange students. The rent includes water, heating and electricity. After arriving you need to make a rental agreement with the house lord as soon as possible.
If you have any questions concerning the accommodation issues for exchange students please contact incoming@lapinamk.fi
Remember to confirm your arrival time to Kemi to the accommodation officer two weeks before your arrival as well as in to SoleMOVE.
Finland has quite strict rules concerning immigration. Rules and regulations may differ depending on if you are a non-EU citizen, European Union citizen or citizen of the Nordic countries. It is very important that you familiarize yourself with all necessary information beforehand and apply necessary permits on time!
For more detailed and updated information, please check the links for Finnish Immigration Service’s web page and also the Finnish Immigration Service Notice to Exchange Students. Visas and residence permits are handled by Immigration Service and national embassies. We always recommend reading the latest instructions and guidelines from their web pages.
Citizen of the nordic countries
As a citizen of one of the Nordic countries you do not need a visa or a residence permit to study in Finland. If you stay in Finland for longer than 360 days, you are required to register personally at the local Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV).
EU/EAA citizens
As a citizen of one of the EU/EEA countries, you do not need a visa entering Finland. You are allowed to study at Finnish educational institutions for three (3) months without visa or residence permit. If your studies/ practical training last longer than three (3) months, you must register your right to reside in Finland. The registration takes place at the nearest Finnish Immigration Service’s point (in Rovaniemi or Oulu) and it costs about 54 €. To do the registration you need to have with you:
Non-EU citizens
You are allowed to study at Finnish educational institutions for three (3) months without applying for a residence permit. You can then complete your studies within the period of validity of your visa or while an agreement on the abolition of the visa is in force. If your studies last longer than three (3) months, you need to apply for a residence permit from the Finnish embassy or mission that represents Finland in your home country before your departure. For further information visit the website of the Ministry for foreign Affairs in Finland: Entering Finland and travelling – Ministry for Foreign Affairs (um.fi).
You have to prove that you have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses in Finland, that is, a minimum of 560 €/ month. After the first year you must apply for the continuation of your residence permit for each academic year at the nearest immigration service point (in Rovaniemi or Oulu). When applying for a residence permit you must attach to your application details of your comprehensive health insurance cover with a reliable company or institution and when extending your residence permit, also certifications of your success in studies. For further information visit the website of the Finnish Immigration Service: www. migri.fi (> in English > EnterFinland > Extended and permanent residence permits).
Family members
A person who wishes to come to Finland and live in the same household with a family member residing here must have a residence permit. The permit can be granted on the basis of family ties. If you want your family members to move to Finland to live with you they will need their own residence permit. The demands for the residence permit will be the same as any other applicant. For example the applicant needs to prove that he/ she has the needed financial support to live in Finland. The family member who already is in Finland is so called sponsor. Who are considered as family members is quite narrow compared to other countries. By the Finnish law the family members are:
International exchange students are insured by Lapland UAS during their studies (excluding practical training), but the insurance does not cover free time nor medical costs. Therefore, the incoming students must remember to take care of all the insurances and make sure that they are fully covered while staying in Finland.
Students that are coming to practical training in the field of nursing and health care are also required to take care of the adequate vaccinations before coming to practical training.
When applying for a residence permit, the student must have insurance cover as without it, a residence permit cannot be granted. For more detailed and updated information, please check the Finnish Immigration Service’s web page.
NB: Please notice that Finnish higher education institutions have negotiated insurance packages for international students with MARSH/SIP, which is one alternative to acquire a health insurance. MARSH/SIP insurance packages are primarily available for non-EU/EEA students but they may also be purchased by EU students, if they wish to obtain private health insurance that covers their stay in Finland, which is highly recommendable. For more information on MARSH/SIP insurance, please check the link to their web page on the right side.
HOW TO ARRIVE TO LAPLAND UAS?
The first thing you need to do is to find your way to Helsinki. Any travel agent or airline company should be able to get you a flight to Helsinki from just about anywhere.
The next step is to get from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, Kemi or Tornio. There are several ways to do this.
To Rovaniemi
Travelling by plane is the easiest way. From Helsinki there are two airline companies, Finnair and Norwegian that operate between Helsinki and Rovaniemi. The flight time is approximately an hour. During the touristic season (December-March), there are also many direct flights from different European cities to Rovaniemi. These options can easily be checked from the following page: Flights To Rovaniemi, Lapland – Visit Rovaniemi.
The second alternative is to travel by train. The trip takes about 10-13 hours. There is a direct bus/train service from Helsinki-Vantaa airport to the train station. The train schedule, price information and basic information about the Finnish railways are available on www.vr.fi.
The third way to travel to Rovaniemi is by long-distance bus. The bus trip lasts about 11-13 hours. You can find more information about bus schedules and prices on the page of Matkahuolto.
To Kemi and Tornio
The quickest and easiest way to reach Kemi and Tornio is to take a domestic flight from Helsinki-Vantaa to Kemi-Tornio airport. The flight will take about an hour. All scheduled flights are available at www.finnair.com.
From Helsinki railway station you can take a day or night train up north to Lapland. Travelling by train from Helsinki to Kemi takes 8-10 hours. Notice that it is easier to travel if you take a straight connection to Kemi without changing trains on your way. The train schedule, price information and basic information about the Finnish railways are available on www.vr.fi.
The third way to travel to to Kemi and Tornio is by long-distance bus. You can find more information about bus schedules and prices in Finland on the www.matkahuolto.fi. There are connections from Helsinki to Kemi and Tornio, from Stockholm to Haparanda-Tornio (www.tapanis.se), from Alta, Nordkapp and Tromso to Rovaniemi (www.eskelisen-lapinlinjat.com), from Murmansk to Rovaniemi (www.goldline.fi). From Rovaniemi you can take a bus or train to Kemi and Tornio.