International office:
Tietäjänkatu 3, FI-55120 IMATRA
Mr. Seppo Pellinen, Head of International Office, tel. +358 2049 66755
Ms. Mari Tuukkanen, Student affairs Officer, tel. +358 2049 66753
Fax +358 2049 66758

International activities are considered to be an essential development area at Saimaa University of Applied Sciences, and the range of foreign partners is wide and well-established. Saimaa University of Applied Sciences co-operates with different universities in Russia, Asian countries and Europe in the fields of student, teacher and trainee exchange and different kinds of joint development projects.

Studying abroad

Students can learn about the exchange student opportunities offered by the university of applied sciences (UAS) from notice boards and information meetings organised by fields, and from the internet via the “Valtteri” programme. You can find the "Valtteri" programme at the following internet address: www.goabroad.fi. The username and the password are available from the fields’ contact persons for international affairs and from the International Office of the UAS. Student exchange is subject to an open application procedure twice per year. Application instructions are available from the fields’ contact persons for international affairs and from the International Office of the UAS. Students can also independently arrange a student place abroad for themselves. Students who are planning to spend an exchange period abroad should agree on their studies with their degree programme manager in advance.

Exchange students are selected during the term preceding the exchange period. Students who have completed approximately two years of study at the UAS, have performed well in their studies and have sufficient language proficiency are eligible for student exchange. Studies carried out in foreign languages in Finland and acting as a tutor for foreign students are considered as assets in the selection procedure.

As the approved studies and work placement/clinical practice carried out abroad will be included in the student’s Finnish polytechnic degree, the exchange period should be planned as carefully as possible in advance with the responsible teacher. Exchange studies last one or two terms.

Work placement/clinical practice abroad

The International Office co-ordinates the development of work placement/clinical practice abroad. The fields’ contact persons for international affairs and the UAS’s International Office provide assistance in all practical arrangements related to work placement periods to be spent abroad.

Finance for exchange periods

Students can receive a study grant for foreign studies and work placement/clinical practice abroad that are part of their polytechnic degree. They may also be eligible for other support, such as an Erasmus, Nordplus or Leonardo grant. However, all students who are planning to go abroad should be prepared to cover part of the costs themselves.

Foreign students

Some of the courses included in the UAS's curricula are given in English to increase the reciprocity of exchange activities. Dozens of foreign students coming from our partner institutions from all parts of the world study in the different units of Saimaa University of Applied Sciences each year.

ISIC-card

For information on ISIC card applications and related benefits, visit http://www.kilroytravel.fi/.