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Students on a beach during a sunset in Kokkola

Incoming exchange students

Students from our partner institutions are welcome to apply for an exchange semester or for the whole academic year in Centria UAS.

Centria Fact Sheet

Find the compact information on Centria, application, deadlines, semesters and contact persons in our Fact Sheet.

Exchange Application

If you would like to apply to Centria UAS as an exchange student, you need to be enrolled as a student at one of our partner universities. The International Office of your home university has to nominate you for an exchange at Centria UAS contacting us via incoming@centria.fi.

Once you are nominated for an exchange, Centria UAS will grant you access to our application system SoleMove and guide you through the process.

Please, first be in contact with the Erasmus+ Coordinator of your home institution if you are planning to apply for Erasmus+ exchange to Centria UAS. Centria UAS accepts only applications prepared in the SoleMove system.

Application Deadlines

Autumn Semester (late August – late December) – 30 April
Spring Semester (early January – May) – 31 October
Academic Year (late August – May) – 30 April

Online Application

After we receive your nomination from your home university, Centria UAS will send you an email with the invitation link to the application system SoleMove. There, you will need to fill out an Application Form and upload the required additional documents.

The required application documents are:

  1. Learning Agreement
    Study plan with the courses you are planning to take at Centria UAS during your exchange. You can use the Online Learning Agreement system and upload the PDF generated from this system. Alternatively, you can fill out the Learning Agreement file and upload the scan of the document signed by you and the representative of the home institution. The Learning Agreement will be approved by Centria UAS after your application is completed.
    You can find the course offer below and other information needed to fill out the form in the Centria Fact Sheet above on our website.
  2. Transcript of Records
    The list of the courses you have completed so far at your home institution. The Transcript of Records must be issued in English by your home institution.
  3. Motivation Letter
    Reasons why you want to study at Centria UAS written in English.
  4. English Language Certificate
    It is required exchange students have at least a B2 level of English according to the CEFR scale. You can use one of the most common academic tests (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, etc.). Alternatively, you can use the Language Certificate prepared and signed by the English language teacher at your home institution. Native English speakers do not need to provide a language certificate.
  5. Passport or National ID
    A clear scan of the document.
  6. Health Insurance Certificate
    It is recommended that you use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

All the documents should be scanned into PDF files. Please, use the actual computer scanner, not a photo camera, to digitalize the documents.

Please, first be in contact with the International Coordinator of your home institution if you are planning to apply for exchange to Centria UAS. Centria UAS accepts only applications prepared in SoleMove system.

Application Deadlines

Autumn Semester (late August – late December) – 30 April
Spring Semester (early January – May) – 31 October
Academic Year (late August – May) – 30 April

Online Application

After we receive your nomination from your home university, Centria UAS will send you an email with the invitation link to the application system SoleMove. There, you will need to fill out an Application Form and upload the required additional documents.

The required application documents are:

  1. Learning Agreement
    Study plan with the courses you are planning to take at Centria UAS during your exchange. You can use the Learning Agreement file and upload the scan of the document signed by you and the representative of the home institution. The Learning Agreement will be approved by Centria UAS after your application is completed.
    You can find the course offer below and other information needed to fill out the form in the Centria Fact Sheet above on our website.
  2. Transcript of Records
    The list of the courses you have completed so far at your home institution. The Transcript of Records must be issued in English by your home institution.
  3. Motivation Letter
    Reasons why you want to study at Centria UAS written in English.
  4. English Language Certificate
    It is required exchange students have at least a B2 level of English according to the CEFR scale. You can use one of the most common academic tests (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, etc.). Alternatively, you can use the Language Certificate prepared and signed by the English language teacher at your home institution. Native English speakers do not need to provide a language certificate.
  5. Passport
    A clear scan of the document.
  6. Health Insurance Certificate
    The certificate of insurance you are planning to use during your stay in Finland.

All the documents should be scanned into PDF files. Please, use the actual computer scanner, not a photo camera, to digitalize the documents.

Nordplus is the Nordic Council of Ministers´ most important programme for lifelong learning with more than 10,000 participants from the Nordic and Baltic regions every year.                   

Currently, Centria participates in three Nordplus Networks, two in the field of music and one in the field of medical sciences.

Nordtrad (folk music network) – for more details, please, contact annika.myllari@centria.fi.

Sibelius (classical music network) – for more details, please, contact annika.myllari@centria.fi.

Nordlink (Nursing) – for more details, please, contact katja.heikkiniemi@centria.fi.

The Health Africa Network was founded in 1996 and has been actively collaborating with its Southern partners until the present day in the fields of health care, social work and nutrition.

Partners in Africa

Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Health, Uganda
Mpigi Health Centre, Uganda
International Health Sciences University (IHSU) Kampala, Uganda
Maseno University, Kisumu, Kenya

University Partners in Finland

Centria University of Applied Sciences
Häme University of Applied Sciences
Kajaani University of Applied Sciences
Kemi-Tornio University of Applied Sciences
Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences
Tampere University of Applied Sciences
Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences
Vaasa University of Applied Sciences

Application Deadline

Applications concerning student mobility during the next academic year, i.e. both autumn and spring semesters, should be submitted by 10th February to Katja Heikkiniemi.

Applications Information

More information regarding the application process and application forms are available from Katja Heikkiniemi.

Centria UAS is able to provide an applicant with a practical placement in our premises, laboratories, and partner organizations if availability allows. Usually, we organize the placements in the following fields:

  • Technology (IT, Automatization of Production, Industrial Engineering, Chemistry, etc.),
  • Social Services,
  • Nursing,
  • International Relations,
  • etc.

How to proceed?

To start the whole process, please prepare the following documents:

  • CV to show your qualifications and experience,
  • Motivation Letter in which you discuss what kind of placement you are looking for and what is the field of your interest.

Send the documents to incoming@centria.fi to consult, if Centria is able to provide you with a suitable offer. We will reply to your inquiry later, and let you know whether there is an opportunity for you to spend a traineeship period in Centria UAS. If so, we will let you know how to proceed.

When should I apply?

For most of our fields, there is no specific deadline to apply for practical placements. Centria handles applications for placements all year long. However, for nursing trainees, due to the low number of available spots, we have established application deadlines. In case you wish to apply for the following Autumn, please contact us by 15 March at the latest, and if you are planning to come for the next Spring, let us know by 15 October at the latest.

Contact details

If you have any questions, please, contact the International Coordinators in Centria via incoming@centria.fi.

Courses for exchange students

Exchange students can choose courses from Centria’s degree programmes. All the below courses are taught in English on our campus located in Kokkola.

A student is allowed to select courses from different degree programmes, as long as the sending institution approves such a combination in their Learning Agreement.

The courses available for exchange students during the academic year 2024/2025 can be found here:

Minor changes can still be implemented in the course list.

Practical information

Academic Calendar

Academic Year 2024/2025: 28.08.2024 – 23.05.2025

Autumn semester 2024: 28.08.2024 – 20.12.2024
Autumn holiday – week 42: 14.10.2024 – 20.10.2024

The exchange will start on 28.08.2024 in the morning, with the orientation programme organised for incoming students. The orientation programme is part of the exchange. On those days, you will receive important information which will be useful throughout your stay. You will need to arrive a few days earlier, to be able to attend orientation. Details are coming soon for those who are accepted for studies.

Spring semester 2025: 07.01.2025 – 23.05.2025
Winter holiday – week 9: 24.02.2025 – 02.03.2025

The exchange will start on 07.01.2025 in the morning, with the orientation programme organised for incoming students. The orientation programme is part of the exchange. On this day, you will receive important information which will be useful throughout your stay. You will need to arrive a few days earlier, to be able to attend orientation. Details are coming later for those who are accepted for studies.

Accommodation

Centria UAS does not own any dormitories. However, we cooperate closely with the local landlord called Tankkari, offering affordable accommodation for students. Once you send your exchange application to us and you indicate your need for student accommodation in your SoleMOVE application form, Centria will reserve a single room in a Tankkari building for you. There is no need to send a separate application to Tankkari. All rooms offered to exchange students are located within walking distance from the campus. Your room will be in a shared apartment (2 – 3 students in the same flat with a kitchen and bathroom). The rent varies from 230 to 350€/month, depending on the exact building and location. Before moving in, a student needs to pay the rent for the whole semester in advance, plus a refundable security deposit (350€).

Travelling to Kokkola

Kokkola can be reached from Helsinki/Vantaa Airport easily by train or bus. Travelling here is quite simple: if you are coming by train, take a commuter train “P” from Helsinki/Vantaa Airport to Tikkurila station, and take a long-distance train to Kokkola from there. If you are coming by bus, take a commuter train “I” or “P” from Helsinki/Vantaa Airport to Helsinki Central Railway Station, and from there you can travel one stop to Kamppi bus station by Metro line 1, or walk 7 minutes between the two locations. From Kamppi bus station you can get on buses coming to Kokkola many times per day without further transfer. Although our town can be reached easily by train or bus, there are also flight options from Helsinki to Kokkola-Pietarsaari Airport by Finnair.

Campus Life

COPSA – The Student Union of Centria UAS. The main task of the Student Union is to supervise the students’ rights and interests. The organization also arranges events, parties, sports turns and other activities for students. Becoming a member of the Student Union equips you also with an official Finnish Student ID, which enables you to benefit from numerous discounts all over the country.

Tutors – They are students in their later years in Centria UAS, designated to help the newly arrived students at the beginning of their stay. Tutors also help exchange students get familiar with the school and town, therefore simplifying their adaptation to the new place.

Special needs students – Centria University of Applied Sciences wishes to support equal participation in mobility programmes. Students with physical, mental or health-related conditions can receive support services during their exchange period. If you need any special arrangements during your exchange, let us know about it.

Students with families – Students willing to come to their exchange together with their families are warmly welcome in Kokkola. Please, contact us regarding the special accommodation arrangements beforehand.

Dining – Exchange Students with a Finnish Student ID are eligible to buy a subsidized buffet lunch for only 2,95€ in Centria´s campus restaurant, consisting of a freshly cooked meal with a side salad, bread and drink.

Sports – Kokkola offers a selection of both indoor and outdoor activities such as gyms, swimming pool, bowling alley, sports centres, wall climbing, skate parks, cycle tracks, hiking routes, ski tracks, beaches, skating, playing fields for ball games, etc. The Student Union provides the students of Centria free of charge participation in a variety of sports and happenings.

Health Care – Both the healthcare centre and hospital are located in Kokkola within walking distance from the campus and the student accommodation. Please remember to arrange your health insurance before arriving in Finland. Centria UAS also offers the possibility of meeting a study psychologist free of charge.

Public Safety – Finland is a very safe, secure and transparent country to visit. Finns are calm people, living their lives with an honest attitude, which incoming foreigners will also experience once entering the country. The risk of crimes; such as lawbreaking, mugging, pickpocketing or scamming is extremely low, which will make your exchange worry-free and pleasant.

Transportation – There are several bus lines operating in Kokkola. However, pretty much everything is within walking distance, and having a bicycle allows you to commute easily all year long, as the roads and sidewalks are maintained very well despite the weather conditions. If you do not want to buy your own bike, there is also a possibility to rent one here.

ECTS Course Catalogue

On this page you can find information about Centria as an organisation, what kind of studies we have to offer as well as practical general information.

Contact person