Incoming exchange students
Students from our Partner Universities are welcome to apply for an exchange semester or the whole academic year in Centria UAS.
Application process
Students of partner universities are welcome to apply for exchange studies in Centria University of Applied Sciences. We are glad to host international students for one semester either in the autumn or spring, as well as for the whole academic year. Centria has six main programs to receive exchange students. You can find the application instructions for each program separately below.
You can apply for an Erasmus+ exchange in Centria UAS after being nominated by your home university. Please, be in contact with the Erasmus+ Coordinator of your home institution before sending any application forms to us.
How should I apply?
To apply for exchange studies in Centria UAS, please prepare and gather your applicant package consisting of the clear scans of the following documents:
- Application Form signed by you and the coordinator of your exchange from the home institution.
- Learning Agreement with the courses you are planning to take in Centria UAS. In order to prepare this document, you will need some of the information from the Centria Factsheet and the lists of courses available for exchange students. Centria UAS also accepts documents prepared in the Online Learning Agreement system.
- Transcript of Records issued in English from your home institution.
- Motivation Letter explaining the reasons why you want to study in Centria UAS (max. 1 page).
- Proof of Language Qualification confirming your skills in English. Your English needs to be on a sufficient level to study in Centria UAS and to communicate with teachers and peers during your exchange. It is recommended to have minimum B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages Grid. Proof can be either one of the most common and internationally used academic tests (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, etc.), an English language certificate from your home country clearly stating your level, or a declaration written by an English language teacher in your home institution. Native speakers do not need to provide a certificate.
- Passport, or National Identity Card in case of EU citizens
- Health Insurance Certificate with adequate cover, that you are planning to use during your exchange. European Health Insurance Card is accepted.
Please use MS Word 2007 or a later version to edit the forms properly. When you are ready, compile all your documents into one PDF file in a reasonable size, and send it to incoming@centria.fi. Please do not use pictures of documents taken with a phone when sending your application.
When should I apply?
The application period for the Autumn semester and the whole academic year starts on the 1st of April. The deadline for the application is the 1st of June.
The application period for the Spring semester starts on the 1st of October in the proceeding calendar year. The deadline for the application is the 1st of November.
Contact details
If you have any questions, please, contact the International Coordinator of Centria UAS via incoming@centria.fi.
You can apply for an exchange in Centria UAS after being nominated by your home university. Please, be in contact with the International Relations Coordinator of your home institution before sending any application forms to us.
How should I apply?
To apply for exchange studies in Centria UAS, please prepare and gather your applicant package consisting of the clear scans of the following documents:
- Application Form signed by you and the coordinator of your exchange from the home institution.
- Learning Agreement with the courses you are planning to take in Centria UAS. In order to prepare this document, you will need some of the information from the Centria Factsheet, and the lists of courses available for exchange students. Centria UAS also accepts documents prepared in the Online Learning Agreement system.
- Transcript of Records issued in English from your home institution.
- Motivation Letter explaining the reasons why you want to study in Centria UAS (max. 1 page).
- Proof of Language Qualification confirming your skills in English. Your English needs to be on a sufficient level to study in Centria UAS and to communicate with teachers and peers during your exchange. It is recommended to have minimum B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages Grid. Proof can be either one of the most common and internationally used academic tests (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, etc.), an English language certificate from your home country clearly stating your level, or a declaration written by an English language teacher in your home institution. Native speakers do not need to provide a certificate.
- Passport, or National Identity Card in case of EU citizens.
- Health Insurance Certificate with adequate cover, that you are planning to use during your exchange.
Please use MS Word 2007 or a later version to edit the forms properly. When you are ready, compile all your documents into one PDF file in a reasonable size, and send it to incoming@centria.fi. Please do not use pictures of documents taken with a phone when sending your application.
When should I apply?
The application period for the Autumn semester and the whole academic year starts on the 1st of April. The deadline for the application is the 1st of June.
The application period for the Spring semester starts on the 1st of October in the proceeding calendar year. The deadline for the application is the 1st of November.
Contact details
If you have any questions, please, contact the International Coordinator of Centria UAS via incoming@centria.fi.
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 Timo Kinnunen.
Applications Information
More information regarding the application process and application forms are available from Timo Kinnunen.
You can apply for a virtual exchange in Centria UAS after being nominated by your home university. Please, be in contact with the International Relations Coordinator of your home institution before sending any application forms to us.
Due to the limited number of virtual spots on the courses in the remote model of studies, the places will be distributed on a first-come-first-served basis.
How should I apply?
To apply for virtual exchange studies in Centria UAS, please prepare and gather your applicant package consisting of the clear scans of the following documents:
- Application Form signed by you and the coordinator of your exchange from the home institution.
- Learning Agreement with the courses you are planning to take in Centria UAS. In order to prepare this document, you will need some of the information from the Centria Factsheet the lists of courses available for exchange students. Centria UAS also accepts documents prepared in the Online Learning Agreement system.
- Transcript of Records issued in English from your home institution.
- Motivation Letter explaining the reasons why you want to study in Centria UAS (max. 1 page).
- Proof of Language Qualification confirming your skills in English. Your English needs to be on a sufficient level to study in Centria UAS and to communicate with teachers and peers during your exchange. It is recommended to have minimum B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages Grid. Proof can be either one of the most common and internationally used academic tests (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, etc.), an English language certificate from your home country clearly stating your level, or a declaration written by an English language teacher in your home institution. Native speakers do not need to provide a certificate.
Please use MS Word 2007 or a later version to edit the forms properly. When you are ready, compile all your documents into one PDF file in a reasonable size, and send it to incoming@centria.fi. Please do not use pictures of documents taken with a phone when sending your application.
When should I apply?
The application period for the Autumn semester and the whole academic year starts on the 1st of April. The deadline for the application is the 1st of June.
The application period for the Spring semester starts on the 1st of October in the proceeding calendar year. The deadline for the application is the 1st of November.
Contact details
If you have any questions, please, contact the International Coordinator of Centria UAS via incoming@centria.fi.
Centria is often able to provide an applicant with a practical placement in our premises, laboratories, and partner organizations. Usually, we organize the placements in the following fields:
- Technology (IT, Automatization of Production, Industrial Engineering, Chemistry, etc.),
- Social Services,
- Health Care,
- International Relations,
- etc.
How to proceed?
Prepare your:
- CV to show your qualifications and experience,
- Motivation Letter to show 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.
When should I apply?
There is no specific deadline for applying for practical placements. Centria handles applications for placements all year long.
Contact details
If you have any questions, please, contact the International Coordinators in Centria via incoming@centria.fi.
Courses for exchange students
Exchange students choose courses from Centria’s Degree Programmes. All the programmes are lectured in English on the campus located in Kokkola.
A student is allowed to select courses from different degree programmes as long as the home university approves such a combination.
The courses available for Exchange Students during the academic year 2022/2023 can be found here:
- Business Management studies
- Environmental Chemistry and Technology studies
- Industrial Management studies
- Information Technology studies
- Music Pedagogy studies – although the degree is lectured primarily in Finnish, the Music Pedagogy degree offers individualized exchange opportunities for students in classical music, folk music or pop and jazz music to study in English.
- Language and Communication courses
Practical information
Academic Calendar
Academic year 2022/2023: 24.8.2022 – 05.05.2023
Autumn semester 2022: 24.08.2022 – 16.12.2022
Arrival: 22.08.2022 – 23.08.2022
Start of the semester: 24.08.2022
Courses and exams: 29.08.2022 – 16.12.2022
Spring semester 2022: 04.01.2023 – 05.05.2023
Arrival: 2.01.2023 – 3.01.2023
Start of the semester: 4.01.2023
Courses and exams: 09.01.2023 – 05.05.2023
Accommodation
Centria UAS does not own any dormitories. However, we closely cooperate with the local landlord called Tankkari, offering affordable accommodation for students. Once you send your exchange application package to us, and you indicate your need for a student accommodation, Centria will immediately reserve a single room in a Tankkari building for you. All rooms rented for 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. Students also need to pay a refundable security deposit (350€).
Travelling to Kokkola
Kokkola can be reached easily by train or bus. Travelling here is quite simple: in case you are coming by train, take a commuter train from the 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 from the Helsinki/Vantaa Airport to the 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.
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, sport 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 to 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 that.
Students with families – Students willing to come to their exchange in Centria 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 able to buy a subsidized buffet lunch for only 2,70€ 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, climbing wall, skate parks, cycle tracks, hiking routes, ski tracks, beaches, playing fields for ball games and skating, etc. The Student Union provides the students of Centria free of charge participation in a variety of sports and happenings.
Health Care – Both health care centre and hospital are located in Kokkola within a walking distance of the campus and the student accommodation. Please remember to arrange your health insurance before arriving to 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 life 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 are 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 a 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
Gellért Szarvas
+358504767046
gellert.szarvas@centria.fi
Kokkola