Karelia University of Applied Sciences

Last Updated on: May 26, 2025 by
Sridhar Kongara

Karelia University of Applied Sciences (Karelia UAS) is a modern institution founded in 1992, and located in Joensuu, Finland with around 4,340 students and more than 300 staff. The university has two campuses — Wärtsilä and Tikkarinne — and eight bachelors and five master’s degree programmes are completed there, four of which are taught completely in English. Students also benefit from well-developed industry partnerships, cutting-edge teaching, and a multicultural campus, which is fuelled by over 380 international degree-seeking candidates. Karelia UAS has a relatively moderate acceptance rate and is a proud member of the INVEST European University Alliance, extending its global academic outreach.

Established Year: 1992

Institution Type: Private

Address: Karjalankatu 3, 80200 Joensuu, Finland

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Courses Offered

Offers 0 Courses

** Fees mentioned here are approximate and are per year, Unless specified otherwise

Why Choose this Karelia University of Applied Sciences

Strong Industry Connections

Students have frequent opportunities to undertake live projects with companies
The university provides strong cooperation with the companies in Eastern Finland
Programmes are developed to meet contemporary job market demands
Hands-on assignments, internships, and RDI projects form part of the courses

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Job placement within six months of graduation

The school welcomes over 20 nationalities with over 380 international students.
Exposure to different cultures and highlights the global environment through English medium courses
A member of the INVEST European University Alliance for cross-border education
Erasmus+ and other exchange opportunities for students
Accessible support services in English to ease student transitions

Career-Focused Education

Teachers bring relevant industry knowledge and real world experience
Students receive support in their career development and planning.
Studying programs that provide opportunities to network with potential employers

Diverse Program Offerings

The bachelor’s program are in the area of business and are in English.
business program focus on entrepreneurship and global trade
Options in engineering incorporate ICT, and mechanical engineering
Health Care degrees are focused on nursing, gerontology and therapy services

High Student Satisfaction

Teaching quality and learning support receives good scores from students.
Small class sizes allow students to receive individual attention from their teachers.
Master’s in Business graduates top the students’ satisfaction list in Finland.
Events, student clubs and peer mentoring create a sense of community.

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Campus Facilities at Karelia University of Applied Sciences

Campus Locations and Layout

The main sites of operation for Karelia University of Applied Sciences are two campuses
The Wärtsilä Campus caters to business, engineering, forestry and tourism students
The health care, social services and media students study at the Tikkarinne Campus
The two campuses are neighbouring each other in the city of Joensuu
Students can walk, bike or take public transport to easily access both campuses

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Learning and Study Spaces

Modern classrooms with multimedia teaching tools.
Libraries have quiet study spaces, desks, and computer workstations.
All campus buildings are equipped with wireless internet access.
There are group work rooms and independent study corners open all day.

Library and Resources

The collection refers both to the books, journals, newspapers, theses, and audiovisual material
Both study and research resources in print and digital form are offered
Simplifying access to materials: self-service borrowing and returning systems.
Karelia-Finna Library is accessible from separate for students and staff with the help of login credentials

Books and Databases

Access to books is available to users both on and off campus.
Karelia-Finna provides access to databases, dictionaries, journals and books.
Students can search by title or database to find specific materials.
Only for academic and personal use, not for commercial use.

Student Services on Campus

Both campuses feature student lounges for relaxation and social interaction
Breakfast and lunch are low-cost meals, snacks, and hot drinks served at restaurants
Restaurant Wire for easy dining on site at the Wärtsilä Campus
All degree students have access to health care services for a small annual fee
All Facilities are inclusive, accessible and maintained with safety.

Student Services Offered by Karelia University of Applied Sciences

Academic and Administrative Services

intranet provides support for navigating administrative tasks
The office is open for in-person guidance at Tikkarinne Campus from Monday to Thursday.
Digital academic tools such as Moodle are accessed using individual usernames by students

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Library and IT Support

The main library has both physical and digital collections available to students
Ebooks & databases must be accessed from Karelia with your log-in.
IT department provides students with assistance when they have trouble logging in and have tech-related questions
Both campuses have computer labs and software support available.

Career Counselling and Guidance

Providing academic planning and personal support through student counselling
Counsellors support and direct students in selecting courses and navigating obstacles
Guidance services enable students to prepare for internships and job searches
CV writing and job interviews assisted through workshops and one-on-one counselling
Study counsellors help students plan personalized learning pathways

Benefits, Financial and Lifestyle

Degree students can subscribe to the national meal subsidy reservation programme.
With a Kela or POKA card, you can receive meal discounts at campus restaurants.
POKA is also a student union card that gives student’s access to discounts at gyms, shops, and entertainment venues.
The Waltti card system provides affordable public transport.

Wellbeing Services and Extra-Curricular

Students can use the “Sykettä Susiraja La” sports program shared with UEF.
The University offers gyms, group classes, and an expensive array of fitness options
Often health, wellness, and mental health events and campaigns.
A full range of health care services are available for all degree students at a nominal annual fee;
Joensuu’s recreational options support a balanced student life.

Student Life Karelia University of Applied Sciences

Vibrant and Inclusive Community

Students are involved in the decision making and the evolution of the university.
POKA is the student union, advocating for student voices and running a variety of social activities and services.
Karelia creates a culture of feedback and open discussions for improving the academic quality.

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Orientation and Integration

Workshops held in orientation are aimed to educate the students on how to access various platforms such as Pakki and Moodle
Orientation includes social events to help students connect and build community
Snacks are offered free of charge and additional help is provided to help international students with their accommodation and healthcare access

Health and Well-being

Student health services offer the Finnish Student Health Service (YTHS)
campus caretakers answer practical questions about when and where to go.
The program organizes well-being events and mental health workshops year-round

Engagement with Academic and Cultural Institutions

Surveys allow students to provide feedback on Courses, Facilities, and Services
We regularly host cultural activities, seminars and events on campus
Shared learning projects facilitate cross-programme collaboration in Karelia
Student exchange across borders creates an international flavor to student life.
Students are involved in regional projects and exhibitions and professional showcases

Sports, Food, and Free Time

Sports services offer gym, fitness classes and outdoor activity groups
All degree students can purchase meals through the campus cafeterias at a discount
TONGA and POKA are two groups that organize leisure events and hobby groups.

Joensuu offers nature activities and seasonal events with youth-friendly hangout spaces.

Scholarships Offered by Karelia University of Applied Sciences

Karelia UAS Tuition Fee Scholarship (for Bachelor’s Degree Students)

Award: 50% of annual tuition fee (up to €4,500 or €5,000 depending on program)
Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA students; have passed at least 55 credits with a minimum grade of 2; the status of your enrolment must be active

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Karelia UAS Tuition Fee Scholarship (for Master’s degree students)

Eligible Amount: 50% of tuition fee
Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA students; must graduate within official study period; enrollment status must be displayed

Early Bird Scholarship

Type: 20% deduction from the first-year tuition
Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA students; accept study place within 7 days and pay tuition fee within 20 days of receiving the offer

Confirmation of Graduation (for final year student, undergraduate/ postgraduate)

Value: 50% of the year 3 tuition fee
Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA students; must complete study and graduate within the recommended time

Double Degree Scholarship

Value: 50% of the tuition fee of each year of study within the double degree programme
Non EU/EEA students who are eligible double degree pathway; must fulfill the credit and grade requirements established by the university

Internships and Placements at Karelia University of Applied Sciences

Internship Programmes Structure

Internships are a critical and compulsory component of many degree programmes
Students can apply their theoretical knowledge in real work settings during each internship.
Project tasks are mutually defined and agreed upon between the student and the employer
Internship periods must form a part of the curriculum and should differ between fields of study
Some degree program from each academic year already include internship

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Duration and Timing

Internships usually are 3 to 5 months depending on the program
Timings for placements vary; few are held in the early phase of study, while others take place in the final phases
Internships can be arranged throughout the year upon student and employer availability
Final year internships very often directly dovetail into thesis or final project work
Flexible model facilitates alignment between internship periods, academic goals and company demands

Employer Benefits and Roles

Motivated students bring new energy and ideas to employers
They can evaluate students’ prospects for work thereafter during the internship
Internships are an opportunity to market the company to future professionals
Employers need to provide a proper working space and basic apparatus
They also deploy a staff member to serve as a guide and mentor to the student

Student Opportunities

Students gain practical experience in line with their academic education.
Internships allows students to discover their career interests and professional goals.
Training for international students can be undertaken in Finland or in companies abroad with operations in several countries.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The student, employer and Karelia UAS will sign a formal contract.
Progress is assessed via regular discussions with a supervising teacher and company mentor.
Internship communication with the university supervisor is handled by the students.
At the conclusion of each internship, the student, employer, and academic advisor will jointly evaluate the experience.
Participants are also required to fill in the feedback survey for employers to improve future cooperation.

Entry Requirements Karelia University of Applied Sciences

Requirements to Pursue Undergraduate (Bachelor’s Degree) Studies
The applicants should have a secondary education equivalent of Finnish matriculation
Applicants are required to submit an official transcript of records and final diploma
Most of the English-taught programmes maintain a general 2.5 minimum GPA requirement
For example, for ICT and Industrial Management, students must have a minimum Mathematics grade of 2.5
SAT scores will be accepted, with at least 400 in each section and a combined total of 800 or higher.

Bachelor’s English Language Requirements

IELTS Academic: Overall Band score of 6.0
TOEFL iBT: 60 minimum score
PTE Academic: Minimum score of 530
Applicants who have completed previous education in English may be free
The application must include proof of English language proficiency
Master’s Degree (Postgraduate) Qualifications
A relevant bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field
A minimum of 2 years of work experience after the bachelor’s degree
Experience in the job must be displayed with employer certificates and official documentation

Master’s candidates: Certain program may require the completion of an entrance interview or exam.

Requirements for the English Language (Master’s)

IELTS Academic: Minimum score of 6.5
TOEFL iBT: 79 minimum score
PTE Academic: 58 minimum score
Evidence of English language proficiency is required unless the prior degree was in English
Language scores should be valid at the time of application (typically 2 years)

Application Process and Fees

Applications are to be submitted via the Study info. fi portal
Applications for English program joint application open from 8–22 January 2025
If not originally written in these languages, all documents must be translated into Finnish, Swedish or English by an authorized translator.

Rankings and Awards at Karelia University of Applied Sciences

Global and National Rankings

In Europe Karelia ranks 2,049 out of 2,785 higher education institutions .
In Finland, it ranks #36 out of 36 officially Chartered universities and universities of applied science.
Karelia is regionally respected for pragmatic, high-impact education (it doesn’t rank highly internationally).

Awards and Accreditations

Karelia UAS successfully passed the 2024 audit done by Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC)
It obtained the national quality label for excellent higher education operation
The university and its programs are fully accredited by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture
Its programmes comply with the criteria of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA)
Audit findings confirm Karelia’s strong emphasis on the participation of students and learning outcomes

Academic and Research Impact

Karelia’s role in applied areas of research was recognized on the AD Scientific Index
Business, Social Sciences, and Engineering are noted for strength.
Students participate in real-world RDI (Research, Development and Innovation) projects.
Thesis work & final projects are frequently honored by academic institutions for social change.
The university is on a steady rise in both international research collaborations and funding

Awards for Institutions and Students

Every year Karelia celebrates the most distinguished graduating year students and high-profile thesis projects.
The Student Union gives the “Student of the Year” POKA awards for academic and social leadership.
Annual awards for excellence in teaching and service are awarded to selected faculty and administrative staff.
In university occasions, research undertaken by students that can boost regional development is often highlighted.
Karelia’s drive for student success and community involvement earned powerful internal validation..

Cooperation and Collaboration: Joint Ventures

Karelia is a motivated member of the INVEST European University Alliance which helps its international visibility.
Cooperation with Riviera, Siun Sote and other Finnish institutions improves the education and mobility
Its close links to industry are regarded as important to its educational standing in Finland
Partnerships in academic events and competitions for innovation boost University visibility
It is becoming known in EU networks through international exchanges and project-based learning.

Acceptance Rate

General Admission Overview

Karelia University of Applied Sciences has an acceptance rate of around 70%
Selection is through academic qualifications, motivation, and entrance requirements
Depending on the field, some degree program may have entrance exams or interviews.
In order to make it as accessible as possible, they accept both joint applications and rolling applications

Admission for International Students

Overseas applicants are subject to the same academic criteria as home students.
The new €100 application fee will take effect on 1 January 2025 for non-EU/EEA applicants.
High-demand fields are seeing more selectivity, as most international degree programmes have a limited number of seats.
In a recent admission cycle, Karelia also received more than 4,300 applications; as a result, it is steadily becoming more popular.

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