LAB University of Applied Sciences
- Last Updated on: May 30, 2025 by
- Sridhar Kongara
LAB University of Applied Sciences (LAB) is one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Finland and has more than 10,400 students and a staff of approximately 560 academic and RDI specialists who serve these students. LAB specializes in applied education in the fields of business, technology, health care, social services, tourism and design. Owing to its close links to industry, as well as its strong focus on sustainability and innovation, the university is in a good position to provide its graduates with all of the tools they’ll need. Combined with LUT Universities, it provides an active international education and research environment.
Courses Offered
** Fees mentioned here are approximate and are per year, Unless specified otherwise
Why choose this LAB University of Applied Sciences
Hands-On Training Methodology
- LAB specializes in experiential learning that relates directly to real-world problems.
- All degree programmes are based on practical assignments and internships.
- It nurtures the students to build real solutions through LAB’s RDI (Research, Development, and Innovation) focus.
- Courses are designed to train students for jobs right after they graduate.
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Values Focused on Innovation and the Future
- LAB promotes innovation in areas such as circular economy, service design, and others.
- Fresh thinking inspires students to tackle complex, global challenges.
- It encourages creativity in business, technology, healthcare and visual design.
- Mentors and industry specialists alike support a student’s vision.
Accessible Global Education
- LAB offers English-taught program to international students.
- Tuition is low and scholarships are abundant in Finland, making it easy to study.
- Students benefit from the high safety and standards of Finnish education.
- Community events and international student support are also a celebration of cultural diversity.
Modern and Inspiring Campuses
- LAB has campuses in Lahti and Lappeenranta as well as an e-campus.
- The Lappeenranta campus is also one of Southeast Finland’s largest educational centres.
- Campus facilities are advanced yet student-friendly.
- Students have libraries, tech labs, creative spaces and common areas.
Positive Student Experience
- Feedback emphasizes strong professors and peer support as major strengths.
- Finland’s peaceful nature and cleanliness, combined with many opportunities are attractive to students.
- Courses are balanced and engaging, mixing theory and practice.
- Students also have many opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities and personal growth.
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Campus Facilities at LAB University of Applied Sciences
Libraries and Academic Support Services
- Online registration gives each student free access to LAB’s academic library.
- Niemi Campus is home to the library of Lahti, which serves all fields of study.
- LUT Academic Library, an academic library operated by LUT University, is located on the Lappeenranta campus.
- Having access to the library for book borrowing and accessing digital databases or research materials.
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Dining and Meals
- All students at campus restaurants can have subsidized meals.
- Lunch costs about 2.95 euros for students.
- They also offer vegetarian and allergen-free options on their menu.
- Lahti, Lappeenranta and online services offer dining areas.
- Students receive healthy meals that are consistent with national dietary guidelines.
Sports and Wellness Services
- MOVEO covers student fitness and sport at both campuses.
- It gives users access to gyms, group workouts and wellness sessions.
- MOVEO provides students with affordable access to fitness memberships.
- Well being program help students deal with stress and maintain physical fitness.
- Outdoor sports fields and indoor gyms are maintained throughout the year.
Community Engagement and Student Union
- KOE is the official student union at LAB and is the voice for all students.
- It protects the rights of students and ensures the quality of education.
- KOE conducts student events, social activities and orientation program.
- In KOE, students get a student card and discounts all over Finland.
- Tutors in the student union help with academic, cultural and social integration.
Digital Learning & Access to Devices
- LAB provides each student with a Microsoft Office 365 account free of charge.
- Students are provided with official LAB email and digital learning credentials.
- All campuses have access to high-speed wireless internet.
Student Services Offered by LAB University of Applied Sciences
Academic and Study Guidance
- Tutor teachers are there to support students with academic planning and guidance.
- Subject teachers are best placed to deal with course-related concerns.
- Study psychologists assist students facing motivation, stress, or learning problems.
- Pedagogical specialists: Pedagogical specialists offer support for individual study arrangements if necessary.
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Health and Wellbeing Services
- LAB degree students can benefit from Finnish Student Health Services (FSHS).
- Services include general healthcare, mental health, and dental services.
- Promotion of physical activity and emotional balance through MOVEO wellness services.
- Students can seek help with something like anxiety, depression or burnout.
- In Lahti and Lappeenranta, emergency mental health services operate around the clock.
Peer Support and Community Care.
- Each student is assigned to a peer tutor who helps them with everyday and academic life.
- Peer tutors assist with orientation, local guidance and campus integration.
- LAB has joined Nyyti’s peer support chats covering student mental health.
- Students experiencing grief or life crises can consult campus chaplains for support.
- Local crisis centers in their city of study are also supportive of students.
Services for Career and Future Planning
- Career Services help students applying for jobs prepare for interviews.
- Internships, work placements, career building — these are some of the guidance that students receive.
- Organize recruitment events and networking sessions around the year.
- Career counsellors assist with CV writing, LinkedIn profiles, and connections with employers.
- Ohjaamo is one example of a specialized youth service that supports students under the age of 30.
Harassment and Emergency Response
- LAB has official harassment contact people for places to turn with this and reporting.
- University provide confidential support to students experiencing violence or discrimination.
- If immediate assistance is required, local police and national emergency services are available.
- Hotlines and chat services provide support in English and other languages.
- Students are advised to report any incidents of concern to the staff or student union.
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Student Life at LAB University of Applied Sciences
- Joining the Student Union and Giving Back to the Community
- KOE is LAB’s official student union and looks after all the elements of student life.
- It provides a voice in academic decision-making processes, and advances student rights.
- For more niche networking, students can join industry-specific student associations.
- The KOE hosts social events, workshops, and recreational events all year.
- We give members a student card for access to nationwide student discounts.
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Life in Lahti and Lappeenranta
- Both cities provide economical housing through student accommodation services.
- They are in proximity to nature so that students enjoy a tranquil and picturesque environment.
- Both have reliable and affordable public transport for students.
- Graduate students can choose to live in shared student accommodation, or a single studio unit a little way from campus.
Benefits to Students and Daily Life
- As a KOE member you will have access to tens of other food, travel and culture discounts;
- Transportation, health services and gym memberships are also cheaper.
- FSHS: National student services reach wider for degree students.
- This includes access to libraries, labs, and sports facilities on campus.
Leisure and Hobbies
- Hobbla services allow students to take part in clubs and interest groups.
- MOVEO provides exercise classes and gym access at discounted student rates.
- Regular events taking place on and off campus including cultural events, festivals and music evenings.
- Nature enthusiasts appreciate nearby forests, lakes and hiking paths in both cities.
- Seasonal events are organized by KOE and student associations like movie nights, game tournaments, and trips.
Finnish Culture and Local Integration
- LAB facilitates cultural exchange through its Meet a Local Friend program.
- This provides international students with an opportunity to meet locals and learn about Finnish traditions.
- Students learn about Finnish culture, language fundamentals and national holidays.
- Finland: Finland is one of the safest, greenest, and most student-friendly places you can find.
- There is a common agreement among students that LAB life is peaceful, balanced and an opportunity to make international friendships.
Scholarships Offered by LAB University of Applied Sciences
Second-Year Performance-Based Scholarship
- Eligibility: First academic year no less than 60 ECTS credits
- Credits should be obtained on LAB
- The scholarship is awarded in the second year of study.
- Applicable for non-EU/EEA fee paying students only.
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Year 3 Scholarship
- Amount: 50% tuition fee waiver (for bachelor’s programmes: €4,000)
- Eligibility: Students should have completed 120 ECTS credits at the end of the second year.
- Applicable for ONLY students already granted a 2nd year scholarship.
- Only for non-EU/EEA students.
SHIELD of Oxford and SHIELD of Kansas City Scholarship
- The grant: 50% tuition remission (€4,000 for fourth academic year)
- Eligibility: Bachelor’s students need 180 ECTS credits by the end of their third year.
- For bachelor’s students only – for 4-year programmes.
- Students must maintain strong academic performance during the first three years.
Early Bird Scholarship
- Quantity: 20% off the tuition fee (€6,400 for bachelor’s, €7,200 for master’s)
- Eligibility: Awarded to new non-EU/EEA students who accept the offer and pay the tuition fee within 3 weeks.
- Relevant only to the first academic year of study.
Transfer Student Scholarship
- Type: Tuition fee decrease (50%) in 2nd academic year onwards
- Eligibility: Students are required to transfer to LAB from another post-secondary institution.
- The student must earn at least 60 ECTS credits in their first year at LAB after transferring.
- Credits already earned from another institution or completed credits do not apply to qualification for the scholarship.
- Available only to non-EU/EEA tuition-paying students
- The same credit completion standards will apply to both internal and external transfers.
Internships and Placements at LAB University of Applied Sciences
Internship Opportunities in Finland and Abroad
- LAB enables students to carry out internships near home or abroad.
- Internships may even commence as early as the summer between the first and second academic year.
- Bachelor and master degree programmes involve practical training elements.
- students can study abroad in exchange and have internships for long international exposure.
- Internships also count for credits, per the core curriculum.
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International and Placements
- Students can be placed abroad, under the guidance of their respective degree program teachers.
- LAB has International Mobility Services which help with registration and documentation.
- Student’s Must have physical placements in the host country (eligibility for funding).
- Detailed information about the internship is entered into LAB’s Mobility-Online platform.
- They must take place within a training agreement or work contract.
Financial Support and Grants
- Students may be eligible for Erasmus+ mobility grants for placements abroad.
- Grants assist with travel, accommodation, and living costs during the internship.
- In order to be eligible, the internship should fulfil all necessary prerequisites of the Erasmus+ program.
- Funding applies to physical placements only (remote internships are not funded).
- Grant eligibility and application step information is provided after registration.
Finding a Placement
- Students can look for ads for internships on the Erasmus Intern Portal and other partner portals.
- LAB also shares placement leads on faculty notice boards and posts on Yammer.
- University encourages students to directly apply to companies using a customized CV and motivation letter.
- Other departments will help place employees, especially Health Care and Social Services.
- Student placement reports from previous years can be found in LAB’s Mobility-Online Report Portal.
Supervision and Academic Recognition
- Internships are done under the supervision of faculty members.
- Such placements are issued as credits by the student’s degree program.
- Reporting, assessment, and duration requirements are explicit.
- Domestic policies apply to international placements.
Students are required to discuss placement options with their academic tutor early in the applicable academic process.
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Entry Requirements at LAB University of Applied Sciences
Requirements for Admission (Undergraduate/Bachelor’s)
- Authorized qualifications include CV or vocational secondary qualifications.
- Lab Separate Application or National Joint Application.
They are selected by their secondary school marks, SAT scores or language exams.
- TOEFL iBT: 80 minimum (writing score at least 20)
- C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: Minimum overall grade C.
- Minimum score 170 or Grade C Cambridge B2 First
Language Test Not Needed
- Applicants who have completed upper secondary education or higher education entirely in English are not required to take an English test.
- Countries accepted include the EU/EEA, Australia, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, Switzerland, and the USA.
- Graduates with IB and EB diplomas in English are also exempt from further language testing.
- an SAT score of 600 in the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section also in-person English proficiency.
- Accepted qualifications with original documents and valid test results must be supported.
Requirements for Admission to Master’s Degree Programs
- Merit-based scholarships require completion of a relevant bachelor’s degree in the field of study.
- Bachelor’s must have a minimum of two years work experience post bachelor completion.
- Work experience should be confirmed with official letters from the place of employment.
- English language proficiency — applicants must demonstrate it via approved tests.
- Covering areas such as business, health care, design, and engineering, master’s program are 100% online.
English Language Proficiency (MSc)
- TOEFL iBT/Home Edition: 80 (writing score of at least 20).
- C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency: It’s important to have a minimum level of C.
- Note: if you have been educated in English for the previous few years in a country listed above, we might be able to waive this requirement.
Rankings & Awards at LAB University of Applied Sciences
Global and National Rankings
- LAB University of Applied Sciences is ranked 61’st in Finland.
- LAB ranks within the top 25,000 institutions according to AD Scientific Index (2024).
- LAB is ranked 43rd in Finland and 11,457th in the world by the same index, which is an indication of its research visibility.
- LAB is well recognized in Finland but does not appear in QS or THE global rankings, owing to its profile as an applied sciences institution.
- LAB is exceptionally rated for innovation, industry integration and applied research.
Selection of Trainers, Assessor(s) and Auditors
- In 2024, LAB successfully completed the FINEEC (Finnish Education Evaluation Centre) quality audit.
- LAB has a very solid research, development and innovation (RDI) strategy which was commended by the audit.
- It reinforced LAB’s strong ties to business sectors and its results-oriented educational philosophy.
- LAB responded positively by engaging students in the quality development process, and sharing its inclusive overall approach as well.
- This certification confirms LAB’s focus on high academic and operational standards.
Awards in Education and Sustainability
- LAB is recognized for advances in sustainable design, circular economy and regenerative growth.
- Its Master’s program Design for the Planet gained national attention for its environmental impact.
- LAB also weaves sustainability into its core strategy and campus operations.
- The university participates in many EU sustainability research projects in diverse disciplines.
- Its Lahti campus was lauded for green infrastructure and the adaptive reuse of industrial space.
- Training and development through internationalization and community engagement
LAB has special collaborations
- They are united under the LUT Universities group, which emphasizes international and experimental education.
- LAB has built a reputation for robust mobility programs, internships abroad, and support for international students.
- It has also been recognized in Finland’s educational innovation awards for its innovative use of digital learning.
- LAB is also establishing a range of global networks with partner institutions in Europe, Asia and Africa.
Student and City Recognition
- In 2024, Studientum. fi has ranked Lahti in top 5 student cities in Finland and LAB is one of the main reasons behind this.
- LAB’s student union (KOE) was recognized on a national level for the inclusive community-building and advocacy it does.
- LAB graduates frequently win entrepreneurship and applied innovation awards across many sectors.
- LAB has maintained a reputation for running work-ready graduates and industry-relevant research.
Acceptance Rate
moderate selectivity.
- In Undergraduate degree program, The acceptance rate is estimated at about 50%.
- For master’s program, the admission percentage would be a tad lesser as a work experience may be an eligibility criterion.
- Schools focus on academic performance in the candidate’s native language, and, when necessary, performance on standardized tests such as the SAT.
- Acceptance rates vary year to year as well due to the offering of study places and programme-specific quotas.
Consideration of International Applicants
- International students applying via the Separate Application route are assessed differently.
- Another factor that may positively affect the admission rates for non-finish applicants is that some program have only limited number of non-Finnish candidates accepted.
- With a strong academic profile and valid English proficiency, the applicant has a good chance of being accepted.
- A complete application with all documents submitted early on increases a candidate’s chance of selection for international bachelor degree program.
- LAB believes in fair assessment, and all candidates are evaluated using a clear marking mechanism.
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