Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (KAMK)

Key Highlights

• State-recognized Finnish university of applied sciences with a permanent operating licence
• City-owned institution awarding bachelor’s and master’s degrees
• Institutional quality audit valid through 24 March 2027
• Main operations concentrated on the Vimpelinlaakso campus in Kajaani

Student Life & Environment

Student life is centered on a compact campus where academic and practical services are close together. KAMK lists its library, Study Services, International Services, student restaurants and cafés, sports facilities, student welfare officers, and the KAMO student union among the resources available on campus. Career services provide support with employment and internship searches, while academic guidance covers study planning and progress. KAMO is the statutory student union representing student interests and organizing services, leisure activities, and international programming. Its campus office can also be a practical first point of connection for new students. KAMK’s international services support study and practical-training opportunities abroad, and international and Finnish students can meet through campus activities and short international study formats. Campus recreation includes a gym, instructed group exercise, and scheduled ball-sport sessions through Kamove. Degree students registered as attending can use the Finnish Student Health Service after meeting the applicable healthcare-fee requirements. Housing is not automatically assigned to degree students: they apply independently, commonly through Kajaanin Pietari. KAMK reports shared and family apartments on campus or approximately one to three kilometres away, with shared housing often involving a private bedroom and common facilities.

Location & Surroundings

KAMK’s main campus is in Kajaani, in Finland’s Kainuu region. The institution operates primarily from the Vimpelinlaakso campus at Ketunpolku, approximately two kilometres from Kajaani city centre. The railway station is in the centre, while Kajaani Airport is about ten kilometres away. KAMK advises that local public transportation is limited, but important services are generally within walking distance. Kajaani is roughly 600 kilometres from Helsinki. KAMK’s arrival guidance estimates a Helsinki–Kajaani train journey at approximately six to seven hours and a direct flight at about one hour. This location offers a quieter, smaller-city environment with access to outdoor and sporting activities, but students accustomed to a major metropolitan area should consider the longer travel distances and more limited local transit. The physical campus consolidates classrooms, administrative services, the library, food outlets, student-union facilities, and recreation spaces. Applicants should not assume that every degree is taught there: KAMK also identifies online programs and selected contact teaching in Helsinki, making the program’s stated place of study an important enrollment decision.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For English-taught degrees beginning on or after 1 August 2026, KAMK lists annual tuition of €10,000 for bachelor’s degrees and €12,000 for master’s degrees. Finnish, EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens do not pay tuition, and some residence-permit categories may qualify for an exemption. Fee liability is determined under Finnish law, so applicants with a possible exemption should submit the required documentation to KAMK rather than assume eligibility. The 2026 policy offers eligible fee-paying students a €2,000 first-year early-bird reduction when they accept the place and pay within 14 days of admission. That reduction is not available through rolling admission. Scholarship conditions after the first year depend on when studies began and the applicable student agreement; students should use the agreement for their own intake. Tuition does not cover living expenses. KAMK’s housing guidance reports rents from approximately €280 per month, but this is a starting figure rather than a guaranteed current price or housing offer. Career preparation is embedded in the applied curriculum. Bachelor’s study includes practical training and a thesis, while working-life and innovation projects connect study with organizational problems. Career services support internship and employment searches during study and near graduation, and KAMK research and development projects can provide thesis or internship opportunities. These structures offer practical exposure, but the reviewed sources do not provide verified placement rates, starting salaries, or guarantees of employment. International students should also assess how Finnish-language ability may affect opportunities in their intended occupation.