A record number of applicants applied to VAMK’s international programs in the first spring joint application

The international degree programs at VAMK have attracted an exceptional amount of interest in the January joint application process, with a record-breaking 2,771 applications submitted compared to previous early-year application rounds. This year, there were 485 first-choice applications, marking a 66% increase from last year. The available programs for application were International Business and Information Technology leading to a lower university degree, as well as International Business Management leading to an upper university degree.

We have clearly exceeded last year’s applicant numbers in all three of our application fields,” commented enthusiastically,  Juha Vierola, Head of Student Services.

The most interest was generated by International Business.

The International Business program attracted the most interest, with a total of 1,559 applicants. However, in terms of first-choice applications, the highest proportion was directed towards the International Business Management

-master’s program, which was chosen as the first preference by approximately 30 percent of the applicants.

A significant portion of the degree applicants were first-time applicants, accounting for approximately 77 percent of all applicants. A total of 100 study places were available for the three international degree programs in the January joint application.

This year, among the applicants who are subject to tuition fees, a significant number of individuals stood out, originating from various South Asian countries such as Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal. Noteworthy increases can also be observed among Moroccan and United Arab Emirates applicants, Vierola adds.

VAMK aims to attract fee-paying students

A significant focus of VAMK’s marketing is attracting fee-paying students from abroad. The Talent Boost initiative is an essential part of VAMK’s recruitment strategy, aiming to recruit applicants from target countries who are willing to study, live, and remain in Finland even after graduation.

-We have established significant new partnership agreements with foreign agents in Vietnam and Thailand. All of our partners primarily target Finland as their main market, and many of them have representatives in Finland who provide extensive information about Finnish society and its higher education system. They also have up-to-date knowledge of the local markets in their respective countries. We highly value our partners’ strong connections to Finland, and we carefully consider that our partners share the same ethical values as us,” says Marketing and Communications Manager Sirpa Rutanen.

President Kati Komulainen also emphasizes that VAMK aims to support the immigration of international talents.

–In the future, the goal is for an increasing number of individuals to find employment in Ostrobothnia. This recruitment is one concrete action we are taking to address the shortage of skilled professionals.