Scholarship Criteria Starting From Autumn Semester 2024

These criteria apply to students whose study rights have started on 1 August 2024 or later.

For further details regarding tuition fees, please contact us at tuitionfee@vamk.fi 

The prerequisite for a scholarship is that the student

  • is from outside the EU/EEA and subject to tuition fees
  • is not exempted from paying tuition fees
  • has paid tuition fee for the semester
  • has enrolled as an attending student at VAMK during the scholarship application period
  • whose studies have progressed within the target duration for the degree in question,  taking into account the student´s possibility to participate in studies due to the duration of the residence permit process.
  • complies with the normative duration of the study
  • has never been subject to disciplinary measures at VAMK based on the VAMK Degree Regulations
  • Joint Degree students are subject to the same scholarship criteria, based on the regular completion schedule of the degree.
  • For transfer students and students who have changed degree programmes, tuition fees and scholarship criteria are determined according to the start date of the original right to study.
  • All students subject to tuition fees are informed of the criteria regarding the scholarship on a regular basis during their studies. The criteria and guidelines remain accessible and visible to students during the application period.

 

Scholarship Criteria

Scholarship Criteria based on Finnish Language Proficiency

General requirements for language scholarship

  • Eligibility & Amount: Tuition-fee-liable students can apply for a 4,000 EUR scholarship for achieving a national language proficiency certificate (YKI certificate) or equivalent CEFR A2 level Finnish test, conditional on paying the tuition fee in full for the academic year.
  • Limits & Frequency: A maximum of one 4,000 EUR scholarship is granted per academic year. Using both basic and intermediate levels requires applying in different academic years.
  • Progression & Validity: The same test result cannot be reused; applying in subsequent years requires a new test result and demonstrated progress in language studies.
  • Application & Deadlines: Submit the certificate via an electronic application within one (1) month of receipt. The scholarship committee reviews applications monthly, and no retroactive applications are accepted.
  • Costs of Taking the Test: Student must cover all costs of taking the test. 

Registering for the tests

  • Equivalent CEFR A2 level Finnish tests on campus: Details and enrollment times are informed to students twice a year (spring/autumn). The next scheduled test dates are 6 November 2026 and 15 March 2027.

Language path

Bachelor – First Academic Year (A2 / YKI Level 2)

  • Accepted YKI certificate at the basic level (grade 2) (Equivalent to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages level A2)
  • Accepted level A2 (other than YKI). Finnish language proficiency certificate (Equivalent to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages level A2)
  • Student must obtain at least three of the four sub–tests of the YKI test at skill level 2 or higher. (A2, basic level).  The sub-test requirement applies to students whose study right commence 1 August 2026 or later. 

Bachelor – Second Academic Year (B1 YKI)

  • Accepted YKI certificate (grade 3) at the intermediate level (Equivalent to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages level B1)
  • Student must obtain at least three of the four sub–tests of the YKI test at skill level 3 or higher. (B1, intermediate) . The sub-test requirement applies to students whose study right commence 1 August 2026 or later. 

Bachelor Degree – Third Academic Year (B2 YKI)

  • Accepted YKI certificate (grade 4) at the intermediate level  (Equivalent to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages level B2)
  • Student must obtain at least three of the four sub–tests of the YKI test at skill level 4 or higher. (B2, Medium).  The sub-test requirement applies to students whose study right commence 1 August 2026 or later. 

Master Degree (A2 / YKI A2-B2)

  • Master degree students may apply for a language-based scholarship during the normative study right on the basis of any of the above YKI levels.
  • The normative study right means the target time for the degree: one (1) year for a 60-credit master’s degree and one and a half (1.5) years for a 90-credit master’s degree.
  • Accepted level A2   Finnish language proficiency certificate (Equivalent to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages level A2)
  • Student must obtain at least three of the four sub–tests of the YKI test at required skill level (A2-B2).  The sub-test requirement applies to students whose study right commence 1 August 2026 or later. 
How to submit the Scholarship Application based on the Finnish Language Proficiency

Please submit your application with a following application form: scholarship application

Merit Based Scholarship for Bachelor and Master Degree Students

Bachelor Degree

A merit-based scholarship may be granted to a Bachelor Degree student upon graduation.

The scholarship is awarded based on:

  • VAMK’s shared values
  • active participation in the higher education community and/or working life
  • other activities, attitudes, or commitment that demonstrate the values of sympathy, pioneering, customer orientation, and openness

The following will also be considered:

  • graduation within the normative study time
  • excellent academic performance

The scholarship amount is 4000 EUR.

Educational units propose scholarship recipients to the scholarship committee.

Merit-based scholarships are limited to:

  • one student per Bachelor Degree programme

Master Degree

  • The merit based scholarship can be granted  in connection with graduation for students, whose study right commence 1 August 2025 or later.
  • The merit based scholarship can be granted for the best 10 % of  graduating students per Master Degree programme on the basis of their GPA, given that student has also graduated within target duration of studies.
  • The target time is one (1) year for a 60-credit Master Degree and one and half (1,5) years for a 90-credit Master Degree. The amount of  merit based scholarship is 2000 EUR.  
  • A Master’s Degree student cannot receive scholarships based on both Finnish language skills and merit during their study right.

How to apply for merit scholarship?

How can I Practise my Finnish Language Skills?

Please find  more information on Finnish language learning path at VAMK 

Early Bird Discount of Tuition Fee

  • A student subject to tuition fees is entitled to an Early Bird discount of the tuition fee if they have applied for VAMK and confirmed the place of study within seven (7) days of the publication of admission results. The discount is 1500 EUR, reduced from the first academic year tuition fee.
  • Early bird discount is not applicable to transfer students or students applying through Open UAS.
  • Further conditions for the Early Bird discount may be specified in the Studyinfo service, as well as in letter of acceptance sent to the student.

 

Scholarship Committee

Scholarship Committee

The scholarship committee processes scholarship proposals and submits them to the rector for approval.

Members of the scholarship committee:

  • Director of Administration (chair)
  • Head of Student Services (Presenter and Draftsperson)
  • Financial Manager
  • Representative of the Student Union VAMOK
  • Executive assistant (secretary, Education Services)

Appeals and Claims for Rectification

  • Scholarship decisions cannot be appealed to an administrative court due to the ban on appeals defined in Section 60 of the Polytechnics Act of Finland (932/2014).
  • Students may submit a claim for rectification to the scholarship committee within 14 days of the scholarship decision made by the rector of VAMK.
  • The claim for rectification must include:
    • the student’s name;
    • contact information;
    • grounds for the rectification.
    • The scholarship committee prepares a draft decision on the claim for the rector of VAMK.
Scholarship Criteria 1.8.2020-31.7.2024

Students who start their studies prior to this follow the previous scholarship criteria.