More than 420 international students from over 40 countries will start their studies this autumn at the University of Lapland and Lapland University of Applied Sciences. Their share is up to 20 percent of all the new students at the universities.

As before, the foreign-language programmes of the University of Lapland and Lapland University of Applied Sciences (LUAS) have attracted a large number of students from all over the world: this year, 180 new foreign students arrive at the University of Lapland. At LUAS the corresponding number is 242. Of all the first-year students this autumn, one-fifth are international.

International students come from near and far. At the University of Lapland, the largest groups come from France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. There are also international degree students from China and Russia, and the number of Vietnamese and Brazilian degree students has grown from the previous years.

LUAS will have new international students at its three sites: Rovaniemi, Kemi, and Tornio. The largest groups come from the UK, the Netherlands, China, and France – including a record number of students from Germany. The largest groups of degree students come from Vietnam, Russia, and China. A few also arrive from European countries.

Lapland and the Finnish educational system as the targets of interest

The presence of international students is clearly visible in the streets of Rovaniemi, Kemi, and Tornio. Some of the students complete their entire degree here and some study for one or two semesters.

Lapland is chosen as a target of exchange mostly because of an interest in the region and our educational system. Our Arctic nature and its rich potential make us an especially attractive and personal alternative. Foreign students also find us exotic because of our fresh air, snow, Santa Clause, and remote location.


Further information:

University of Lapland
International Coordinator
Virpi Nurmela
Phone: 040 484 4396
virpi.nurmela (at) ulapland.fi

Lapland University of Applied Sciences
International Coordinator
Sanna Juotasniemi
Phone: 040 550 7443
sanna.juotasniemi (at) lapinamk.fi