Apply for a transfer

Transferring to SAMK

When you transfer to SAMK, you give up your study right at your previous higher education institution and transfer it to SAMK.

Important notes for transfer applications:

• Applying for a transfer to SAMK will not give you more time to complete your studies or to receive student financial aid.
• The maximum study period is based on the date when you accepted your study place in the previous higher education institution.
• The semesters you have been enrolled as present or absent in your previous studies will be reduced from your study right when we calculate how much time you have left to study after the transfer.
• If you are obligated to pay the tuition fee, you will pay the same amount as the 1st year students after the transfer.

Criteria for transferring

You must meet all of the following conditions to apply for a transfer to SAMK:

• You have a valid study right in another higher education institution in the same or related field of education
• You have progressed in your studies to the point where you have a realistic possibility of graduating within your remaining study time
• You meet the legal eligibility requirements of the education you are applying for
• You have been a present student at your previous higher education institution for at least two semesters. (For example, a student who started in autumn 2025 can apply for a transfer at the earliest in the following spring and start at SAMK from August 1, 2026.).
• You have completed the required number of credits that can be accepted as part of the degree you are applying for a transfer to. The credits must be visible on your transcript of records or in the Studyinfo.fi link at the time of application.
  • If you are applying for a transfer during the latter half of your first academic year, at least 40 ECTS credits are required.
  • If you are applying later, an additional minimum of 30 credits per present academic term is required.

Change of language of instruction:

If you are changing from an English-language to a Finnish-language programme or vice versa, we may ask you to provide proof of your language proficiency after you submit your application.

Granting a transfer

Transfer admission can be admitted if:

• You fulfill the transfer requirements above.
• There is an available study place in the degree programme you have applied to
• You can complete your studies within your study right period.

Transfer application periods

SAMK has two transfer application periods per year:

• 1-15 May. Admitted students can begin their studies at the start of the autumn semester.
• 1-15 November: Admitted students can begin their studies at the start of the spring semester.

How to apply

You can fill in the transfer application online on Studyinfo.filaunch during the application period.

Attachments

You need to attach these documents to your application form:

• a study certificate showing your enrollment history (present and absent terms)
• a transcript of records in Finnish and English.

Please combine these documents into a single pdf file, if possible.

To which degree programmes you can apply?

You can apply to almost all of our degree programmes. Approximately a month before the start of the application period, you can find information about the transfer application on the Studyinfo.fi website of each degree programme included in the transfer application.

You cannot apply for a transfer to this degree programme:

• Physiotherapy, Bachelor of Health Care.

Application fee

An application fee of 100 euros is collected from applicants from countries outside EU/EEA. This fee covers applications to multiple universities, for studies starting in the same semester. The application fee will not be charged from Finnish or EU citizens.

You can read more on application fee on Studyinfo.fi.launch

When you will receive the transfer decision

You will receive the transfer decision by e-mail either by 15 June (spring application period) or by 15 December (autumn application period). If you receive a study place offer, you must accept it by 15 July (spring application period) or by 20 December (autumn application period). When you accept the study place offered, you give up your study right at your previous higher education institution.

Recognition of prior learning

You can get your previous studies, skills, or other experiences, such as work, recognised and included in your degree. This process is called the recognition of prior learning (RPL or AHOT).