Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK)
Hämeenlinna
- Committed to identifying and solving societal challenges and building innovative solutions
- Small class sizes ensure that teaching is engaging and lecturers have more time for individual students
- Studies are practical-oriented and include real-life projects for businesses. Our students have strong contacts with local companies
- There are options for student exchange. HAMK has more than 100 partner institutions around the world
- Possibility to complete a double degree in cooperation with our partner institutions abroad
- The environment at HAMK is multicultural and international. We have students from over 65 different countries
About
Entry qualification
Accommodation
HAMK – the Bettermakers university one hour from Helsinki
Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) calls its community “the Bettermakers” – more than 10,000 students and staff who want to make the world a bit better through practical skills. At HAMK you learn in authentic environments: real company projects, real labs, real farms and forests, not just classrooms.
The main campus, Hämeenlinna University Centre, is a modern campus in a lakeside city only about one hour from Helsinki by train. Other campuses include the truly international Valkeakoski campus (engineering), Riihimäki (robotics) and unique nature campuses such as Evo, located in the middle of a national-park-level forest.
Why students choose HAMK
- Learning by doing – projects with real companies from the first year, including the Design Factory where students, teachers and businesses solve real problems together.
- Close to Helsinki, cheaper to live – capital-region opportunities with small-city living costs.
- International community – member of the RUN European University alliance and partner of 120 institutions worldwide for exchange.
- Flexible studies – cross-institutional agreements let you take courses at other Finnish universities.
- Personal support – smaller campuses mean teachers know their students by name.
HAMK - The Bettermakers
What can you study in English?
HAMK offers English-taught Bachelor’s programs across seven fields, including engineering and technology (mechanical, electrical and automation, construction), information technology, business administration and smart and sustainable design. Programs are practically oriented – you graduate with a portfolio of real projects, not only grades.
Hämeenlinna – a relaxed student city by the lake
Hämeenlinna is one of Finland’s oldest cities, built around a medieval castle and a large lake. For students it offers affordable housing, short distances and a safe, calm atmosphere – while Helsinki and Tampere are both only about an hour away by train, so big-city life is always within reach.
Quick facts about HAMK
| Students | Community of more than 10,000 people |
|---|---|
| City | Hämeenlinna (about 1 hour from Helsinki by train), plus 6 other campuses |
| Specialty | Practical engineering, IT, business and design education – “the Bettermakers” |
| International | RUN European University member, 120 partner universities for exchange |
| Teaching style | Real projects with companies from year one (Design Factory) |
FAQ
Bachelor
Entry qualification
- Transcript of Records – If you have not yet completed Secondary School, you must upload a transcript showing your current grades. You can find the transcript template here.
- Secondary School Leaving Certificate – If you have already completed Secondary School, you do not need to upload a separate transcript. Simply upload your Secondary School Leaving Certificate to the application.
Important! View the full requirements on the university’s official website. Requirements may vary depending on your nationality and the country where you completed your previous education.
English language requirements
You may not need to take IELTS or TOEFL. University usually allow you to prove your English proficiency in one of the following ways:
- TOEFL iBT*
- IELTS Academic
- A Cambridge English qualification
- A national English examination listed on your secondary school leaving certificate
- An English subject and grade on your secondary school leaving certificate that meet the university’s requirements
- Secondary education completed in English in a country or school qualification accepted by the university
- An International Baccalaureate (IB) or European Baccalaureate (EB) diploma
- Other
Important: Accepted methods and minimum results depend on study programme, your secondary school qualification and the country where you completed your education. Check the official requirements for your chosen study programme.
*Use the Kastu promo code LTU1000102 when registering for TOEFL iBT and receive a 5% discount.
Master
Entry qualification
- ECTS transcript – If you are still completing your Bachelor’s degree, upload an ECTS transcript showing the subjects you have studied, your grades, and the number of credits awarded. Your Bachelor’s diploma must be uploaded later, as soon as you receive it.
- Bachelor’s diploma – If you have already graduated, upload your Bachelor’s diploma. A separate ECTS transcript is not required.
Note: Your Bachelor’s degree must be in the same or a related field as the Master’s programme you are applying for. The university will check whether you have completed enough relevant subjects and ECTS credits.
Important! View the full requirements on the university’s official website. Requirements may vary depending where you completed your bachelor education.
English language requirements
Applicants have to prove their English language skills either by an internationally recognized language test or upon previous studies. Usually English language skills can be proved by the following documents:
- TOEFL iBT*
- IELTS Academic
- A Cambridge English qualification
- Higher education degree completed in English
- Secondary education completed in English in a country or school qualification accepted by the university
- An English subject and grade on your secondary school leaving certificate that meet the university’s requirements
- Other
Important: Accepted methods and minimum results depend on study programme and the country where you completed your education. Check the official requirements for your chosen study programme.
*Use the Kastu promo code LTU1000102 when registering for TOEFL iBT and receive a 5% discount.
Student housing for HAMK students
Every HAMK campus city has its own student housing options, and the university has reliable housing partners in each of them. If you have any questions, HAMK’s own housing team helps international students directly (arrival@hamk.fi) – so you will not be left alone with the search.
On the nature campuses (Evo, Lepaa and Mustiala) HAMK even has its own student apartments right on campus, with rent that includes electricity, water, internet, laundry and sauna.
Where to apply for housing
These are the official housing partners HAMK recommends, by campus city:
- Hämeenlinna:HOPS – Hämeenlinna Region Student Housing Foundation. Student apartments in Visakylä, Kampuskaarre (right next to the university centre) and Hattelmala; rent includes water and internet. Apply online at hakemus.tampuuri.fi/hops.
- Riihimäki: HOPS apartments in Peltosaari and city apartments from Riihimäen Kotikulma.
- Valkeakoski: city-owned apartments from Valkeakosken Asunnot.
- Evo, Lepaa, Mustiala: HAMK’s own on-campus apartments – shared apartments from about €180–340 per month per person, studios €295–560 per month.
- Private market: HAMK also points students to the national rental portals Vuokraovi and Oikotie.
How much does student housing cost?
| Room in a shared HOPS apartment (Hämeenlinna) | About €320–390 / month (water and internet included) |
|---|---|
| Shared apartment on campus (Evo, Lepaa, Mustiala) | About €180–340 / month per person (all utilities included) |
| Campus studio (Evo, Lepaa, Mustiala) | About €295–560 / month |
| Deposit | Usually around €250 |
Compared to Helsinki, living costs in HAMK’s campus cities are clearly lower – one of the main reasons students choose them.
FAQ
