The path to a great future is paved with skills and expertise. Karelia University of Applied Sciences (Karelia UAS) is proud to be part of this development by training skilled professionals. Karelia is a multidisciplinary, widely connected, international and innovative organisation offering education leading to bachelor and master degrees. Karelia operates in seven study fields offering 22 programmes out of which five are master-level studies. The study areas are health care and social studies, business, engineering, forestry, media and hospitality management.

Research, development and innovation actions

The needs of research, development and innovation activities (RDI) in Karelia UAS arise in practice from business and working life. RDI activity aims at the development and creation of new and already existing services, products, methods, facilities, processes and solving practical problems. Examples of RDI services are commissioned research, surveys and analysis, students’ practical work, final projects and different short and long-term co-operation projects.

Karelia University of Applied Sciences is a central part of the regional innovation ecosystem. As a competent and innovative partner we want to foster the success of the whole region. You, your company or community have a chance to benefit from our versatile and applicable know-how, networks and experience.

International networks

Karelia has strong international networks, competence and references on meaningful international research, development and innovation (RDI) collaboration that has impact in a long-run and serve the regional development in a coherent manner. Karelia participates in the Erasmus+, Nordplus, NPA, Asia and FIRST programmes. From first of November 2020 on Karelia is part of INVEST Erasmus+ European University Alliance consortium.

Internationalisation is strategic collaboration and team play!

Internationality is one of the strategic aims of Karelia University of Applied Sciences. Karelia2030 strategy identifies five main areas to work with and develop until 2030 to meet with the regional and global challenges. At the time of disruption and challenging global trends, fostering the prosperity and well-being of the somewhat remote and densely populated region is the uttermost goal of the Karelia University of Applied Sciences. North-Karelia is suffering from a fast-growing ageing population, severe lack of expertise and competent labour in the near future and decreasing economic expectations. Yet a lot of potential is available and with a systemic co-creative approach in selected high-quality networks it is possible to tackle the challenges and shape our future in a positive way.

Strategic focal points

• first, education and competences (goals: smooth pathways for continuous learning and systemic U2B operations, entrepreneurship);
• second, internationalisation of the region and promotion of education-based immigration (goals: more degrees and in-service training available in English; strong contribution into international RDI and global education);
• third, sustainable well-being (goals: promotion of active ageing; innovations in health and care technologies)
• fourth, smart production and services (goals: innovations in smart specialisation, power BI, digitalisation), and
• fifth, carbon neutral solutions (goals: foster sustainable business, innovations and technologies in renewable energies and construction) which all will be systematically worked with and developed in relevant partner ecosystems. These all areas are needed when we meet with the challenges in a positive way.

Internationalisation is for future. It strengthens students’ and staff’s professional and transversal competences providing international aspects to degree and continuous education, RDI and services.

Exchange studies and traineeships

Karelia has more than 100 partner institutions in 25 different countries. Every year about 160 students from Karelia are either studying or doing practical training abroad and about 120 international students are studying or doing practical training at Karelia/in the region. Karelia offers courses and modules for incoming exchange students and support in finding placements. Find more information for incoming Exchange Students. Outgoing students will gain more information and support about their possibilities for student and trainee exchanges and other ways to internationalise themselves from the international coordinator of their study field. Studies completed abroad are fully credited into the degree at Karelia.

» European Policy Statement

» Erasmus Charter for Higher Education 2014–2020

» Karelia Information sheet 2020–21

Education in English

Bachelor’s degree programmes International Business and Industrial Management are offered completely in English. More information about the application procedure is available at: studyinfo.fi.

Internationalisation at home

Becoming international does not always require students travelling abroad – personal barriers can be many, starting from family and work situations. Karelia UAS offers plenty of possibilities to go international at home during the studies.

Check out the Karelia International Edition

• International Edition 2020
• International Edition 2018
• International Edition 2016
• International Edition 2015
• International Edition 2014

For more information:

Head of International Affairs

Dr. Liisa Timonen:  International partnerships and networks, International RDI (Erasmus+, Horizon), Global education services +358 50 5913397, liisa.timonen@karelia.fi

Head of Education

Ms. Ulla Asikainen: International degrees and mobility, HEI services for immigrants, International student recruitment +358 50 5234355, ulla.asikainen@karelia.fi

International Relations Coordinators

Ms. Sanna Jeskanen: Outgoing students, Staff mobility, FIRST and Nordplus progammes +358 50 4622478, sanna.jeskanen@karelia.fi

Ms. Katriina Korhonen: Incoming students, Erasmus+ Institutional coordinator, Erasmus+ agreements +358 50 5855146, katriina.korhonen@karelia.fi