Study in Kotka

Xamk’s new Kotka campus is located next to the Maritime Centre Vellamo and the Event Centre Satama.

About 200 people work and approximately 2,900 people study at the Kotka campus. The campus educates future professionals in engineering, maritime, logistics, as well as social and health care.

Kotka is a seaport on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, with a population of 55,000.

THE SEA IS OUR STRENGTH.

Welcome to our new campus

The campus facilities are designed to be flexible to respond agilely to the new needs of learning, teaching, and working.

The floor area of the building is 15,000 m², with 6 floors. There are a total of 23 theory rooms on campus, with seating capacities ranging from 10 to 100 people. The total seating capacity of these rooms is 1,095. Additionally, the campus has 3 computer classrooms, with seating capacities ranging from 30 to 40.

There are a total of 71 specialized rooms on the campus, including various laboratory or simulation spaces. The building will also have a gymnasium. Restaurant facilities are located at the Event Centre Satama.

The floor area of the building is 15,000 m², with 6 floors. There are a total of 23 theory rooms on campus, with seating capacities ranging from 10 to 100 people. The total seating capacity of these rooms is 1,095. Additionally, the campus has 3 computer classrooms, with seating capacities ranging from 30 to 40.

Study in Kotka
Gorgeous archipelago of the Eastern Gulf of Finland in Kotka.

Easy to get to Kotka, hard to leave

Kotka is located in Kymenlaakso region. Kymenlaakso is a province Southeast Finland with a population of 185,000.  Distance to the Helsinki capital region is about 130 km and to the St Petersburg region about 270 km.

Kotka is a seaport on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, with a population of 55,000. The city is famous for its parks and cultural life. In addition to the archipelago, the city’s maritime attractions include the Sapokka water garden, the Langinkoski Imperial Fishing Lodge and the Maretarium aquarium. The Maritime Centre Vellamo introduces you to the history of Kotka and Kymenlaakso, as well as the maritime history of Finland.

The city offers plenty of opportunities for sports and other leisure activities. Those interested in culture will enjoy the productions of Kotka City Theatre, the concerts of Kymi Sinfonietta and the many literary events and art exhibitions. Kotka Maritime Festival is the most famous summer event in the city.

Local and regional buses take you around the city and to the neighbouring towns. There are buses to Helsinki approximately every half hour and several local trains to Kouvola each day. In summer, the archipelago is easily accessible by public transport from the Sapokka marina.

Moving to Kotka – travelling

Kotka region bus card is called Waltti-kortti. You can order your card online. You must create an account to be able to order a new card. You can as well buy your card by visiting Palvelupiste Ruori in Kotka: Kustaankatu 2/ Keskuskatu 6.

Kotkan reittiopas is the page to visit when you start to use buses in Kotka.

Living in Kotka – housing

If you need temporary accommodation e.g. upon arrival in Kotka, please see temporary accommodation options in Kotka

Apply for student housing via local housing organisation. Student housing is not provided by the university.

They serve you in English. Please be prepared that there is no furniture in these apartments: only a cupboard and maybe a table and a chair.

THE Roomz provides cozy student residences (private room with a bathroom, shared common areas) for Xamk’s international students coming to Kotka. Rooms are furnished and ready for moving in (including furniture, sheets and towels, kitchenware, equipment and free wi-fi).

Pricing is 390 EUR/month for a smaller (16 square metres) and 425 EUR/month for a bigger room (20 square metres) – which can also be shared for two persons. Rent includes electricity, heating, water, use of common spaces, wi-fi, sauna, trash collection and laundry room.

Please note that we have limited number of furnished rooms to offer. Fill in the application form by 26 July 2024 and email it to: info(a)roomz.fi. All applicants will be contacted individually.

This is what studying in Kotka looks like

Study Bachelor’s Degree In Kotka

Are you still contemplating which field interests you?

Xamk offers a diverse range of training options in various fields such as business and security, social and health care, sports, gaming and ICT, design and restoration, engineering and forestry, maritime and logistics, humanities and education, as well as tourism and hospitality.

Explore different fields and find the one that suits you best!

FAQ – studying and living in Kotka

Xamk’s Kotka campus is moving from its current location to the seaside – to Kotkansaari, Kantasatama. The new campus is located next to the Maritime Centre Vellamo and the Event Centre Satama.

If you need temporary accommodation e.g. upon arrival in Kotka, please see temporary accommodation options in Kotka

Apply for student housing via local housing organisation. Student housing is not provided by the university.

They serve you in English. Please be prepared that there is no furniture in these apartments: only a cupboard and maybe a table and a chair.

THE Roomz provides cozy student residences (private room with a bathroom, shared common areas) for Xamk’s international students coming to Kotka. Rooms are furnished and ready for moving in (including furniture, sheets and towels, kitchenware, equipment and free wi-fi).

Pricing is 390 EUR/month for a smaller (16 square metres) and 425 EUR/month for a bigger room (20 square metres) – which can also be shared for two persons. Rent includes electricity, heating, water, use of common spaces, wi-fi, sauna, trash collection and laundry room.

Please note that we have limited number of furnished rooms to offer. Fill in the application form by 26 July 2024 and email it to: info(a)roomz.fi. All applicants

A small food store K-Market Korela is close to the school and Koskisoppi apartments (Peurantie 5). The closest supermarket is Prisma (Hakamäentie 1) and Lidl close to it (Sutelantie 151). In the city center you find more stores but the fact is that there are basically 3 kind of stores in Kotka: S shops (green bonus card), K shops (Plussa card for bonus) and Lidl (Lidl card for bonus). If you wish to find your local products, Helsinki is probably the only place to find ethnical food stores.

Kotka also offers good opportunities for shopping, including the Pasaati shopping centre, many speciality stores and the hypermarkets in Jumalniemi and Sutela.

Jussin jättikirppis is a flea market and located quite close to the campus. There you can find clothes, textiles, and other necessaries: Jussin jättikirppis, Huumantie 5, open Mon-Tue 10-18, Wed 10–20, Thu-Fri 10–18, Sat-Sun 10–15.

Goodwill is a recycling store in Karhula. There you can find almost anything, including furniture. Goodwill Karhula: Tikankatu 10, 48600 Kotka, open Mon-Fri 10–17, Sat 10–14.

Fida second-hand is a second-hand store in Kotka city center. Fida second-hand: Kotka, Mariankatu 14, open Mon-Fri 10–18, Sat 10–15.

Experience the colourful splendour of award-winning Kotka city parks, learn about the thrilling history of the East Coast of Finland at the Maritime Centre Vellamo

Enjoy the unique archipelago of the Eastern Gulf of Finland is by renting a cottage or going on a boat trip. Go fishing, kayaking or white-water rafting on the mighty Kymi River that flows from the lakes in Middle Finland to the sea at the Eastern Gulf of Finland with an amazing web of streams, forks and estuaries.

More info here!

Registering as a foreigner

After you move to Finland, you must register yourself with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) in Finland.  This is mandatory for EU students as well.

It’s important to register as soon as possible after your arrival because you may need to have a Finnish personal identity code and a registered address in Finland to open a bank account or to get a service contract with mobile phone operator.

Check the instructions for registering on the DVV website or start with the DVV info letter for foreign students.

If you need to visit the DVV office, you should first book an appointment via the DVV online service. Once you get an appointment, you can visit the DVV office on your appointment day at the following address: Vuorikatu 5C, 48100 Kotka.

Kotkan maahanmuuttajapalvelut Moona – Kotka Immigration Services Moona

Moona is helping with all kinds of immigration issues in the Kotka region. In Moona you get information and help e.g. concerning following things:

  • Residence permits and immigration services (Migri)
  • Kela – social security system of Finland and other support
  • Living
  • Work life
  • Education
  • Free time

Moona has an office in Karhula, Hamina and Kotka city center (in the multicultural center Mylly). They serve with many languages, including English.

Short Moona information in English

Moona on Kotka city web pages

NOTICE! FIND OUT IF YOU MUST VISIT AN EMBASSY IN FINLAND AND BOOK YOUR TIME AS SOON AS YOU CAN. Moona can help you if needed.

Mylly

Mylly is a multicultural center with activities for immigrants. See the information about Multicultural center Mylly.

Contact Admission Services

Xamk’s Admissions Services primarily assists with matters related to applying for degree studies. You can contact us by phone or through our online form.

Phone service in July:

  • Mon-Fri 10.00-13.00

Degree education in Finnish:

  • 044 702 8891 
  • 040 585 6610

Degree education in English:

  • 040 585 6610

Contact request via online form: