Saimaa University of Applied Sciences

The Saimaa University of Applied Sciences is an institute of higher education in Southeastern Finland in the cities of Lappeenranta and Imatra. We offer degrees in five fields.

We conduct entirely in English the Degree Programmes in Mechanical Engineering and Production Technology, in International Business, in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourist Management and Nursing. In Master's level, we offer degrees in English in International Business Management and Fine Arts.

We have about 3000 students, approx. 450 of them being international degree students. The number of teachers and other personnel is about 260. We have two campuses, one in Lappeenranta and an other in Imatra. Lappeenranta campus is situated next to Lappeenranta University of Technology.

The students from abroad who join us are welcomed as an integral part of the international atmosphere of our university of applied sciences, and they give us all an opportunity to learn how to work in a multicultural environment.

In our international co-operation, we place emphasis on Western Europe, Nordic countries, Russia and the new EU member states, as well as Asian countries such as Vietnam. Many of our students take the opportunity to complement their studies by studying or working at one of our international partners.

We also have a lecturer exchange scheme whereby we offer our expertise to our international partners and in exchange, we benefit from some of the unique knowledge they have to offer. We are strongly committed to addressing the challenges of international research and development projects.

Saimaa University of Applied Sciences is an open and supportive university community. The students and their well-being are emphasized. We teach up-to-date knowledge and skills for professional needs. We create a hunger for learning more and provide the necessary tools and methods. We support the students throughout their study path. Internationality shows strongly in our everyday life.

Saimaa University of Applied Sciences is a work community that values competence, commitment and international acticities. We encourage brave experiments and a passion for finding something new. We take care of the well-being of our staff and support community spirit.

Saimaa University of Applied Sciences performs its social function in a responsible, effective and profitable manner. We develop new solutions for the future needs of working life and the whole of society. We are an innovative partner, providing support in the changing operational environment in the region. Our work boosts success in South Karelia. We help our surroundings flourish and internationalizate.

Saimaa University of Applied Sciences is an international institution with strong expertise and focus on business, language and culture of Russia and wide networks in the area. Our vision is to be the most international institution of higher education in Finland in 2025.

We have three focus areas which are based on the needs of our interest groups, our own strengths and opportunities drawn from the operating environment. Focus areas are: profitable business from innovations, growth and internationalization for small and medium sized enterprises and customer-oriented health and social services.

Saimaa UAS carries out its mission and vision through the four strategic goals.

The first goal is to be the platform for going global in South Karelia. We want to help our international students to integrate into Finnish society and prepare our Finnish students to become international specialists.

The second goal is to give our students leading competence and hunger for learning more. Our students have possibility to make individual choices across the traditional borders between faculties and professions.

Our third goal is to support the region to growth and internationalization. R&D helps our partners to grow. Together with Lappeenranta University of Technology, Saimaa University of Applied Sciences will create a strong center of competence. LUT and Saimia merger provides an attractive campus, creates growth for the region, enables new business opportunities and intelligent combinations of sciences, offers choices that are more individual for students and improves operational efficiency.

Our fourth goal is human resources. Staff and faculty competence is up to date. Both quantity and structure of our personnel are sufficient to ensure high-quality performance.

The members of the Saimaa University of Applied Sciences community are committed to the following values: openness, professionalism and responsibility.