In total, according to the preliminary data, there were 63 500 applicants to Finnish higher education institutions’ English-taught degree programmes and art study programmes in the national joint application. Furthermore, the number of applications received for VAMK tripled compared to year 2022.

International Business continues to attract the international applicants

In this application round VAMK offered two bachelor level degree programmes. The most attractive degree programme was the bachelor’s degree in International Business. This programme received almost 4 500 applications from which 14 % were primary applications.

There were also three different degree programs leading to a master level degree, which received a total of 1 800 applications. The most popular of these was International Business Management, where approximately 750 applications were submitted. From these 30 % were primary applications.

High School visits in target markets have paid off

In general, VAMK’s applicants represented a great variety of different nationalities. The most attractive geographic recruitment countries for VAMK include nations like e.g. Sri Lanka, India and Vietnam, having large numbers of youth in college age. But also a significant rise could be seen in the amount of prospective students i.e. from United Arab Emirates, Kenya, Tanzania and Ghana.

”Our strategy in international student recruitment aims at diversification. This helps us to balance and manage risk, and to improve the student experience in the process. For 2023 August intake, our focus in marketing has been in Asian countries such as India and Vietnam and in Middle East in countries like UAE, Lebanon and Jordan. Especially in the UAE and India we have invested in high school visits – this has clearly paid off”, comments Sirpa Rutanen, Head of Communications and Marketing.

"Student selections are made, during spring, through an entrance exam for the bachelor degree courses and with varying selection methods for higher university degrees. The studies start in autumn 2023", says Juha Vierola, Head of VAMK's student services.