ROVANIEMI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

ROVANIEMI
Rovaniemi, the centre of administration and commerce in Lapland, lies close to the Arctic Circle. Rovaniemi is the biggest town in Lapland with population of 35.000 inhabitants, 10.000 of whom are students. There is unspoilt nature and numerous recreational opportunities, and the most common way of getting around in Rovaniemi is bicycle – you can bike even in winter because the snow is removed from the paths. There are several daily connections by trains from Rovaniemi to Oulu, Tampere and Helsinki and a student card entitles undergraduate students to a  50% discount. Rovaniemi has warm summers and cold winters. Snow is on the ground for an average of 180 days per year but the difference between summer and winter is huge; Lapland was actually the warmest place in Finland during the summer 2004! And the weather doesn’t feel cold if you prepare well...                      

 ROVANIEMI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Rovaniemen Ammattikorkeakoulu, or shorter, RAMK is the northernmost educational institute of its kind in the European Union. It is situated on the Arctic Circle in the town of Rovaniemi and provides education in six different schools on three diffrent campuses. In total RAMK has 19 different degree programmes, three of which are taught in English. Incoming exchange students have a wide variety of courses to choose from due to the English programmes. The International Relations Office arranges student tutors for exchange students. They will greet international students upon arrival, help in the adjustment to the Finnish way of life, and organise all kinds of different activities

ASSORTED FACTS

TUITION
University education in Finland is funded by the state, so students enrolled in regular degree programmes pay no tuition fee. A small fee grants you an annual membership in

Camos, the RAMK student union, and a student card. With the card you get discounts on public traffic, meals in the school’s restaurants, hostels and tourist attractions in the whole Finland. In Rovaniemi there are many shops, restaurants and fitness clubs which give discounts for students. The living expenses of a single student average about 650 €/ month.

ACCOMMODATION
You will have several options for accommodation. If you wish to live with other students, the school dormitory is a good and cheap option. You can rent apartments either from the dormitory, from Domus Arctica Foundation (DAS) or from private apartment owners and agencies. The Väylätie dormitory is located in a quiet neighbourhood about 2 kilometres from Rovaniemi town centre and close to all three campuses. A twin room costs 125 € per person per month, and a single room 200 € per month. The rent includes electricity, heat, water and furniture. The dormitory has a gym and, naturally, sauna facilities.

KEY DATES
The first semester runs from primo September till ultimo December. After a two week Christmas vacation, the second semester starts primo/medio January and lasts until medio June. Examination dates will be announced after semester start.

VISA
Neither a visa nor a residence permit is needed for Norwegian students.

CURIO
In Finnish Lapland the number of Aurora Borealis or Northern Light displays can be as high as 200 a year whereas in southern Finland the number is usually fewer than 20. Rovaniemi is home to the world's northernmost branch of McDonald's and the residence of Santa Claus, Santa Claus Village and Santapark, are located 8 km north of the centre.

LINKS: THE UNIVERSITY AND ANSA'S COUNTRY PAGES
www.ramk.fi/
www.ansa.no/land/finland