SAMK Satakunta University of Applied Sciences

SAMK Satakunta University of Applied Sciences is a public university of applied sciences in the Satakunta region on Finland's west coast. It is a practical, career-oriented choice for students who want English-taught bachelor's or master's study in fields such as engineering, business, logistics, tourism, nursing and physiotherapy.

For students planning the 2026 intake, SAMK is worth shortlisting if they want a smaller Finnish study environment, applied teaching, reasonable tuition compared with many Western European destinations, and campus options in Pori and Rauma. SAMK's international admissions pages show 2026 routes for studies beginning in August 2026, with additional autumn 2026 applications leading to January 2027 starts for selected programmes.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Full name	Satakunta University of Applied Sciences
Common name	SAMK
Institution type	Finnish university of applied sciences
Main address	Satakunnankatu 23, 28130 Pori, Finland
Region	Satakunta, west coast of Finland
Campuses	Pori, Rauma, Kankaanpaa and Huittinen
Degree students	7,668 in SAMK's 2024 figures
International student signal	1,146 international students on campus and about 100 nationalities in 2024 figures
English-taught focus	Bachelor's and master's programmes in applied fields
2026 start to check	August 2026 for rolling admission and spring 2026 international routes

Why SAMK Can Be A Good Fit

SAMK is not a large research university in a capital city. Its strength is applied education linked to regional working life. That makes it useful for students who want practical projects, smaller campuses, and degree routes connected to Finnish industries such as technology, logistics, maritime services, health care, tourism and business.

The Pori campus is important for several English-taught routes, including technology, tourism and health-related options. Rauma is especially relevant for students comparing international business, logistics and maritime-related study environments. Students should check the campus for their exact programme before applying because housing, commuting and part-time job options differ between Pori and Rauma.

2026 Tuition Snapshot

Non-EU/EEA students usually need to pay tuition fees for English-taught degree programmes. SAMK lists annual tuition fees by programme.

Programme group	Annual tuition fee
International Business	EUR 9,500
International Tourism Management	EUR 9,500
Logistics	EUR 9,500
Nursing	EUR 9,500
Physiotherapy	EUR 9,500
Sustainable Business Management master's	EUR 9,500
Tourism and Business Management master's	EUR 9,500
Artificial Intelligence / Data Engineering	EUR 10,500
Mechanical Engineering	EUR 10,500
Mechatronics	EUR 10,500

Students should also budget for rent, food, transport, residence permit costs, health insurance and personal expenses in Finland. Tuition and scholarship rules can change by intake, so the programme page and SAMK tuition page should be checked before payment.

Admission Snapshot

Area	What students should know for 2026
Main 2026 international application	7-21 January 2026 for several autumn 2026 English-taught programmes
Rolling admission	16 March-18 May 2026 for selected bachelor's programmes starting in August 2026
Autumn 2026 application	31 August-10 September 2026 for selected January 2027 starts
Bachelor's eligibility	Upper secondary qualification giving access to higher education
Master's eligibility	Suitable bachelor's or higher education degree plus at least two years of relevant work experience after graduation
English proof	SAMK accepts listed tests and selected prior English-medium qualifications
Common English test examples	IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL iBT 60, PTE Academic 55, Cambridge English Scale 169, or accepted alternatives
Selection style	Depends on route; may use certificate evaluation, SAT or application-specific selection criteria

English-Taught Study Areas

For 2026 applicants, SAMK's English-taught bachelor's options include applied fields such as:

• Artificial Intelligence / Data Engineering
• International Business
• International Tourism Management
• Logistics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Nursing
• Physiotherapy

Master's options shown for the 2026 international application include Sustainable Business Management and Tourism and Business Management. These are mainly relevant for applicants who already have a suitable degree and work experience.

Campus And Student Life

SAMK has campuses in four Satakunta cities, but many international applicants will focus on Pori or Rauma depending on the programme. Pori gives access to a compact city environment with SAMK's main campus and services close to the railway station area. Rauma suits students interested in business, logistics and maritime-related study, with campus facilities linked to maritime simulators and logistics learning environments.

Student life is more practical and locally connected than metropolitan. This can suit students who prefer a manageable city, lower pressure than Helsinki, and a clearer route into Finnish work experience. Students should still plan early for accommodation, winter clothing, residence permit documentation and part-time work search.

Who Should Consider SAMK?

SAMK can suit students who want:

• A Finnish university of applied sciences with practical teaching
• English-taught study for the August 2026 or related 2026 intake cycle
• Applied fields such as engineering, business, logistics, tourism or health care
• A smaller city study environment in western Finland
• Tuition fees around EUR 9,500-EUR 10,500 per academic year
• A campus where work-oriented learning and regional industry links matter
• A pathway to understand Finnish working life while studying

Things To Check Before Applying

Before finalising SAMK, students should confirm:

• Whether the chosen programme starts in August 2026 or January 2027
• The exact campus: Pori, Rauma or another SAMK location
• Tuition fee and scholarship conditions for the selected programme
• English-language proof accepted for their admission route
• Whether SAT, certificate evaluation or another selection method applies
• Residence permit timing for Finland
• Housing availability in the campus city
• Whether the programme matches their long-term career plan in Finland or elsewhere

Practical Finnish Education

SAMK is popular with students who want a career-oriented Finnish degree rather than a purely academic university route. Teaching is built around applied learning, projects, professional skills and regional working-life needs.

Engineering And Technology

SAMK is a strong match for students comparing English-taught engineering options in Finland. Artificial Intelligence / Data Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics are especially relevant for students interested in automation, production, smart systems and modern industry.

Business, Tourism And Logistics

International Business, International Tourism Management and Logistics make SAMK attractive for students who want applied business study outside a capital-city setting. The Rauma campus is particularly useful for students interested in logistics, maritime environments and international trade.

Health Care Routes

Nursing and Physiotherapy are important options for students looking at practical health-care education in Finland. These routes need careful preparation because language, clinical placement expectations, professional regulation and local employability can matter strongly after graduation.

Manageable Student Cities

Pori and Rauma can appeal to students who want a quieter Finnish study base with lower day-to-day pressure than a large metropolitan city. The trade-off is that students need to be proactive with networking, part-time jobs and Finnish-language learning.

International But Not Overcrowded

SAMK's 2024 figures show students from about 100 nationalities and more than 1,100 international students on campus. This gives students an international environment while still keeping the campus experience more personal than a very large university.

2026 Intake Options

SAMK is popular for students who are still planning a 2026 Finland intake because it has shown 2026 international application routes, including rolling admission for selected programmes starting in August 2026.