North Carelia University of Applied Sciences

Institution Info

Strong regional and international influence

North Karelia University of Applied Sciences offers education leading to a polytechnic degree for young and adult learners and takes actively part in regional development work and research and development activity. Down-to-earth cooperation extends from the region’s business life up to the active networks of international institutions of higher education and different organisations.

Internationality in its different forms is present in the everyday activities of North Karelia University of Applied Sciences. The university of applied sciences offers a broad variety of possibilities for internationalisation for students, teachers and other staff members.
As far as its impact on regional development is concerned, NKUAS is one of the best universities of applied sciences in Finland. We take actively part in the development of the province by carrying out different research and development operations. Approximately 4 000 students take courses at NKUAS yearly in its seven fields of education and 18 degree programmes.
North Karelia University of Applied Sciences is an independent public utility owned by the City of Joensuu.

Explore NKUAS

North Karelia University of Applied Sciences started in 1992 among the first universities of applied sciences in Finland. Activities are centred in Joensuu on four different campuses. Starting from the beginning of the term 2009, all degree programmes function in Joensuu. NKUAS’s territory covers the whole of North Karelia. Higher Education Network in North Karelia operates in the area of the whole province. Virtual teaching enables distance learning while working.

North Karelia University of Applied Sciences operates in Joensuu at five centres on four different campuses, where we have approximately 4 000 students and 400 staff members. Approximately one thousand new students are taken in yearly.

Blended learning and development

The centres are multi-field learning and development environments that enable study possibilities across the boundaries of different degree programmes. Studying, research and development work and working life form a genuine functional whole. The centres also host working life organisations. Short distances between the centres also make the everyday life of our students easier.

The tasks of the universities of applied sciences are education, regional development and research and development work. We produce higher education leading to polytechnic degrees for young and adult learners. Our education gives an efficient high-quality answer to the growing demand of expert labour force.

International everyday

North Karelia University of Applied Sciences leads a strongly international everyday life. We collaborate with approximately one hundred institutions of higher education in Europe and around the world. We offer two degree programmes conducted entirely in English. Cooperation is deepened between the central foreign institutions of higher education and working life partners especially in Europe and Russia.
North Karelia University of Applied Sciences and Savonia University of Applied Sciences operate in a strategic ISAT partnership. The cooperation is in line with the ISAT partnership strategy accepted in the beginning of the year 2010 for the years 2010-2012. ISAT partnership strategy and the strategies of the two universities of applied sciences form an intense and mutually supportive whole.