Tuition fees for non EU/EEA students
Tuition fees apply to students who are not citizens of EU/EEA countries and who begin their studies at Vamia from August 2026 onwards. However, a student may be exempt from paying the tuition fee, for example, on the basis of their residence permit.
The tuition fee applies to you if:
- you are moving to Finland for the purpose of studying, or
- you hold a temporary residence permit (B), or
- you hold a continuous residence permit (A) granted on the basis of studies, or
- you hold a continuous residence permit (A), and your sponsor’s current or initial residence permit was granted on the basis of studies.
You do not have to pay the tuition fee, for example, if:
- you are subject to compulsory education;
- you hold a permanent residence permit (P);
- you are under temporary protection;
- you hold a continuous residence permit (A) granted on grounds other than studies;
- you are an exchange student;
- you are a citizen of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.
To speed up the processing of your application, please attach a copy of your passport or residence permit to your application.
Tuition Fees for Vamia’s programmes taught in English:
- Vocational qualification in Electrical Engineering and Automation Technology 11 100 € / year
- Vocational qualification in Mechanical Engineering and Production Technology 11 100 € / year
- Vocational qualification in Restaurant and Catering Services 7000 € / year
Vamia’s policies and procedures for the payment, refund, and
reimbursement of tuition fees (klick for more information)
Under the Act on Vocational Education and Training (531/2017), education providers
must charge a tuition fee to students who are required by law to pay one. Vamia’s
policies and procedures for the payment, refund and reimbursement of annual tuition
fees were approved by the City of Vaasa’s Board of Secondary Education on 23 April
2026.
1 Payment of tuition fees
1.1 New students:
New students who have been admitted and have confirmed that they accept their study
place by the deadline stated in the admission decision must pay the tuition fee by the
due date. The tuition fee is due two weeks (14 days) after the student accepts their
study place. Participation in the tuition requires payment of the tuition fee. Students who
do not pay the tuition fee are not entitled to participate in tuition.
If a student applies for a temporary suspension of their studies due to a long-term
absence, only compelling health reasons will be accepted as grounds for the
suspension.
1.2 Continuing students:
For subsequent academic years, students must pay the tuition fee two months before
the new academic year begins. For the next academic year, students continuing their
studies in August must pay the tuition fee between 1 and 15 June, while those
continuing their studies in January must pay it between 1 and 15 October. Once a
student has paid the tuition fee, they can attend classes in the next academic year.
If a student has applied for a residence permit that would exempt them from paying the
tuition fee, but their application is still being processed, they must still pay the tuition fee.
Students must provide a document confirming their exemption from the tuition fee by
the payment due date.
Students must pay the tuition fee for every academic year in which they are registered
as attending.
If a student does not pay the tuition fee by the deadline set by Vamia and does not
apply for a temporary suspension of their studies, they will be considered to have
withdrawn and will lose their right to study.
2 Refund of tuition fees
Vamia will refund the tuition fee upon application if a student’s first residence permit
application is refused. If a student chooses to withdraw from the residence permit
application process, Vamia will not refund the tuition fee. Vamia has the right to verify
residence permit details with the Finnish Immigration Service.
If a student’s residence permit changes to a permanent residence permit that exempts
them from paying tuition fees and takes effect retrospectively, Vamia will, upon
application, refund the tuition fee for any semesters beginning after the exempting
residence permit took effect (1 January or 1 August).
Vamia will not refund the annual tuition fee if a student’s studies are terminated for
academic or disciplinary reasons, or if their right to study is revoked under SORA
legislation (provisions and regulations on solutions for unsuitability to study).
If a student informs Vamia before the start of the next academic year, by 15 June or 15
October, that they will not continue their studies, Vamia will, upon application, refund the
tuition fee paid for the upcoming academic year. If a student withdraws after the start of
the academic year, the tuition fee will not be refunded.
Refunds of tuition fees made under the rules above will be paid within one month (30
days) of the vice principal’s official decision approving the refund. To apply for a refund
of the tuition fee, students must contact their study counsellor.
3 Reimbursement of tuition fees:
The tuition fee is reduced by €200 for each month the student studies under an
apprenticeship agreement. The tuition fee is determined individually, depending on the
studies completed by each student who is required to pay the fee. The tuition fee is
determined at the start of the study programme for the entire duration of the
programme.
SORA legislation
SORA legislation applies to both vocational education and training and higher
education. Its purpose is to improve safety in educational institutions and working life.
The legislation allows a student’s right to study to be revoked and reinstated in fields
where there are specific safety requirements concerning minors, patients, clients, or
traffic. In addition, the SORA provisions include rules on drug testing that apply to all
vocational education and training.