Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Savonia University of Applied Sciences (Savonia UAS) is a public Finnish university of applied sciences with campuses in Kuopio, Iisalmi and Varkaus in North Savo. About 6,500 students study there, supported by around 500 staff.
History in brief
- 1884: Kuopio Academy of Design established
- 1886: Kuopio Polytechnic founded
- 1887: Kuopio Institute of Commerce founded
- 1900s: Walter Ahlström’s Polytechnic in Varkaus and Varkaus Institute of Commerce joined the effort
- 1896: Kuopio School of Public Health established
- 1998: Gained permanent status
- 2004: Pohjois-Savo Polytechnic renamed Savonia University of Applied Sciences
- 2007: Decision to move some Kuopio operations to the Savilahti campus on the University of Kuopio site
Academics and programs
- Savonia offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and runs about 30 programs in six areas of study.
- The biggest field is engineering. Graduates earn the Insinööri (AMK) Bachelor of Engineering after about four years (240 ECTS). The second-largest field is business, awarding the Tradenomi (Bachelor of Business Administration) after at least three years (210 ECTS).
- The university participates in the Bologna Process, aligning its degrees with European standards.
Fields of study
- Culture (music and dance education, design and graphic design)
- Natural resources and the environment (Bachelor of Agriculture)
- Tourism, catering and domestic services
- Social services and health care (nurses, social workers, therapists and related professions)
- Technology, communication and transport (engineering disciplines)
- Business and administration (Bachelor of Business Administration)
International programs
- Some programs are taught in English. English-taught degrees include International Business Studies (International Management), Bachelor of Engineering in Information Technology, and Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering.
Student life and campuses
- Savonia has about 6,500 students in total. Around 250 students are international students.
- About 4,500 students study in Kuopio, with roughly 1,000 in Varkaus and 1,000 in Iisalmi.
- IT students often study at Technopolis Kuopio (Technology Centre Teknia).
Ownership and organization
- Savonia is owned by five North Savo municipalities: Iisalmi, Kiuruvesi, Kuopio, Lapinlahti and Varkaus.
- The governance includes a consortium council and a board. The rector also serves as the head of the owner consortium.
- There has been discussion about restructuring Savonia’s governance, including a possible move to a limited company. The council and board roles aim to oversee strategy and operational decisions.
Cooperation and campuses
- In 2005, Savonia and the University of Kuopio launched the North Savo Higher Education Consortium to explore stronger cooperation.
- In Savilahti, Kuopio, Savonia’s campus arrangement supports closer ties with the University of Kuopio and the Kuopio science park, Technopolis Kuopio.
Key facts
- Savonia offers a mix of technical and business programs, with a strong engineering tradition and growing international offerings.
- It maintains a decentralized campus model across three cities, while pursuing closer regional cooperation and modernization of governance.
This page was last edited on 1 February 2026, at 17:50 (CET).