Saimaan ammattiopisto Sampo
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█  A Fast Track to Learning

Top-Up Training for Non-EU Applicants

We offer top-up qualifications to non-EU student groups in Restaurant and Catering Services.

Please note that the training for non-EU applicants will change in Autumn 2026. More information will be given in April-May 2026.

Our courses are top-up trainings, and the aim is the completion of a Finnish qualification. This means applicants should have prior training, degree or qualification in the field they apply to. In some cases they might have a solid and proven work experience to build on.

This allows us to officially identify prior learning and plan learning experiences to supplement it. The structure of the courses varies but all qualification programs include on-the-job learning and practical studies as well as theory lessons.

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Top-up your skillset

Information for applicants

Top-up qualifications are managed by Edusampo Ltd (a subsidiary of Saimaa Vocational College Sampo) in co-operation with international agent partners. Edusampo does not reply to student inquiries directly nor recruit students directly. Please contact one of our international partners for applicant information.

Please note, that our trainings are chargeable, and cost approximately 9000-11000 euros. There is variation according to which training you are planning to take. All top-up qualifications are taught in English and Finnish. The final exams and skills demonstrations are done in Finnish. This gives the graduates an upper hand in the Finnish work market, enabling instant employment once qualified.

To learn Finnish quickly, we offer a mandatory three month online course in the Finnish language, culture and society before the training in Finland begins. Our online teacher gives intensive lessons daily and students get homework to revise. The online Finnish materials are available on a learning platform allowing as much extra practice and revision as the students want.

Edusampo vocational qualification courses take place at two campuses of Saimaa Vocational College Sampo in Lappeenranta and Imatra, Finland.

How do I get in?

The aim of top-up qualification courses is the completion of a Finnish qualification. Qualifications are carried out by education providers with the permission of the Finnish National Agency of Education. Edusampo cooperates with Saimaa Vocational College Sampo to fulfil this requirement.

Groups for Edusampo vocational qualifications are recruited by our agent partners overseas. At the moment we are receiving groups through agents in Africa and Asia.

We offer training to groups of students only. This is a requirement of the law and means that unfortunately we are not at liberty to enrol students directly. Please get in touch with a local recruiter and suggest they ask us for a training.

Education Finland

Edusampo is a part of Education Finland, a body providing information about international education possibilities to companies and education operators and exhibiting the Finnish educational system globally.  The program is coordinated by the Finnish National Agency of Education and financed by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Education Finland’s code of conduct supports international activities and guarantees the actions remain in high quality.

Recuirement of foreign labour – guidelines and requirements

For more information, contact:

CEO
Pauliina Papunen
pauliina.papunen@edusampo.fi 
tel. +358 40 637 5220

█  Frequently asked questions
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How much does the training cost?

At Edusampo we have programs for groups only. Our global partners pay for their group’s training. The student pays for the training and for other services to the partner.

The cost of the training depends on the expenses, for example cook training price is based on teacher expenses, training kitchen fees, ingredients, equipment and work clothing etc.

The partner’s fees vary depending on the country and which services the partner offers to students.

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What other expenses should I be prepared to cover?
Finnish Immigration Migri requires you to have enough money to support yourself in Finland for the duration of your studies, i.e. one year. The required amount at the moment is 6720 euros, which you must have in your account before you apply for student residence. This should cover your accommodation, meals and other daily expenses. Other costs to prepare for include passport, residence permit charge and flight tickets.
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How long does the training take?
The training consists of two parts. First you take a three-month online training in Finnish language and orientation to living in Finland. At the end of this, you are required to achieve level A1.2 in the language test to go on to the next part. The second part is vocational and language training on campus at Saimaa Vocational College Sampo. This part takes approximately one year and is finished when you qualify for the vocation you studied.
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What are the requirements to enter Edusampo trainings?
All trainings with Edusampo are short and therefore require vocational skills to build on. All trainings require you to have a commendable mid-level or high school school leaving certificate (either or, depending on country and qualification) and good English skills, both spoken and written skills. English is used as the auxiliary language in the early stages of the training.

Each training has additional requirements. For practical nursing, you need to have a nursing diploma. Our partners in different countries of origin define the required level. For catering and restaurant services, you need to have some training and work experience in the field. For domestic services and maintenance, you need to have some working experience and references to apply.

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Do Edusampo guarantee employment after qualification?
No. Employment in the fields Edusampo arrange trainings in are in need of workforce and finding employment is likely to be easy. However, we cannot guarantee a job for you. During the training, you will spend months in on-the-job learning which puts you to a spot to impress employers and make connections for the future.
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Why is the Finnish tuition compulsory and why do Edusampo test my aptitude in Finnish before allowing me to start the vocational training?
Working life in Finland, especially outside the metropolitan area, primarily operates in Finnish. To ensure excellent possibility to succeed in reaching your dream, being employed and feeling at home in Finland, we make sure you have the language it takes.
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Why can't I pay the tuition directly to Edusampo?

The Finnish law about vocational training export states that the only way vocational qualification trainings can be organized for students outside the European Union is to have a customer in the country of origin. This customer is our partner, usually an educational advisory agency, needs to buy the whole training program from Edusampo and pay for it prior to starting the training. It is prohibited for Edusampo to accept any payments from individual students or sponsors.

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What is the role of Edusampo's partner company in the country of origin?
Edusampo’s local partner in the country of origin is responsible for helping you make the application to Edusampo. They may arrange application interviews for Edusampo teachers to give, help you lodge your student residence permit application and advice you on your new life in Finland.

Read about student residence permit:

Finnish Immigration Service

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Why is it particularly valuable for me to train with Edusampo?
Edusampo Ltd is the subsidiary of Saimaa Vocational College Sampo in South Karelia, Finland. The college has three campuses, in Lappeenranta, Imatra and Ruokolahti (forestry school). Edusampo trainings are organized within the college learning environments and taught by experienced and motivating Sampo teachers. Sampo is home to over 5000 students per year and offer over 60 different qualifications. You will be in competent and safe hands and can trust to achieve your goals with us.

Unlike some other training programs, Edusampo trainings are organized in cooperation with local employers to ensure the most relevant learning experiences during your on- the-job training periods, which make up over a third of your total study time. Our teachers and workplace instructors support you throughout these learning periods while you can put your best foot forward and impress employers with your motivation and skill.

Your qualification will be achieved through giving demonstrations of skill instead of exams and tests and these demonstrations will be given in Finnish. In a demonstration of skill, you show how to perform given work assignments correctly and explain why your methods are correct. The better you know your vocation upon arrival, the better and quicker you will proceed in your studies.

Finally, we do teach you Finnish like no other college. Through extensive Finnish tuition we help you become a member in our Finnish speaking community and a valuable professional member in your workplace.