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Accommodation

The most important thing for a new student is to note, that VAMK has no dormitories or any other kind of accommodation arrangements for its students. All international students as well as Finnish students find their accommodation from the private market. The accommodation situation for students in Vaasa is fairly good. The most common way to organize housing is to rent an apartment from VOAS, the Student Housing Foundation in Vaasa. In general, their rents are lower than in the normal private market, because most of the tenants are students.

VOAS provides accommodation for approximately 3 700 students. There is also an agreement for the students with a special rate for short time stay at Hostel Tekla on Palosaari. If the student prefers, he/she may also seek accommodation from the private market by him/herself. The International Office can help the exchange students with the reservation of apartments from VOAS, but otherwise the renting of housing is between the tenant and the owner of the apartment.

Types of Accommodation at VOAS

A shared apartment generally accommodates 2 – 4 students. Each student has his/her own room and shares the kitchen and the bathroom with other students in the apartment. Foreign students usually receive apartments with basic furniture. In a furnished bedroom there is a bed with mattress, writing table, lamp, chair, bookshelf and a clothes closet. In the kitchen there is a dining table and chairs. It should be noticed that there is no cutlery or any kitchen appliances except the refrigerator and stove in the kitchen, or pillows, blankets or bed linen in the beds. It is advised to bring the basics with you from home, or you can buy them from Vaasa. It should also be noted, that only one person is allowed to stay in one room; bedrooms are not for sharing!

Availability of small, one-bedroom apartments with a bathroom and a kitchenette is limited. These apartments are usually more expensive than the shared apartments. Family apartments are available for students with families. These generally have 2 – 3 rooms and a kitchen.

The rent in VOAS apartments varies between 200 – 450 € per month, depending on the type and location of the apartment. A deposit of 200 € has to be paid when renting and the deposit is returned when the student moves out, provided that the apartment is clean and in proper condition. When accepting the offer of housing, remember to check the starting day of the agreement. This is to make sure, that you will not have to pay extra. For example if you come to Vaasa in August, you should not start the agreement from July.

The closest housing complexes to the Faculties of Technology & Communication or Social Services are Tekla I, Tekla II, Linna and Loft is. The closest complexes for students of Business Economics & Tourism and Health Care are Loft is, Olympia I, Suviboxi and Kalliola. Those are the complexes from where foreign students are advised to apply for housing. Most of the apartments are furnished and the rents are moderate.

See here the VOAS housing application form.

Information for exchange students: When you have reserved accommodation for yourself and paid the deposit VOAS will give the key. The International Office will then go to pick up the keys and bring them to the office. In case you have asked for pick-up, then the person coming to pick you up (your tutor or member of the international office) will have the key with her/him. In case you do not need pick-up service, you can come to the International office to obtain your keys.
Information for degree students: The tenant can obtain the keys from VOAS during its opening hours. Please note, that VOAS and VAMK are closed during weekends.

Explanations to abbreviations from apartment descriptions (you can see all the options of housing from the web):

For more detailed information, please contact:
VOAS (Student Housing Office),
Vaasan Opiskelija-asuntosäätiö,
Olympiakatu 3 B, 65100 Vaasa
Tel: +358(0)6 – 327 6530
Fax: +358(0)6 – 327 6538
asuntotoimisto@voas.fi

The office is open Mon – Tue 10 – 17 and Wed – Fri 10 – 15.30.
Please visit the website for information on facilities, rental condition and rules VOAS .