Disaster management course drew 36 first-choice applicants per place

Xamk’s Disaster Management programme was the most competitive course in Finland’s autumn joint application round, with 36 first-choice applicants for each available place, Yle reports.

The programme at South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences had about 46 applicants per place when all applicants were included. A first-choice applicant is someone who lists the programme as their preferred option.

The programme attracted just under 400 applicants in both this year’s and last year’s autumn joint application rounds.

Xamk says the programme is a higher university of applied sciences degree in social services and health care. It provides practical skills for managing crises and disasters through technology, leadership and multidisciplinary cooperation.

“The current situation in the world, along with growing crises, security, disasters and preparedness, are themes that are becoming increasingly important. It has been recognised that there is a need for this kind of new expertise,” said Antti Jakonen, a lecturer at Xamk.

Another popular option was Laurea University of Applied Sciences’ degree programme in social services for the criminal sanctions sector. Almost 800 people applied, with just under 40 applicants per place overall and 15 first-choice applicants per place. The number of applicants declined from last year.

According to Laurea, graduates in this field aim to reduce reoffending and can work in prisons, community sanctions offices, the third sector or municipalities.

Laurea’s bachelor’s degree programme in security and risk management and its master’s degree programme in security management also attracted strong interest, with about 10 applicants per place for each.

The largest numbers of applicants went to social services and business administration programmes. Haaga-Helia’s blended learning business administration programme received 1,475 applications, while Laurea’s online social services programme received 1,241.

The autumn joint application round for universities of applied sciences and universities closed on Thursday, September 10. There were 12,100 places available in total. Applicants can apply for up to six programmes, ranking them in order of preference. The results will be published by November 19 at the latest.