Finland could establish a new university of applied sciences with over 20,000 students as Xamk owners negotiate with LUT consortium

Owners of the Kaakkois-Suomen University of Applied Sciences (Xamk) are in talks to merge with the LUT consortium, which includes Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT) and LAB University of Applied Sciences, Yle reports. If successful, the combined institution would become one of Finland’s largest, with over 20,000 students.

The negotiations, first reported by Länsi-Savo, involve a model where Xamk would join the LUT consortium, effectively merging with LAB University of Applied Sciences. The cities of Mikkeli, Kotka, Kouvola, and Savonlinna—Xamk’s owners—have initiated discussions to deepen cooperation.

Kotka Mayor Esa Sirviö confirmed to Yle that talks are underway to strengthen ties between Xamk and the LUT consortium. Kouvola Mayor Marita Toikka added that the city’s council leadership has been informed, citing declining student numbers and funding challenges as key drivers for the negotiations.

“The city’s goal is to secure competitive funding in the future and strengthen LUT’s presence in the region,” Toikka said. LUT currently operates one regional unit in Kouvola.

No formal decisions on Xamk’s potential sale have been made, but Kouvola aims to present a cooperation agreement to its city board this spring. Xamk, founded in 2017, is owned by the four cities, with Mikkeli holding the largest share (36.15%). LAB University of Applied Sciences currently enrolls around 10,400 students, while Xamk has approximately 12,000.

The LUT consortium comprises Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology and LAB University of Applied Sciences.