Structure of Studies
Structure of Studies
Bachelor's Degrees
In universities of applied sciences, bachelor's degrees consist of
- basic and professional studies
- elective studies
- practical training to enhance professional skills
- a bachelor's thesis.
The extent of degree-awarding studies is 210, 240 or 270 credits. The number of credits is determined based on the workload.
We plan the teaching of the academic year in degree programmes. The degree programme studies are organised as courses, whose objectives, contents, and teaching methods can be found in the curricula.
We describe the degree objectives from the viewpoint of competence. The competence objectives describe what you are expected to know, understand, or be able to do after completing the course or module.
Basic and Professional Studies
The basic and professional studies aim at providing you with an extensive competence on the key theoretical bases, problems, and applications of the professional field in such a way that graduated students can work independently in expert tasks of the field or as entrepreneurs, and participate in developing work communities. The objectives also include sufficient language and communications competence for field-related duties, international affairs, and cooperation.
Elective Studies
You can include studies offered by your own or other degree programmes or other identified and recognised competences to elective studies according to your own plan. You may also include courses offered by other Finnish or foreign higher education institutions into the elective studies.
Practical Training
Bachelor's degrees include a minimum of 30 credits of practical training in accordance with the curricula. The aim of the practical training is to acquaint students in a supervised manner with the key practical work assignments from the viewpoint of professional studies, and application of knowledge and skills in working life.
Bachelor's Thesis
In the bachelor's thesis, you apply and develop your knowledge and skills in practical expert tasks related to the professional studies. In English degree programmes, the bachelor's thesis is written in the language of instruction. The objective is that the thesis conforms to the needs of working life, and is made for a company or other organisation.
Maturity Test
You write a maturity test on the field of the thesis to demonstrate your familiarity with the field, and your Finnish or Swedish language skills. The maturity test can be written in English if the you have received your school education in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or abroad. After delivery of the thesis or when permitted by the supervisor, the maturity test is completed under supervised conditions on a topic given by the supervisor.
Master's Degrees
The master's degree studies consist of
- advanced professional studies
- elective studies
- a master's thesis.
The extent of the degree is 60 or 90 credits.
The degree programme studies are organised as courses, whose objectives, contents, and teaching methods can be found in the curricula.
The degree objectives are described from the viewpoint of competence. The competence objectives describe what students are expected to know, understand, or be able to do after completing the course or module.
Advanced Studies
The advanced studies aim at providing extensive and deep theoretical and practical competence for development, expert, and management tasks in the field. The objectives also include analysis, project management, research, and development skills.
Elective Studies
You can include studies offered by your own or other master's degree programmes or other identified and recognised competences to your studies according to your own plan.
Master's Thesis
In the master's thesis, you demonstrate your ability to apply scientific information and use selected methods to analyse and solve working life problems as well as the ability to independently work in demanding expert tasks.
Vocational Teacher Education
The vocational teacher education studies consist of basic studies in education, studies in vocational pedagogy, teaching practice, and other studies. The extent of the studies is 60 credits.
The studies aim at providing competence in learning of diverse students and development of the educational field taking into consideration the development of working life and professions.
School of Vocational Teacher Education's study guide (in Finnish only)