Initial study guidance and planning
All degree programmes have a curriculum which includes information on the degree requirements and the courses which are included in the degree. In many programme curricula, there is also room for your own choices among given options according to your interests and professional goals. Thus, you will need to plan your studies carefully. This does not mean that you will need to face your choices alone. Tampere Universities offer various services and tools which are designed to help you with planning your studies and with any choices or challenges you may be facing.
Your studies at Tampere University start with an orientation period which begins with the Welcome Week and continues during the introductory course included in your degree programme. You can find more details on the orientation to studies in Orientation to studies. Studying at Tampere University may differ from your earlier study experiences even if you have a previous university degree. Your introductory studies aim at familiarising you with the study environment, supporting you in planning your studies and learning about the practices of studying at the university as well as providing you with a support framework which allows you to start your studies efficiently.
Personal study plan
At the start of your studies, you will make a detailed study plan for your degree studies at Tampere University. This plan is referred to as your personal study plan, PSP in short or HOPS in Finnish. The personal study plan is made in an online tool you will learn to use during your orientation to studies. In the personal study plan, you will describe the studies needed to complete your degree, the order in which your studies will progress and the schedule for your studies. The personal study plan is planned on the basis of the curriculum and your personal goals. The plan is prepared so that it supports the smooth progress of your studies as well as your own well-being. You will make the plan together with e.g. an education specialist or an academic tutor, who will also approve your study plan. Although you will plan your whole degree at the start of your studies, your personal study plan can and should be updated during your studies.
Study guidance
There are many forms of study guidance available to a new student at Tampere University.
When you arrive in Tampere, your student tutor is available to help you with practical matters as well as study-related questions. Your academic tutor will also provide guidance, starting from the very beginning of your studies and continuing throughout your studies. More information on tutoring is available under student tutors.
The education specialist of your degree programme in the faculty will contact you when you are admitted to the university and remain as your primary contact in any questions related to your degree before arrival and throughout your studies. For example, the educatin specialist can help you with the recognition of previous studies. You can also talk to the education specialist of your degree programme if you are facing any concerns or challenges during your studies.
In addition to the faculty, general student counselling services are also available on all campuses. The student counsellor and study psychologist provide assistance if you feel you need to talk to someone about your studies and plans in general or work for example on your study or time management skills. There is help available if you want to talk about working life and career planning, too.
Please see Guidance and counselling services for more information on the study guidance services available during studies.
University curriculum
The degree requirements, courses and course contents of each programme are described in the university curriculum. Please note that the curriculum includes information on programmes offered in English and Finnish, and search carefully to find the information of your programme. For the programmes offered in English, all information will be available in English.