Credit transfer for communication and language studies by substitution

The Language Centre processes applications for the accreditation of communication and language studies included in a student's degree structure. You can apply for accreditation based on your prior certificated learning or prior experiential learning. The faculties manage the recognition of communication and language studies that students place in the elective modules.

Please read more about the University’s general accreditation guidelines on communication and language studies. Further instructions provided by the Language Centre are found below. Please also see the University's guidelines on recognition of prior learning.

These guidelines apply to students on all campuses.
 

Please take the following points into consideration when you're applying substitution

• When applying for a substitution for courses organized by the Language Centre, the teacher's approval is not requested.
• Please make your substitution application as soon as possible at the beginning of your studies. This helps you to plan the overall schedule of the communication and language studies.
• If you have applied for a substitution, please do not register for the teaching before the application has been processed.

• In the autumn semester the applications' processing time is 1–1,5 months or even longer. In the spring semester, the applications' processing time is 3–4 weeks.

   

Accreditation of prior certificated learning

The recognition of prior learning is possible for formal studies completed at Finnish and foreign higher education institutions. The recognition of prior learning and credit transfer requires that they correspond to the learning outcomes of the degree. For communication and language studies, you can apply for accreditation by making a substitution application in SISU.

Proceed like this

1. If necessary, see the technical instructions for making a substitution application in the University's Guidelines under Sisu instructions: applying for substitution.
    
2. As a rule, the applying for substitution is based on individual courses, so please set the equivalent of the course to be substituted as a substitute.
   
   If your previous studies do not include a course that meets the learning outcomes, but the content is integrated into several courses or modules, please indicate the courses or modules in question as a substitute.
   
   If you are applying for substitution based on more than one course, please include the details of their completion separately on the application.
    
3. Add to your application the transcript of records in Finnish and English of the studies you have completed (if the studies were completed abroad, only add the English transcript).
   
   If you have a completed degree, please also add your degree certificate.
   
   Please note! If you do not include an English-language transcript, information about your prior learning will appear in Finnish in your English-language transcript of records issued by Tampere University (other information in English).
    
4. Attach a course description of the course (objectives, content and, in the case of language studies, CEFR level) of the substituting course.
    
5. You will be able to add more attachments even after you have submitted your application up until your application is processed. To add more attachments, go to My profile > Applications and decisions. It is also possible to cancel the application in the same place.
    
6. If the application is incomplete, it can be sent back for you to amend it. Follow the given instructions and send the application back for processing.

Accreditation of prior experiential learning

You can also apply to be credited for prior learning that you have acquired outside the formal system of education either through non-formal learning (such as professional development, non-degree adult education programmes) or informal learning (such as work experience, hobbies, positions of trust) which correspond to the learning outcomes of the course to be substituted.

Proceed like this

1. You must first assess for yourself whether you have the competences required for the course to be substituted. First you should look at the course description of the course to be substituted and pay attention to the learning outcomes and the content of the course.
    
2. If necessary, see the technical instructions for making a substitution application in the University's Guidelines under Sisu instructions: applying for substitution.
   
    
3. Attach to your application an essay (2 pages) in which you
    
   • Describe in brief what kind of experience you have gained and where.
      
   • Describe what you have learned and how the acquired skills relate to the learning outcomes of the course you want to substitute. Provide a detailed but concise description of your acquired competence.
      
   • Analyse your prior learning, demonstrate how it matches the learning outcomes of the course, and state the reasons that support your claim for exemption from this course.
      
   • Write your essay in English if you are applying for a substitution for an English language course, otherwise write your essay in Finnish or English.
      
4. To provide evidence of achieving the level of learning required, you must add relevant documents as attachments to your application in Sisu (such as certificates of employment, portfolios, learning diaries, publications, written reports, or other documentation of your learning).
    
5. The approval will be assessed based on the attachments you have submitted. Make sure that you have all the necessary attachments in your application. You will be able to add more attachments even after you have submitted your application up until your application is processed. To add more attachments, go to My profile > Applications and decisions. It is also possible to cancel the application in the same place.