STUDYING AT A UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

In Finland, you can pursue higher education at universities of applied sciences and at universities. Universities of applied sciences offer practical courses. When you graduate from a university of applied sciences, you will get a profession (e.g. an engineer or nurse) or receive a degree such as the Bachelor of Business Administration.

The universities of applied sciences have their own application procedures. Most schools use the joint application system. The joint application procedure takes place twice a year: if your course starts in the autumn, you will apply in the previous spring. If your course starts in January, you will apply in the previous autumn.

Many universities of applied sciences also have a separate application procedure, for example for those who have already completed studies at an open university of applied sciences.

Universities of applied sciences – Studyinfo

Universities of Applied Sciences in Finland

Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK)

At Häme University of Applied Science, you can study in Finnish or in English for a practical degree.

Open university of applied sciences

In both the open universities of applied sciences and open universities, you can pursue studies that follow the university curricula and are open to all students. Because the open university of applied sciences is open to all students, you can study there even if you do not have any qualifications. Studies completed at an open university of applied sciences can be directly accredited, in other words, included in your degree if you later become a degree student. The open university studies can also give you a good idea of what it is really like to study the field that interests you and what it requires. There is a fee for studying at an open university.

Open Studies – Studyinfo

STUDYING AT UNIVERSITY

In Finland, you can pursue higher education at universities of applied sciences and at universities. Some university studies lead directly to a specific profession (e.g. Master of Science in Engineering, doctor or teacher). Some university studies do not lead to any specific profession.

You can apply to university if you have completed, for example, one of these qualifications:

• the Finnish matriculation examination (the general upper secondary school certificate)
• a study programme of at least three years leading to an upper secondary vocational qualification
• an International Baccalaureate
• a foreign qualification that gives you the right to study at university in the country where you completed the qualification.

Apply for universities through the universities’ joint application system or through the separate application procedure for a specific study programme. The joint application procedure takes place twice a year: if your course starts in the autumn, you will apply in the previous spring. If your course starts in January, you will apply in the previous autumn. For some study programmes, the joint application procedure takes place in January. Find out in good time when you can apply.

There are universities in cities such as Helsinki, Tampere and Turku.

Universities – Studyinfo

Universities in Finland

Open university

In open universities of applied sciences and open universities, you can pursue studies that follow the university curricula and are open to all students. Because the open university is open to all students, you can study there even if you do not have any previous qualifications. Studies completed at an open university can be directly accredited, in other words, included in your degree if you later become a degree student.

Open university is a good place to explore university studies. At an open university, you can study in different ways. For example, your studies may include contact teaching at lectures and exercises, online study or blended teaching (combining contact teaching and online instruction). There is a fee for studying at an open university.

Open Studies – Studyinfo

Häme Summer University (an open university).