Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences

The Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences system was built during the 1990’s to create a non-university sector of higher education. It was founded on the institutions, which previously provided post-secondary vocational education and which have been developed to form a nationwide network of regional institutions of higher education.

Universities of Applied Sciences education emphasises close contacts with business, industry and services, especially at the regional level. The degrees are designed to meet the changing requirements and development needs of the world of work, having a pronounced occupational emphasis, and qualifying graduates for various expert duties.

There are 26 polytechnics (=universities of applied sciences) operating under the Ministry of Education. Most polytechnics are multi-field and operate in several units. Finnish polytechnics have defined themselves as universities of applied sciences. Therefore the institutions have also named themselves as universities of applied sciences.

Currently there are over 133 000 students registered at polytechnics in Finland. Polytechnics undertake some research and development with an applied and practical emphasis.

Degrees

Education offered at polytechnics/UAS is more practical and more focused on vocational skills than at the universities. Bachelor degree programmes take about 3.5 to 4.5 years to complete.

Polytechnics/UAS provide degree programmes in the following fields of vocational education and training: humanities and education; culture; natural sciences; natural resources and the environment; tourism, catering and domestic services; health and sports; technology, communications and transport; social sciences, business and administration.

Bachelor degree programme consists of five modules: basic studies, vocational studies, work practise, free studies and a final project. The scope of the Bachelor degree is usually 210 study credits, even though degrees of 240 and 270 exist, too. In a degree of 210 credits basic studies are usually the scope of 60, vocational studies 90, work practice 30, free studies 15 and the final project 15 credits. During one study year the student is expected to study 1 600 hours which makes up to 60 credits. The study credits used are equivalent to those of the European credit system ECTS (European Credit Transfer System).

Polytechnic degrees are Bachelor-level and Master-level higher education degrees with a professional emphasis. Studies are organised into degree programmes, which are confirmed by the Ministry of Education. However, the curricula are independently decided by the polytechnics.

The extent of a degree programme is measured in ECTS credits. The extent of most degree programmes is from 210 to 240 credits, which corresponds to three and a half or four years of full-time study; an extension of one year is allowed. Degree programmes consist of basic and professional studies, optional studies, practical studies including an on-the-job training period, and a Bachelor’s thesis.

The Master's degree is worth 60-90 ECTS credits.

The compulsory on-the-job training period is equivalent to a minimum of 30 credits. Apart from acquainting students with their profession and future job, it enables many students to combine their degree work with hands-on job experience and an opportunity to work independently and apply their theoretical knowledge in practice. Students can also combine studies in other fields, other institutions, or abroad, with their degree.

The studies also include communication and language studies, i.e. studies in the native language, in the second official language and in one or more foreign languages. Students can also combine studies in other fields, other institutions, or abroad, with their degree.

The postgraduate polytechnic degrees are second-cycle, post-experience programmes.

Statutes and regulations

The objectives, overall structure and extent of polytechnic degrees are defined in a governmental decree, while the more detailed degree regulations and curricula are determined at the institutions.

Instruction is offered in the following fields of education:

• Humanities and Education
• Culture
• Social sciences, Business and Administration
• Natural Sciences
• Technology, Communication and Transport
• Natural Resources and the Environment
• Social services, Health and Sports
• Tourism, Catering and Domestic Services

Polytechnic-level education is also provided (only for the Finnish citizens) at the Police College, which operates under the Ministry of the Interior.

In polytechnics, studies are organised into degree programmes (“koulutusohjelma” in Finnish and “utbildningsprogram” in Swedish), which are approved by the Ministry of Education. The polytechnics are responsible for planning and developing their degree programmes; representatives of business and industry and students also contribute to this development work. Institutions provide students with annual guidebooks describing the curricula and instruction offered during the academic year.

Institutions

Below are the contact information of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences/polytechnics' international offices. One polytechnic may have various institutes and educatinal units located in different towns and cities, but you will find the contact information to all of them through the given websites.

ARCADA
Jan-Magnus Janssonin aukio 1
00550 HELSINKI
tel. +358 (0)207 699 699
fax +358 (0)207 699 611
admissions(at)arcada.fi
www.arcada.fi

CENTRAL OSTROBOTHNIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Talonpojankatu 2
67100 KOKKOLA
tel. +358 (0)6 825 2081
fax +358 (0)6 825 2075
admissions(at)cou.fi
www.cou.fi

DIACONIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Sturenkatu 2
00510 Helsinki
tel. +358 (0)20 690 431
fax +358 (0)9 478 00774
admissions(at)diak.fi
www.diak.fi

HAAGA-HELIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Ratapihantie 13
00520 HELSINKI
tel. +358(0)9 2296 5221
fax +358(0)9 147 063
admissions(at)haaga-helia.fi
www.haaga-helia.fi

HAMK UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
PO BOX 225 (Visamäentie 35 A)
13101 HÄMEENLINNA
tel. +358 (0)3 646 4501
fax +358 (0)3 646 4500
admissions(at)hamk.fi
www.hamk.fi

HELSINKI METROPOLIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Bulevardi 29
00099 CITY OF HELSINKI
tel. +358(0)9 310 83 009 (soc. serv. & health)
tel. +358 (0)20 7553 933 (technology)
tel. +358 (0)20 7553 554 (business)
fax +358(0)9 310 83 001
admissions(at)metropolia.fi
www.metropolia.fi

JYVÄSKYLÄ UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
PO BOX 207 (Rajakatu 35)
40101 JYVÄSKYLÄ
tel. +358 (0)40 526 2671
fax +358(0)14 449 9694
admissions(at)jamk.fi
www.jamk.fi

KAJAANI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
PO BOX 52 (Ketunpolku 3)
87101 KAJAANI
tel. +358 (0)8 6189 9616
fax +358 (0)8 6189 9620
admissions(at)kajak.fi
www.kajak.fi

KEMI-TORNIO UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
PO BOX 505 (Valtakatu 22)
94101 KEMI
tel. +358 (0)10 383 5179
fax +358 (0)16 258 409
admissions(at)tokem.fi
www.tokem.fi

KYMENLAAKSO, UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
PO BOX 111 (Salpausselänkatu 57)
45101 KOUVOLA
tel. +358 (0)5 2869 8823
fax +358 (0)5 220 8786
admissions(at)kyamk.fi
www.kyamk.fi

LAHTI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
PO BOX 214 (Paasikivenkatu 7 A)
15101 LAHTI
tel. +358 (0)3 828 2076
fax +358 (0)3 828 2064
admissions(at)lamk.fi
www.lamk.fi

LAUREA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Ratatie 22
01300 VANTAA
tel. +358 (0)9 8868 7293
fax +358 (0)9 8868 7298
admissions(at)laurea.fi
www.laurea.fi

MIKKELI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
PO BOX 181 (Patteristonkatu 3)
50101 MIKKELI
tel. +358 (0)15 355 6379
fax +358 (0)15 355 6371
admissions(at)mikkeliamk.fi
www.mikkeliamk.fi

NORTH KARELIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Tikkarinne 9
80200 JOENSUU
tel. +358 (0)13 260 6413
fax +358 (0)13 260 6411
admissions(at)pkamk.fi
www.pkamk.fi

OULU UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
PO BOX 405 (Albertinkuja 20)
90101 OULU
tel. +358 (0)10 272 1032
fax +358 (0)10 272 1370
admissions(at)oamk.fi
www.oamk.fi

PIRAMK UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Kuntokatu 4
33520 TAMPERE
tel. +358 (0)3 245 2395
fax +358 (0)3 245 2396
admissions(at)piramk.fi
www.piramk.fi

ROVANIEMI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Jokiväylä 13
96300 ROVANIEMI
tel. +358 (0)20 798 5401
fax +358 (0)20 798 5499
admissions(at)ramk.fi
www.ramk.fi

SATAKUNTA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Tiedepuisto 4
28600 PORI
tel. +358 (0)2 620 3034
fax +358 (0)2 620 3031
admissions(at)samk.fi
www.samk.fi

SAVONIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
PO BOX 6 (Microteknia, Microkatu 1)
70201 KUOPIO
tel. +358 (0)17 255 5044
fax +358 (0)17 255 5043
admissions(at)savonia-amk.fi
www.savonia-amk.fi

SEINÄJOKI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
PO BOX 412 (Keskuskatu 34)
60101 SEINÄJOKI
tel. +358 (0)20 124 5208
fax +358 (0)20 124 5022
admissions(at)seamk.fi
www.seamk.fi

SOUTH KARELIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
PO BOX 303 (Pohjolankatu 23)
53101 LAPPEENRANTA
tel. +358 (0)20 496 6630 or +358 (0)40 741 8842
fax +358 (0)20 496 6588
admissions(at)scp.fi
www.scp.fi

TAMK UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
PO BOX 21 (Teiskontie 33)
33521 TAMPERE
tel. +358 (0)3 565 47277
fax +358 (0)3 565 47238
admissions(at)tamk.fi
www.tamk.fi

TURKU UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Joukahaisenkatu 3 A
20520 TURKU
tel. +358 (0)10 5535 821
fax +358 (0)10 5535 676
admissions(at)turkuamk.fi
www.tuas.fi

VAASA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Wolffintie 30
65200 VAASA
tel. +358 (0)20 76633
fax +358 (0)6 326 3327
admissions(at)puv.fi
www.puv.fi

YRKESHÖGSKOLAN NOVIA - UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
PO Box 6 (Fabriksgatan 1)
65200 VAASA
tel. +358 (0)6 328 5555
fax +358 (0)6 328 5117
admissions(at)novia.fi
www.novia.fi