Untitled 1
Studying in a university of applied sciences
The University of Applied Sciences system is based on
Finland's national and regional needs in education. Universities of applied
sciences provide a practical alternative to academic universities and offer the
highest possible level of education in the professional fields taught in them.
During their studies, students acquire the theoretical knowledge required in the
working world and the practical professional skills required in the working
world and the practical professional skills required of experts in a given
field.
Teaching in universities of applied sciences is based on
science, but it involves practical orientation. A wide range of teaching and
learning methods are utilised, and the amount of contact teaching is less than
what would usually be expected. Hence, students are expected to take
responsibility for their learning. In a changing and developing society,
information is constantly being renewed. For this reason, skills in
communication and acquiring information are especially accentuated, as well as
the upkeep and development of one's study and learning techniques. It is also
important that students acquire a positive attitude toward lifelong learning
while they are studying.
The aim of studies in universities of applied sciences is to
train independent, creative experts capable of collaboration with others, who
are internationally oriented and who work in field-related jobs associated with
planning/designing, development, consultation, training, management and
entrepreneurship in a society that is ever changing and developing.
One of the strengths in the universities of applied sciences
lies in their international activities; indeed international activities are an
integral part of today's working world. Students may complete a double degree or
a joint degree based on the agreements of Seinäjoki UAS and its partner
universities abroad, or complete some part of their studies or practical
training abroad.
Studies completed abroad are accepted as part of the degree
completed in Finland. Universities of applied sciences also offer degree
programmes and individual courses that are taught completely in a foreign
language. Foreign students from different parts of the world also study in
universities of applied sciences.
Collaboration with business, labour, cultural and public and
private organisations is an integral part of the activities in universities of
applied sciences. Practical training, various projects and theses are carried
out together with various companies and other organisations. Many students have
said that the practical training is one of the best stages in their education in
the UAS. The place where students do their practical training may have a
significant impact on their future, as it may be the first proper place of
employment after they graduate.
Framework for degrees and other expertise
The European Qualification Framework (EQF) comprises eight (8)
levels, which cover all degrees from the basic level to the advanced level. The
definitions of the EQF levels are based on the descriptions of the learning
results. The EQF describes learner's knowledge, skills and competence
irrespective of the institution where they obtained their degree or
qualifications. The EQF levels are based on the descriptions of the learning
results. The EQF describes learners' knowledge, skills and competence
irrespective of the institution where they obtained their degree or
qualifications. The EQF includes comprehensive education, vocational education
and higher education.
The purpose of the framework for European degrees is to merge
together the different degree systems in different countries to facilitate
comparability and understanding of the degrees. The primary aim of the framework
is to promote the mobility of citizens between countries and to promote lifelong
learning. A further aim is to improve the transparency and credit transfer of
degrees as well as the recognition of acquired learning through experience as
part of students' studies.
The National Qualification Framework (NQF) provides
descriptions of the degree acquired in Finland and of the special competences
acquired by people who have obtained higher education. The purpose of this
framework is to describe Finnish degrees and the competences they accrue in a
uniform, comprehendible and comparable way. Expertise is described as knowledge,
skills and competence, which are the foundation for setting goals and
assessment. In the Finnish National Qualification Framework, all of the degree
are placed on one of the eight levels.
Bachelor UAS degrees have been place on level 6 and master UAS
degrees on level 7. The expertise required for the levels are described in the
outline of the framework as follows:
NQF, Level 6
University of applied sciences degrees/ bachelor's degrees
Commands a wide range of advanced knowledge, which comprises
theory, essential concepts, methods and the critical understanding and
assessment of principles, related to one's chosen field. Understands the scope
and limitations of professional duties and/or discipline. Commands advanced
skills, which indicate competence in learned information, is able to apply
learned knowledge and to generate creative solutions, which are needed in
specialised professional, scientific and artistic fields to solve complex,
unpredictable problems.
Is competent in managing complex professional activities or
projects, or competent in working independently in field-related specialist job
positions. Is competent in decision-making in unpredictable environments. Has
basic ability to work as an independent entrepreneur. Is competent in taking
charge of the assessment and development of one's know-how and the development
of individual people and groups.
Is ready to engage in continuous learning. Is competent in
communicating verbally and in writing with others within the field and outside
the field. Is able to independently communicate and interact on the
international level in one of the official languages in Finland and in at least
one foreign language.
NQF, level 7
Advanced university of applied science degrees/master's degrees
Commands a wide range of highly advanced expertise related to
one's chosen field, which comprises essential concepts, methods and knowledge to
use in thinking independently and/or as the foundation of research. Understands
the questions pertaining to one's field and other fields and critical evaluation
of those questions as well as new information. Is competent in solving
challenging problems pertaining to research and innovation activities where new
information and methods developed and the knowledge in different fields is
applied and combined.
Is competent in working independently in demanding
field-related expert job positions or as an entrepreneur. Is competent in
managing and developin complex, unpredictable and strategic approaches. Is
competent in managing people and/or things. Is competent in evaluating the
activities of individuals and/or groups. Is competent in augmenting
field-related information and practices and/or ensuring the development of
others.
Is ready to engage in continuous learning. Is competent in
communicating verbally and in writing with others within the field and outside
the field. Is able to independently communicate and interact on the
international level in one of the official languages in Finnish and in at least
one foreign language.
Generic competences for UAS graduates
Competences are understood as wide-ranging entities of
expertise, i.e. composites of knowledge, skills and attitudes possessed by
individuals. Competences depict individuals' proficiency, capacity and ability
to perform professional duties.
The generic competences are common to all of the degree
programmes, but they may emphasise different types of knowledge and skills
depending on the profession and job duties. The generic competence lay a
foundation for students' participation and collaboration in the working world as
well as for their professional development.
Degree-specific competences form the foundation of students'
development of expertise. The degree-specific competences are described in the
information pertaining to each degree programme.
Generic Competences for UAS Graduates
Recommendation by Arene (Rectors' Conference of Finnish Universities of
Applied Sciences)
Generic competences
|
Description of the competence,
bachelor level
|
Description of the competence,
master level
|
Learning competence
|
-
is able to self-evaluate and
develop one’s competence and
learning style orientation
-
is able to retrieve and analyze
information and evaluate it
critically
-
is capable of taking
responsibility for collaborative
learning and sharing knowledge
in teams
|
-
is able to self-evaluate and
develop one’s expertise in a
versatile and focused way
-
is able to retrieve, analyze and
produce information and evaluate
it critically from the point of
view of different fields
-
is capable of taking
responsibility for collaborative
learning in a target-oriented
way
|
Ethical competence
|
-
is able to take responsibility
for one’s own actions and for
the consequences of these
actions
-
is able to work according to the
ethical principles of the
subject field
-
is able to take other people
into account in one’s actions
-
is able to apply the principles
of equality
-
is able to apply the principles
of sustainable development
-
is capable of social influencing
using one’s know-how and based
on ethical values
|
-
is able to take responsibility
for the actions of a community
and for the consequences of
these actions
-
is able to apply the ethical
principles of the subject field
as an expert and as a developer
of working life
-
is able to make decisions
considering an individual and
the community
-
is able to contribute to the
principles of equality in
working life
-
is able to contribute to the
principles of sustainable
development and social
responsibility
-
is capable of leading socially
influential activities based on
ethical values
|
Working
community
competence
|
|
-
is able to operate as a member
of a work community
-
is able to operate in
communicative and interactive
situations in working life
-
is able to utilize information
and communications technology in
one’s subject field
-
knows the working life in one’s
subject field and is able to
create personal contacts in
working life and to operate in
professional networks
-
is capable of decision making in
unpredicted situations
-
is able to apply the principles
of organizational management and
leadership in working life and
has abilities for supervision
tasks
-
possesses entrepreneurial skills
|
-
is able to develop the
operations of a work community
-
is able to develop
multidisciplinary communication
and interaction in working life
-
is able to utilize information
and communications technology in
one’s work
-
is able to create networks and
partnerships
-
is capable of management and
supervision tasks and is able to
improve activities in
complicated and unpredictable
environments
-
is able to work as an expert or
entrepreneur and has abilities
for management and supervision
tasks
|
Innovation competence
|
-
is able to conduct research,
development and innovation
projects applying the existing
knowledge and methods of the
field
-
is able to work in projects
-
is capable of creative problem
solving and development of
working methods
-
is able to find
customer-oriented, sustainable
and profitable solutions
|
-
is able to manage research,
development and innovation
projects and masters the methods
of research and development work
-
is able to manage project work
-
is able to create new
information and improve existing
working methods by combining
expertise from different fields
-
is able to develop
customer-oriented, sustainable
and profitable solutions
|
Internationalization competence
|
-
possesses communicative
competence necessary for one’s
work and for professional
development in the subject field
-
is able to operate in a
multicultural environment
-
takes into account the effects
of and opportunities for
internationalization development
in one’s own field
|
-
is capable of international
communication in one’s work and
in the development of operations
-
is able to operate in
international environments
-
is able to predict the effects
of and opportunities for
internationalization development
in one’s own field
|
In addition to the above-mentioned competences, Seinäjoki University of
Applied Sciences emphasises the following generic competences:
|
Description of competence:
|
Entrepreneurial competence
|
-
Understanding of the interaction
involved in the operations in a
company and the business
environment, and of the concept
of entrepreneurship and the
entrepreneurial way of working.
-
Understanding of the principles
associated with a profitable
business, and ability to analyse
the operations and risks in a
business.
|
Quality control competence
|
-
Knowledge of the typical
field-related quality control
systems.
-
Understanding of quality-control
and the requirements of
quality-control systems.
|
Structure of university of applied sciences studies
Studies at universities of applied sciences are organised into
degree programmes, which vary in the number of credits they accrue (210 - 240)
and the length of time it takes to the complete the programme (3.5 - 4 years).
A degree programme is a course of study, which provides
students with the professional skills they need in the working world to work in
develop their chosen field. Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences has 20
different degree programmes leading to a UAS degree. Several of the programmes
also have different lines of specialisation or areas of emphasis from which
students can choose. Each university of applied sciences degree programme
includes Basic Studies, Professional Studies, practical training and a final
thesis.
The studies and associated teaching is organised in the for of
courses. There are compulsory, optional and elective courses. The curriculum for
each degree programme states the extent of a course in credits (ECTS), and
objective(s), content, literature/study material, learning methods, assessment
and possible courses that students may be required to complete before attending
the course in question.
The extent of the studies is measured with the ECTS credit
point system. Points are allotted to courses according to the amount of work
required to complete them. An average of 1,600 hours of work required to
complete one academic year of study is equivalent to 60 ECTS credit points.
Basic studies
The Basic studies provide students with an overall picture of
the degree programme and the field studied. The development of theoretical
knowledge, economic activity, environmental awareness and international activity
are an essential part of the Basic Studies. The studies also involve orientation
into various methods to use in studying, and there is special emphasis on
developing students' language and commucation skills. The extent of the Basic
Studies varies depending on the degree programme.
Professional Studies
During their Professional Studies, students are introduced to
the essential professional issues and applications related to the degree
programme, as well as their underlying scientific, technological and artistic
principles. Professional studies prepare students to work independently in
expert tasks within their chosen field. There are compulsory, optional and
elective studies in the Professional Studies
Elective studies
Students may take elective studies either at Seinäjoki
University of Applied Sciences or at other institutions of higher education in
Finland and abroad. The decision to approve and include elective studies in a
student's in a student's degree is made at the UAS.
Practical training
The purpose of the practical training is to orientate students
into the duties, practices and cultures associated with their chosen
professional field in a real work environment. Furthermore, students learn to
apply the knowledge they have learned while studying into practise. The
practical training is supervised and it may be divided into several parts.
Practical training is obligatory and equivalent to 30-85 credits depending on
the degree programme.
Thesis
Toward the end of theirs studies, students are required to do
a final thesis whereby they demonstrate their ability to apply theory into
practise doing research or projects related to their chosen professional field.
Indeed, the thesis may be in the form of a study, a survey or a project dealing
in research and development, product development or designing, and it is
presented as a written report. The thesis is equivalent to 15 credits. Upon
completion of the thesis, students sit a maturity test by which they demonstrate
their knowledge in their chosen professional field and their skills in using
their first language.
Qualifications acquired in a university of applied
sciences
A degree obtained at a university of applied sciences provides
qualifications to work in public posts or duties requiring a higher-education
degree, a degree completed in an institution of higher education, a university
degree or a bachelor's degree (A464/1998)
A university of applied sciences master's degree provides
qualifications in field-specific public posts and it is equivalent to the
master's degrees completed in academic universities and other institutions of
higher education.
More information about the UAS master's degree is available in
this guide in the section concerning adult education.
The degrees in Finnish universities of applied sciences are
equivalent to the corresponding degrees completed in other European universities
of applied sciences.
Online studies
Online studies involve learning through communications
networks. The purpose of online studies is to utilise modern tools and methods
of study and to seek alternative ways to complete courses. Online studies are
offered either in part or completely through communications networks, especially
the Internet, and the material and services available there. The aim is to give
all students the opportunity to complete part of their studies online (ca. 30
credits).
Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences utilises the Moodle
online learning environment to carry out online courses (lakeusmoodle.epedu.fi).
Moodle offers teachers a diverse range of opportunities to plan and carry out
online teaching and supervise students' learning process. For students, the
environment is easy to use and gives them the opportunity to study flexibly
anywhere in the world.
Some courses may also utilise the Adobe Connect communications
system software. Participating in Connect network lectures usually requires a
microphone-headphone combination that connects to a computer and/or merely a
computer with an Internet connection. Courses may also utilise network software
for social media.
The various online courses offered at the various universities
of applied sciences are available on the Finnish Online University of Applied
Sciences portal www.amk.fi. Onlinen UAS studies
are intended for degree students. Before applying for the courses in the Online
UAS portal, students must agree upon how the studies will be completed, accepted
as part of the degree, etc. with the head of degree programme or student
counsellor in their faculty. More detailed instructions for applying to Online
UAS courses and application forms are available on the Seinäjoki UAS Intranet.
For more information concerning online studies, contact
Coordinator Asko Ojanperä at +358 (0)40 830 4278 or asko.ojanpera(at)seamk.fi
|