The degree programme leads to a higher education degree which is a first cycle Bachelor-level degree in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). According to the eight-level classification of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) the degree represents level 6.

Specific admission requirements

Please see the Applicant's Guide or the website www.seamk.fi/hakeminen.

Applicant's Guide's instructions are written in Finnish for degree programmes taught in Finnish and in English for degree programmes taught in English. On the website, application and instructions are in Finnish language for the degree programmes taught in Finnish.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning (rpl)

Head of the Degree Programme, Student Advisor, and when necessary, the teacher of the course in question are responsible for RPL. Their task is to inform students of the recognition and assessment process, to discuss students' Personal Study Plan and to guide students in the demonstration of prior learning.

Project studies and the final thesis are not observed in RPL.

According to the degree regulation, prior learning of a subject expires in ten years.

Assessment is course-specific, defined by the teacher in question. Assessment methods are an exam (written or oral), practical assignment, a laboratory test, a field test or equivalent.

Qualification requirements and regulations

Please see the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.

Pedagogical approach

The working world and expertise demand that employees have advanced skills in information acquisition and processing, problem-solving, the ability to collaborate with others and to always be open to new learning situations, as well as the ability to combine various types of information and various disciplines with practical work. This means that students must understand what they are taught. For this reason, teaching in the Degree Programme in Construction Engineering emphasises the constructivist theory of learning where the students' active role and world of experience form a significant part of the education. It is the teacher's duty to facilitate learning and coordinate studies.

A variety of teaching methods are used in the programme to support students' professional development, readiness for the working world and professional expertise. Students work in small groups, listen to lectures by experts, work in the laboratory, visit various companies, do assignments, work in projects, obtain practical experience in real work environments, and complete Project Studies that are based on tasks in the working world.

Profile of the programme

The lines of specialisation in the Degree Programme in Construction Engineering are:

Building Contruction
o Structural Design
o Production Technology
HVAC Technology

Construction is a significant part of the essential functions of society. Finland's national wealth is based on the built environment. The society needs experts in modern building construction, economics, ecology and international activities to care for buildings and the environment. In addition to thermal insulation, the most effective ways to improve the energy efficiency in buildings is to use advanced heating, plumbing and ventilation technology and information technology. Intelligent construction has introduced automation and the opportunities accorded by information, communications and sensor technology.

Twenty per cent of Finland's labour force is employed in the fields of real estate and construction; that makes one in five people. Forty-five per cent of the employees in construction, and as much as 53 % of the superintendents and real estate employees, will retire by the year 2020. Students applying to the programme now will graduate in 3 to 5 years when the rate of retirement will be at its peak.

Key learning outcomes

The purpose of the Degree Programme in Construction Engineering is to produce construction engineers who have command of modern building construction and heating, plumbing and ventilation (HVAC) technology, who possess professional skills and are familiar with teamwork, who are competent in utilising information technology and have command of business management, and who are competent in communicating and working on the international level.

Students who specialise in Building Construction learn about structural design, production technology and entrepreneurship. Emphasis is placed on building with steel and wood as well as renovation work.

Heating, plumbing and ventilation (HVAC) technology plays an ever-increasing role in the implementation of a construction project. Students specialising in heating, plumbing and ventilation learn how to design and install such systems when building new buildings and renovating old ones.

Teaching in the Degree Programme in Construction Engineering emphasises project learning. The projects are carried out together with various companies. Students work in modern designing environments and use the latest software. The studies include practical training and a final thesis, which students complete during the last year of their studies. The faculty has a broad range of international connections, which offer students opportunities to work and study abroad.

Occupational profiles

Typical job positions for engineers having completed this programme include construction and HVAC planning, production, management, import operations, and marketing in the fields of construction and HVAC. They may also work as entrepreneurs. Job titles include structural designer and HVAC designer, financial planner, planning director, project manager, HVAC inspector, building inspector, developer, property manager, foreman, or managing director.

Access to further studies

Students who have completed this programme and in addition have acquired three years' field-related experience are eligible to continue on to a university of applied sciences master's degree programme in construction engineering. (University of applied sciences act 351/2003, in Finnish)

Course structure

Courses in the Basic Studies introduce students to the engineering sciences and language studies and develop students' social skills.

The Professional Studies in the Line of Specialisation in Building Construction concentrate on structural design, building production, cost calculations, and business management.

The Professional Studies for the Line of Specialisation in Heating, Plumbing and Ventilation Technology deal with heating and plumbing technology, ventilation and air-conditioning technology, energy efficiency, and business management.

The programme also includes supervised practical training (30 cr) in field-related companies, Project Studies (15 cr), elective studies (10 cr), and a final thesis (15 cr). The degree programme has strong ties with universities of applied sciences in Europe, which offers students excellent opportunities to study or work abroad.

Examination regulations, assessment and grading

Please see the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.

Graduation requirements

Please see the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.

Mode of study

The younger students study full-time in the degree programme, while the students in the adult education programme study part-time through various modes of study.

Contact persons

Head of degree programme: Mr Heikki Ylihärsilä, tel.: +358 40 830 4153, heikki.yliharsila(at)seamk.fi

Student counsellor: Ms Marita Viljanmaa, tel.: +358 40 830 2192, marita.viljanmaa(at)seamk.fi

ECTS department coordinator / International coordinator: Mr Tapio Pihlajaniemi, tel.: +358 40 830 3966, tapio.pihlajaniemi(at)seamk.fi

Student Affairs Office: +358 20 124 4903, tekniikka(at)seamk.fi

ops.seamk.fi - Kampusranta 11, 2nd floor (Frami F), 60320 SEINÄJOKI - Puhelin: +358 20 124 5000 - Faksi: +358 20 124 5001 - opintotoimisto@seamk.fi