An alternative route when you are pursuing a degree
As a path student, you will study a specific study programme for one academic year, which means that you study the first year of your degree programme according to the curriculum. As a path student, you can study at the same pace as the other degree students in the group. The scope of studies in lower degrees is 60 credits, and in higher degrees 15 credits and they are typically completed within one academic year. Path studies enable graduation just as quickly as by starting directly in degree studies.
You can take path studies even if you do not yet have the required prior education for university of applied sciences degree studies.
The application period for path studies starting in autumn 2025 is from 15 July to 29 July 2025.
The application period for path studies starting in spring 2026 is from 27 November to 7 December 2025.
You need finnish social security number.
To whom?
Path studies are for you when:
- You are pursuing a degree program.
- You want to make the most of a gap year.
- You are ready to study intensively for a year.
- You want to study in the same group for the entire year.
- You are pursuing entry through an open pathway.
- You plan to continue your degree program from the second year next year.
Apply for UAS Path Studies
1. Explore the available path study options in our online store. The selection varies by semester.
2. Registration for studies starting in September takes place in July, and for studies starting in January, registration is in November.
3. The right to study in path studies lasts for 12 months alongside a degree student group.
Study places are filled in the order of registration.
5. For issues or inquiries, please contact: avoin@vamk.fi
Explore our path studies and register now!
Once you have completed 60 ECTS credits at the Open University of Applied Sciences, you can apply for degree studies at VAMK through a separate application process. Studies completed in the Open UAS can be credited towards a degree.
Continue Your Incomplete UAS Studies Through the Open UAS
f you have discontinued your studies but wish to complete them, you have the opportunity to do so through the Open University of Applied Sciences at VAMK. Through the Open UAS, you can complete the missing courses. Once you have finished the required studies, you can apply separately for the reinstatement of your study right for the degree. After that, you can graduate.
You can apply for reinstatement to the same or a corresponding degree program in which you were originally enrolled (at Vaasa University of Applied Sciences).
This offers you a way to complete your studies and achieve your degree.
Register for your incomplete studies through our online store
After completing 60 credits of degree-specific studies as part of your path studies, you can apply for the right to be a degree student in a separate application for the Open UAS. In this case, you apply for a student on the basis of the Open UAS studies you have completed. In most programmes, 60 credits can be completed during the first year.
Path studies can however require some competences, if they are necessary for the success of the studies. You are responsible for ensuring that you have the necessary study skills to complete your studies at the UAS and that you are able to progress with the rest of the group. It is particularly important that you have a good command of the language of the programme.
Good written and oral Finnish language skills (at least the intermediate level of the General Language Certificate, level 4, see the descriptions of the skills) are required to complete the studies. For English-language programmes, a good command of English is essential. Students must be able to follow lessons easily and produce essay answers and reports on the subjects studied. No additional instruction is available for language proficiency.
The basic education requirement is an equivalent bachelor’s degree in the field of education in question. If you are planning to apply for a degree programme, please note that you must have at least two years of professional experience in the sector after completing your degree before applying for a degree programme. In Masters’ degree programmes, in order to be eligible to apply for the right to study for a degree, you must have completed 15 credits of open, programme-specific studies. In practice, however, the first year’s studies are usually completed in full.
There are only a few path study places (usually 2-3) per course, so you should register quickly to ensure a place on the course you want.
For spring path studies, teaching starts as follows:
About a week before the beginning of the studies, students who have been allocated a path place will receive an email with information relevant to the start of their studies (including the time and place of the course start, links and instructions to the work schedules and learning environments, and instructions on how to obtain a student ID). You will start your studies with a common orientation session, where you will receive useful information about practical learning.
The fee is 300 euros for university of applied sciences students and 150 euros for master’s level university of applied sciences students. If for any reason you are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible. It is absolutely essential to cancel in advance so that a place can be allocated to a possible reserve. You can cancel your registration within 14 days of registering, before the studies begin by sending an email to verkkokauppa@vamk.fi Cancellations notified at a later date will be charged at half the annual fee. If the course begins before the 14-day cancellation period ends, the right to cancel ends on the start date of the course. Payment of the tuition fee is a prerequisite for participation in the course and for retaining the right to study.
