Degree Regulations
Education
The operation and granting of degrees at VAMK is based on license granted by the Finnish Government to Oy Vaasan ammattikorkeakoululle – Vasa yrkeshögskola Ab (VAMK, University of Applied Sciences)
The language of tuition and examination at VAMK, University of Applied Sciences is Finnish. Degree programmes in Finnish can include study units or study modules implemented in English or Swedish when it is serving the purpose in the field that is being studied and it supports the student’s internationalization. Correspondingly, degree programmes in English can include study units and study modules in Finnish to support the student’s integration into Finnish working life.
The scope of the programmes leading to a Polytechnic (bachelor) degree is between 210 and 240 credits. A credit is defined so that the total work load of the student to attain the objectives corresponds to 60 credits (1600 hours). The scope of the programmes leading to higher Polytechnic (master) is 60 or 90 credits.
Polytechnic Degrees and degree titles provided by VAMK, University of Applied Sciences as follows:
Business and Administration
- Tradenomi (AMK), (Bachelor of Business Administration), 210 cr.
The fields within the educational responsibility: Business Economics and Information Processing
Health Care and Social Services
- Sairaanhoitaja (AMK), 210 cr.
- Sosionomi (AMK), 210 cr.
- Terveydenhoitaja (AMK), 240 cr.
Technology
- Insinööri (AMK) (Bachelor of Engineering), 240 cr.
The fields within the educational responsibility: Construction and Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Automation Technology, Energy and Environmental Technology, ICT, Mechanical Engineering.
Master degrees and related degree titles:
Business and Administration, master degree (UAS)
- Tradenomi (ylempi AMK), 90 cr.
Technology, master degree (UAS)
- Insinööri (ylempi AMK), 60 cr.
Health Care and Social Services, master degree (UAS)
- Sairaanhoitaja (ylempi AMK), 90 cr.
- Sosionomi (ylempi AMK), 90 cr.
- Terveydenhoitaja (ylempi AMK), 90 cr.
VAMK, University of Applied Sciences has a responsibility to take care that those student who have started their degree prior to the current license came into force have a right to take their degree and be granted the degree title at VAMK, University of Applied Sciences in accordance with the legislation that was in force prior to the current license.
These degree regulations are in force starting from 1 August 2024.
Right to Study
The general mission of University of Applied Sciences is in accordance with the provisions of the Universities of Applied Sciences Act 932/2014 and the Universities of Applied Sciences Decree 1129/2014.
The mission of VAMK University of Applied Sciences is to provide education based on the requirements of the working life and its development and on the premises of academic research and academic and artistic education and to support the professional growth of an individual. While implementing this task, VAMK University of Applied Sciences is to promote continuous learning.
The operating license of VAMK University of Applied Sciences determines the degrees and related degree titles that it is to grant. The language of tuition and examination at VAMK is Finnish. University of Applied Sciences (UAS) Bachelor’s degrees and UAS Master’s degrees can be taken at VAMK.
VAMK University of Applied Sciences can arrange specialisation education in the fields defined by the licence, provided that the University of Applied Sciences is a partner in the joint agreement between universities of applied sciences.
Along with the educational task, VAMK provides teaching integrated research and development (R&D) services that are based on the needs of working life. The R&D focuses on promoting regional development and cooperation with small and medium sized companies.
The operation and granting of degrees at VAMK is based on license granted by the Finnish Government to Oy Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu– Vasa yrkeshögskola Ab (VAMK University of Applied Sciences)
The UAS degrees taken at VAMK are Bachelor’s degrees and higher UAS degrees are Master’s degrees. The scope of the programmes leading to UAS Bachelor’s degree is 210 credits and 240 credits. The scope of the programmes leading to UAS Master’s degree is 60 or 90 credits.
The general objective of the degree programmes leading to UAS Bachelor’s degree is that student acquires the necessary knowledge and skills, in accordance with the requirements of the working life and its development, to be able to work in professional expert tasks. The objective of the studies is to attain:
1) Extensive and practical basic knowledge and skills and theoretical base to be able to work in expert tasks
2) Prerequisites for following up the field in question, keeping up-to-date with it and developing it
3) Willingness for self-development and continuous learning
4) Adequate communication and language skills and
5) Skills required to work in international contexts in the field in question
The objective of the studies leading to a higher UAS degree, in accordance with the requirements of working life and its development, is that the student acquires an adequate knowledge and skills base and abilities to work in development tasks and other such tasks that require special expertise in working life.
The general objective of the degree programmes leading to UAS Bachelor’s degree is that student acquires the necessary knowledge and skills, in accordance with the requirements of the working life and its development, to be able to work in professional expert tasks. (asetus 1129/2014 § 2).
The studies in a programme leading to a UAS degree are planned so that it is possible for a student to complete at least 60 credits each academic year. The planning and implementation of studies and graduation is supported by study guidance.
Studies belonging to a UAS Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree can be completed as Open University of Applied Sciences studies for completion of which the student obtains a time and contents restricted study right to study. There are no basic educational requirements for the Open UAS studies, excluding UAS Master’s studies, participation in which requires an appropriate Bachelor’s degree and two years of work experience in the related field from the date of award of the bachelor degree. It is not possible to complete a UAS degree through Open UAS studies.
A degree student at Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu, University of Applied Sciences cannot be granted a right to study for Open UAS studies, unless one has enrolled absent for degree studies.
Open UAS studies can be completed in two different ways: as path studies or as separate study units.
The same assessment criteria will be applied in Open UAs studies as in studies leading to a degree. The right to study in Open UAS studies is restricted to apply to those study units only on which the student has enrolled. After finishing the studies, the student will receive a transcript of study records of completed studies. A fee can be charged for the Open UAS studies.
A path student is a student who receives a right to study for one academic year and the objective of whom is to apply for a student place through a separate admission procedure in Open Path studies. Path studies is formed the first-year studies. Students of Open UAS are not entitled for Credit transfer, yet Open UAS student is able to transfer studies from other higher education institutions through cross-institutional studies, given that studies have been completed during active study right .
After finishing the path studies, the student will receive a transcript of study record of completed studies.
Universities of applied sciences may provide education for immigrants free of charge with a view to providing the student with language proficiency and other knowledge and skills needed for studying at a university of applied sciences.
Universities of applied sciences may also provide professional specialisation programmes, degree modules as continuing education, as open university of applied sciences education or as other non-degree studies, and other continuing education.
Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu, University of Applied Sciences admits students, through either a joint application or separate admission procedure, complying with the selection criteria decided by the President. The intake for degree programmes and study offering is decided by Vaasa University of Applied Sciences board. A right to study is created when the student accepts the student place at Studyinfo.fi or some other way indicated by the UAS.
The original certificates and diplomas of admitted students are checked at the beginning of the semester if not received electronically. The student place is conditional until the grades and work experience are checked. The UAS can revoke the student place if the student has not submitted the required certificates within the time indicated or if the applicant has submitted false information of his or her grades or work experience. The revocation of the student place is decided by the Board of University of Applied Sciences. Before revoking the student place, a necessary inquiry into the matter has to be made and the student must be given an opportunity to be heard.
The Admissions Services is responsible for checking the certificates, information and instructions concerning the process.
The student can apply for rectification concerning the admittance from the Board of Examiners Sciences within 14 days from the publication of the results.
Admission to Open UAS takes place as a rule according to the order of registration to the study units or another way indicated by VAMK.
Universities of applied sciences may organise degree studies which are geared to a group of students and which have been commissioned and paid for by the Finnish State, another state, an international organisation, a Finnish or foreign public corporation, a foundation or a private corporation (commissioned education).
Students participating in commissioned education are governed by sections 25–27, 33–40 and 57–61, of this Act. Tuition provided in the form of commissioned education shall relate to a field of education specified in the authorisation to provide education of the university of applied sciences. The organisation of commissioned education may not undermine the undergraduate and graduate education provided by the university of applied sciences. Universities of applied sciences may not organise commissioned education if it is evident that the education is commissioned for the purpose of circumventing the student admissions procedure specified in section 28.
The universities of applied sciences shall charge a fee for commissioned education covering at least the costs incurring from it. The party who commissions the education is entitled to charge participating students fees in accordance with the legal provisions or other practices in the country where the education is offered. However, the party commissioning the education may not charge fees from citizens of states belonging to the European Economic Area or from persons or their family members who are deemed comparable to European Union citizens under European Union treaties or under a treaty concluded by the European Union and its Member States with another contracting party. Nor may the party commissioning the education charge fees from persons who, under the Aliens Act (301/2004), have been granted a European Union Blue Card, a continuous or a permanent residence permit or a long-term resident’s European Union residence permit issued to third-country nationals, nor from any family members of the above. The Aliens Act applies to the definition of persons regarded as family members.
VAMK, University of Applied Sciences takes transfer students. A transfer student is a student who is admitted to take studies leading to an academic degree and whose right to study is transferred from one institute of higher education to another or within the institute to another degree programme, so that the degree title related to the degree changes. Transfer students within the UAS can be selected separately from other transfer students.
VAMK can take transfer students by following the selection criteria laid down by the President. The Study counsellor will decide on the approval of the transfer application.
The student can apply for rectification concerning the admittance from the VAMK Board of Examiners, within 14 days after the results have been published.
A student of VAMK can apply for the internal transfer to another degree programme. The transfer can take place only at the turn of semesters and at the beginning of the second semester at the earliest. A prerequisite for the transfer is that the student has completed at least 55 credits per academic year. The transfer to an English-medium degree programme requires a proof of language skills as indicated by VAMK: The transfer is applied using a separate application form.
The student can also apply for the change of mode of completion of the degree (full-time, part-time/blended learning, online). The change of group can be accepted for a justified reason if the degree programme has a possibility to take the student.
The Study Counsellor makes the decision on the internal transfer. The right to study is considered to have started when the student has accepted the student place for the first time. The student can apply for rectification concerning the admittance from the VAMK Board of Examiners, within 14 days after being informed of the decision.
Exchange students are mainly accepted from those higher education institutes abroad with whom Vaasa University of Applied Sciences has a valid student exchange agreement. As exchange students are regarded students taking a joint degree, students in short student exchange (under 3 months) and student groups that are admitted though education export.
The student in degree education must enrol for attendance or non-attendance for each academic year according to the stipulations and time announced by the UAS.
The enrolment is made for the complete academic year, if the student has right to study left. The enrolment per academic year can be changed at the turn of the semester during the enrolment time. The student in student exchange or going into student exchange has to enrol for attendance. Neglect of enrolment responsibility leads to forfeiting the right of study.
A non-attending student has no right to complete studies or gain study attainments at UAS in which He/She has enrolled absent. A non-attending student has no right for financial aid, meal subsidy, travel discounts, FSHS health services or any benefits brought by the Student Union membership.
Student whose study right has commenced 1.8.2015 or later can enroll absent for the first academic year only due to legal reasons: military/ non-military service, maternity or paternity leave or due to sickness or injury. Documents stating the legal reason for absence must be delivered to Admission Services during the set time period.
Students have an obligation to keep their contact information up-to-date throughout their studies.
A student who has been granted a discretionary extension to the duration of studies and who has exceeded his/her normative duration of studies cannot enrol for non-attendance.
The student who has neglected the enrolment responsibility can apply for the reinstatement of the right to study. The reinstatement of the right to study must be applied while the quantitative study right is in force. The reinstatement is applied using an electronic application and a processing charge of 50€ will be collected from the student (A1440/2014). The time passed after the neglect of enrolment spends the student’s non-attendance periods, provided that the student has any left. The reinstatement of the right to study is made, if the student has a realistic opportunity to complete the studies in the time remaining. The right is returned from the beginning of the next term. The Director of Unit decides about the reinstatement of the right to study. The decision has to be made within one month after the student has paid the processing charge.
VAMK charges a tuition fee, in accordance with the Universities of Applied Sciences Act, for students coming from outside the EU and European Economic Area and studying in English-medium degree programmes. Students liable to pay the tuition have to pay the tuition fee in order to enrol for attendance. In case an admitted student does not pay the tuition fee within the time indicated by the UAS, and does not enrol for non-attendance, he or she has neglected the enrolment and will forfeit the right of study. The UAS has scholarship fund, to which separate regulations are applied. VAMK has a scholarship committee, who processes scholarship applications in accordance with the scholarship criteria and appendix to scholarship criteria. The scholarship committee’s composition is defined in the appendix to scholarship criteria.
The student who has resigned from VAMK (the right to study has concluded or the student has filed resignation) must by main rule reapply to the Degree Programme through the customary application procedure. VAMK can on the student’s application reinstate the right to study without the customary application procedure if the amount of lacking studies is 30 credits at maximum and the student has a plan to complete the studies.
Student whose study right has started 1.8.2015 or after can apply restoration of study right directly with a separate application form. Students whose study right has started before 1.8.2015 must apply restoration through separate application at Studyinfo. Admission criteria for separate application is decided by rector separately.
Student who owns a study right in other Finnish higher education institution, can apply restoration of study right to complete remaining studies and degree at Vaasa University of Applied Sciences. Admission is applied through joint or separate application. Admissions criteria for both are decided separately on a yearly basis.
The targeted duration of studies refers to the scope of studies to be completed in years. The targeted duration of studies in years is in the scope of studies divided by 60 as defined in the curriculum of the Degree Programme (OPS) or in the Individual Study Plan (HOPS). The students must complete their studies within a period that exceeds the extent of the programme by no more than a year, at the latest. The duration of non-attendance is excluded from the maximum length of studies (L932/2014).
The studies are arranged in such a way that a full time student can complete the studies in the time corresponding to their scope. According to the Decree (932/2014), a full time student is defined as a student studying in the programme leading to a degree.
The duraton of study in case of specialisation education is determined according to the implementation time of the education and the right of study can be extended for one semester. The student in specialisation education cannot enrol for non-attendance.
After the student has expended the targeted duration of studies, the right to study of the student terminates. When the student has received notice of the termination of the study right time, the student can for special reason, based on application, be granted the maximum of one year of discretionary extension to the study right time to complete the studies. For exceptionally weighty reasons, the previously extended study right time can be further extended, provided that the studies have progressed during the extension, the amount of remaining studies is reasonable, or the termination of right to study would be unreasonable for the student due to the student’s life situation.
An application for discretionary extension of study right time must be received while the student still has study time remaining. The student submits an electronic application and a processing charge of 50€ will be collected from the student (A1440/2014). A detailed and feasible study plan is a precondition for the discretionary extension to be granted. In particular, the student application must account for the amount of lacking studies, status of thesis and work placement, study plan on the completion of the missing studies, reason for delay in studies and date by which the student is committed to complete the studies. The Director of Unit makes the decision over extension of study right time. The decision has to be made within one month after the student has paid the processing charge.
The additional clause concerning the revocation and reinstatement of the right of study in the field of Health Care and Social Services, see 17§.
The student can apply for rectification concerning the restitution of the right of study from the VAMK Board of Examiners, no later than 14 days after within 14 days after being informed of the decision.
Regulations concerning non-attendance are determined according to the time the student has accepted the student place. The student who has accepted a student place at the UAS in a degree programme that has started prior to 1 August 2015 can enrol for non-attendance for no more than four semesters without consuming the study right time. The non-attendance in this case is not included in the targeted duration of studies.
A student who has accepted a student place in a degree programme that has started after 1 August 2015 can enrol for non-attendance for the first academic, provided he or she is in active service in accordance with the Conscription Act), the Non-Military Service Act or the Women’s Voluntary Military Service Act, or he or she is on maternity, paternity or parental leave. Non-attendance for reasons mentioned above is excluded from the normative duration of studies. In addition, a student can enrol for non-attendance for some other reason for no more than two semesters without consuming the study right time. Non-attendance in this case is excluded the normative duration of studies.
Documents stating legal right for absence for the first academic year must be delivered to Admission Services within separately agreed time period.
The student whose right to study has been reinstated has after the reinstatement the right to enrol for non-attendance in case he or she had study right time left when the right to study terminated. If the student’s study right time has all been used, the student has no right to enrol for non-attendance during the study right time granted with the reinstatement of right to study.
Only degree students have a right to be absent.
In case the student does not complete the degree within the normative duration of studies, he or she can apply for extension of the right to study to complete the degree. The student must apply for the extension when he or she still has study right time left. The extension will not be granted if the student already has all required study attainments for the degree.
As a rule, extension is granted for completing a UAS degree or higher UAS degree only once and for no more than two semesters, provided that the following criteria are met: the scope of lacking studies is worth no more than one year’s studies and the student has presented a goal-oriented and feasible plan for completing the studies. The extension is granted in full semesters. Extension can be granted for more than two semesters based on life situation of the student, in which case the justified reasons include the student’s or his her close relative’s illness or injury, exceptionally difficult life situation, positions of trust and other societal engagement during studies and top-level sports. In all cases mentioned above, the student must submit his or her own account of the situation and verify it with a reliable document.
If the student does not complete the degree during the extension, he or she can be granted additional extension if the student has participated in instruction or has otherwise proved that willingness to complete the degree. If no proof of studies exist, the student’s or his her close relative’s illness or injury, exceptionally difficult life situation, positions of trust and other societal engagement during studies and top-level sports can be approved as justified reasons. In all cases mentioned above, the student must submit his or her own account of the situation and verify it with a reliable document.
The student applies the extension using an electronic application. The student must attach a goal-oriented and feasible plan and a schedule for completing the studies.
A processing charge of 50€ will be collected from the student (A1440/2014). The student cannot enroll for non-attendance during the extension. If the extension is not granted, the student will forfeit his or her right to study. The student can apply for rectification concerning the admittance from the VAMK Board of Examiners, within 14 days after being informed of the decision.
Based on the enrolment responsibility, a student at VAMK who has neglected the responsibility to enrol for attendance or non-attendance during the study right time will forfeit his or her right to study. A student who has study right time left and who, due to neglect of enrolment responsibility, has forfeited his or her right to study at the end of the previous semester, can apply for the reinstatement of the right to study. The right to study can be reinstated to the same or to a corresponding degree programme, to which the previous right to study applied.
Accordingly, a student at VAMK who has statutory study right time left and who, due to neglect of enrolment responsibility, has forfeited his or her right to study prior to the end of the previous semester can apply for the reinstatement of the right to study. The right to study will always be reinstated when if the student has study right time left. Simultaneously, the student will be granted a new study right time equivalent of 60 credits per academic year as a full-time student. The right to study, as a rule, can be reinstated from the beginning of the following semester. The student submits an electronic application. A processing charge of 50€ will be collected from the student (A1440/2014). A student who has not completed the studies during the actual study right time or during the extension, will forfeit the right to study. The student can apply for rectification concerning the admittance from the VAMK Board of Examiners, within 14 days after being informed of the decision. A student who has had a right to study at VAMK can apply for the reinstatement of the right to study in order to complete his or her studies.
The right to study can be reinstated only to the same or corresponding degree programme to which the previous right to study applied. In case of a favourable decision, the student will be granted a new study right time defined in full semesters during which the studies will have to be completed. The student submits an electronic application. A processing charge of 50€ will be collected from the student (A1440/2014). The student can apply for rectification concerning the admittance from the VAMK Board of Examiners, within 14 days after being informed of the decision.
Students of another UAS. A student who has had a tight to study in another Finnish UAS can apply a right to study at VAMK in a joint application or in a separate application to complete the studies.
Tuition fee responsibility applies to all semesters, which the student is attending. If the student does not pay the tuition fee by the time indicated by the UAS and does not enrol for non-attendance, he or she will forfeit the right to study. The forfeiture of the right to study will be reported to the Finnish Immigration Service.
Studies
The objective of student counselling is that the student will receive guidance when needed to complete the degree within the normative duration of studies. The aim is a healthy and competent individual who will be employed in a position that corresponds his or her education. The student has a right to receive student counselling throughout the studies. The student has a responsibility to progress in the studies and participate in the student counselling. The group Tutor’s Handbook defines how counselling takes place at VAMK.
The language of tuition and examination at VAMK, University of Applied Sciences is Finnish. Degree programmes in Finnish can include study units or study modules implemented in English when it is serving the purpose in the field that is being studied and it supports the student’s internationalization. Correspondingly, degree programmes in English can include study units and study modules in Finnish to support the student’s integration into Finnish working life. The language of tuition is determined in the approved curricula of each degree programme. Performances are mostly completed in the language of the study unit or competence area.
The curricula of the degree programmes leading to a (UAS) Bachelor’s degree consist of core studies, professional specialisation studies, free-choice studies, work placement to promote professional skills, thesis and maturity test. The degree programmes are divided into specialisations in which part of the studies focus on a particular sector in the professional field on which the degree programme is based. To obtain the right to practise the profession, in the degree programmes in social services and health care, the Act and Decree on professional staff in public health service (559/94 and 564/94) are complied with in addition to the EU directive 2013/55/EU.
The studies leading to a (UAS) Master’s degree consist of specialised professional studies, free-choice studies and thesis.
The studies are planned and delivered in study periods that form the basic unit with studies. Study periods may belong to compulsory, optional or free-choice studies. In the study unit descriptions of the curriculum for each degree program the name, scope in credits, objectives, subject content to be dealt with, prerequisites, study and assessment methods, learning materials, time of delivery and teacher responsible for each study unit are determined. All students draw up a personal study plan for themselves, which is updated regularly. The President accepts the curricula for the degree programmes based on the discussions in the Management Team.
The student must through studies in a degree programme or otherwise prove to have attained:
1) such a proficiency in Finnish and Swedish language, in provision with Decree (424/2003) on public body employees, that is required in an office where an academic degree is required in bilingual administrative district, and which is necessary for attending to professional tasks and professional development, and
2) such a proficiency in one or two foreign languages in writing and speech, which is necessary for attending to professional duties and for professional personal development.
The stipulations of 1§ do not apply for a student who has received schooling and education in some other language than Finnish or Swedish, and a student who has received schooling and education abroad, are excluded. The language proficiency of such students is decided by the Study Counsellor of unit.
The proficiency in language that the student has showed is indicated in the degree certificate. With regard to assessment scale in the second national language proficiency, closer information is given below in this chapter. Regarding the practices in language instruction and entries concerning languages in the degree certificate, national recommendations are complied with (attachment).
The correspondence of language studies in the UAS relates to the Act 424/2003, section 6 on the requirement of proficiency in the second national language in a public sector office in bilingual administrative district, that is, an entry with regard to the level of attainment in the second national language, Good or Satisfactory. In accordance with national guidelines, in the assessment of language proficiency as stipulated by 42472003, grades 1-3 corresponds to assessment Satisfactory and grades 4-5 correspondingly Good.
A student can be exempted from language studies if the student has received his primary and/or secondary education in other language than Finnish or Swedish, or the student has received his primary and/or secondary education abroad, or the student has been diagnosed with severe dyslexia. The student has to complete a corresponding amount of other language studies to compensate for the exempted study unit.
An attending student has a right to complete studies leading to a degree and receive grades. The student enrols for each study unit he or she plans to participate and complete on the Pakki desktop. The students will be informed of any separate enrolment practices.
If the student has enrolled for a study unit but does not participate or contact the teacher, the study unit will be grades as a fail.
The study unit descriptions are available on the Peppi system, and they include the contents of the study unit, completion methods, retake opportunities and assessment criteria. In addition, the ending time of the study unit is agreed, after which no performances are accepted. The retake opportunities are to be introduced on the first contact lesson and in accordance with the procedure defined in Peppi.
Enrollments into study unit implementatitions are approved by teacher, after the enrollment period. Enrollment can be rejected if student has already completed all the studies required in the curriculum.
The objective of the thesis as part of a UAS degree is to develop and demonstrate the student’s readiness to apply his or her knowledge and skills in a practical expert assignment related to professional studies.
The objective of the thesis of the (UAS) Master’s degree is to develop and demonstrate ability to apply and use research data and use selected methods in analysing and solving problems relevant in working life and to demonstrate readiness for challenging expert work.
As a rule, the thesis is written in the language of the degree programme. Exception can be allowed under certain circumstances, e.g. if student is completing double degree, or there is a client’s demand. Prerequisite is that appropriate thesis supervisor can be pointed to thesis project. The final decision is made by the Head of Education and Research.
Thesis must be written according to the Thesis instruction.
To be awarded a degree, the student has to write a maturity test related to the topic of the thesis. The maturity test demonstrates knowledge in the field and skills in Finnish or Swedish. The maturity test is written in the language of the student’s primary and/or secondary education. If the student has received primary and/or secondary education in some other language than Finnish or Swedish, the maturity test is written in the language of the degree programme or the Study Counsellor can agree with the student about taking the maturity test in some other language.
After submitting a graduation application, student cannot apply for rectification to his/her study assessments, without postponing the graduation.
After submitting a graduation application, student cannot enroll in new study unit implementations as a degree student.
The assessment of learning is based on the study unit’s learning objectives and assessment criteria described in the curriculum. The assessment criteria are specified in the study unit’s implementation plan and the teacher explains the criteria for the students at the beginning of each study period. The teacher of the study period is responsible for making sure that the assessment is registered into the Peppi system database within one month (4 work weeks) from the completion of the performance or from the last return date of the learning assignment. If the assessment is delayed, teacher of the implementation or thesis supervisor must notify student.
The attainment of the learning outcomes leading to UAS degrees is assessed by means of oral or written performances, demonstrations of skills, assignments or by other reliable methods.
The scale of grades is the following: Excellent (5), Very good (4) Good (3), Satisfactory (2) Passable (1) and Fail (0) or as follows: Pass (S), Fail (0).
The teacher who receives the performance of the student assesses the performance. The student has a right to receive information on the application of assessment criteria to the given performance. The procedure as defined in the act on Universities of Applied Sciences 932/2014 and the Decree (1129/2014) is complied with at the rectification of assessment.
The student who is not satisfied with the assessment and the feedback given can submit a rectification claim to the teacher who gave the assessment within 14 days after the publication of the grade. The student who is not satisfied with the written account from the teacher to the rectification can apply for the rectification in writing from the Board of Examiners within 14 days from receiving the teacher’s account. The claim for rectification, addressed to the Board of Examiners, is submitted to the Study Affairs Office. The Board of Examiners will process the claim within 30 days after the reception of the claim, excluding July. The Board of Examiners base their decision on the statements and accounts they acquire. The decision of the Board of Examiners cannot be appealed. The Board of Examiners have their own regulations.
The performance of a study period can be retaken the maximum of two times, within a one year, from the ending date of study unit implementation marked in Peppi. The student has a right to raise a passed grade once within one year from the ending date of study unit implementation marked in Peppi. The teacher of the study unit decides how the raising is to take place. Failing to raise the grade does not lower the original grade.
If the assessment is based on a such completion method that it cannot be repeated in regards of assessment method (for example pair or group exam, major project assignment), student cannot raise the course grade.
If student has not passed the course despite of retakes, or the implementation has ended more than 1 year ago, student must enroll in study unit implementation again.
In social-and healthcare field, Head of Education and Research or Study Counsellor, can admit additional retake for justified reasons in situation that enrolling into to course implementation would slow down the completion of practical training is social and healthcare field.
The grade of the thesis cannot be raised.
Passed study attainments will not be deleted from the study records, nor will their scope, evaluation scale or assessment date be retroactively changed. Student cannot enroll in study unit implementation if already approved.
To take a UAS degree the student must prove to have attained the skills objectives as stated in the curriculum. The assessment of the correspondence of prior studies is based on the curriculum of the degree programme. Hereby, correspondence refers to the correspondence in level, objective, field of knowledge and subject content.
The assessment process of correspondence is based on written certificates or performance given by the student. The expert teacher defines the performances and demonstrations and assesses them in the same way as any other completion of the study unit.
In case the student of Open UAS is admitted to study at VAMK, credit transfer takes place with regard to the studies completed in Open UAS according to the subject content of each Degree Programme.
The decision on the credit transfer of the corresponding studies is taken by the study counsellor. The decision is made within one month from the submittal of the application to the Study Affairs Office. The credit transfer is applied with an original certificate/diploma.
In general, student can include curriculum specific amount of optional studies into his/her degree studies.
The student can apply for the rectification in writing from the Board of Examiners within 14 days after the student has had a possibility to learn about the decision. The claim for rectification is submitted to the Study Affairs Office which will pass it on the Board of Examiners. The decision of the Board of Examiners cannot be appealed.
There is a separate instruction for the recognition and validation of prior studies.
To graduare the student must apply for the diploma with an online application form. The application must be submitted while the student still has a valid right to study and student has enrolled present for the semester. A requirement for graduation is that the student has completed all studies in compliance with the degree requirements and curriculum.
To complete a UAS degree the student must
- participate in the study units of the Degree Programme in its various forms of implementation in such a way that the objectives set are attained
- complete the study periods indicated in the curriculum, which are assessed as defined above
- complete the work placement
- complete the thesis and
- take the maturity test.
The degree certificate is signed by the President electronically. Student received the degree certificate and its attachments electronically. The degree certificate is archived electronically.
The name of the degree, degree programme and specialisation alternatives if needed as well as the degree title that can be used based on the degree and the study units completed by the student, together with their grades and scopes, language skills, the name of the thesis and the language of the maturity test must be indicated in the Diploma. All the graduates receive also the Diploma Supplement certificate in English.
After submitting a graduation application, student cannot apply for rectification to his/her study assessments, without postponing the graduation.
After graduation a degree certificate will be written again only in situation that both Finnish Personal Identity code and first and last name have changed.
Graduation dates are decided separately for each academic year.
After submitting a graduation application, student cannot enroll in new study unit implementations as a degree student.
Miscellaneos Regulations
VAMK, University of Applied Sciences can by the Director of Unit’s order, obligate the student to present a certificate concerning drug testing within a reasonable time limit. This requires justified reasons to suspect that the student is performing tasks belonging to the studies under the influence of drugs or in work placement or that the student is addicted to drugs. A justified suspicion can be based on e.g. teacher’s or work placement supervisor’s observations on the student’s behaviour or on other feedback received that can be considered reliable. The prerequisite is that testing is necessary to determine the student’s ability to function and that the student performs tasks that require special attention, reliability, independent judgment or good reaction ability and in which working under the influence of drugs:
1) Seriously endangers the student him/herself or another’s life and health or
2) Is a serious risk to traffic safety or
3) Seriously endangers the protection or integrity of information protected by secrecy order
4) Significantly increases illegal trade or distribution of substances defined as drugs in drug legislation that are in possession of VAMK, or its maintainer or provider of work placement.
The resolution on the request for the certificate of a drug test is taken by the Director of Unit. The student has to take the drug test immediately, during the day following the request at the latest. The drug tests required by VAMK, University of Applied Sciences are done by The City of Vaasa Student Health Care. VAMK will be responsible for any costs caused by the testing.
Cheating in exams and any other proof of learning is forbidden and the supervisor of the exam event can ask the student to leave the event, according to his or her discretion. It is also forbidden to copy assignments, theses or any other existing material. If proof of the cheating is sufficient, the student will fail in the exam/proof. Before any decisions, the student must be given an opportunity to be heard.
VAMK applies the procedure given by the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity appointed by the Ministry of Education and Culture regarding good scientific practice and dealing with misconduct.
The misconduct process is advised to students and staff with separate instruction. The possible consequences of misconduct for tuition fee paying student are mentioned in the payment and scholarship guideline.
Depending on the seriousness of cheating the sanctions are:
1) a written notification from the Director of School,
2) a written warning from President
3) A decision made by the Board of VAMK, University of Applied Sciences for suspension of the student for fixed period, however, for no more than one year. The decision taken by the Board is appealable and can be appealed to the Administrative Court. The temporary suspension of the student will be enforced, regardless of the appeal, unless the Administrative Court otherwise orders. (Universities of Applied Sciences Act 932/2014, 39 §).
25 § Transitional Provisions and Entry into Force
These degree regulations are in force starting from 1 August 2024.
