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The Finnish Online University of Applied Sciences

amk.fi oncampus.fi

30 Nov 2012 Copyright Finnish Online UAS

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Universities and UASs – (universities of applied sciences) in Finland

The Finnish university education system consists of two sectors: universities and universities of applied sciences (UAS). The mission of universities is to conduct scientific research and provide

instruction and postgraduate education based on it. UASs train professionals in response to labour market needs and

conduct R&D which supports instruction and promotes regional development in particular.

Source:http://www.minedu.fi/OPM/Koulutus/ammattikorkeakoulutus/?lang=en

Finnish educational systemLicenciate & Doctoral level

UNIVERSITIES OF APPLIED SCIENCES

BA / B.Sc.

UPPERSECONDARYSCHOOLS

VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS

COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOLS

Upper Stage

Lower Stage

UNIVERSITIES

BA / B.Sc.

AGE

MA / M.Sc.25

24

23

22

21

20

19

19

18

17

16

16

15

14

13

12

11

10

9

8

7

MA / M.Sc.

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Universities and UASs in Finland

Finland has 16 universities and 26 universities of applied sciences. UASs are run either by

local authorities municipal educational consortia private organisations or foundations

UsAS get most of their financing from the Finnish Ministry of Education. In Finland, UsAS give Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, but have no

doctoral level studies. UsAS are oriented to applied sciences and labour market needs.

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Finnish Online University of Applied Sciences

Founded in 2001, was at first called ”the Finnish Virtual Polytechnic”. A consortium of all (26) Finnish universities of applied sciences Based on the Information Strategy of the Finnish Ministry of Education Coordinated by the Development Unit, located at Tampere UAS

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Administration and actorsRectors' Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences

Steering groupChairman: Jouko Paaso, Rector of Oulu UAS

Finnish Online UAS Development Unit

Four councelling groups from UsAS

Administrator of the course exchange system in each UAS

eOfficials of the course exchange system in each UAS

Online UAS contact person in each UAS

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Objectives of the Finnish Online UAS network

To arrange exchange of online courses between all Finnish UAS’s. To develop policies of acceptance of studies between universities of

applied sciences. To offer quality assurance tools for evaluate online materials and

courses To promote modern information and communications technology in

learning.

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The Portal – amk.fi, oncampus.fi

A gateway to educational contents and courses offered by all the Finnish UASs

Centralized e-learning services for everyone interested in learning

Study Services for students (applying for courses online) and staff (handling the applications)

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Study Services

The most important service of the portal, in use since 2001.

UAS students can apply for courses arranged by other Finnish UASs.

The study officials handle the students’ enrollments for courses electronically.

The studying takes place mainly outside the portal. From the technological point of view any educational

institution could easily be added to the system – including foreign universities.

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Study services and search for courses

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Two-phase acceptance for the students’ applications

The student applies for a course arranged by

another UAS. The home university of the student supports

(or does not support) the student’s electronic application for a course arranged in another

UAS The receiving university (the university

arranging the course) givesits acceptancefor the student’s application.

The student gets an e-mail and instructions how to start the course. The information system as such could easily be used with foreign

universities

Application and administration process

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Financial issues

The studies via the Finnish Online UAS are free of charge for Finnish UAS degree students.

The money transfer only takes places between the universities. Money transfers are invisible for the student.

The home university of the student pays for studies the student takes at another UAS.

The receiving university (arranging the course) gets a payment for each incoming student / course.

Numbers of courses on oncampus.fi portal2003 - 2011

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Opintojaksojen lkm 192 363 548 494 682 707 811 893 845

50

150

250

350

450

550

650

750

850

950

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More information

oncampus.fi

30 Nov 2012 Copyright Finnish Online UAS