Section 1 – Scope of Application
These university regulations are applied to degrees taken at the University of Vaasa and to studies, instruction and studying included therein and, as applicable, to education provided as open university instruction and continuing education.
In addition to these university regulations, the provisions of the Universities Act (558/2009), Act on the implementation of the Universities Act (559/2009), and the Government Decree on University Degrees (794/2004) and regulations based on this legislation are applied to the degrees and studying.
Section 2 – Degree-Awarding Education
The Appendix to these university regulations lists the University’s fields of study, the lower and higher degrees and the major subjects, the degree programmes and lines of study for Master of Science in Technology degree, and the scientific postgraduate degrees and separate degree-awarding programmes (Master’s degree programmes).
The Faculties may establish separate degree programmes leading to a Master’s degree, so-called Master’s degree programmes. In these programmes, the advanced level studies may also consist of interdisciplinary study modules. An interdisciplinary programme shall belong to a field of study included in the Faculty’s educational responsibility and shall provide qualification for postgraduate studies in a major subject included in that field of study.
The University may arrange degree education geared to a group of students (made-to-order education) in accordance with Section 9 of the Universities Act. Instruction given as made-to-order education must relate to undergraduate or postgraduate education in which the University has the right to award degrees. The arrangement of made-to-order education may not undermine the undergraduate or postgraduate education provided by the University.
The University Senate decides on establishing or discontinuing a subject that includes advanced studies, a corresponding module or a degree programme, except in cases where the changing of educational responsibility would require amendments to the Ministry of Education Decree. It is the responsibility of the University Senate to make a proposal for the Ministry of Education to change the educational responsibility of the University.
The Faculty decides on establishing and discontinuing subjects other than major subjects.
Section 3 – Continuing Education, Open University Instruction, and Visiting Students
In addition to degree-awarding education, the University provides continuing education and open university instruction. The Faculties also offer the opportunity to pursue studies included in the normal curriculum as a visiting student.
The Levón Institute is in charge of planning and organising the continuing education and open university instruction in cooperation with the Faculties and Departments. Based on the approval of the Faculties, the Levón Institute produces the open university’s curriculum for the academic year. The curriculum also includes open university education provided in cooperation with other educational institutions.
The Faculties may grant admission to visiting students to take individual courses or study modules, in accordance with the national agreement on flexible right to study (JOO), and to open university students who want to supplement the studies required by using the open university route. Visiting students may also gain admission on professional grounds to supplement the qualifications acquired by the previously completed academic degree.
Section 4 – Eligibility for Studies Leading to a Degree
The eligibility for studies leading to a university degree is enacted in the Universities Act (558/2009). The Subsection 1 of Section 37 in the Universities Act enacts the eligibility for studies leading only to a lower university degree and to both a lower and a higher university degree. The eligibility for studies leading only to a higher university degree is enacted in Subsection 3 of Section 37, and the eligibility for studies leading to an academic or artistic postgraduate degree in Subsection 5.
Eligible for studies leading to a degree may also be a person whom the University judges otherwise to have sufficient knowledge and skills for the studies, even if the person is not considered eligible on the basis of previous education as referred to in the Universities Act.
The Faculty may require a student admitted to study for a higher university degree to complete supplementary studies of an extent requiring a maximum of one year of studies in order to acquire the knowledge and skills needed for the studies as specified by the Faculty’s degree regulations.
The Faculty may require a student admitted to study for a postgraduate degree to complete the necessary supplementary studies in order to acquire the knowledge and skills needed for the studies.
The Faculties determine the lower degrees that are applicable as a basis for Master's degree studies and confirm the admission criteria for candidates with an applicable degree and the possible supplementary studies required.
Every applicant’s eligibility for higher education shall be separately ensured prior to the actual admission.
Section 5 – Admission Criteria and Admission Process
The University Senate determines the general principles of student admission and monitors the achievement of the objectives set for student admission.
The University Senate determines annually the number of students to be admitted. The Faculty Board makes a proposal to the University Senate of the number of students to be admitted to the Faculty.
The Faculty Board determines the admission criteria. The Dean accepts the new students and makes decisions concerning the requests for rectification of the student selection. The University Services unit is responsible for the practical implementation of the student admission process, and for the communications and guidance in the admission process. The Faculties are responsible for developing the content of the student admission process and for evaluating the process.
The Faculty may agree to carry out student admission in cooperation with one or more universities.
The Faculty Board of the Faculty of Business Studies determines the admission criteria of the study programmes of Industrial Management and Computer Science leading to a degree in Business Studies and organised by the Faculty of Technology. The Faculty Board of the Faculty of Business Studies also makes a proposal to the University Senate of the number of students to be admitted to these study programmes after consulting the Faculty of Technology.
As regards the general admissions, the student selection shall be arranged through the joint university application system as enacted by Section 36 of the Universities Act.
A student may accept only one study place leading to a degree in a degree programme belonging to the joint university or joint polytechnic application and beginning during the same semester.
When postgraduate students are selected, the applicant’s study and research plan and the unit’s resources are taken into account. The Faculty provides more explicit regulations on the admission requirements and criteria regarding postgraduate degrees.
The Levón Institute selects the students for the continuing education and open university instruction it provides.
Section 6 – Rectification of Student Admission Result
An applicant who is dissatisfied with the admission results may apply in writing to the Dean for rectification within 14 days of the day when the admission results were released. The admission results may not be changed to the detriment of any other admitted person in consequence of the rectification request.
An appeal against a decision given in a rectification procedure may be lodged with an Administrative Court, as prescribed in the Administrative Judicial Procedure Act (586/96).
Section 7 – Right to Study
A student admitted by the University who has announced that they will enrol as student shall register at the University in a manner determined by the University. A student shall register either as attending or non-attending every year.
A student who has not enrolled in the manner determined by the University or completed his or her studies in the time referred to in Section 41 in the Universities Act or in an extended time referred to in Section 42 and a student who has not been granted extension to the duration of studies shall forfeit his or her right to study. If such a person wishes to start or resume his or her studies at a later point, he or she must reapply in writing to the University for admission. The application can be made without participation in the joint university application referred to in Section 36 in the Universities Act.
Postgraduate students have the right to take a licentiate degree after completing a certain amount of postgraduate studies determined by the Faculty. The licentiate degree includes a licentiate thesis.
The student does not have a right to simultaneously pursue more than one university degree or scientific postgraduate degree in the same field of study at the University of Vaasa.
Students pursuing open university or JOO studies and visiting students are granted the right to study for a specified time, and the content of the studies is limited.
Section 8 – Academic Year
The academic year begins on 1 August and ends on 31 July.
The Rector decides on the general starting and ending dates of instruction, the division of the academic year into periods, and any exemptions from regular instruction schedules concerning the entire university.
Detailed instruction schedules are provided by the Faculties, and in the case of open university instruction and continuing education by the Levón Institute.
Section 9 – Language of Instruction and Examination
The language of instruction and examination at the University is Finnish. If necessary, some other language may be used in the instruction or study attainments, in accordance with the regulations of the curricula.
The University may also decide on using a foreign language as the language of examination.
If a degree is taken in a foreign language, a degree title in English in compliance with the Appendix to the Degree Ordinance shall also be also provided in addition to the degree title and degree certificate in Finnish.
Section 10 – Curricula
The Faculties shall evaluate and develop the degree programmes, the studies included in the degrees and the instruction.
Studies shall be quantified according to the amount of required work, so that the 1,600 working hours required to complete the studies of one academic year equals 60 credit points. One credit point equals one European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credit.
Sufficient time shall be allocated in the curriculum of the academic year for each study attainment, course or other study module. The education shall be organised so that students can take their courses in a logical order and graduate within the allocated time.
The Faculties shall confirm the curricula by the end of May.
The Faculty Board of the Faculty of Business Studies confirms the curricula of the study programmes leading to a degree in Business Studies and organised by the Faculty of Technology (Industrial Management, Computer Science) after consulting the Faculty of Technology.
The curriculum shall provide sufficient information on degrees, study modules and courses to enable planning of the studies and surveillance of the progress in the studies, and to facilitate national and international comparison of study and degree data.
The curriculum shall specify the Department and person in charge of a degree programme, a study module or an individual course.
The annual curricula shall be designed so that students can pursue minor studies in another Faculty at least at basic studies level in accordance with the degree regulations of the Faculties.
The curricula, on instruction provided jointly by two or more faculties or universities, shall be effective when all the faculties/universities responsible for instruction have approved them.
The course programme for the open university is planned jointly by the Faculties and the Levón Institute. The Faculties approve the curricula for the study modules and courses they provide as open university instruction.
Section 11 – Personal Study Plan and the Order of Studies
Each student shall draft a personal study plan (HOPS) to serve as a framework for planning the studies and completing the degree. The Faculty shall provide separate instructions for the drafting and approval of the plan.
In accordance with the two-cycle degree structure, the student shall first complete a lower degree based on upper secondary education, and thereafter a higher university degree based on the lower degree. The curricula and the Faculties' degree regulations determine the general conditions for starting Master level studies before completing the Bachelor's degree. The order of studies can be specified in the personal study plans (HOPS).
Section 12 – Evaluation of Study Attainments
Study attainments are evaluated as passed or failed. The passed study attainment can also be marked according to a five-grade scale, where 5 = excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = good, 2 = satisfactory and 1 = sufficient. It is also possible to use some other evaluation system for the evaluation of Master’s theses, licentiate theses and doctoral theses, in accordance with the Faculties' degree regulations.
If the student is graded for the same course several times, the highest grade will remain in effect.
The curriculum shall specify the teacher / the person granting the credit for the study attainment in question. If the teacher is disqualified or temporarily unable to perform his/her duties, the Dean shall designate another person with required qualification for the task.
The evaluation criteria of study attainments are public, and they shall be based on the objectives specified in the curriculum.
The students have the right to know how the evaluation criteria have been applied to their work, and they shall be given an opportunity to examine their evaluated work.
As regards disqualification of the preliminary examiner, examiner and opponent of a doctoral thesis and licentiate thesis, the regulations of Sections 27–30 in the Administrative Procedure Act (434/2003) are applied. The disqualification principles specified in the Administrative Procedure Act are also applied to other study attainments.
The results of the evaluation shall be released within 30 days of the exam or of the date the work has been submitted for evaluation. When the results are released, the names and grades of students who have passed shall be provided, as well as the number of students who have failed.
The evaluators of Master’s theses shall also provide their statement on the work within 30 days of the date when the thesis was left for inspection in its final form.
For a special reason, the Dean may grant additional time for the evaluation of the work. The students must be informed immediately about the delay and the postponed date of release of the results.
Faculties shall establish grading committees for the evaluation of doctoral dissertations. The grading committee gives a proposal about the approval of the dissertation and the grade to the Dean.
Section 13 – Rectification of the Evaluation of Study Attainments
The Rector appoints a degree committee for a term of maximum 4 years at a time. The University’s degree committee shall consider the requests for rectification of the evaluation of theses included in the advanced level studies, licentiate theses, and doctoral dissertations, as well the appeals against the decisions made on the requests of rectification of other evaluated study attainments.
The student may apply to the degree committee in writing for rectification of the evaluation of a thesis described in subsection 1 within 14 days of the day when the grade was released.
A request for rectification of the evaluation of other study attainments may be submitted by students orally or in writing to the teacher who evaluated the work, within 14 days of the day when the results and the evaluation criteria applied to the work were accessible to the students.
The student may also file a request for rectification of a decision concerning the credit transfer of studies completed elsewhere or concerning the decision about knowledge and skills attested in some other manner counted towards the degree. The request for rectification shall be filed to the teacher or executive body who made the decision. The request for rectification of the credits counted towards the degree may be made within 14 days of the day the decision was served.
The decision concerning a request for rectification shall be provided in writing.
A student who is dissatisfied with the decision made on a request for rectification of other study attainments or on the decision about knowledge and skills attested in some other manner counted towards the degree may bring the matter to the degree committee within 14 days of the date when notice of the decision was served.
An appeal cannot be made against the decision made by the degree committee on the request for rectification of the decision concerning the evaluation of study attainments or counting towards the degree.
Section 14 – Public Availability of Study Attainments
All theses shall be completely public immediately after they have been approved.
Examination answers or corresponding study attainments shall not be given or disclosed to any persons who are not staff members of the Department or otherwise released without the student’s permission.
Written or otherwise recorded, evaluated study attainments shall be kept at least for six months after the results are released. Bachelor and Master’s theses, licentiate theses and doctoral theses shall be kept permanently.
Section 15 – Credit Transfer
In accordance with the Faculty’s decision, students may count studies completed in Finnish or foreign institution of higher education or other educational institution towards their degree, and equivalent studies completed elsewhere may be substituted for studies included in the degree.
Knowledge demonstrated in some other manner may also be counted towards the degree and substituted for studies included in the degree.
Credit transfer is described more explicitly in the Faculty’s degree regulations.
Section 16 – Language Proficiency
In connection with the studies included in a lower or higher university degree, or in some other manner, students shall demonstrate that they have attained the proficiency in Finnish and Swedish that is necessary in their own field and required in bilingual regions according to the Act on the Knowledge of Languages Required of Personnel in Public Bodies (424/2003, section 6, subsection 1) of civil servants in offices requiring a university degree. In addition, knowledge of at least one foreign language is required, so that the students can follow the development of their field and work in an international environment.
The language proficiency requirements do not apply to students who have been educated in some language other than Finnish or Swedish or have been educated abroad. In such cases, the Faculty shall determine the required language skills.
For a special reason, the Faculty may exempt a student from the requisite language skills partly or completely.
Students need not demonstrate their command of Finnish in a maturity essay for a higher university degree if they have demonstrated it in a maturity essay for a lower university degree.
If the student is not required to possess the language skills referred to in subsection 1, the Faculty shall determine the language of the maturity essay separately.
Section 17 – Degree Certificates
The Faculty shall give the student a degree certificate on completed lower and higher university degree. The diploma shall be compliant with Decree 794/2004 and it shall specify at least
- the field of study and the title of the degree;
- the major subject or corresponding module of studies, or the name of the degree programme;
- the main content of the degree; and
- the student’s language proficiency, taking into account Section 19 in the Government Decree on the Demonstration of Proficiency in the Finnish and Swedish Languages in Civil Service (481/2003).
The Faculty shall provide a diploma supplement intended for international use to a person who has completed a degree or studies at the university. The supplement shall include sufficient information about the University and the studies and study attainments recorded in the degree certificate and their level and status in the educational system.
The student may get an official Transcript of Records as confirmation on completed studies also before the degree is completed.
Section 18 – Academic Titles
A person with the degree of Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration is entitled to use the title “ekonomi”.
A person who has completed a Bachelor’s degree or the degree of “ekonomi” as a higher university degree under the regulations that were previously in effect at the University is entitled to use the title Master.
Section 19 – Regulations on Discipline
If the supervisor of an exam suspects that a student has cheated at the exam, the student may be removed from the place immediately and the exam may be failed. An exam may also be failed, if the cheating is detected after the exam.
Other study attainments may also be failed, if it is discovered afterwards that the student has cheated. The decision on failing a study attainment shall be made within six months of the completion of the study attainment.
As a sanction, a student who has been found guilty of an offence concerning instruction or research may be given a disciplinary warning or suspended for a specified period of time, one year at the most. The Rector decides on warnings and the University Senate decides on suspensions. Before the matter is dealt with, the student shall be notified in a verifiable manner about the offence he/she is being accused of, and an opportunity to be heard shall be reserved for the student.
Section 20 – Regulations Concerning the Transition Period
Students who were admitted to studies leading a Master of Science in Technology degree before 1 August 2005 have the right to continue their studies until 31 July 2010 in accordance with the regulations in force before 1 August 2005. If the student has not completed the degree by 31 July 2010, he/she will continue his/her studies in accordance with the new Universities Act. The study attainments completed in accordance with the previous regulations shall be credited to the students in a manner determined by the Faculty.
The sections 40–42 of the new Universities Act, as well as the parts of section 43 determining the forfeiture of the right to study if the student has not completed his/her studies within the time appointed are applied only to students who have started their studies in the academic year 2005–2006 or later.
Section 21 – Degree Regulations of the Faculties and the Rules of the Levón Institute
The Faculty shall provide more explicit regulations on instruction, studying and study attainments and other matters relating to study and degree administration, and regulations for the transition period on the comparability of study attainments and their transfer to the new degree system, unless otherwise specified in the Decree or other university regulations approved by the University. The Levón Institute shall provide more explicit regulations on open university instruction and its chargeable continuing education.
Section 22 – Coming into Force
These university regulations shall come into force on 1 January 2010 after confirmation by the University Senate, and they shall repeal the University of Vaasa Degree Ordinance which came into force on 1 August 2005 and the subsequent amendments to the Degree Ordinance.
The work required for the implementation of these university regulations may begin before the regulations come into force.
Section 23 – Appendix to the Degree Ordinance
The appendix of this Degree Ordinance contains a list of the fields of study, lower and higher university degrees in the fields of study and their major subjects, degree programmes and lines of study leading to a Master of Science in Technology degree, postgraduate degrees, and the separate Master’s degree programmes represented at the University of Vaasa.
Appendix 1: THE FIELDS OF STUDY, DEGREES AND MAJOR SUBJECTS IN THE FACULTIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VAASA
Approved in the University Senate’s meeting on 10 December 2009
Amendments approved in the University Senate's meeting on 9 April 2010
As laid down in the Government Decree on University Degrees; in the Ministry of Education Decree on Specifying the Universities’ Educational Responsibility, Universities’ Degree-Awarding Programmes and Specialisation Studies (568/2005); and in the Ministry of Education Decree on Universities’ Master’s Degree Programmes (1665/2009), the fields of study, degrees, major subjects, and degree-awarding programmes specified in this appendix are given at the University of Vaasa.
The studies leading to a degree are carried out in the three Faculties as of 1 August 2010 as follows:
1. FACULTY OF PHILOSOPHY
1.1. Academic Field of Languages and Communication
The following degrees may be completed at the Faculty of Philosophy in the field of Humanities:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Master of Arts
- Licentiate of Philosophy
- Doctor of Philosophy
- The study field of Scandinavian languages (major subjects: Scandinavian Languages, Swedish Language)
- The study field of Modern Finnish and its cognate languages (major subject: Modern Finnish)
- The study field of Communication Studies (major subject: Communication Studies)
- English Philology (major subject: English Language)
- German Philology (major subject: German Language and Literature)
- Applied Linguistics (major subject of postgraduate studies)
1.2. Academic Field of Administrative Sciences
The following degrees in Social Sciences may be completed in the field of Administrative Sciences at the Faculty of Philosophy:
- Bachelor of Administrative Sciences
- Master of Administrative Sciences
- Licentiate of Administrative Sciences
- Doctor of Administrative Sciences
- Regional Studies
- Public Management
- Public Law
- Social and Health Administration
2. FACULTY OF BUSINESS STUDIES
The following degrees in the field of Business Studies may be completed at the Faculty of Business Studies:
- Bachelor of Science (Economics and Business Administration)
- Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration)
- Licentiate of Science (Economics and Business Administration)
- Doctor of Science (Economics and Business Administration)
- Economics
- Business Administration: Management and Organisation
- Business Administration: Accounting and Finance
- Business Administration: Marketing
- Business Law
3. FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY
3.1. Degrees in the Field of Technology
The following degrees in the field of Technology may be completed at the Faculty:
- Bachelor of Science (Technology)
- Master of Science (Technology)
- Licentiate of Science (Technology)
- Doctor of Science (Technology)
- Degree Programme in Electrical and Energy Engineering
- Specialisation option of Electrical Engineering
- Specialisation option of Energy Engineering
- Specialisation option of Automation Technology
- Degree Programme in Information Technology
- Specialisation option of Computer Science
- Specialisation option of Telecommunication Engineering
3.2. Degrees in the Field of Business Studies
The degrees in the field of Business Studies specified in section 2 of the appendix may also be completed at the Faculty of Technology in the following major subjects:
- Computer Science
- Industrial Management
4. DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE
The Doctor of Philosophy degree may be completed with academic postgraduate studies in the academic field of Administrative Sciences at the Faculty of Philosophy, at the Faculty of Business Studies, and the Faculty of Technology in accordance with the regulations concerning the Faculties’ postgraduate studies.
5. SEPARATE MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMMES
In accordance with the Ministry of Education Decree, the University offers the following Master’s Degree Programmes in English:
- Master’s Degree Programme in Finance (Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration)
- Master’s Degree Programme in Intercultural Studies in Communication and Administration (Master of Arts, Master of Administrative Sciences)
- Master’s Degree Programme in International Business (Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration)
- Field of Technology: Master’s Programme in Telecommunication Engineering (Master of Science in Technology)
- Field of Business Studies: Master’s Programme in Industrial Management (Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration)
