Regulations
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Rules and Regulations
1. SCOPE
The rules and regulations of the higher education institutions of Oulu (University of Oulu and Oulu University of Applied Sciences Ltd) apply in campus areas and, where applicable, elsewhere where activities related to the teaching and research of the University or University of Applied Sciences are organised.
The rules and regulations apply to the entire higher education community, students, staff members and, where applicable, other visitors and employees in campus areas. Labour legislation also regulates matters concerning personnel. In addition to these rules and regulations, currently valid laws and regulations are also taken into account.
The rules and regulations ensure the general safety at higher education institutions, a comfortable working and studying environment, and the promotion of equal treatment. Each student and staff member should read through the rules and regulations that apply to them and follow them.
In teaching and research, higher education institutions are committed to following responsible conduct of research in accordance with the guidelines of the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity. (https://tenk.fi/en/research-misconduct/responsible-conduct-...).2. GENERAL ORDER AND SAFETY
Everyone is responsible for good conduct. Members of the higher education community have the right to a safe and equal learning and working environment. Everyone must behave appropriately in the facilities of higher education institutions and follow safety instructions. Threatening and violent behaviour, activities that disturb the public order and indicate violence, physical and verbal threats, and discrimination, bullying and harassment against a person or different groups are prohibited. The possession of objects and substances suitable for damaging another person is prohibited in the areas of higher education institutions.
Inappropriate behaviour is considered to include activities that disturb the public order or indicate violence, discrimination, bullying and harassment, physical or verbal threats from another person, as well as presenting another person's work as your own, and other misconduct in studying. Inappropriate behaviour should be brought to the attention of staff and supervisors.3. HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION AS A PUBLIC SPACE
During the opening hours of the campus, buildings are a public space where you can move and stay at freely when you are not disturbing others. The use of electric scooters and bicycles is prohibited indoors, as is charging their batteries.
The access to some workspaces, such as computer labs, laboratories and special teaching facilities, are restricted to students and staff that have an ID with an access control tag. Outside the opening hours, access to all facilities of higher education institutions is only possible with access control tags. It is prohibited to allow unknown persons whose right of access you do not know to access the restricted premises and the facilities of higher education institutions with your access control tag outside the opening hours.
In addition to access control, the campus area and common spaces are monitored by camera surveillance in order to maintain safety and to verify misconduct afterwards. Higher education institutions may hand over images and video in their possession to the pre-trial investigation authorities to prevent or investigate offences. Camera surveillance is only in places and to the extent permitted by law.4. USE OF THE FACILITIES AND PROPERTY OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION
The facilities and equipment of higher education institutions are intended for tasks related to studies, research and higher education institutions. The facilities can only be rented or reserved for activities that support these tasks.
Unrelated commercial, political and religious activities and other promoting are prohibited in the hallways. Before general state elections, election debates and election events encouraging voting can be organized on campuses at the initiative of the university or the university of applied sciences or the student unions.
Organising a demonstration outside in a public place is everyone's basic right. A permit is not required for the demonstration, but the police department of the place of assembly must be notified at least 24 hours in advance. Demonstrations are not permitted inside the campuses.
Property in shared use in the area of higher education institutions is handled thoughtfully and carefully. Everyone is obliged to compensate for the damage they caused to the property or premises of higher education institutions whether it was intentionally or through neglect. Everyone also does their part to ensure that the facilities are tidy and comfortable. Posters and signs are only allowed to be attached to notice boards. Accommodation in the campus area of higher education institutions, even temporarily, is prohibited.
5. INTOXICANTS AND SMOKING
It is prohibited to be intoxicated in the area of higher education institutions. A person who is under the influence of intoxicants or disturbs others with their behaviour can be removed from teaching and from the area of higher education institutions. However, the consumption of intoxicants is permitted in separately permitted events and in restaurants' serving areas in accordance with the restaurants' instructions. The use of intoxicants must not cause disturbance even in the aforementioned situations.
When a student is suspected of being intoxicated or under the influence of a narcotic substance, their participation in teaching may be prevented or, if necessary, suspended. In terms of personnel, the substance abuse programmes of higher education institutions act as guidelines in substance abuse cases.
Smoking is only permitted in places reserved for smoking. There are no such places on the campus if the Tobacco Act prohibits smoking in the area.6. VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF
Penalties for violating the rules and regulations have been separately specified. In the case of students, possible penalties are a verbal warning; removal from the teaching or school premises; written warning from the President; and temporary suspension. Before the matter is resolved, the act or neglect that is the cause of the disciplinary penalty must be specified, the necessary clarification must be obtained and the student must be given an opportunity to be heard in the matter.
In the case of staff, possible consequences are a verbal and written warning and, in some cases, dismissal or termination of employment. The consequences of activities that deviate from the employer's instructions are described separately in the personnel's instructions.7. PARKING AND EMERGENCY EXIT ROUTES
Vehicles must be parked in places designated as parking spaces. Emergency access roads must be kept absolutely free and accessible. Incorrect parking can be punished under the Road Traffic Act.
OUAS board 23 November 2021, section 12
The rules and regulations regarding the use of the facilities and property of the higher education institution has been updated on 11 December 2023. -
Regulations of the Board of Examiners
Board of the University of Applied Sciences on 22 September 2021
From 1 December 2024, the duties of the head of the degree programme will be handled by the head of studies.1 The Board of Examiners and its tasks
According to the Act (932/2014, § 15, 19), the University of Applied Sciences must have at least one Board of Examiners or a corresponding body to handle requests for rectification related to study attainments. Oulu University of Applied Sciences has one Board of Examiners for handling requests for rectification related to study attainments.
The Board of Examiners consists of a Chairman and other members, who all have personal deputy members. The Board of Oulu University of Applied Sciences appoints the Chairman, the members of the Board of Examiners and their personal deputy members. The Chairman of the Board of Examiners and his/her deputy member must be a Principal or Senior Lecturer. Other members of the Board of Examiners are Lecturers of the University of Applied Sciences and at least one a degree student at Oulu University of Applied Sciences. (Act 932/20140, § 19.) The Board to the University of Applied Sciences appoints the Chairman of the Board of Examiners, two Lecturers and two degree students and their personal deputy members for a period of two years at a time. The nominations for the Chairman and the Lecturers as well as their personal deputy members are made by the Rector. The nominations for the student representative and his/her deputy are made by the Board of the Student Union of Oulu University of Applied Sciences. Attendance allowances are paid according to the attendance allowance practices of Oulu University of Applied Sciences.
A student unsatisfied with the evaluation of his/her study attainment or the accreditation decision on studies completed elsewhere or with other means is entitled to demand rectification either orally or in writing to the evaluation from the evaluating Lecturer and to the accreditation from the person, who made the accreditation decision. The student is entitled to demand rectification from the Board of Examiners if he/she is unsatisfied with the decision made regarding the above-mentioned rectification demand (Act 257/2015, § 57). The student can request rectification from the Board of Examiners to the grades of courses arranged in connection with bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, vocational teacher education, specialisation studies, continuing education, Open University studies or non-degree studies containing parts of degrees.
2 Decision-making and meeting procedures
Before the rectification process arrives at the Board of Examiners:
● The student must submit an oral or written request for rectification of grading to the teacher within 14 days of the results of grading and the application of grading criteria to the study attainment becoming accessible to the student. The student must submit an oral or written request for rectification of accreditation to the body that made the decision within 14 days of receiving notification of the decision. (Act 257/2015, § 57.) A response to the request for rectification must be submitted within 14 days of receipt of the request. The time limit does not run during leave of absence.
● If no agreement is reached, or if the student does not receive a response to the request for rectification by the deadline, the student can notify the head of studies. The head of studies serves as a mediator and if required, invites the supervisor of the teacher or the person who made the accreditation decision to participate in handling the matter. The head of studies records the dates and contents related to the processing of the request for rectification. If the request for rectification concerns grading or an accreditation decision made by the head of studies, the student communicates with the supervisor of the head of studies.
If the process described above does not lead to a result the student feels is satisfactory, he or she may apply for rectification from the Board of Examiners within 14 days of receiving notice of the decision. The rectification process is regulated in the Administrative Procedure Act (see Act 434/2003). (Act 932/2014, § 57.) The request for rectification must indicate how the decision should be rectified, and the grounds on which rectification is requested. The request for rectification and any request for its withdrawal must be submitted to the registry office of OAMK.Matters concerning the Board of Examiners are settled by the Board of Examiners in its entirety during its meetings. The chairperson of the Board of Examiners convenes the board within 30 days of the receipt of the request for rectification, with the exception of requests received in June and July, the handling of which must be initiated at the latest in September. Invitations to the meetings of the Board of Examiners must be sent a minimum of five business days before the date of the meeting. For the meeting, the Chairman of the Board of Examiners requests a reply from the Lecturer or the person, who made the accreditation decision. The chairperson also requests a description of the handling of the rectification request from the head of studies or their supervisor. The reply and description must be delivered within 14 days of receiving the request.
The meeting has reached quorum when the Chairman, one Lecturer and one student member are present. During the meeting, the student’s request for rectification, the written response from the assessor or the person who made the accreditation decision, as well as the description of the handling of the rectification provided by the head of studies or their supervisor are discussed. The Members of the Board of Examiners have the right to familiarise themselves with all documents to be processed by the Board of Examiners. Prior to arriving at its decision, the Board of Examiners may hear statements from the parties involved as well as from experts. The Board of Examiners bases its decision on statues, the degree regulations and the assessment procedure of study attainments, as well as on material related to the request for rectification. If the Board of Examiners does not reach a unanimous consensus when making their decision, the matter is settled by majority vote or if the votes are still even, according to the decision of the Chairman.
If the Board of Examiners deems the student’s request for rectification to be warranted, the Board returns the study attainment or the accreditation and additional information that have arisen during the rectification process to the evaluator or the person, who made the accreditation decision for re-evaluation. Reassessment must be completed within three weeks of the decision made by the Board of Examiners. The three-week time limit does not run during leave of absence. The re-evaluation is submitted to the Chairman of the Board of Examiners. If the evaluator or the person, who made the accreditation decision in question does not change his/her original evaluation, the Board of Examiners shall request the evaluation of another evaluator/other evaluators for the study attainment or accreditation, which shall then come into force. If necessary, the average of the evaluation of the other evaluators is calculated. The evaluation in question will remain in force if it is the same or higher as the original evaluation.
The decision of the Board of Examiners decision regarding the evaluation of study attainment or accreditation cannot be appealed (Act 932/2014, § 60).
3 Signing the decisions and the right to view the documents
During the rectification process, the associated documents are filed by the Chairman of the Board of Examiners. Minutes are recorded for the meeting and are signed by the Chairman and the Members of the Board of Examiners. After the completion of the process, the Board of Examiners submits the minutes and other related documents to the registry office of OAMK. The decision of the Board of Examiners is submitted to the student, the teacher or person who made the accreditation decision and the head of studies, as well as to their supervisors if they participated in the handling. The documents will be archived.
4 Validity
These regulations of the Board of Examiners replace the regulations approved by the Board of the University of Applied Sciences on 9 February 2015 (section 13). The updated regulations will take effect immediately.
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Degree Regulations
Board of directors of the University of Applied Sciences 16 March 2015 § 11
Rector's decision 8.4.2015 § 301 Introduction
The general legislative foundations for organising university of applied sciences studies are given in the Act (Ammattikorkeakoululaki 932/2014) and Decree (Valtioneuvoston asetus ammattikorkeakouluista 1129/2014) on Polytechnics and in subsequent amendments to the act and the decree. In order to meet the qualifications of licensed health care and social services professionals the Act (Terveydenhuollon ammattihenkilöistä annettu laki 559/1994) and Decree (Asetus terveydenhuollon ammattihenkilöistä 564/1994) on Health Care Professionals, as well as subsequent amendments to these are taken into account.
These degree regulations clarify the duties of the Oulu University of Applied Sciences (OUAS) and education provided therein, enrolment and study rights, organisation of teaching and studies, studying, approving completed degrees and certificates as well as other regulations. The decision-making bodies regarding the issues mentioned in these regulations are the Board of Oulu University of Applied Sciences and the rector in compliance with these degree regulations.
2 Duties and educational task
The function of the university of applied sciences is to provide higher education founded on the requirements of working life and its development, as well as on research, artistic and cultural principles, which qualifies students for tasks requiring professional expertise, to support the professional growth of individual students and practice applied research, development and innovation activities as well as artistic activity which serves the purposes of university of applied sciences education, promoting the working life and regional development to which supports the renewal of the business structure of the region. When carrying out its functions, the University of Applied Sciences is to promote lifelong learning (Act 932/2014 section 4).
Within the limits of the licence, the University of Applied Sciences provides education leading to a degree and vocational teacher education (Act 932/2014 section 10). The licence of the University of Applied Sciences stipulates the educational responsibility of the University of Applied Sciences, i.e. what Bachelor’s degrees and the associated qualifications must be granted (educational responsibilities). If necessary, the licence can also clarify the degree-specific educational responsibilities. In addition, the licence stipulates what Master’s degrees and the associated qualifications the University of Applied Sciences can grant. The licence further stipulates on the right of the university of applied sciences to organise teacher training required by polytechnic and vocational education teachers as well as those aiming to become said teachers (vocational teacher training) (Act 932/2014 section 8).
According to the licence (
11 December 201415 December 2016, record numberOKM/7/533/2014OKM/11/533/2016) the educational responsibilities of Oulu University of Applied Sciences starting from 1 January 2015 are as follows:Education leading to a Bachelor’s degree
- Bachelor of Culture and Arts: Media Artist, Music Pedagogue, Musician, Dance Teacher
- Bachelor of Business Administration with fields of specialisation business economics, information technology, library and information services
- Bachelor of Natural Resources: Agronomist
- Bachelor of Health Care: Biomedical Laboratory Technologist, Paramedic, Physiotherapist, Midwife, Optometrist, Radiographer, Registered Nurse, Social Worker, Dental Hygienist, Public Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist
- Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Construction Architecture, Bachelor of Construction Management
- Bachelor of Engineering degree is further divided in the following fields of specialisation: energy and environment, ICT, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical and automation engineering
Education leading to a Master’s degree
- Master of Culture and Arts: Media Artist, Music Pedagogue, Musician, Dance Teacher
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Natural Resources: Agronomist
- Master of Health Care: Biomedical Laboratory Technologist, Paramedic, Physiotherapist, Midwife, Optometrist, Radiographer, Registered Nurse, Social Worker, Dental Hygienist, Public Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist
- Master of Engineering: Master of Engineering.
Vocational teacher training
The university of applied sciences has the right to organise teacher training required by polytechnic and vocational education teachers as well as those aiming to become said teachers.
In addition, the University of Applied Sciences may organise professional specialisation studies, education including parts of the degree as Open University studies or as otherwise separate studies as well as extension studies (Act 932/2014 section 10). When needed, also education for immigrants is organised with the purpose to provide them linguistic and other skills needed for studying at the University of Applied Sciences (Act 932/2014 section 10).
3 Student selection
The Ministry of Education and Culture and the University of Applied Sciences agree for a set amount of years in advance the key quantitative and qualitative educational, research, development and innovation objectives set for the operations of the University of Applied Sciences as well as the monitoring and evaluation of their attainment. If the quantitative objectives of the University of Applied Sciences cannot be harmonised nationally or regionally, the Ministry of Education and Culture may decide on the quantitative and qualitative objectives for an individual university of applied sciences after hearing the University of Applied Sciences in question. (Act 932/2014, section 42). The number of study places at the University of Applied Sciences is decided by the board of the University of Applied Sciences (Act 932/2014 section 16). The number of study places to education leading to a degree in degree programmes and for professional specialisation studies is confirmed by the rector.
Selection of students to education leading to a Bachelor's or Master's degree will be organised in conjunction with the joint application procedure of higher education institutions. However, the joint application procedure will not be used when admitting students to education funded from sources outside the purview of this act or when admitting exchange students. Moreover, the University of Applied Sciences may leave outside the joint application procedure education taking place in foreign languages and education steered at a limited target group, which the University of Applied Sciences had specified separately. (Act 932/2014, section 28). When admitting students for education starting in autumn term 2016 and after, separate selection may be used instead of the joint application procedure when selecting 1) students for education aimed at a limited target group, the eligibility of whom the university of applied sciences has determined separately and the application to which cannot be arranged in conjunction with the joint application procedure 2) students for education taking place in a foreign language 3) students to Master's degree education taking place in Finnish or Swedish, the application for which is organised simultaneously with the application procedure for education in foreign languages 4) transfer students 5) students admitted based on studies completed at open higher education (Act 932/2014 section 28a).
The University of Applied Sciences will decide on the student selection criteria. The applicants may be divided on different groups based on their different educational backgrounds in the selection process. Equal selection criteria must be applied to applicants in the same group. (Act 257/2015, section 28). Some of the available study places may be reserved to those, who have not before completed a higher education degree complying with the Finnish education system and have not received a study place to education leading to a higher education degree (Act 932/2014 section 28). When admitting students to education starting in the autumn term 2016 and after, the university of applied sciences is obligated to reserve some of the study places leading to a Bachelor's degree to those who have not before completed a higher education degree complying with the Finnish educational system and have not received a study place leading to a higher education degree or have accepted a study place in education starting in the spring term 2014 or before but have not completed the higher education degree. However, study places do not have to be reserved in the manner referred to in paragraph 1 when selecting students to education in foreign languages or to education aimed at a limited target group the eligibility of which the university of applied sciences has determined separately, or to education to which the university of applied sciences selects such a small group of students are admitted that reserving places would place the applicants in unreasonably unequal position. The University of Applied Sciences may reserve some of the study places to applicants referred to in paragraph 1 also in separate selection process. The University of Applied Sciences must ensure appropriate access to education also to those with a higher education degree and those who have accepted a study place. The University of Applied Sciences must ensure that the opportunities of individuals in various applicant groups to receive a study place do not become unreasonably unequal to applicants (Act 257/2015 section 28b). The entrance examinations related to student selection are free to students. The Finnish National Board of Education will charge a term-specific application processing fee from those applying for education starting in the autumn term 2016 and after from based on a education system outside the European Economic Area or Switzerland. Payment of the fee is a mandatory requirement of the processing of the application. Completion of fee-based international tests may be required from those applying for education in other languages than Finnish or Swedish. (Act 257/2015, section 12). Student selection principles and other implementation of student selection will be confirmed by the rector.
A person who has applied for admission can submit to a body of the University of Applied Sciences a written rectification request concerning the decision on student admission within 14 days of the publication of the results of student selection (Act257/2015, section 57). The student should address the written rectification request to the rector (Rules of OUAS 16 March 2015).
Students are admitted by the University of Applied Sciences (Act 257/2015, section 28). The decision to admit students is made by the rector.
A decree (Act 257/2015, section 28) will provide for transfer studies from 1 August 2015 on. The University of Applied Sciences admits transfer students. The term “transfer student” refers to a student who has been admitted to education leading to a higher education degree, whose study right is transferred from one higher education institution to another or inside the higher education institution from one degree programme to another so that the degree title related to the objective degree changes.
In education starting in the autumn term 2016 or after it, applicants may accept only one study place leading to a higher education degree in education starting during the same term. This provision does not apply to acceptance of a transfer study place. (Act 257/2015, section 28c).
If a ranking procedure is required for the purposeful implementation of the options of a degree programme, Open University studies, separate studies containing parts of the degree, granting of a separate right to study or transfer student selection, selection extension studies or education aimed at immigrants, the decision to apply said procedure is made by the rector.
4 Enrolment and eligibility to study
Students who have been admitted to the University of Applied Sciences and who have accepted the study place must enrol to the University of Applied Sciences in a way determined by the University of Applied Sciences, after which they are registered as students. Students must enrol as either attending or non-attending each academic year in a way determined by the University of Applied Sciences. (Act 257/2015, section 29). After having accepted the study place, students may enrol as non-attending, if during the first year of studies: 1) they are performing a service in accordance with the Conscription Act (Asevelvollisuuslaki 1438/2007), Non-Military Service Act (Siviilipalveluslaki 1446/2007) or the Act on Women's Voluntary Military Service (194/1995) ; 2) they are on maternity, paternity or family leave or 3) due to their own illness or injury, they are incapable of starting their studies. (Act 325/2015 section 29). Students who have commenced their studies prior to 1 August 2015, may be absent for a total of two academic years based on their notification of non-attendance to the university of applied sciences (Act 932/2014, section 30, Act 325/2015) . The non-attendance period of students who have started on 1 August 2015 or later, will not include absence due to a service in accordance with the Conscription Act, Non-Military Service Act or the Act on Women's Voluntary Military Service, or maternity, paternity or family leave. Nor will the study time include other at most two terms' absence, which the student has announced in accordance with the section 29. (Act 325/2015 section 30). The code of practice about the enrolment is decided by the rector. Students who have enrolled as attending are eligible to study.
Full-time students must complete their studies leading to a Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree within a period that exceeds the extent of the degree programme by no more than a year (Act 932/2014, section 30, Act 325/2015, section 30). For a specific reason, the university of applied sciences may grant an extension period to a student for the completion of the studies (Act 932/2014, section 32). The above procedure will be confirmed by the rector. The grounds of maximum study eligibility of other than full-time students are provided in the degree regulations of the University of Applied Sciences (act 932/2014, section 30, Act 325/2015, section 30). The period of eligibility to study for other than full-time students is determined in an approved personal study plan.
Studies at the School of Vocational Teacher Education must be completed within a period that exceeds the extent of the studies by no more than a year unless the University of Applied Sciences grants the student an exception for a specific reason. Vocational teacher studies meant to be studies part-time must be completed within three years (Act 932/2014, section 30, Act 325/2015, section 30). Instructions on the code of practice which allows a student to be granted an exception to the period of the right to study are given by the rector. The students of the School of Vocational Teacher Education do not have non-attendance right, as do the students of degree programmes.
Upon application, the university of applied sciences may grant students who have started their studies on 1 August 2015 or later extension for completing their studies in case they have failed to complete them in time provided in section 30. In the application, the student presents a goal-oriented and feasible plan to complete their studies. In the plan, the student must itemise the studies and their timetables required to complete the studies. The study right will be extended, if it is feasible that the student, taking into account the extent of completed and missing studies as well as earlier decisions of granting study time extensions, will be able able to complete the studies within a reasonable amount of time. When deciding on the study time extension, the university of applied sciences must take the life situation of the student into account. (Act 325/2015, section 30a).
Transfer students must complete their degrees in accordance with the degree programme to which they have received study rights during the transfer. The attendance and non-attendance time the student has used in studies on which the transfer is based will also be calculated in the degree completion time. When a transfer student accepts a new study right, they simultaneously lose the study right on which the transfer is based. (Act 257/2015 sections 30 and 32).
Students will lose their study rights, if they fail to enrol in the manner stipulated. If they want to start or continue their studies later, they must apply for a study right from the university of applied sciences again. Students will also lose their study rights if they fail to complete their studies in the prescribed time. (Act 932/2014 section 32). Failure to enrol will be entered in the student register. Students who have not completed their studies within the prescribed time, extended time or have not been granted an extension to finish their studies will be registered as resigned. The day following the expiry date of their eligibility to study will be entered into the register as the resignation day. The code of practice about re-admittance is given by the rector
Students who have not enrolled in the manner stipulated in section 29, or who have failed to complete their studies within the time stipulated in section 30 or during the extension period referred to in section 30 a, as well as students who have not been granted an extension to complete their studies, will lose their study right. Should they wish to start or continue their studies later, they must apply for re-admittance from the university of applied sciences. The application may be done without participating in the student selection process referred to in section 28 (Act 325/2015, section 32). The said provision will be applied to students who have started their studies on 1 August 2015 and later.
Pursuant to section of the Act of Polytechnics, students may submit a written rectification request to a body assigned by the University of Applied Sciences concerning a decision on losing their study right within 14 days of receiving notification of the decision (Act 257/2015, section 57). The student should address the written rectification request to the rector (Rules of OUAS 16 March 2015).
A student is considered to have resigned from the day they has submitted a dated and signed resignation notice to Student Services of the Oulu University of Applied Sciences. The code of practice about registering a student as resigned is given by the rector. If a student who has been registered as resigned or who has resigned wishes to continue their studies at a later stage, they must reapply for a study right by taking part in the joint application procedure, or seek a separate study right in the way determined by the rector.
Studies included in a Bachelor’s or a Master’s Degree, to which the university of applied sciences has granted the student a restricted study right both in time and in contents, can be completed as open university studies or otherwise separate studies (Act 932/2014, section 10). The duration of eligibility to complete Open University studies or separate studies containing parts of degree studies is determined by the assessment regulations. Students of professional specialisation studies are given a restricted study right both in time and in contents, the procedure related to which will be decided by the rector.
5 Organisation of teaching and studies
The degrees completed at the university of applied sciences, degree objectives and structure of studies as well as other grounds for studies are enacted by a government decree, when needed (Act 932/2014, section 11). The common objectives and minimum extent of professional specialisation studies is enacted by a government degree (Act 1173/2014, section 11a). The government decree on polytechnics (1129/2014 and Decree 1438/2014) stipulates the available degrees and provision of education, the structure, sizing, extent and objectives of the studies as well as accreditation, language skills, maturity test, taking into account the European Union legislation and international contracts, as well as cancellation of study rights. All degree education is organised as degree programmes.
Studies leading to a Bachelor’s degree include 1) basic and professional studies, 2) free-choice studies, 3) practical training promoting professional skills and 4) a thesis. Studies leading to a Master’s degree include 1) advanced professional studies, 2) free-choice studies and 3) a thesis. Vocational teacher education includes 1) basics of educational science 2) vocational pedagogy 3) teaching practice and 4) other studies (Decree 1129/2014, section 2). The goals of the study modules included in the degree and vocational teacher training are confirmed by the rector.
The decision on the curricula will be made by the university of applied sciences (Act 932/2014, section 14, Act 325/2015, section 14). Degree programmes may include parts that will be confirmed by the rector. The extent of parts of the degree programmes will be confirmed by the rector taking into account that the extent of job placement included in the Bachelor's degree is no less than 30 ECTS points (see Decree 1129/2014, section 3). The descriptions of curricula and study modules as well as the study approval procedure will be confirmed in the manner decided by the rector.
Teaching and examination language at OUAS is Finnish. Finnish degree programmes may include study modules or programmes conducted in English, when it is expedient with regard to the field studied and supports the internationalisation of students. Likewise, English degree programmes may include Finnish study modules or programmes that support students' integration in Finnish working life.
Education leading to a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree is tuition free. However, tuition free education will not prevent the University of Applied Sciences from organising education leading to a joint or double degree, for which an international university charges a fee. Fees may be charged in other education (Act 257/2015 section 12). Decisions on the fees related to professional specialisation education, Open University of Applied Sciences education and extension studies will be made by the rector taking into account the government decree on the fees charged for polytechnics' operations (cf. Act 932/2014, section 13 and Decree 1440/2014, section 1).
6 Studies
The academic year begins on 1 August and ends on 31 July. The autumn term begins on 1 August and ends on 31 December. The spring term begins on 1 January and ends on 31 July. Instruction is given during the periods specified by the university of applied sciences (Act 257/2015, section 29). The rector decides on the dates for the teaching periods for every academic year. The studies of vocational teacher education follow the nationally agreed periods.
Students are considered to have started their degree on the day they accept a study place at the university of applied sciences (Act 325/2015, section 30). This decree will enter into force on 1 August 2015.
The procedure for the approval of personal study plans is determined by the rector.
The assessment regulations are confirmed by the vice rector (cf. (Act 932/2014, section 37). The university of applied sciences has one or more Degree Board of Examiners or equivalent bodies for the handling of rectification requests concerning study attainments (Act 932/2014, sections 15, 19, 69 and Act 257/2015, section 57). According to the Rules of OUAS (16 March 2015), rectification requests related study attainments are handled by the Degree Board of Examiners. The regulations governing the Degree Board of Examiners are ratified by the Board of Oulu University of Applied Sciences.
Decisions concerning the language proficiency required of students who have received their school education in some language other than Finnish or Swedish or abroad are made by the university of applied sciences The university of applied sciences can for a special reason exempt a student from all or some of the prescribed language proficiency requirements (Decree 1129/2014, section 7). The university of applied sciences will make the decision on maturity test, when a student is exempt from the prescribed language proficiency (Decree 1129/2014, section 8). Decisions on language proficiency required from the students, exemptions from language proficiency requirements and the maturity test are made by the rector.
7 Approval of degrees and degree certificates
The university of applied sciences awards certificates for studies completed at the university of applied sciences. A government enacts on the certificates awarded by the university of applied sciences (Act 1173/2014, section 10). The university of applied sciences will provide individuals, who have completed a degree or studies, an appendix meant for the the degree certificate or especially for international use (Decree 1129/2014, section 10).
The university of applied sciences awards students with a degree certificate for the degree they have completed (see Act 932/2014, section 11, Decree 1129/2014, section 1 and Decree 1438/2014, section 10) Information about the student's language proficiency is included in the degree certificate (Decree 1129/2014, section 7). The approval procedure of degrees, and the form and signing of degree certificates and its appendices are confirmed by the rector.
A certificate will be awarded for completing professional specialisation education (decree 1438/2014, section 10). The form and signing of certificates and their appendices for professional specialisation education, open university of applied sciences studies, separate studies containing parts of degree studies and other studies are confirmed by the rector.
8 Additional directions
The SORA (Solutions for unsuitability for studying) legislation (Act 932/2014, sections 26–27, 31, 33–36, 38–40, 58–59) applies, for instance, to cancellation and restoration of the study right, obstacles for admission as a student as well as narcotics testing and disciplinary actions. The purpose of the so-called SORA legislation is to improve the safety of universities of applied sciences and the subsequent working life. The application instructions of the SORA legislation are confirmed by the Board of Oulu University of Applied Sciences.
These degree regulations will enter into force on 16 March 2015.