5 Information on the Polytechnic

5.1 Non-University Higher Education in Finland: The Polytechnics

The establishment of Polytechnic institutions since 1992 has created a new education sector in Finland. As one of the most important educational reforms of the 1990's, the Polytechnics expand access to higher education by offering a more practically oriented option than the traditional universities. The Polytechnic Degree Programmes are specifically designed to give a response to the demands and development needs of the work place. The Polytechnics offer university-level Degrees equivalent to Bachelor of Arts (Hon) or Bachelor of Science (Hon) Degrees in the UK and the US, the French Licence, the German Diplom Fachhochschule and the Dutch HBO Diploma. Each Degree Programme consists of 140 credits (210 ECTS) and takes 3-4 years to complete. For some fields of study the number of credits is 160 (240 ECTS), such as Studies in Natural Resources. Each credit is equivalent of 40 hours of work. The Polytechnic Degrees combine theory, practice and individual experience and qualify the graduates for planning, expert and managerial posts as well as for other professional tasks requiring a high standard of expertise.

5.1.0.1   Basis Requirements of Applying to the Polytechnics are:

5.2 Espoo-Vantaa Polytechnic (EVAMK)

The Espoo-Vantaa Polytechnic or EVAMK offers study programmes in five different disciplines: Business Administration, Health Care and Physiotherapy, Natural Resources, Social Welfare Work and Tourism, Catering & Consumer Services. Administratively, EVAMK has been divided into three Regional Units: Espoo-Lohja, Vantaa-Porvoo and Central and Northern Uusimaa. These in turn are divided into several Departments which offer their own menu of Degree Programmes. EVAMK is the second largest and one of the most versatile Polytechnics in Finland. The total number of students in 2000-2001 is 6000. The EVAMK students are encouraged to focus on a particular career strategy and to find a personal profile in a specific area of professional expertise. Each student designs his/her own Learning Strategy.

5.3 Espoo-Vantaa Polytechnic Degree Programmes for 2000-2001

All Degree Programmes include tuition in English. The Degree Programmes marked * in the following are offered in English in full: Studies in Business Business Administration* Environmental Management Information Technology International Trade and Logistics Security Management Studies in Health Care and Physiotherapy Nursing/Care Nursing/Care* Public Health Nursing Physiotherapy* Studies in Social Welfare Social Work* Social Services Citizens' Advice Services Studies in Tourism, Catering and Consumer Services Service Management Service Entrepreneurship Studies in Natural Resources Environmental Management Rural Development The Degree Programmes will be explained in more detail in their relevant sections of this ECTS Guide. The editors would like to point out that, as the Guide has been designed for the use of international visiting students, only Degree Programmes and study units which are provided in English have been included in the descriptions below.

5.4 Location

The EVAMK Campuses are situated close to the capital city of Helsinki. This is an area housing a million Finns and most of the country's top industries, services and cultural activity. The figures below refer to highway numbers. The international airport Helsinki-Vantaa is only 5 km away from the Vantaa campuses. map

5.5 International Activities at the Espoo-Vantaa Polytechnic

The Polytechnic annually hosts more than 100 foreign exchange students and 60 visiting lecturers. Visiting students have access to Student Tutor Services, Academic Counselling and a host of other student services and facilities including use of the libraries and the Internet. The Student Union EVAMKO welcomes visiting students to join the activities while at EVAMK. EVAMK offers a number of Degree Programmes that are partly or entirely offered in English. Tuition in English is constantly developed in order to cater to the needs of both domestic and foreign students. EVAMK offers a special language learning programme with possibilities for all students to study not only English and Swedish (the other of official language) but also French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish and the somewhat more exotic Chinese and Estonian. EVAMK has established Project Networks and Exchange and Development Programmes with some 100 Universities and Polytechnics on five continents. A majority of these are based in Europe but significant co-operation has also been established in the Asia-Pacific region and Africa.

5.6 Admission and Registration Procedures

Applicants who wish to study for full degrees at EVAMK must meet the basic requirements for applying for the Polytechnics in Finland. These are: A matriculation certificate, completed upper secondary education studies, a vocational diploma or a higher education degree. Corresponding studies abroad qualify. Espoo-Vantaa Polytechnic offers the following Degree Programmes in English: Degree Programme in Business Management (Espoo, Hyvinkää) Degree Programme in Health Care and Social Welfare (Espoo) Applicants for full degrees should submit their applications to the institute in question. An entrance test is arranged for some of the EVAMK Degree Programmes. In the field-specific entrance tests the assessment focuses on the essential basic qualifications relevant to the educational programmes of the applicant´s choice. Moreover, the English Language Programmes run a test assessing the applicants' skills in English. To obtain information on entrance regulations, contact the International Coordinator of your preferred Degree Programme (see the ECTS Guide). Students who wish to study at the Espoo-Vantaa Polytechnic on Exchange Programmes such as Erasmus or Nordplus or on bilateral programmes should turn to the International Office at their Home Institution in order to be selected into a Programme. They will then receive an application form to fill in and to return prior to their exchange period with further information from the relevant EVAMK Institute(s). Early notification of arrival is strongly advised. Tuition is provided free of charge for students on Exchange Programmes and students studying for full degrees. They may, however, have to buy books and other educational material themselves. The EVAMK student counsellors and student tutors will assist the students in academic questions. Orientation for the incoming foreign students will be arranged usually in the first week after their arrival. Every exchange student will have a Finnish student tutor to give assistance in settling in. Some social activities will be arranged by the Student Union and the Tutors. Exchange students will be met on their arrival by a Finnish student from the Institute the student is going to be studying at. Exchange students are advised to arrive in the week preceding studies in order to register, settle accomodation matters as well as apply for a residence permit and other necessary documents. Students from the EU and EEA countries do not need a visa to enter the country. However, students who intend to stay in Finland for more than three months have to apply for a Residence Permit from the local police station. The application for the Residence Permit requires two photographs, a certificate of registration form from the Espoo-Vantaa Polytechnic and a certificate that the student is capable of supporting him/herself during the stay in Finland. The fee for the Residence Permit is FIM 130. Citizens of the EU and EEA countries do not need a Work Permit. Citizens of the Nordic countries do not need a Residence Permit.

5.7 The Credit System at the Espoo-Vantaa Polytechnic

The unit by which the students' study progress is measured is the study week. This refers to an average input of approximately 40 hours of work by the student. The study week equals 1.5 ECTS credits. One Academic year of full time study is usually worth 40 study weeks or 60 ECTS credits. Student work input for a credit may include lectures, exercises, practical (clinical) training, project work, independent study or other assignments. The Polytechnic Degree requires 140 study weeks or 210 ECTS credits; in the Studies in Natural Resources the scope is 160 CR vs. 240 ECTS. A standard Programme consists of Basic Studies, Compulsory Professional Studies (incl.practical training), Alternative Professional Studies (incl.practical training), Optional Studies and the Thesis.

5.8 Evaluation at the Espoo-Vantaa Polytechnic

All courses and examinations are graded on the scale from five to one as follows: 5 = EXCELLENT 4 = VERY GOOD 3 = GOOD 2 = SATISFACTORY 1 = PASS 0 = FAIL P = PASS (EVALUATED PASS OR FAIL) Certain examinations are given the grade Pass or Fail. The grading system at the Espoo-Vantaa Polytechnic is different from the grading system used in ECTS but, as an informal measure, one should think of the Polytechnic grade 5 as approximately the ECTS grade A, of 4 as B, 3 as C, 2 as D and 1 as E.

5.9 Academic Calendar

The Academic Year is divided into four semester as follows:

5.9.0.1   Academic Year in 2000-2001:

5.10 Accommodation

Accomodation: The International Office in cooperation with the Helsinki Region Student Housing Foundation (HOAS) arranges housing for all exchange students and on special arrangement for some foreign degree students. The housing available through the HOAS consists of a single room in a student flat with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. Some Institutes have student dormitories of their own. The student flats are situated all around the metropolitan area. Neither rooms nor flats are normally equipped with kitchenware or linen. An effort is made by the Polytechnic to assist with the basic items. The students are requested to bring their own linen (sheets, towels). The monthly rent for a room in student housing varies between FIM 500 and FIM 1500 per month (1 EURO is approx. 6 FIM).

5.11 Facilities on the Campuses

5.11.0.1   Student Information Offices

Back to Contents