Very much important for the Students

Bachelor degree programme studies at polytechnicsEducation offered at polytechnics/UAS is more practical and more focused on vocational skills than at the universities. Bachelor degree programmes take about 3.5 to 4.5 years to complete.Polytechnics/UAS provide degree programmes in the following fields of vocational education and training: humanities and education; culture; natural sciences; natural resources and the environment; tourism, catering and domestic services; health and sports; technology, communications and transport; social sciences, business and administration.Bachelor degree programme consists of five modules: basic studies, vocational studies, work practise, free studies and a final project. The scope of the Bachelor degree is usually 210 study credits, even though degrees of 240 and 270 exist, too. In a degree of 210 credits basic studies are usually the scope of 60, vocational studies 90, work practice 30, free studies 15 and the final project 15 credits. During one study year the student is expected to study 1 600 hours which makes up to 60 credits. The study credits used are equivalent to those of the European credit system ECTS (European Credit Transfer System).Visa and residence permitsNon-EU citizens need a residence permit when they have been admitted to a higher education institution and their studies last longer than three months. The residence permit is granted for one year at the time. If the studies take longer than one year, the extension of the residence permit needs to be applied every year until the student has finished the study programme. For readmission of the residence permit the student must meet the following criteria: the student must be a full-time student, the student must be registered in a higher education institution, the student has completed the courses required in the higher education institution study programme. In addition to the residence permit, from 1 September 2007 a student from a non-EU country must have a valid health insurance issued by reliable company or institution. Non-EU students who are studying in Finland in a full-time degree programme for minimum of two years need a health insurance that covers medicine costs. Also, non-EU students must prove being able to support his or her living in Finland see Fees and costs. AccommodationStudent accommodation is available, for example, through VVO and SOA (Finland's Student Housing Ltd.) in Finland, and HOAS (The Foundation for Student Housing in the Helsinki Region) in Helsinki region. Applications should be sent directly to VVO (http://www.vvo.fi/), SOA (http://www.soa.fi/), HOAS (http://www.hoas.fi/) and other student accommodation foundations. Accommodation system varies in different polytechnics/UAS. Some have student campuses and accommodation, while others encourage the students to apply for accommodation from the study town and city. See more detailed information on each polytechnics'/UAS' website.Student accommodation in Finland is of high standard. The apartments and rooms are in very good condition, including central heating, a refrigerator, cooking and washing facilities, and internet access. Both furnished and unfurnished rooms are available. The prices vary depending on the location and the size of the room or apartment. Rents in Helsinki area are the most expensive (rooms 200-300 euros, a one-bedroom apartment 400-600 euros), whereas in Central and Northern Finland the prices are lower (in Oulu, rooms 150-200 euros, a one bed-room apartment 300-350 euros).DEGREE PROGRAMDegree programmesThe following degree programmes start during the academic year 2007-2008.Additional applications »ARCADA »CENTRAL OSTROBOTHNIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »DIACONIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »EVTEK UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »HAAGA-HELIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »HAMK UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »HELSINKI POLYTECHNIC STADIA »JYVÄSKYLÄ UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »KAJAANI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »KEMI-TORNIO UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »KYMENLAAKSON AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU; UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »LAHTI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »LAUREA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »MIKKELI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »NORTH KARELIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »OULU UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »PIRKANMAA POLYTECHNIC- UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »ROVANIEMI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »SATAKUNTA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »SAVONIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »SEINÄJOKI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »SOUTH CARELIA POLYTECHNIC »TAMPERE POLYTECHNIC - UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »TURKU UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »VAASA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES »DEGREE PROGRAM WITH SUBJECT LIST:Degree programmesAdditional applications ARCADADegree Programme in International BusinessDegree Programme in Plastics TechnologyDegree Programme in Human Ageing and Elderly ServiceCENTRAL OSTROBOTHNIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in Business ManagementDegree Programme in Chemistry and TechnologyDegree Programme in Industrial ManagementDegree Programme in Information TechnologyDegree Programme in NursingDIACONIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in Social ServicesEVTEK UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in European Business AdministrationDegree Programme in European ManagementDegree Programme in Information TechnologyDegree Programme in Media EngineeringHAAGA-HELIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in Business Information TechnologyDegree Programme in International BusinessDegree Programme for Multilingual Management AssistantsDegree Programme in Sports and Leisure ManagementDegree Programme in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism ManagementDegree Programme in TourismHAMK UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in International BusinessDegree Programme in Construction EngineeringDegree Programme in Mechanical Engineering and Production TechnologyHELSINKI POLYTECHNIC STADIADegree Programme in NursingDegree Programme in Social ServicesJYVÄSKYLÄ UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in Music ManagementDegree Programme in International BusinessDegree Programme in LogisticsDegree Programme in NursingDegree Programme in Facility ManagementKAJAANI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in International BusinessDegree Programme in TourismKEMI-TORNIO UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in Business Information TechnologyDegree Programme in Business ManagementDegree Programme in Information TechnologyDegree Programme in NursingKYMENLAAKSON AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU; UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in International BusinessLAHTI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in Business Information TechnologyDegree Programme in International BusinessLAUREA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in Business ManagementDegree Programme in NursingDegree Programme in Social ServicesMIKKELI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in Business ManagementNORTH KARELIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in DesignDegree Programme in International BusinessOULU UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in Business Information TechnologyDegree Programme in International BusinessDegree Programme in Information TechnologyPIRKANMAA POLYTECHNIC- UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in NursingROVANIEMI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in International BusinessDegree Programme in Information TechnologyDegree Programme in TourismSATAKUNTA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in International Business and Marketing LogisticsDegree Programme in PhysiotherapySAVONIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in International BusinessDegree Programme in Industrial ManagementDegree Programme in Information TechnologySEINÄJOKI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in International BusinessSOUTH CARELIA POLYTECHNICDegree Programme in Mechanical Engineering and Production TechnologyDegree Programme in Paper TechnologyDegree Programme in TourismTAMPERE POLYTECHNIC - UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in International BusinessDegree Programme in Environmental EngineeringTURKU UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in International BusinessDegree Programme in NursingDegree Programme in Information TechnologyVAASA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCESDegree Programme in International BusinessDegree Programme in Information TechnologyDegree Programme in Hotel and Restaurant BusinessStudying in FinlandEducation system in Finland and polytechnics Bachelor degree programme studies at polytechnicsFees and costsVisa and residence permitsStudent financial aid and study grantsAccommodationApplication practicalitiesAdditional applicationsTimetable for joint applicationEligibilityDiscretionary admissionGeneral admission criteriaCertificatesFinnish upper secondary education: Finnish Matriculation examinationFinnish upper secondary education: EB, IB or RP -examinations completed in Finland before applyingVocational qualificationsFinnish Matriculation examination and vocational qualificationNon-Finnish qualificationsHigher education degreesEducation system in Finland and polytechnicsThe Finnish education system is composed of nine-year basic education (comprehensive school); upper secondary education, comprising vocational and general education; and higher education, provided by universities and polytechnics. Adult education is available at all levels.The Finnish higher education system comprises 20 universities and 28 polytechnics governed by the Ministry of Education. Multi-field polytechnics train professionals in response to labour market needs and conduct R&D, which supports instruction and promotes regional development in particular. The Ministry of Education confirms the degree programmes of polytechnics.The polytechnics use the terms 'polytechnic' or 'university of applied sciences' when referring to themselves. On this website the term polytechnic/university of applied sciences (abbr. UAS) is used in most cases.Bachelor degree programme studies at polytechnicsEducation offered at polytechnics/UAS is more practical and more focused on vocational skills than at the universities. Bachelor degree programmes take about 3.5 to 4.5 years to complete.Polytechnics/UAS provide degree programmes in the following fields of vocational education and training: humanities and education; culture; natural sciences; natural resources and the environment; tourism, catering and domestic services; health and sports; technology, communications and transport; social sciences, business and administration.Bachelor degree programme consists of five modules: basic studies, vocational studies, work practise, free studies and a final project. The scope of the Bachelor degree is usually 210 study credits, even though degrees of 240 and 270 exist, too. In a degree of 210 credits basic studies are usually the scope of 60, vocational studies 90, work practice 30, free studies 15 and the final project 15 credits. During one study year the student is expected to study 1 600 hours which makes up to 60 credits. The study credits used are equivalent to those of the European credit system ECTS (European Credit Transfer System).Visa and residence permitsStudents coming from the EU countries do not need a visa when studying in Finland. Students coming from other than EU countries need a visa when they stay less than three months in Finland (taking an entrance examination, for example).EU citizens and the citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland (see Directorate of Immigration, http://www.uvi.fi/) do not need a residence permit when studying in Finland. For a stay longer than three months period, students from EU countries need to register their right to reside in Finland at the local police department. The criteria for right to reside in Finland are as follows: the main purpose for residence in Finland are the full-time studies in a Finnish higher education institution, the student is able to support his or her living in Finland, the student has a valid health insurance. Students coming from Sweden, Norway, Denmark or Iceland do not need to have a clarification on their financing.Non-EU citizens need a residence permit when they have been admitted to a higher education institution and their studies last longer than three months. The residence permit is granted for one year at the time. If the studies take longer than one year, the extension of the residence permit needs to be applied every year until the student has finished the study programme. For readmission of the residence permit the student must meet the following criteria: the student must be a full-time student, the student must be registered in a higher education institution, the student has completed the courses required in the higher education institution study programme. In addition to the residence permit, from 1 September 2007 a student from a non-EU country must have a valid health insurance issued by reliable company or institution. Non-EU students who are studying in Finland in a full-time degree programme for minimum of two years need a health insurance that covers medicine costs. Also, non-EU students must prove being able to support his or her living in Finland see Fees and costs.