Studying at Turku UAS Open UAS

Open Studies are targeted at those who

• wish to improve their know-how to meet the requirements of working life
• plan on applying to a higher education institution
• wish to gain general knowledge on topics of their own interest

Open Studies are not full-time and do not lead to a degree – it is therefore not possible to get a long-term student residence permit based on Open Studies. For further information, please visit the Finnish Immigration Services website on Studying in Finland.

TUAS degree students cannot take courses offered via Open Studies.

• Individual Courses (avg. 5 ECTS/course) – attend courses alongside degree students; EUR 15/ECTS
• Open UAS Path Studies – Complete the first year of studies in a degree programme as an Open UAS student, and become eligible to apply for a degree study right through Open UAS separate application; EUR 300-400/year. 
• Higher Education Diplomas (60 ECTS) – Non-degree diploma, duration 1-2 years, functions as an introduction to a specific field; EUR 400/academic year (NB! Diplomas only available in Finnish)

Please note that studies require attendance in Turku, Finland. Attendance via e.g. Skype is not possible. See course details to learn more about attendance requirements. Online courses are offered through CampusOnline.

Please note that most of the individual courses offered are conducted only in Finnish. In order to enroll on these courses you must be able to communicate in Finnish.

Open UAS studies are subject to a study fee. Here are some examples:

• Individual courses: 15 € per ECTS credit
• Path studies in a Bachelor's level programme, one year: 400 €
• Path studies in a Master's level programme, one year: 300 €
• Diploma of Higher Education studies or Open UAS Expert training: 12 € per ECTS credit

The study fee is paid for a right to complete a set number of studies within a certain time period. The study fee is not dependent on how many credits you actually complete, and Open UAS will not return a portion of your study fee if you do not complete all the studies you enroll for.

For more details, please see our cancellation policy below.

If a study module or course is free of charge, or the study fee differs from those described above, the information will be available on the enrolment or application form.

Here's how study fees are paid:

• If you enroll on an individual course, you will receive a payment link by e-mail. Your enrolment will be binding after the study fee is paid. 
• If you enroll for or apply to a larger study module (diploma of higher education, expert training or path studies), you will pay the study fee in one payment at the start of your studies. We will send you e-mail instructions for paying the fee. Depending on the sum of the study fee, you may be given the option to pay in two instalments.

In addition to study fees, there may be costs related to materials used during your studies.

Open UAS study fees are personal, and we do not offer business invoicing. If you need a receipt of your study fee, please contact Open UAS at avoinamk@turkuamk.fi. Please also get in touch with any problems or questions regarding study fees.

Cancelling enrolment on an individual course

Enrolment on individual courses is binding after the study fee has been paid. Open UAS will not return your study fee even if you do not attend the course.

If you have to cancel your enrolment after the course has started, please be sure to inform the teacher. If you would also like for your study right to be terminated, contact Open UAS at avoinamk@turkuamk.fi. 

Cancelling study right for a larger study module

If you need to end your study right for Open UAS path studies, diplomas of higher education or expert training, you can do so by submitting a cancellation form:

• Link to cancellation form (e-form)

You will receive an e-mail confirmation once the e-form has been processed. Please only submit the form once.

Please note Open UAS study rights for path studies, diplomas of higher education or expert training can only be discontinued by filling out and submitting the cancellation form linked above. Telling or e-maling your teacher, study guidance counselor or other member of staff is not sufficient. 

Please familiarise yourself with our cancellation policy before filling out the e-form. 

Open UAS cancellation policy

Studies at Turku UAS Open UAS can be cancelled in the ways described above. Open UAS study fees concern a right to complete a set amount of studies within a defined time period. The study fee is not, there fore, determined by the amount of credits you complete, and will not be refunded if you do not complete the studies you applied to or enrolled for.

• Enrolment on individual courses is binding after the study fee has been paid. Open UAS will not return your study fee even if you do not attend the course.
• Study fees for individual courses will be refunded if the course is cancelled by Turku UAS. Changes to teaching shcedules are not grounds for a refund.
• Accepting an Open UAS study place on Studyinfo.fi is binding. If, after accepting a study place, you cancel studies before they begin, Open UAS will charge a cancellation fee. The cancellation fee is half the study fee for the study module in question. Cancelling a study place after studies begin does not entitle you to a refund of your study fee.
• If you do not complete your study fee payment by the given deadline, Open UAS will cancel your study right and send you an invoice for the cancellation fee (half the sum of the study fee).
• Decisions by other officials, e.g. the Finnish TE office, are not grounds for a free-of-charge cancellation.

Cancelling Open UAS studies due to illness

If you have to cancel your study right because you fall ill or are otherwise prevented from participating in studies due to your health or abilities, please do as follows:

• Individual courses: contact Open UAS at avoinamk@turkuamk.fi for instructions.
• Larger study modules: attach a copy of a doctor's certificate on your cancellation form.

If you submit a doctor's certificate that clearly demonstrates that you cannot participate in Open UAS studies at all, Open UAS will refund your study fee. No cancellation fee will be charged if you must cancel your studies due to an illness or other such factor that completely prevents you from studying. 

Cancelling Open UAS studies that began before 1.8.2023

If your path studies, diploma of higher eduation studies or expert training began before 1.8.2023, you are required to pay the semester fee of the current semester when cancelling your studies. If you wish to cancel your studies without paying the semester fee for Autumn semester 2023, please be sure to submit the cancellation form on 31.7.2023 at the latest. 

To enrol on individual Open Studies courses, please check out our  Course Selection page (page available only in Finnish). By clicking the name of a course on the course selection page, you will find a link for more information such as implementation details ("tutustu") and a link for enrolling to the course ("ilmoittaudu").

Enrolment is only possible for courses listed in the course selection. You cannot arrange to attend a course with the teacher, nor can you apply for any course in the Study Guide.

Courses available through Open Studies are degree programme courses with a limited number of places for Open Studies students. Not all courses available to degree students are offered for Open Studies students. Acceptance to some courses may require previously gained knowledge – please see course descriptions for these requirements. Apart from Master level courses, you do not need a previous degree or a diploma to enroll.. If you enroll on a Master level course, please fill in your former degree on the enrolment form.

Open Studies students cannot receive student aid granted by the government, nor may they receive student discounts. However, unemployed students (over 25 years old) may apply for unemployment benefit for their studies. Open Studies will provide you with the necessary transcripts and sign TE Services forms upon request. More information: Independent study supported by unemployment benefit .

In addition, for those in working life, The Education Fund supports employees by granting them financial assistance (Adult Education Allowance). More information: the education fund

CampusSport services are available to all Turku UAS Open UAS students, whether you are enrolled on an individual course or path studies. As a Turku UAS Open UAS student, you can use all CampusSport services at student prices.

All this is offered by CampusSport:

• Five gyms 
• Nearly 100 hours of instructed exercise classes weekly
• Over 30 hours ball sports weekly 
• Intensive courses with separate fees
• Competitions and tournaments
• Personal trainer services, massage, nutritional counseling, sports equipment lending, benefits offered by cooperation partners
• Just for fun shifts and sports buddies (free of charge for all students and staff members)

The right to use the CampusSport services can be bought either for the academic year (1 Sep 2022 – 30 Apr 2023), for a semester (1 Sep – 31 Dec 2022 or 2 Jan – 30 Apr 2023), for 30 days or for the summer. The sports fee covers instructed classes, ball sports shifts and the use of gyms.

You can login to CampusSport’s online store store and reservation system with your Turku UAS user ID (HAKA-login). 

More information about the sports services: https://www.campussport.fi/en/ .
 

During your studies, you can download a transcript of your studies from the student information system Peppi. You will find documents avaialble to download on the right hand side of the top navigation bar, under Orders.

1. Click on the document you want to download
2. Select the language of the document and click on Order
3. Navigate to the Documents tab to view the document you have ordered and download it on your own device.

After completing studies at Open UAS, you will find a transcript of your studies on the national My Studyinfo -service. From My Studyinfo, you can also share your attainments to your employer or a higher education institution. 

If you have trouble accessing your attainments, or if you need another document of your studies, please contact avoinamk@turkuamk.fi. 

Course grading

Course grading at Turku University of Applied Sciences is based on oral and written examinations, exercises, and other performances.

Turku UAS uses ECTS credits measuring workload in courses.

One ECTS credit is equal to 27 hours of student work. 60 ECTS credits are equal to one academic year of study. Open studies courses may be accredited to you future higher education degree in Finland.

ECTS grading uses the scale F– A, Turku UAS grades on a scale from 0–5.
The grades are as follows:

Turku UAS Open UAS offered an exemption from study fees for the unemployed and furloughed during the Covid-19 pandemic. This exemption from study fees is no longer available to new students.

If your studies began during Spring semester 2023 or earlier, you may submit a certificate and be exempted from study fees for Autumn semester 2023 (1.8.–31.12.2023), should your study right be active during the Autumn semester. After 1 January 2024, exemptions based on unemployment or furlough will no longer be available.

You are entitled to an exemption from study fees for Autumn semester 2023 if your study right began during Spring semester 2023 or earlier, and if you are unemployed, or if your furlough is full-time. A continuing student must be unemployed or furloughed when delivering a certificate of unemployment or furlough according to the schedule below.

You can only be exempted from study fees if you deliver a certificate of unemployment or furlough according to the instructions below. Open UAS will not request a new certificate if you deliver a deficient certificate.

I’m currently a path student or expert training student at Turku UAS, how can I be exempted from study fees?

As a path student, you may be exempted from study fees during Autumn semester 2023 if you deliver a certificate compliant with the instructions below. Please deliver the certificate using our e-form for attachments according to the following schedule:

• Exemption from semester fee for Autumn semester: deliver certificate on 1 August at the earliest, 30 September at the latest

Open UAS will not return a paid semester fee or exempt you from paying a semester fee if you become unemployed or furloughed after the deadline mentioned above.

Valid certificates of unemployment or furlough

Unemployment or furloughment is demonstrated with a TE Office’s E-services’ certificate on the validity of job search.

The certificate must include one of the following codes: 02, 03, 05, 06, 07 or 08. The certificate on the validity of job search must be downloaded from TE Office’s E-services max. 7 days prior to delivery to Open UAS.

 Furlough can also be demonstrated by a furlough certificate signed by your employer if you are not registered as a client of the TE Office. The furlough certificate must demonstrate that the furlough is full-time. The furlough certificate must be in either Finnish, Swedish or English.

Students must submit the certificate according to the instructions above to obtain the exemption from charges. Open UAS will not ask for a new certificate or further clarification from those who have submitted an incorrect or inadequate attachment. Attachments submitted after the enrolment or application period, decisions made by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland on an unemployment benefit, labour policy statements by the TE Office, certificates on the validity of job search with codes 01 or 04 or certificates by foreign employment and economic development offices do not entitle to exemption from charges. Those with part-time, seasonal, or temporary employment are considered as employed and are not entitled to the exemption from charges, unless the certificate on the validity of the job search contains one of the codes mentioned in the terms above.

Turku UAS Alumni, i.e. those who have completed a degree at Turku University of Applied Sciences have the right to complete Open Studies free of charge from 1 January 2021.

• The right to study concerns those who have graduated with a UAS Bachelor’s or Master’s degree after 1 January 2019.
• Alumni who have graduated before 1 January 2019 can apply for and enrol on Open Studies, but the right to study free of charge does not concern them.

The right to study free of charge is valid for four semesters after the graduation semester, and the ongoing semester during which the student has graduated. The right to study cannot be postponed and used later.

The right to study free of charge only concerns the course selection of Open Studies and Higher Education Diplomas (conducted only in Finnish). The right to study does not concern path studies or courses aimed at students in secondary education. Please see instructions on enrolment for the studies and applying in the section “Instructions for applying and enrolling”. You can become an alumnus by registering on the Alumni Relations website. Registering is free of charge. By registering as an alumnus, you will receive current information on the alumni activities of Turku UAS.

The free right to study for graduates of Turku University of Applied Sciences concerns Open Studies courses and Higher Education Diplomas.

• In connection with your enrolment or application, we will check that you have graduated from Turku UAS after 1 January 2019.
• Please note that the right to study free of charge does not mean that you are automatically admitted to the studies. The enrolment quotas of the courses and the admission criteria for the Higher Education Diplomas also concern Turku UAS alumni.

Enrolment on individual courses

Please follow the instructions given in the section 'Enrolment'. On the enrolment form, please check the option for Turku UAS Alumni enrolment.

Enrolment on Open Studies course is only permitted through the Open Studies website.

Applying for Higher Education Diploma studies

For more information on Higher Education Diploma studies available, as well as application periods, please see the Higher Education Diploma website (in Finnish). Application takes place on Studyinfo during the application period. To avoid the study fee, please enter that you have completed a degree at Turku University of Applied Sciences after 1 January 2019 on the application form.

Activate your Turku UAS user ID

Open UAS students need a user ID to access Turku UAS systems. Please activate your user ID at  https://id.turkuamk.fi . You can log in to the service with Finnish online banking credentials or mobile ID. If you encounter problems with activating your user ID, please contact servicedesk@turkuamk.fi.

With the user ID, you can log in to e.g.

• the online learning environment itslearning
• students’ mobile app Tuudo
• Turku UAS intranet
• shared computers and email

Turku University of Applied Sciences user IDs require multi-factor authentication (MFA). Please register MFA after activating your user ID. Read the instructions at https://www.tuas.fi/mfa .

Forgotten your password?

• Forgotten passwords can be reset in ID TUAS service
• Finnish bank credentials or mobile certificate are required resetting the password. If you do not have acces to Finnish online banking services, please contact servicedesk[at]turkuamk.fi for help with resetting your password.

The study fee for individual Open Studies courses is 15 €/ECTS. Study fees for individual Open Studies courses are paid when enrolling. All enrolled students will receive a payment link by e-mail.

When enrolling, you may choose to pay a semester fee of 200 euros. With a semester fee, you may enroll on an unlimited number of Open UAS individual courses for the duration of said semester. 

In addition to the study fee there may be course specific material costs.

For information on semester fees for path students, please see our website for new path students.

If you enrolled on one of our nonstop online courses, you will find the course on our itslearning learning environment.

Begin by activating your user ID and MFA, then log on to islearning at turkuamk.itslearning.com. Choose "log in with HAKA" to enter your Turku UAS credentials.

Your nonstop online course material will be available on the start page on itslearning.

Please note that you will be able to activate your user ID within a few business days of your enrolment being accepted. If you have any issues, please be sure to contact Open UAS at avoinamk@turkuamk.fi. 

Enrolment on individual Open Studies courses is binding once you have paid the study fee. Study fees will not be reimbursed even if you do not attend the course.

Open UAS will not return a paid semester fee even if you choose not to enroll on more courses during the semester.

If you fall ill prior to or during a course, we will return your study fee if 

• your illness lasts so long that the successful completion of the course is no longer possible (the teacher will decide if that's the case) and
• you have a doctor's note that states the length of your sick leave

Rejection of the studies by the TE-office does not entitle you to a refund or exemption from study fees.

Study fees are be refunded if the course is fully cancelled. Changes in the implementation or duration of the course do not entitle you for a refund. 

• You can request a transcript of records by contacting avoinamk(at)turkuamk.fi. We will automatically send a transcript of records to those who have completed separate evening and online courses through Open Studies, once the teacher has recorded the grades in the student records.
• Information on completed courses is recorded in the student records of Turku University of Applied Sciences.

Information about the grading system can be found above from the general Open UAS instructions.

You can find the course timetables in Lukkarikone . In Lukkarikone, you can search and feed one or several courses in the Study Basket and view the compiled course timetable.

User instructions for Lukkarikone

Feed a course code or several in the Search field under STUDY IMPLEMENTATIONS. Add the course in the STUDY BASKET by clicking on the blue button. Once you have searched and added all the courses you need, click on the “View schedule” button in the STUDY BASKET. You can save the schedule if you have TUAS’ user ID. If the classroom field is empty, the course is implemented online or the room has not been booked yet. The schedule can also change before the start of the course or during it.

ServiceDesk - IT Support System

If you encounter a problem that hinders your studying, you have questions regarding IT-services or you want to give feedback, check instructions on Service Desk and e-mail to servicedesk@turkuamk.fi.

Turku UAS Email Account for Students

Turku University of Applied Sciences offers students the organization’s e-mail address at Microsoft Office 365 service: firstname.lastname ( at ) edu.turkuamk.fi

Office 365 services include OneDrive, a personal storage for saving, sharing and jointly editing files; Skype for Business, IM and online meeting services and Yammer, a joint discussion forum for Turku UAS’ staff and students.

Itslearning

Courses include online studying between the contact teaching. In the autumn 2020 Turku UAS transfers online studying to a new online learning environment Itslearning. The teacher of the course will inform students if Itslearning or the former learning environment Optima is used used.

After activating your Turku UAS account, you can log into Itslearning at https://turkuamk.itslearning.com/

If you can not find the course you have enrolled to in the online learning environment, please contact your teacher.

Messi

With your user ID, you can log in Turku UAS’ intranet Messi, where you will find useful information on the studies and current news. Messi is not utilized for the actual completion of courses.

Tuudo

Tuudo combines the student services in one app: course timetables, completed courses, student cafeterias and campus maps. Downloading the app does not require activation of Turku UAS’ user IDs. The app is available in the Google Play store and App Store.