Planning Your Studies
Contents:
Objectives of the Education
Structure of Studies
Study Guidance
Personal Learning Plan (PLP) and Study Plan
Recognition and Accreditation of Prior Learning
Links
Objectives of the Education
The general objective of Bachelor’s degree studies is for the students to acquire the knowledge and skills needed in expert tasks, relevant to the requirements of working life and its development. The aim is that the graduates have
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comprehensive practical basic knowledge and skills and mastery of their theoretical basis for performing expert tasks in the respective field;
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the qualifications needed for following and promoting development in the field;
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a readiness for lifelong learning;
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sufficient communication and language skills
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the qualifications needed for international activities in the field in question.
Structure of Studies
Bachelor’s degree studies are organised through degree programmes of 210, 240 or 270 ECTS credits. The degree consists of basic studies, professional studies, elective studies, a practical training period enhancing professional competence, and a bachelor’s thesis, in compliance with the curriculum of the degree programme. The studies are either compulsory, optional, or elective. (Government Decree on Polytechnics 15.5.2003/352)
Basic Studies
The students become familiar with studies at the university of applied sciences, including the aims and content of the education, acquire a basic knowledge within the subject area of their degree programme, and develop their general communicative skills. They learn the essential concepts as well as central theoretical and professional knowledge of the field. The contents and implementation of the basic studies vary between the degree programmes, depending on the students’ prior studies.
Professional Studies
The aim is to introduce the students into the central problem entities of the professional field in question, as well as into their scientific foundations. Professional studies are either compulsory or optional. Part of the professional studies can also be chosen from other degree programmes within JAMK or from other institutions of higher education, either in Finland or abroad.
Elective Studies
The elective studies (minimum 15 ECTS credits in Bachelor’s degrees) provide students with the opportunity to choose courses from outside their own degree programme. The aim is to individually deepen and broaden the competences of students. Students may choose elective courses either from the offering of JAMK or from other educational institutions, provided that the head of degree programme has approved them.
Practical Training
The aim of the practical training is to deepen the professional studies and to familiarise students under supervision, above all, with the practical tasks essential for the professional studies, and to provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in working life.
Bachelor’s Thesis
The objective of the bachelor’s thesis is for the students to develop and demonstrate the ability to apply their knowledge and skills to a real-life expert task relevant to the professional studies.
Personal Learning Plan (PLP) and Study Plan
All the students create a personal learning plan (including a study plan and career plan) at the beginning of their studies, defining the study entity which will provide the expertise and degree aimed at. The study plan helps students to organise and evaluate the progress of their studies, clarify their interests, orientate their studies, and set objectives and schedules.
The study plan enables teachers and tutors to follow and guide the learning and developmental needs of students more individually. The heads of degree programme or the persons authorised by them accept the study plan to be implemented, which is annually updated.
The study plan includes all the compulsory basic and professional studies of the degree programme, the practical training and the bachelor’s thesis, based on the curriculum of the programme in the student’s first year of study. In addition, the study plan can include optional and elective studies, whose offering varies each academic year. Students are recommended to choose elective courses also from other degree programmes and the interdisciplinary studies of JAMK.
Students who need to extend the standard study period or who transfer from another higher education institution must agree on the structure of their studies with the head of degree programme when creating and revising their study plan. Students must also have their study plan checked by the head of degree programme if its implementation is no longer possible due to potential changes in course offering or delay of studies. The head of degree programme must make sure that the students get enough support and guidance in order to finish their studies.
Students who have started their Bachelor's Degree studies in autumn 2011 or later will create their Personal Learning Plan (PLP) in Kyvyt service. Login to Kyvyt through Optima. Instructions on how to create your PLP in Kyvyt you will find here and in Kyvyt service.
The students who have started their studies before autumn 2011 create their PLP in ASIO Student management System. The software opens the curriculum confirmed for the year in which the student starts the programme, based on which the study plan is created. Please note that enrolment for attendance/non-attendance and registration for courses must be done in the ASIO, separately for every semester. Teacher tutors help students use the ASIO.
A plan for internationalization can be included in the personal study plan, in which one can reflect on the most suitable way of internationalization at the various stages of studies. Practical training and/or studies abroad are very recommended, and the students of all the degree programmes can include their planning in the study plan.
Links
Tsemppis Group
Optima (user ID required)
ASIO student management system (user ID)
Kyvyt.fi Service
Degree regulations
Forms