DEGREE REGULATIONS. 1 Units

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1 DEGREE REGULATIONS 1 Units Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu, University of Applied Science, subsequently to be referred to as VAMK, consists of three educational units, which are the School of Technology, the School of Business and the School of Health Care and Social Services. In addition to these, the UAS has an Administration Unit, and a Unit for Research, Development and Innovation and Design Centre Muova. 2 Overall obligation The general task of Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu, University of Applied Sciences is in accordance with the provisions of the Act on Polytechnic Education 932/2014 and the Degree on Polytechnic Studies 1129/2914. The task of Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu, University of Applied Sciences is to provide education based on the requirements the working life and its development as well as to provide higher education based on research and cultural starting points for professional expert tasks on and to support the professional growth of an individual. While implementing this task, Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu, University of Applied Sciences is to promote life-long learning. The license of Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu, University of Applied Sciences determines the degrees and related degree titles that it is to grant. The language of tuition and examination at VAMK is Finnish. Polytechnic degrees and higher polytechnic degrees can be taken at VAMK Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu, University of Applied Sciences can arrange specialisation education in the fields defined by the licence, provided that the University of Applied Sciences is a partner in the joint agreement between universities of applied sciences. Along with the educational task, VAMK delivers integrated and working life needs based research and development (R&D) services. The R&D focuses on furthering regional development and cooperation with small and medium sized companies. EDUCATION 3 Degree programmes, degrees and degree titles The operation and granting of degrees at VAMK is based on license granted by the Finnish Government to Oy Vaasan ammattikorkeakoululle Vasa yrkeshögskola Ab (VAMK, University of Applied Sciences) The language of tuition and examination at VAMK, University of Applied Sciences is Finnish. Degree programmes in Finnish can include study units or study modules implemented in English or Swedish when it is serving the purpose in the field that is being studied and it supports the student s internationalization. Correspondingly, degree programmes in English can include study units and study modules in Finnish to support the student s integration into Finnish working life.

2 The scope of the programmes leading to a Polytechnic degree is between 210 and 240 credits. A credit is defined so that the total work load of the student to attain the objectives corresponds to 60 credits (1600 hours). The scope of the programmes leading to higher Polytechnic degree is 60 or 90 credits. Polytechnic Degrees and degree titles provided by VAMK, University of Applied Sciences as follows: Business and Administration Tradenomi (Bachelor of Business Administration) 210 cr. The fields within the educational responsibility: Business Economics and Information Processing Health Care and Social Services Sairaanhoitaja (AMK) 210 cr Sosionomi (AMK) 210 cr. Terveydenhoitaja (AMK) 240 cr. Technology Insinööri (AMK) (Bachelor of Engineering) 240 cr. The fields within the educational responsibility: Construction and Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Automation Technology, Energy and Environmental Technology, ICT and Mechanical Engineering. Higher Polytechnic degrees and related degree titles: Business and Administration, higher Polytechnic degree Tradenomi (ylempi AMK) 90cr Technology, higher Polytechnic degree Insinööri (ylempi AMK) 60 cr Health Care and Social Services and Health Care, higher Polytechnic degree Sairaanhoitaja (ylempi AMK) 90 cr

3 Sosionomi (ylempi AMK) 90 cr Terveydenhoitaja (ylempi AMK) 90 cr VAMK, University of Applied Sciences has a responsibility to take care that those student who have started their degree prior to the current license came into force have a right to take their degree and be granted the degree title at VAMK, University of Applied Sciences in accordance with the legislation that was in force prior to the current license. RIGHT TO STUDY 4 Admission The admission to VAMK, University of Applied Sciences is through the joint application system or the separate admission following the admission criteria decided by the Rector. The Director of Unit decides on the admission of a student based on the joint application admissions list by the recommendation of the Head of the Study Affairs. The original certificates and diplomas of all admitted students are checked at the beginning of the semester. The student place is conditional until the grades in the certificate and the work experience have been checked. The UAS can revoke the admission if the applicant has not submitted the certificates by the deadline the UAS has stated or if the applicant has submitted false information about his/her grades or work experience. The revocation of the admission is decided by the Rector. The admissions office is responsible for the checking of the certificates and for the information and instruction thereof. The student can apply for rectification concerning the admittance to be the VAMK Board of Examiners no later than 14 days after the publication of the results. The admission for Open UAS takes as a rule place according to the order of registration to the study periods. A student who has completed studies through Open UAS may be taken as a degree student through a separate student admission. The prerequisite for receiving the right of study for a Polytechnic Degree is that the student has completed 60 credits of programme specific studies at the Open UAS. Studies completed at all open universities of applied sciences are accepted. If the student has completed a 180 credit Finnish vocational upper secondary qualification (180 credits, and has completed 30 credits of studies assigned by VAMK, s/he can be selected when applying to Polytechnic degree programme in the corresponding the upper secondary qualifications. The Rector decides on more detailed selection criteria. Receiving the right of study for a higher Polytechnic Degree is that the applicant has completed a minimum of 15 credits at Open UAS (the scope of the degree 90 credits) or a minimum of 10 credits (the scope of degree 60 credits) of programme specific studies. The average grade of completed studies has to be at least three (3). In addition, an applicable higher education degree is required for a

4 higher Polytechnic Degree and a minimum of three years of work experience in the relevant field after taking the degree. The Rector decides on the more detailed selection criteria. The decision on taking a student based on the completion of studies at Open UAS is taken by the Head of the School on the recommendation of the Head of the Study Affairs. The student can apply for rectification concerning the admittance to be the VAMK Board of Examiners, no later than 14 days after the publication of the results. The additional clause concerning the student admission in the field of Health Care and Social Services, see Transfer students By transfer student is meant a student who is admitted to take studies leading to an academic degree and whose right of study is transferred from one institute of higher education to another or within the institute to another degree programme so that degree title related to the degree remains or changes. VAMK can take transfer students by following the selection criteria laid down by the Rector. The Director of Unit will decide on the approval of the transfer application following the proposal of the Head of the Department. The student can be admitted to VAMK to a Degree Programme leading to a degree through a separate selection on the conditions as follows: 1. The applicant is an enrolled student at a Finnish institute of higher education. 2. The transfer student has sufficient proficiency to complete the studies required for the degree within the outstanding study time. 3. The right of study of the student to take the degree is defined based on the degree received in the transfer. The time to take the degree includes also the attendance or non-attendance the student has already used to take studies entitled by the right of study and to which the transfer is based on. 4. A prerequisite for the transfer is that a significant part of the studies taken can be included in the degree to be taken in accordance with the new right of study. 5. When the student accepts the right of study at VAMK, s/he loses the right of study to which the transfer is based on. 6. The transfer students start their studies always in the beginning of the term.

5 The transfer within VAMK from one Degree Programme to another can be accepted, provided the transfer takes place in the same field of study or into a field that is closely related. Closer instructions on admittance of a transfer student are available in the selection criteria. The student can apply for rectification concerning the admittance to be the VAMK Board of Examiners, no later than 14 days after the results have been published. The additional clause concerning the student admission in the field of Health Care and Social Services, see Right to study, right to study time limit and enrolment In defining the right to study, the provisions of the Act on Polytechnic Education 932/2014 and the Decree on Polytechnic Studies 1129/2914 are complied with in addition to instructions from the Ministry of Education. An accepted applicant who has confirmed to take the study place must enrol as decreed by VAMK, whereby the student is registered as a student at VAMK. In accordance with the Polytechnic Degree, VAMK collects tuition fees. Students who are required to pay the tuition fee must do so before enrolling for attendance. If a student who has received a student place does not pay the tuition fee by the given deadline and does not enroll for non-attendance, s/he has neglected the enrollment and will lose the right to study. VAMK has a scholarship fund with separate rules. The student in degree education must per academic year enrol for attendance or non-attendance according to the stipulations and time announced by VAMK. The enrolment is made for the complete academic year, if the student has left right to study. The enrolment per academic year can be changed at the turn of the semester during the enrolment time. The student who has exceeded the maximum time of the right of study cannot enrol non-attending. Neglect of enrolment responsibility leads to forfeiting the right of study. The student who has neglected the enrolment responsibility can apply for the restitution of the right to study. The restitution of the right to study must be applied while the quantitative study right is in force. The application for the restitution is submitted to the Study Affairs Office and a processing charge of 50 will be collected from the student (A1440/2014).The time passed after the neglect of enrolment spends the student s non-attendance periods, provided that the student has any left. The restitution of the right to study is made, if the student has a realistic opportunity to complete the studies in the time remaining. The right is returned from the beginning of the next term. The Director of Unit decides about the restitution of the right to study. The decision has to be made within one month after the student has paid the processing charge. The student who has resigned from VAMK (the right to study has concluded or the student has filed resignation) must by main rule reapply to the Degree Programme through the customary application

6 procedure. VAMK can on the student s application restore the right to study without the customary application procedure if the amount of lacking studies is 30 credits at maximum. The studies are arranged in such a way that a full time student can complete the studies in the time corresponding to their scope. According to the Decree (932/2014), the full time student is defined as a student involved in youth education or in day-time instruction. The targeted duration of studies refers to the scope of the studies to be completed in years. The targeted duration of studies in years is in the scope of studies divided by 60 as defined in the curriculum of the Degree Programme (OPS) or in the Individual Study Plan (HOPS). The students must complete their studies within a period that exceeds the extent of the programme by no more than a year, at the latest. The duration of non-attendance is excluded from the maximum length of studies (932/2014). The duration of study in case of specialisation education is determined according to the implementation time of the education and the right of study can be extended for one semester. The student in specialisation education cannot enrol for non-attendance. After the student has expended the targeted duration of studies, the right to study of the student terminates. When the student has received notice of the termination of the study right time, the student can for special reason, based on application, be granted the maximum of one year of discretionary extension to the study right time to complete the studies. For exceptionally weighty reasons, the previously extended study right time can be further extended, provided that the studies have progressed during the extension, the amount of remaining studies is reasonable, or the termination of right to study would be unreasonable for the student due to the student s life situation. An application for discretionary extension of study right time must be received while the student still has study time remaining. The application for the restitution is submitted to the Study Affairs Office and a processing charge of 50 will be collected from the student (A1440/2014). A detailed and feasible study plan is a precondition for the discretionary extension to can be granted. In particular, the student application must account for the amount of lacking studies, status of thesis and work placement, study plan on the completion of the missing studies, reason for delay in studies and date by which the student is committed to complete the studies. The Director of Unit takes the decision over extension of study right time. The decision has to be made within one month after the student has paid the processing charge. The additional clause concerning the revocation and restitution of the right of study in the field of Health Care and Social Services, see 15. The student can apply for rectification concerning the restitution of the right of study to be the VAMK Board of Examiners, no later than 14 days after the student has had a possibility to learn about the decision.

7 STUDIES 7 Degree programmes, curricula and individual study plans The curricula of the degree programmes leading to a Polytechnic degree consist of core studies, professional specialisation studies, free-choice studies, work placement to promote professional skills, thesis and maturity test. The degree programmes are divided into specialisations in which part of the studies focus on a particular sector in the professional field on which the degree programme is based. To obtain the right to practise the profession, in the degree programmes in social services and health, the Act and Decree on professional staff in public health service (559/94 and 564/94) are complied with in addition to the EU special directives. Studies leading to the higher Polytechnic degree include specialised professional studies, free-choice studies and the thesis. The studies are planned and delivered in study periods that form the basic unit with studies. Study periods may belong to compulsory, optional or free-choice studies. In the study unit descriptions of the curriculum for each degree program the name, scope in credits, objectives, subject content to be dealt with, prerequisites, study and assessment methods, learning materials, time of delivery and teacher responsible for each study unit are determined. All students draw up an individual study plan for themselves which is updated regularly. The Rector accepts the curricula for the degree programmes. 8 Proficiency in language The student must through the polytechnic studies in a degree programme or otherwise prove to have attained: 1) such a proficiency in Finnish and Swedish language, in provision with Decree (424/2003) on public body employees, that is required in an office where an academic degree is required in bilingual administrative district, and which is necessary for attending to professional tasks and professional development, and ( /497). 2) such a proficiency in one or two foreign languages in writing and speech, and which is necessary for attending to professional duties and for professional personal development. However, the student who has received schooling and education in some other language from Finnish or Swedish, and the student who has received schooling and education abroad, are excluded. The language proficiency of such a student is decided on the by the Director of Unit. The proficiency in language that the student has showed is indicated in the degree certificate. With regard to assessment scale in the second national language proficiency, closer information is given below in this chapter. Regarding the practices in language instruction and entries concerning languages in the degree certificate, the recommendations by ARENE (the Rectors' Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences) (attachment) and the internal directives of VAMK are complied with (attachment). The correspondence of language studies in the UAS relates to the Act 424/2003, section 6 on the requirement of proficiency in the second national language in a public sector office in bilingual

8 administrative district, that is, an entry with regard to the level of attainment in the second national language, Good or Satisfactory. The development project ( ), on commensurate attainment in higher education assessment in Finnish and Swedish was presented by the Ministry of Education 11/2002. Accordingly, the Ministry decided to recommend per that the accepted completion of the relevant study units in Polytechnic studies are assessed in such a way that 1-3 correspond in public administration to the mark Satisfactory and 4-5 correspondingly Good. 9 Thesis and maturity test The objective of the thesis as part of a polytechnic degree is to develop and demonstrate the student s readiness, apply the student s knowledge and skills in a practical expert assignment related to professional studies. The objective of the thesis of the higher polytechnic degree is to develop and demonstrate ability to apply and use research data and use selected methods in analysing and solving problems relevant in working life and to demonstrate readiness for a challenging expert work... As a rule, the thesis is written in the language of the degree programme. To be awarded a degree, the student has to write a maturity test related to the topic of the thesis which demonstrates knowledge in the field and skills in Finnish or Swedish. The maturity test is written in the language of the student s primary and/or secondary education. If the student has received primary and/or secondary education in some other language than Finnish or Swedish, the maturity test is written in the language of the degree programme or the Director of Unit can agree with the student about taking the maturity test in some other language. 10 Assessment of studies By means of assessment, the attainment of the learning outcomes of the study periods is directed and verified. Criteria for assessment are based on the learning outcomes of the study period. The student must receive full particulars on the criteria applied at the beginning of the study unit. The student s right and obligation to participate in the teaching is defined in the assessment plans per study unit. The student completes the study unit according to the requirements given in the implementation plan of the study unit. The student must get the assessment recorded in the student administration database within one month from the completion of the performance. The attainment of the learning outcomes leading to Polytechnic degree is assessed by means of oral or written performances, demonstrations of skills, assignments or by other reliable methods. The assessment of study periods is objective based. The scale of grades is the following: Excellent (5), Very good (4) Good (3), Satisfactory (2) and Passable (1) and Fail (0) or as follows: Completed (S), Fail (0) In addition, grade M (completed elsewhere) can be used for credit transfers.

9 The teacher who receives the performance of the student assesses the performance. The student has a right to receive information on the application of assessment criteria to the given performance. The procedure as defined in the act on Polytechnics (932/2014) and the Decree (1129/2014) is complied with at the rectification of assessment. The student who is not satisfied with the assessment and the feedback given can submit a rectification claim to the teacher who gave the assessment within 14 days after the publication of the grade. The student who is not satisfied with the written account from the teacher to the rectification can apply for the rectification in writing from the Board of Examiners within 14 days from receiving the teacher s account. The claim for rectification, addressed to the Board of Examiners, is submitted to the Study Affairs Office. The Board of Examiners will process the claim within 30 days after the reception of the claim, excluding July. The Board of Examiners base their decision on the statements and accounts they acquire. The decision of the Board of Examiners cannot be appealed. The Board of Examiners have their own regulations. The performance of a study period can be retaken the maximum of two times. The student has a right to raise a passed grade once within one year after completing the study unit. The teacher of the study unit decides how the raising is to take place. Failing to raise the grade does not lower the original grade. The grade of the thesis cannot be raised. If the student is unable to participate in the retakes due to verifiable illness, student exchange, or the student has received a fail grade from both retakes, the student will have to submit a written account of the reasons leading to the situation and a suggestion for measure to complete the study unit. The student submits the account to the Head of Degree Programme and has a discussion, based on the account, with the Head of Degree Programme. If need be, the Head of Degree Programme asks a statement from the teacher of the study unit. Passed study attainments will not be deleted from the study records. 11 Credit transfer and recognition and validation of prior studies To take a Polytechnic degree the student must prove to have attained the skills objectives as stated in the curriculum. The assessment of the correspondence of earlier studies is based on the curriculum of the degree programme. Hereby, correspondence refers to the correspondence in level, objective, field of knowledge and subject content. The assessment process of correspondence is based on written certificates or performance given by the student. The expert teacher defines the performances and demonstrations and assesses them in the same way as any other completion of the study unit. In freechoice studies, also other elsewhere completed higher education studies can be included, and credit transfer given. In case the student of Open UAS is accepted for enrolment in the Degree Programme, credit transfer takes place with regard to the studies completed in Open UAS according to the subject content of each Degree Programme. The decision on the credit transfer of the corresponding studies is taken by the Director of Unit based on the written application and the proposal of the Head of Degree Programme. The decision is made within one month from the submittal of the application to the Study Affairs Office.

10 The student can apply for the rectification in writing from the Board of Examiners within 14 days after the student has had a possibility to learn about the decision. The claim for rectification is submitted to the Study Affairs Office which will pass it on the Board of Examiners. The decision of the Board of Examiners cannot be appealed. There is a separate instruction for the recognition and crediting of prior studies or studies taken elsewhere during the studies. The decision of crediting such studies is usually made at the beginning of the studies or before the beginning of the study unit at the latest. 12 Completion of Degree Programme and degree certificate To proceed to the Degree Programme degree and certificate the student must participate in the study units of the Degree Programme in its various forms of implementation in such a way that the objectives set are attained complete the study periods indicated in the curriculum, which are assessed as defined above complete the work placement complete the thesis and take the maturity test. The degree certificate is signed by the Rector and the Director of Unit. The name of the degree, degree programme and specialisation alternatives if needed as well as the degree title that can be used based on the degree and the study units completed by the student, together with their grades and scopes, language skills, the name of the thesis and the language of the maturity test must be indicated in the Diploma. All the graduates receive also the Diploma Supplement certificate in English. The student has the right to receive, in the progress of the studies, a transcript over the studies completed. The students within Open UAS are issued an extract from the completed study register. MISCELLANEOS REGULATIONS 13 Drug testing VAMK, University of Applied Sciences can, by the Director of Unit s order, obligate the student to produce a certificate concerning a drug testing within a reasonable time limit if there is a justified reason to suspect that the student is performing tasks belonging to the studies under the influence of drugs or in work placement or the student is addicted to drugs. A justified suspicion can base on e.g. on a teacher s, work placement supervisor s observations on the student s behaviour or other feedback received that can be considered reliable. The prerequisite is that testing is necessary to determine the student s ability to function and that the student performs tasks that require special

11 attention, reliability, independent judgment or good reaction ability and in which working under the influence of drugs 1) Seriously endangers the student him/herself or another s life and health or 2) Is a serious risk to traffic safety or 3) Seriously endangers the protection or integrity of information protected by secrecy order 4) Significantly increases illegal trade or distribution of substances defined as drugs in drug legislation that are in possession of VAMK, or its maintainer or provider of work placement. The resolution on the request for the certificate of a drug test is taken by the Director of Unit. The student has to take the drug test immediately, during the day following the request at the latest. The drug tests required by VAMK, University of Applied Sciences are done by The City of Vaasa Student Health Care. VAMK will be responsible for any costs caused by the testing. 14 Disciplinary measures Reproducing texts, other materials and work is forbidden. The person, who presents in one s own name work made by another, is guilty of plagiarism. The student, who has while in Degree programme education, been guilty of fraud, falsification of document, or in some other way broken the order of VAMK, can be punished through disciplinary measures depending on the graveness of the breach, by a warning, or by expulsion for a fixed period of time, not more than a year. Depending on the graveness of the breach, the student is issued 1) a written warning by the Director of Unit, 2) the Rector s warning 3) a decision made by the Board of VAMK, University of Applied Sciences for expulsion of the student for fixed period. The other sanctions include (one or several): 1) refusing study performance (examination/viva voce, written task or assignment, etc.), 2) obligation to submit the written assignment drawn up on a new theme as individual work or 3) qualifying period for the study period. Before deciding the case, the student must be reserved an opportunity to be heard in the issue to be resolved (932/2014, 39 ).). A refusal to produce a certificate concerning drug testing or a positive test result can lead to disciplinary measures, for example, a written warning or temporary expulsion. 15 Impediments for admission as a student and revocation of the right of study due to unsuitability for the field or safety reasons in case of Social Studies and Health Care, Polytechnic degrees. (The Act on Polytechnic Education Polytechnic 932/2014 the Degree on Polytechnic Studies 1129/2014) A person whose illness or injury is apparently an impediment to the participation in the education cannot be admitted as a student into degree programmes in social studies and health care. However, such circumstances related to the applicant s health or ability to function must not be a disincentive for admission as a student if the impediment can be removed by reasonable measures. The revocation of right of study can also be an impediment for the admission as a student if the protection of other people s health and safety so requires. Both items call for careful consideration.

12 VAMK informs the applicants of the requirements concerning the health and other requirements related to studies. The applicants can thus assess themselves if they are suitable for the education in relation to their health and ability to function and what sort of information they are obligated to submit to VAMK. VAMK has a right to receive necessary information from another university of applied sciences, disregarding secrecy regulations, on pending revocation of right of study if the student has applied for student transfer. In case the studies include demands related to the safety of minors or patient and client safety, VAMK can revoke the right of study if: 1) The student has proved out to be, by repeatedly or seriously endangering another person s health or safety, decidedly unsuitable to act in practical tasks or practical training related to the studies. 2) It is obvious that the student does not, due to the state of health or ability to function, meet the requirements of the admission as a student. 3) The student has in the application withheld such information of the resolution of the revocation of right of study that could have been a disincentive to the admission as a student. VAMK, University of Applied Sciences has a right to receive the essential information needed for assessing the right of study on the resolution concerning the revocation of right of study and its justification from another institute. At VAMK, University of Applied Sciences such information is requested from another institute and given to another institute by the Director of Unit. 4) The student has been sentenced for an act of indecency, sex crime, and felonious act directed against another or a drug offence more grievous than a minor offence and if the revocation is necessary to protect the minors. VAMK, University of Applied Sciences can request an extract from the criminal record to see when the studies include assignments that materially involve working with minors and if work is long-term, the student works independently and without guidance. The extract of the criminal records is requested by the Head of Degree Programme. Items 2), 3) and 4) are applied only to students who have started their studies after Before the revocation of the right of study VAMK, University of Applied Sciences has to discuss the student s possibility to seek to another education with the student. The student can be transferred, with the student s consent, to another degree programme in VAMK, the requirements for admission as a student of which the student meets. If need be, a separate entrance examination can be arranged for the student. The resolution on the admission as a student is taken by the Director of Unit. The resolution also states the waiving of the current right of study.

13 The resolution on the revocation of the right of study is taken by the Board of VAMK, University of Applied Sciences. Before taking the resolution to revoke the right of study a necessary account on matter has to be made and an opportunity for the student to be heard arranged. At the same time with the resolution on the revocation of the right of study, the resolution on the enforcement of the resolution as without legal force and on the starting date of the enforcement also has to be taken. If the right of study of a student studying in the degree programme in Social Services and Health Care has been revoked due to state of health or ability to function, the student can apply for the restoration of the right of study. The applicant must prove that there are no longer reasons for the revocation. The student must submit medical certificates concerning his/her state of health. The application is written in free-form and there is no time limit for the application for restoration. The resolution on the restoration of the right of study is taken by the Board of the VAMK, University of Applied Sciences. 16 Transitional provisions and entry into force The Degree Regulation enters into force after the acceptance of the Board, and is effective onwards from 1 August 2017 to 31 July 2018.