1 (7) LAHTI UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES DEGREE REGULATIONS Lahti University of Applied Sciences degree regulations are established on the Polytechnics Act (351/2003) and Government Decree on Polytechnics (352/2003). The degree regulations were approved by the Board of Lahti University of Applied Sciences on 18 June 2012, and they enter into force on 1 August 2012. 1 Educational task and higher education The sphere of Lahti University of Applied Sciences includes the following fields of study: 1. Culture 2. Social Sciences, Business and Administration 3. Natural Sciences 4. Technology and Transport 5. Social Services, Health and Sports 6. Hospitality Management Within its sphere of operation, Lahti University of Applied Sciences provides higher education in compliance with the Polytechnics Act (351/2003) to support the professional growth of individuals. The University of Applied Sciences performs applied research and development activities that foster higher education, working life and regional development and takes the regional economic structure into account. The main language of instruction is Finnish, although teaching may also be provided in other languages. The language of instruction for foreign language degree programmes is English. The domicile of Lahti University of Applied Sciences is the City of Lahti. The University of Applied Sciences offers degree programmes within the scope of its educational task. Degree titles are in line with Section 3 of the Polytechnics Decree (352/2003). Lahti University of Applied Sciences provides education leading to a Bachelor s degree and Master s degree as well as part-time and open studies. 2 General regulations concerning degrees Studies leading to a degree are arranged in the form of degree programmes. Planned and arranged by a university of applied sciences, degree programmes comprise study entities that have an orientation towards a labour market task and related development that requires expertise. The scope of a degree programme is 210 270 credits. A credit is based on student input comprising the required workload of a student measured in hours, regardless of the teaching methods or arrangements. One academic year of full-time studies yields 60 credits and equals 1,600 hours of work. The scope of degree programmes in Culture is 240 credits, with the exception of the Degree Programme in Music with its scope of 270 credits. Social Sciences, Business and Administration; Natural Sciences; Social services, Health and Sports; and Hospitality Management have a scope of 210 credits, with the exception of the specialisation option in Public Health Nursing with a scope of 240 credits. The scope of degree programmes in Technology and Transport is 240 credits.
2 (7) Degree programmes are arranged, so that a 210-credit degree programme can be completed in 3.5 years, 240-credit degree programme in 4 years and 270-credit degree programme in 4.5 years. The scope of a university of applied sciences Master s degree is 60 or 90 credits. 3 Degree programmes and curricula The curricula define the structure and contents of the degree programmes. The University of Applied Sciences publishes annual study guides for full-time and part-time programmes on its Internet pages, which include up-to-date curriculum content descriptions and degree requirements Degree programme curricula are approved by the Board of Lahti University of Applied Sciences. Degree programmes can be divided into specialisation options (352/2003, Section 6). 3.1 Structure and objectives of studies leading to a university of applied sciences Bachelor s degree Studies leading to a university of applied sciences Bachelor s degree comprise basic and professional studies, the work placement and a thesis, which involves seminar work and a maturity test. The studies are arranged in the form of courses, which can be either compulsory, freechoice studies or optional studies. Part of the professional studies can be arranged as on-thejob training. Basic studies Basic studies at Lahti University of Applied Sciences are divided into common basic studies and degree programme -specific basic studies. The scope of common basic studies is 14 credits. In line with the reformed modular structure, joint studies may be integrated into other studies. Language studies included in basic studies are pursuant to the relevant decrees (352/2003, Section 8). Professional studies Professional studies are designed to familiarise students with the main problems and applications of the field in question and their scientific or artistic grounds, so that graduates are able to work independently in management, expert and development tasks and as entrepreneurs. Optional studies All Lahti University of Applied Sciences optional studies have a scope of 15 credits, with the exception of the 5-credit DP in Nursing. The study plan may also include corresponding optional studies completed at another university of applied sciences, university, abroad or at another educational institution. The studies are approved by the principal lecturer or a lecturer appointed by him/her. Work placement Work placements are target-oriented and their scope is determined by the degree programme. One work placement week corresponds to 1.5 credits. Work placements are mainly arranged during the academic year. The lecturer in charge of the work placement grants approval and provides related instructions. Thesis Theses are mainly carried out for employers and projects. The scope of a Bachelor s thesis is 15 credits and Master s thesis 30 credits.
3 (7) Theses are carried out independently or in teams of several students. Students have the right to know the assessment principles, criteria and procedure. Assessment has a developmental focus and is competence-based. Statements are requested from the student and peer evaluators. A statement can also be requested from the commissioner of the thesis. Although the final grade is determined by the supervising teacher, an external evaluator can aid the decision. In the case of theses carried out as teamwork by several students, each participant must demonstrate his/her competence. The grade is a student-specific numeric grade (1-5). If a thesis is rejected, the student makes the required corrections. Amendments to grades comply with the amendment procedure for assessments at universities of applied sciences The thesis always includes a written report. The written report and author details are submitted to the Theseus electronic library. The thesis grade is entered in the student register after the student has saved and published the written thesis report in the Theseus electronic library. In addition to the written report, new knowledge, a product, service or artistic production generated as a result of the thesis can be made public. Once saved in Theseus, the thesis is stored for ten years. The thesis is a public document as soon as it has been presented and approved. Also the thesis report is a public document. The student is the copyright holder. Copyright is agreed upon separately in the commission agreement at the beginning of the thesis process to the extent that they are transferred either to the commissioning organisation or university of applied sciences. Upon request by the commissioning organisation, any confidential material is removed from the report prior to its publication. In case of a joint assignment, students agree on copyright mutually. Further instructions for writing a thesis are available from Lahti University of Applied Sciences thesis guidelines. Maturity test The maturity test demonstrates a student s expertise in the field of the thesis and proficiency in Finnish or Swedish. Students taking degree programmes in English may take the maturity test in English, if they have received their formal education in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or abroad. The maturity test is graded as a pass or fail. Students are entitled to retake a failed maturity test twice. Further instructions for completing a maturity test are available from Lahti University of Applied Sciences thesis guidelines. Tutoring Students are entitled to receive guidance for planning and updating their personal study plan (PSP) and for their studies. Personal study plan (PSP) Students draw up a personal study plan (PSP) in line with their personal goals and according to the compulsory, free-choice and optional nature of studies defined in the degree programme curriculum. 3.2 Structure and objectives of studies leading to a Master s degree Studies leading to a Master s degree include advanced professional studies, optional studies and the thesis. The objectives for a university of applied sciences Master s degree are in compliance with Section 7a of the Polytechnics Decree, 352/2003. Duration of studies The scope of degree programme curricula leading to a Master s degree is a minimum of one academic year and maximum of 1.5 years of full-time study (351/2003). The maximum duration for completing studies with a scope of 60 credits is 2 years and 2.5 years for a scope of 90 credits.
4 (7) Maturity test The maturity test for a university of applied sciences Master s thesis can also be in the form of an expert article or a press release. 4 Accreditation of prior and experiential learning Completed studies, work placement and competence acquired at work or in some other way that correspond to courses in the curriculum or parts thereof can be accredited as part of the degree programme upon the student s request. Accreditation of prior learning involves verifying the relevant certificates and time of study. Competence acquired at work or otherwise is demonstrated in a reliable way, e.g. by means of a skills demonstration or portfolio. Accreditation is requested by completing the relevant form usually on an annual basis. Accreditation is granted by the principal lecturer or lecturer appointed by him/her. 5 Student admission Applying to universities of applied sciences (full-time studies, degree programmes in English, part-time studies leading to a Bachelor s degree and studies in Finnish leading to a Master s degree) takes place through the Finnish joint application system for universities of applied sciences. A university of applied sciences may decide to eliminate a specific adult education or degree programme in a foreign language from the joint application system (Decree on the Joint Polytechnics Application System, 1044/2009). Student admission complies with the admission criteria determined by the universities of applied sciences and the order of preference marked by the student on the application form. Decisions relating to special arrangements for the entrance examinations (including granting additional time) are taken by the principal lecturer or person appointed by him/her. Applicants are entitled to submit a written request for amendment to the Board of Lahti University of Applied Sciences within 14 days of receipt of the decision. Student admission is conditional until the applicants school and work certificates have been verified by the university of applied sciences. The university of applied sciences may cancel the selection, if applicants fail to submit their certificates within the specified timeframe or if they have provided false information regarding their grades or work experience. Decisions concerning the cancellation of student selection are the responsibility of the study affairs manager and are notified to the applicant in writing. Applicants are entitled to submit a written request for amendment concerning student admission to the Board of Lahti University of Applied Sciences within 14 days from receipt of the decision concerning the cancellation of the student selection. Lahti University of Applied Sciences informs Social Services and Health Care applicants concerning requirements for their medical and functional condition. Students without the medical and functional capacity to participate in practical assignments and studies cannot be accepted. Ineligibility may also apply to those whose study place has been cancelled on a prior occasion, if issues relating to the protection of the health and safety of others so require. Lahti University of Applied Sciences makes a decision on a case-by-case basis on whether a prior cancellation may affect the field of study. 6 Acceptance as a transfer student Students of another university of applied sciences may apply for the transfer of their study entitlement to Lahti University of Applied Sciences (same degree programme, same or equivalent degree title, same specialisation option in the DP in Nursing). Transfer can be applied for after the first semester. Decisions on acceptance as a transfer student are taken by the principal lecturer in charge of the degree programme. Transfer students must have completed normally progressed studies whilst registered as present at the previous institution. Selection is based on suitability, credit accumulation and aca-
5 (7) demic achievement. The selection is conditional until the students withdraw from the previous university of applied sciences and until the credits been verified from the official transcript of records of the previous institution. 7 Enrolment and study entitlement Lahti University of Applied Sciences students must enrol as present or absent each academic year via the WinhaWille portal (URL: wille.lpt.fi) between 1 June and 7 September. Attendance is confirmed in the autumn for the whole academic year. Enrolment details can be changed during the enrolment periods from 1 June to 7 September and from 1 December to 7 January via WinhaWille. Enrolment is carried out for the whole semester. Students can change their attendance status during the semester only in cases of sickness leave, maternity leave or termination of military service. If a student is enrolled as present in the middle of the semester, the whole semester is recorded as the enrolment period. Similarly, the enrolment period remains unchanged for students who enrol as absent in the middle of the semester. The autumn semester begins on 1 August and ends on 31 December, and the spring semester begins on 1 January and ends on 31 July. New students enrol as present or absent using a separate form. Only students enrolled as present are entitled to complete studies and receive entries in the student register. Everyone who has been admitted and registered as a student by the university of applied sciences receives the study entitlement. Study entitlement for studies leading to a degree is confirmed by the President of Lahti University of Applied Sciences. Full-time students must complete studies leading to a degree within no more than one year longer than its scope. Based on their written notice of absence, students are entitled to a total period of absence of two academic years, although a notice of absence can only be made for one academic year at a time. This non-attendance period is not counted into the maximum duration of studies. The maximum duration of part-time studies is determined upon confirmation of the relevant degree programme. Only full-time students are entitled to enrol as absent. Students who have not enrolled as present or absent as required by the university of applied sciences lose their study entitlement. If students wish to resume or restart their studies, they must reapply for study entitlement from the principal lecturer in charge of the degree programme. A handling fee of 35 euro is incurred for restoring the study entitlement (Government Decree 1230/2009, Section 4). Students who have not completed their studies within the accepted time limit lose their study entitlement. The university of applied sciences may, for special reason and upon the decision of the principal lecturer, grant additional time of a maximum of one year for completing the studies. This decision is based on a plan drawn up by the student and approved by the principal lecturer for completing the missing studies. A handling fee of 35 euro is incurred for restoring the study entitlement (Government Decree 1230/2009, Section 4). If students are dissatisfied with the decision made by the principal lecturer concerning their study entitlement, they have the right to apply for amendment in writing to the Board of Lahti University of Applied Sciences within 14 days from the date of receipt of the decision 7.1 Cancelling and restoring study entitlement in Social Services and Health Care The university of applied sciences has the right to cancel the study entitlement of a student in social services and health care if, by endangering the health or safety of others, the student has proved to be unsuitable for practical tasks or practical studies relating to the programme. Other grounds for cancellation include cases where a student has at the application stage
6 (7) failed to notify of a previous cancellation decision, or a student has been convicted of an offence that may hinder working with minors. Decisions on cancelling or restoring a study entitlement are taken by the Board of Lahti University of Applied Sciences. Before the decision to cancel a study entitlement, necessary clarifications must be acquired relating to the case and the student must be offered an opportunity to be heard. The university of applied sciences must together with the student clarify opportunities to apply for or transfer to other training. Cancelled study entitlement may be restored upon request by students, if the study entitlement has been cancelled on the basis of a factor relating to their medical or functional condition and the applicants are able to prove that these factors no longer exist. Students may appeal the decisions relating to cancelling or restoring their study entitlement to the students legal protection board within 14 days of receipt of notification of the decision. 8 Assessment of completed studies and appeal Attainment of course targets is assessed on the basis of oral and written examinations, assignments and other reliable assessment methods. Students have the right to receive information on how assessment criteria have been applied to their studies. The lecturer in charge of the course is responsible for related assessment (including the thesis). Lahti University of Applied Sciences uses a programme that detects plagiarism; plagiarism results in sanctions. The lecturer in charge of the course ensures that the grades are recorded in the credit record database within 30 days of the completion date. Approved studies are graded as Excellent (5), Good (4 and 3) or Satisfactory (2 and 1). A rejected course results in a Fail (0). Courses can also be assessed as a Pass/Fail. Students may attempt to improve a passed course grade once within one year from the date the grade was entered in the credit record database. The right to improve a grade only applies to course examinations and corresponding grades. In the case of a failed examination, the same timeframe applies, so that a possible attempt to improve the grade also takes place within the same period of a year. Students have two attempts to retake the grade for a failed course. Students have the right to receive information on how assessment criteria have been applied to their studies. Students are provided the opportunity to check grade information stored about them in written or other form. The information is stored for six months from the publication of the results. Students who are dissatisfied with the results of the assessment of their studies or the credit transfer of studies carried out elsewhere can request, verbally or in writing, for a reassessment of the results from the lecturer who carried out the assessment or made the credit transfer decision. The reassessment request must be made within 14 days from the date the student had the opportunity to obtain the assessment results and the information on the application of assessment criteria. The lecturer must always reply to the student requesting for reassessment in writing. Students who are dissatisfied with the decision referred to above may submit their appeal to the Board of Examiners of Lahti University of Applied Sciences within 14 days of receipt of notification of the decision. Further information on the assessment of studies is available in the study guide.
7 (7) 9 Degree certificate In addition to the degree and degree programme, the degree certificate indicates the degree structure and key content, assessment, scope, work placement approval and topic of the thesis as well as mentions the necessary skills in Finnish and Swedish required of personnel in public bodies. Students request for a degree certificate in writing. The application is submitted to the relevant student affairs office no later than four weeks before the planned graduation date. Before receiving their degree certificates, students fill out the Ministry of Education and Culture feedback questionnaire (OPALA) and save their thesis report in the Theseus electronic library. Students have the right to receive an international Diploma Supplement to the degree certificate or certificate on completed studies and related studies and credits. The supplement also indicates the level of studies and status in the educational system. The degree certificate is approved and signed by the President of Lahti University of Applied Sciences and Dean of the Faculty. Students are entitled to receive a transcript of records during their studies as a certificate of their academic achievements. 10 Disciplinary action Disciplinary action relating to students is provided for in Section 28 of the Polytechnics Act (351/2003). The decision on a caution to a student is made by the President and the decision on a student s temporary suspension by the Board of Lahti University of Applied Sciences. 11 Entry into force These degree regulations shall enter into force on 1 August 2012. Approved by the Board of Lahti University of Applied Sciences on 18 June 2012 ( 65).