Structure of Studies

Finnish Higher Education Structure

Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences operate by the regulations and instructions set by the Ministry of Education and Culture. See more on the Finnish higher education structure and policies on the website of the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Structure of Studies at Metropolia

Bachelor Level

The structure of all Bachelor degree programmes at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences consists of

  • Core requirement studies (common and discipline-specific)
  • Professional studies
  • Work placement / clinical practice / internship
  • Language studies
  • Elective studies
  • Bachelor’s Thesis

The extent of the studies in different degree programmes varies between 210-270 ECTS credits and is planned to take at most 4.5 years to complete, depending on the degree programme.

Core Requirement Studies

The aim of core requirement studies is to:

  • introduce the student to the UAS and the degree programme,
  • equip the student with a broad overall perspective of the position of the field in question and its significance to society,
  • introduce the student to the business and industry and the professional practices of the relevant field both in Finland and abroad,
  • familiarise the student with the most general theoretical bases and communications of the appropriate field.

Professional Studies

The aim in professional studies is to familiarise the student with the main problem areas and applications of the relevant professional field and their theoretical bases. This way the student is capable of independent work as an expert in his/her field.

Work Placement / Clinical Practice / Internship

The aim of the work placement / clinical practice / internship is to familiarise the student with main professional practices under supervision and to apply knowledge and skills learned during the courses.

See more on Work Placement Possibilities.

Language Studies

All Finnish students are required to achieve a level of competence in Finnish and Swedish which corresponds to the level of language competence required for public servants holding a higher education degree. The students also have to have proficiency in one or two foreign languages which is/are essential for the student to practise his/her profession and to develop professionally.

See more on Language Courses.

Elective Studies

The student is free to choose studies from all the programmes offered at Metropolia, and at other institutions of higher education. Studies abroad, for instance during student exchange, can also be included in the studies.

Bachelor’s Thesis

The Bachelor’s Thesis is a multi-disciplinary, problem-based project. It can be either theoretical or empirical research, and either a development or planning project. The project is carried out primarily for the needs of the relevant professional sector and its subject matter is closely related to the professional studies of the degree programme. The Bachelor’s Thesis project includes always a written element. It may be undertaken as an individual piece of work or as a joint effort in a small group.

See more on Bachelor's Degrees in Metropolia.

Master Level

UAS postgraduate degrees are equivalent to a Master’s Degree. The structure of all second-cycle degree programmes at Metropolia consists of advanced professional studies, elective studies and a Master's Thesis. The extent of the Master’s Degree is either 60 or 90 ECTS credits, and it takes approximately 1,5 - 2 years to complete the degree.

See more on Master's Degrees in Metropolia.