Open UAS Study Instructions
Welcome to study at Metropolia Open University of Applied Sciences!
On this page, you will find practical instructions for open UAS students on starting your studies, using Metropolia’s services, and progressing smoothly with your studies. Please read the instructions carefully.
General Information about studying at Open UAS
Anyone interested in the subject can study at an Open UAS, regardless of age, educational background or previous study place. Open UAS studies are suitable, for example, for developing your skills, exploring a new field or preparing for degree studies.
However, studying at an Open UAS requires sufficient study skills and language proficiency. Upper secondary education, either general or vocational, usually provides a good foundation for higher education studies. Students are responsible to have the study skills required for their chosen studies. Some courses may have prerequisite requirements, which are stated in the course information in the Open UAS online store.
Metropolia degree students who are registered as attending cannot study at Metropolia Open UAS. As a degree student, you should enrol in courses through the Student’s Desktop in Peppi. For further guidance, please contact your degree programme
Individual Courses
Individual courses are separate study units, typically worth 1–5 ECTS credits. They offer a flexible way to develop your skills, explore a new field or complement your previous studies. Courses are available in various fields of study at Metropolia, and the selection varies from semester to semester. Free peek courses allow you to explore a new field or gain confidence in your choice of study programme.
Study Modules
An Open UAS study module consists of several courses. Diplomas of Higher Education and study modules provide practical, working-life-oriented education that allows you to deepen or broaden your expertise.
Path Studies
Path Studies offer an alternative route to becoming a degree student. Path studies consist of studies from the first academic year or semester of a degree programme. Path studies leading to a Bachelor's degree are usually 60 ECTS credits in scope, while path tudies leading to a Master's degree are typically 15–30 ECTS credits. Master's path studies require a suitable UAS Bachelor's degree.
There are two application periods for path studies each year. Learn more about path studies on the path studies page.
After completing path studies, you can apply for degree studies on the basis of Open UAS studies. However, completing path studies at an Open UAS does not guarantee admission as a degree student.
See the current course offering in the Open UAS online store
Payment Methods
Open UAS offers both free and fee-based studies. For fee-based studies, you can pay online when enrolling or, where available, choose to pay by invoice. The invoice can also be addressed to a Finnish company, for example if your employer is paying for your studies.
Study modules and Path Studies are invoiced in two instalments. The first invoice is sent after the studies begin and the second halfway through the studies. Other studies are invoiced in one instalment at the beginning of the studies.
As part of a pilot starting in August 2026, those who are eligible for a study voucher can also use it to pay for their studies.
Read more about the study voucher
Payment and Cancellation Terms
Before enrolling, please familiarise yourself with the Open UAS payment and cancellation terms. Enrolment in Open UAS is binding. Study fee depends on the studies you choose. Free cancellation of fee-based studies is only possible in exceptional circumstances specified in the payment and cancellation terms. A Open UAS study right cannot be transferred to other studies.
Read more about Open UAS payment practices and cancellation terms
Studying at an Open UAS requires sufficient study skills and language proficiency. Upper secondary education usually provides a good foundation for higher education studies.
Before enrolling, check the study information to see whether the studies you have chosen require previous knowledge or prior studies. Any prerequisite requirements help you assess whether you have sufficient skills and knowledge to complete the studies. Open UAS students are responsible for ensuring that they have the language proficiency and study skills required for their studies.
Please note that applicants enrolling in Master's path studies are always required to have a suitable Bachelor's degree or equivalent higher education degree.
Language Proficiency Requirements
In Finnish-language degree programmes, acquiring the professional communication skills required in Finnish requires a starting level of B2. In English-language degree programmes, a B2 starting level in English is likewise recommended. English-language study materials may also be used in studies taught in Finnish. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have sufficient language proficiency for their studies.
Higher education studies require sufficient language proficiency in different areas:
- reading comprehension
- listening comprehension
- writing
- vocabulary
- grammar
Please note that language proficiency may also be assessed as part of the selection process for path studies or study modules.
Framework of Reference for Language skills (A1–C2) on the Europass website
- A1 and A2: Basic user
- B1 and B2: Independent user
- C1 and C2: Proficient userFramework of Reference for Language skills (A1–C2) on the Europass website Framework of Reference for Language skills (A1–C2) on the Europass website
Graduates of Metropolia degree programmes can study Open UAS courses free of charge for four semesters, starting from the semester following graduation. Please note that the fee exemption only applies to Open UAS studies that are completed in full within this four-semester period. For example, if path studies continue beyond the exemption period, the standard open UAS fees will be charged for any studies completed after the exemption period has ended.
How to use the benefit
- Enrol in the studies of your choice in the Open UAS online store
- Select invoice as the payment method.
- Eligibility for the alumni fee exemption is checked automatically during enrolment, so you do not need to notify us separately. Customer Services will cancel the invoice for studies completed during the period in which the alumni benefit is valid.
Graduates of the MaVa preparatory programme
Those who have completed Metropolia’s 30 ECTS preparatory programme for higher education studies for immigrants (MaVa) can study Open UAS courses free of charge for two semesters. Studies can begin in the semester following completion of the programme. The fee exemption only applies to individual courses and study modules. Pathway Studies are not included in this benefit.
How to use the benefit
- Enrol in the studies of your choice in the Open UAS online store
- Select invoice as the payment method.
- Fill in the Open UAS contact form
- In the form, state that you have completed the preparatory programme and specify the studies you have enrolled in.
People fleeing the war in Ukraine
Metropolia Open UAS studies are currently free of charge for people fleeing Ukraine who are entitled to temporary protection in Finland. To qualify for the fee exemption, you must have a decision on temporary protection issued by the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri).
How to use the benefit
- Enrol in the studies of your choice in the Open UAS online store
- Select invoice as the payment method.
- Immediately after enrolment, send the Finnish Immigration Service’s decision on temporary protection by secure email to avoinamk [at] metropolia.fi (avoinamk[at]metropolia[dot]fi). See instructions for sending secure email. In your message, also state which studies you have enrolled in.
The study right for Open UAS studies is limited and is determined by the duration of the studies. All assignments and other study-related requirements must be completed within the study right period and according to the schedule of the studies. You can see the implementation period in the online store when enrolling and, during your studies, in your student information on the Student’s Desktop in OMA.
The study right for Open UAS studies can only be extended in the following situations:
- For studies that include a compulsory examination, students have two opportunities to retake a failed examination at the retake sessions announced for the implementation. If an Open UAS student’s study right ends before the retake examination is arranged, the study right may be extended to allow the student to take the examination. In this situation, please contact Open UAS Customer Services.
- In path studies and study modules, the study right may be extended by one semester at the discretion of the degree programme. An extension may be granted only once for the purpose of completing unfinished studies. The extension must take place in the semester immediately following the original study right period. No fee is charged for the extension. The decision on extending the study right is made by the Head of Degree Programme of the degree programme in which you are studying. In this situation, please contact the person responsible for your studies.
Kela financial aid and student benefits
Students studying at an Open University of Applied Sciences are not eligible for Kela student financial aid or a student loan. Open UAS students are also not entitled to student discounts on public transport, Kela-subsidised student meals or student health care services.
Unemployment and studying at an Open UAS
As of 1 July 2026, open higher education studies at universities, universities of applied sciences, adult education centres and summer universities do not affect entitlement to unemployment security if the jobseeker is aged 25 or over. Jobseekers do not need to report these studies to the employment authority.
If you have any questions about benefits, please contact your local employment authority. Read more on the Job Market Finland website (in Finnish).
Insurance
Metropolia’s Open UAS students are insured by the university of applied sciences during their studies.
Meal benefit for Pathway Studies students at Metropolia
Metropolia provides a separate meal benefit for Open UAS Pathway Studies students at Metropolia’s student restaurants, as Open UAS students are not eligible for Kela-subsidised student meals. The price of the meal varies by restaurant.
The meal benefit is not available at the student restaurant at Hämeentie 135 D. To receive the meal benefit, you must present either the red student card in the Tuudo mobile app or a study certificate. You can download a certificate of study from the electronic certificate service or collect one from Student Services during opening hours.
Starting Your Studies at Open UAS
For most Open UAS studies, students are admitted in the order of enrolment. In these cases, your study place is confirmed immediately upon enrolment if places are still available. If the studies are full, you can enrol on the waiting list and wait for a place to become available.
For some Pathway Studies and study modules, students are selected through a separate selection procedure, such as an interview. Any selection procedures are always described in the study information in the online store and on the study-specific webpage.
You can find all Open UAS studies and enrol in them in the Open UAS online store.
Go to the Open UAS online store
Instructions for enrolling in the Open UAS Online Store
You can filter studies in the online store using the search criteria on the left-hand side or use the free-text search to find studies that interest you. You can filter studies, for example, by field of study, mode of delivery or language of instruction. If you do not apply any filters, all available studies will be shown, so remember to check the language of instruction in the detailed study information.
Watch the video instructions for enrolling in studies in the Open UAS online store
You can activate your Metropolia user account once your study right has been created. This usually takes 1–3 working days after your study place has been confirmed. You will receive instructions by email when your user account is ready to be activated. If you are unable to activate your account immediately after receiving the message, please try again a little later. There may occasionally be a short delay before the account information is fully updated.
Activating Your Account After Strong Identification
If you completed strong identification during enrolment, you can activate your user account independently using your online banking credentials or a mobile certificate.
Activate your user account by following the IT Services instructions
Strong Identification and Account Activation After Weak Identification
Activating your user account requires strong identification.
If you enrolled in Open UAS studies using weak identification:
- You can visit a Student Services location during opening hours to verify your identity. Student Services will provide you with a form that you can use to activate your user account. Please note that you must bring a valid official identity document with you.
Student Services contact information
or
- Alternatively, you can complete strong identification remotely by verifying your identity using the Candour ID service.
Instructions for remote identification with Candour ID on the IT Services website
Once you have activated your user account, set up multi-factor authentication to access Microsoft 365 services.
Set up multi-factor authentication by following the IT Services instructions
The IT Services website also provides answers to frequently asked questions about multi-factor authentication.
Open UAS students are provided with a Metropolia email address, and all study-related messages are sent to this address. Course start instructions are usually sent to your Metropolia email, so make sure to start using it at the beginning of your studies.
Setting up your Metropolia Email
- Go to outlook.office365.com in your browser.
- Sign in using your Metropolia user account in the format tunnuksesi [at] metropolia.fi (username[at]metropolia[dot]fi).
- Please note: do not use etunimi.sukunimi [at] metropolia.fi (firstname[dot]lastname[at]metropolia[dot]fi). Use your username in its short form, followed by @metropolia.fi.
- The Microsoft Authenticator app will ask you to confirm a code. Enter the code and approve the sign-in.
Read more about Metropolia email in the Student's Guide
If you wish, you can set up automatic forwarding from your Metropolia email to your personal email address.
See Microsoft’s instructions for setting up automatic forwarding
Courses and Study Modules
The instructions for starting your studies explain which learning platform is used for the course and how to access the course materials.
Instructions for starting your studies are usually sent to your Metropolia email. Please note that after activating your user account, it may take a few hours for the automated message to arrive. If you do not see the message in your inbox immediately, please check your email again a little later. If you have not yet activated your Metropolia user account, messages related to starting your studies may also be sent to your personal email address.
Sign in to your Metropolia email
You can also check the instructions for starting your studies in the study workspace in Metropolia’s OMA system:
- Sign in to the Student’s Desktop in OMA using your Metropolia username and password.
- Select Workspaces from the top menu to see the workspaces for all your active studies (implementations). If the studies have not yet started, select upcoming workspaces.
Sign in to the workspaces in OMA
Pathway Studies
Instructions for starting Pathway Studies can be found on the webpage for the relevant pathway. Find your pathway in the Pathway Studies listing and go to its page to check the instructions for starting your studies.
Moodle
Metropolia uses several learning platforms, but Moodle is the most commonly used. Please note that course materials are available from the start date of your studies. Before that, the Moodle workspace may be hidden from students. The teacher will make the course workspace visible when the studies begin.
You may also need a separate enrolment key to access the course workspace. Check the instructions for starting your studies in your Metropolia email or in the OMA workspace for information on how to access the course platform.
Sign in to Moodle using your Metropolia username and password.
Path Studies
Instructions for starting Path Studies can be found on the page for the relevant degree programme path. Find the correct path in the Path Studies listing and go to its page to check the instructions for starting your studies.
During Your Studies
Open UAS students have access to a range of services at Metropolia.
Open UAS Customer Services
Open UAS Customer Services can advise you on matters such as enrolment, invoicing and study rights. However, Customer Services cannot provide guidance on course content or influence the assessment of completed studies. In these matters, the best person to contact is the teacher responsible for the course or another person responsible for teaching, as indicated in the course information.
Contact Open UAS Customer Services
Library
Open UAS students are entitled to use all Metropolia libraries and their services. You can obtain a library card by presenting proof of identity. The libraries also provide study spaces and computers for your use.
IT Services and Helpdesk
IT Services manages Metropolia’s IT services. The Helpdesk provides students with support in problems related to Metropolia’s information systems and user accounts.
On the IT Services website, you can find answers to common IT-related questions as well as the Mikro-Mikko chatbot, which provides guidance on IT matters.
Wellbeing
Open UAS students are not entitled to student healthcare services provided by the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS). If you are a Path Studies student in the field of health care and social services and need vaccinations or a vaccination certificate for your practical training, please contact the health centre in your municipality of residence.
Open UAS Path Studies students are entitled to use Metropolia’s own student wellbeing services
Lukkarikone
You can view your study timetables in Lukkarikone (Schedule machine)
When you sign in to Lukkarikone using your Metropolia username and password, you will automatically see a timetable for the studies you have enrolled in.
Tuudo
Tuudo is a mobile app where you can view, for example, your timetable and completed studies. Open UAS path students can download a red student card in Tuudo, which entitles them to the separate meal benefit available to path students at Metropolia’s campus restaurants, except at the Arabia Campus.
Download Tuudo free of charge from your phone’s app store and start using it. When signing in, select Metropolia University of Applied Sciences as your institution and sign in using your Metropolia username and password.
Open UAS students have access to the Microsoft 365 Apps package for the duration of their studies.
See the IT Services instructions for downloading Microsoft 365 Apps
Cloud Services
Open UAS students have access to Metropolia’s cloud services for the duration of their studies.
Student’s Desktop
On the Student’s Desktop in OMA, you can view your student information. For example, you can see the duration of your study right, the studies you have enrolled in and your completed studies.
Sign in to the Student’s Desktop in OMA
Transcript of Records
You can download an official transcript of records for your completed studies from your Personal Study Plan (PSP) on the Student’s Desktop.
You can download the transcript of records free of charge while your study right is valid. After your study right has ended, the transcript must be ordered from the archives, and a fee will be charged. Your completed studies are also available in the national My Studyinfo service.
Go to your Personal Study Plan (PSP) on the Student’s Desktop
You can download an official electronically certified certificate of study from Metropolia’s certificate service.
Access cards are used to move around Metropolia’s campuses. Open UAS students who study on campus are granted the access rights required for their studies, including access to any special facilities such as laboratories.
See the instructions for obtaining an access card in the Student Guide
The study information includes details on teaching methods, assessment criteria, attendance requirements and learning materials. If you have questions about completing your studies, please contact the teacher listed in the course information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Previous studies and prior learning cannot be fully recognised in Open UAS studies through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process, as formal credit transfer is only available to degree students. In Open UAS studies, prior learning may be recognised through partial credit, in which case you demonstrate your competence in a manner determined by the teacher. For more information, please contact the course teacher or study counsellor. Partial credit granted for Open UAS studies does not entitle you to a reduction in the study fee.
Additional Studies for Pathway Students Through Cross-Institutional Studies
Metropolia Open UAS Pathway Studies students can complete additional studies free of charge from the course offerings of other higher education institutions through cross-institutional studies.
Learn more about cross-institutional studies in the Student Guide
Open UAS students who complete at least 30 ECTS credits per semester are entitled to personal study guidance during their studies. Students are expected to participate in study guidance and take responsibility for the progress of their studies.
Personal study guidance is provided by a person designated by the degree programme, such as a teacher tutor, study counsellor or Head of Degree Programme. The degree programme provides path studies students with more detailed instructions on study guidance.
For questions related to completing an individual course, always contact the course teacher.
Use of Artificial Intelligence in Studies
Artificial intelligence can be used responsibly to support teaching and learning. In Open UAS studies, students must always check how the use of AI is permitted on the course or in the assignment in question. AI must not be used dishonestly to complete study assignments or to gain any other unjustified advantage. Students are always responsible for the content of the work they submit.
Read Metropolia UAS’s guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence
Rules and Guidelines Governing Studies
Metropolia University of Applied Sciences’ policies and regulations governing studies apply to Open UAS students where applicable. Metropolia takes unethical conduct and academic misconduct seriously.
Read Metropolia UAS’ rules and guidelines for studies
Substance Abuse Programme
The use of intoxicants and other substances, including alcohol, illegal drugs and the misuse of medication, as well as being under their influence on Metropolia premises or in learning situations, is strictly prohibited. The university of applied sciences has a duty to intervene in situations where intoxication or possession of intoxicants is suspected.
If a course implementation includes an examination, it is usually taken as part of the course.
For every course implementation that includes an examination, students have two opportunities to retake a failed examination at the retake sessions announced for that implementation. If you have passed the course, you have one opportunity to retake the assessment at the immediately following retake session in order to improve your grade. If the assessment is based on a method that cannot be repeated, you do not have the option to improve your grade.
If your study right ends before the retake examination is arranged, register for the retake according to the instructions provided. After registering, contact the teacher of the course and ask them to notify Open UAS Customer Services that your study right needs to be extended. Your study right will be extended at the teacher’s request so that you can take part in the retake examination.
Read more about examinations and retakes in the Student Guide
After Your Studies
Grades for completed studies are generally entered in the OMA student register within four weeks of completion. There may be delays in grading during teachers’ holiday periods.
Grading
Studies are assessed either on a scale of 0–5 or on a pass/fail basis.
Grades:
- excellent
- very good (4)
- good (3)
- very satisfactory (2)
- satisfactory (1)
- fail (0)
Learn more about the principles of assessment in the Student Guide
You can also find information about your completed Open UAS studies in the My Studyinfo service. In My Studyinfo, you can view and download information about your completed studies. You can also use the service to share this information with, for example, an employer or another educational institution.
Open UAS students should download their transcript of records themselves while their study right is still valid, following the instructions provided. After the study right has ended, ordering a transcript of records or a certificate of study is subject to a fee.
See the archive instructions for ordering study certificates
You can check the end date of your study right in your student information on the Student’s Desktop in OMA. After your study right has ended, you will no longer be able to sign in to Metropolia’s systems, so remember to save any files you wish to keep from course workspaces and cloud services. Also remember to download a transcript of records for the studies you have completed.