Credit transfer
Based on the curriculum of the University of Applied Sciences and VAMK counselling, the student draws up the personal study plan HOPS. Credit transfer is entered based on earlier documented performance as part of the individual study plan through credit transfer procedure. The extent of the studies remaining to be proceeded to is defined on the grounds of the personal study plan. The Dean confirms the Personal Study Plan.
Studies which are taken while in basic education or secondary education, and which constitute a prerequisite for attendance in education at a university of applied sciences, ordinarily cannot be accredited for in polytechnic education. Vocational second-degree education studies of the level of polytechnic education, for their part, qualify for accreditation.
Age and grading of earlier studies play a role at credit transfer. Particular emphasis is laid with the age of studies and work experience within fields in fast expansion. Studies and experience that meet the requirements of level and extent can be accredited for only once.
Degrees taken at universities and summer universities, folk high schools, study centres or elsewhere, representing higher education entities, can replace polytechnic studies, in case they according to the degree requirement correspond to the study entities, study periods or parts of these as included in the university of applied sciences degree. In addition, in free-choice studies accreditation can be made for higher education studies taken elsewhere at other educational institutions.
In case a person that has completed Open polytechnic studies is granted admission to Degree programme education at a University of Applied Sciences, the studies completed at the Open polytechnic are accredited for according to the subject content in each educational programme.
The student can include 2 cr. in free-choice studies for student tutoring work and 1 cr. for international student tutoring in accordance with a separate decision. The credit transfer for leadership training in the military service in Finnish Defence Forces for a reserve-officer or an under officer is 6 cr. The upper limit for the total amount of accreditation options in free-choice studies is indicated in the curriculum of the degree programme concerned.
The student can also substitute studies and practical training with other work practice that is in line with the objectives of the degree programme and is documented through a specified testimonial. Performance accredited based on work experience is not given a grade. One recommendable alternative way for receiving recognition towards the VAMK studies, for substituting theoretical studies with work experience is, for instance, to apply competence-based qualification proof. This provides an opportunity to demonstrate the required skills and competences by a skills examination. For students with prior vocational studies completed, opportunities can be arranged whereby they can demonstrate through competence-based qualification skills examination their attainment of the objectives of the study period targeted.
Instructions and Application for Credit Transfer: http://www.puv.fi/study/lomakkeet/
Identification and recognition of earlier gained skills - RAPL
RAPL procedure can be used in cases where earlier gained skills need identication and regognigation. More information of RAPL procedure can be found at: http://www.puv.fi/study/lomakkeet/
Handling procedure, rectification and filing
The Study Affairs Office enters into archive a submitted credit transfer application, checks that the documents with enclosures comply with the instruction and delivers them for the attention of the Head of the department concerned. Subsequently, the Dean takes the decision based on the application submitted, and the proposal made for the arrangement of the credit transfer.
The decision must specify in credit points, the extent of the studies replaced or given credit transfer for, the time of the performance and the grade as well as an indication of whether the studies are included in compulsory core studies, professional specialized studies or free-choice studies.
The decision about credit transfer must be issued within a month after the student submitted a complete application in writing for a decision to be made. The original application is archived in the files of the study affairs office.
The performance that replaces an entire study period is entered into the study register by designation M (completed elsewhere). Exclusively, only entire study periods can be applied for regarding credit transfer towards the degree. As far as it is a question of a part of the study period, the student makes an agreement about the recognition without a separate application. Regarding substitution of part attainment, the teacher makes the decision.
To the decision disappointed student can apply rectification in 14 days after decision informed her/him from the examination board of VAMK.