Studying at the University of Tampere

The University of Tampere (UTA), situated in one of Finland 's most vibrant student cities, is one of the largest and most competitive universities in Finland offering a wide range of courses and outstanding facilities for learning. UTA is committed to scientific research and advanced teaching focused on society, its economy, administration and culture as well as on public health, wellbeing and education. Today the University registers more than 15, 000 full time students studying in its nine schools. In addition, three independent institutes are affiliated to the University: the Language Centre, Library and the Finnish Social Science Data Archive.

Academic Calendar
Orientation Course
Tuition Fees
Language of Instruction
Academic Degrees and Structure of Studies
Forms of Instruction
Transcript of Academic Records
Publications for students

See also the Studies site for current students

Academic Calendar

The academic year at the University of Tampere is divided into two semesters each consisting of two periods. There is a one week break after the first and the third period, and a Christmas vacation of two weeks after the second period. Summer vacation runs from the end of the fourth period until the start of the new academic year.

The four-period system does not apply to the School of Medicine, in which teaching goes by the two-semester system.

Academic Year

Orientation Course

An Orientation Course for new international students is arranged twice a year in the beginning of the Autumn and the Spring semester. During the course students get information on the system of study, student life in Tampere, Finnish language courses, and library and computer services at the University. In addition, a city tour will be offered. We recommend the Orientation Course to all new international students. The course is free of charge.

Orientation Course programme on our Studies site

Tuition Fees

As an exchange or an international visiting student, you have no tuition fees to pay to the University. However, all degree students studying on Bachelor's and Master's programmes, and international exchange/visiting students pay the membership fee of the Student Union (see "Student Union").

Language of Instruction

The official language of instruction at the University of Tampere is Finnish except for the study modules and course units introduced in this guide, which are taught in English or in other foreign languages.

Academic Degrees and Structure of Studies

Finnish university degrees correspond to Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctor’s degrees. In most fields students can also take a Licentiate’s degree before the Doctor’s.

The current degree system took effect at the Finnish Universities in August 2005. The extent of a degree is given in credits (in Finnish opintopiste). One Finnish credit corresponds to one ECTS credit. The average input of 1600 working hours needed for studies of one academic year corresponds to 60 credits.

First cycle degree

The Finnish Bachelor’s degree (in Finnish kandidaatin tutkinto) is a lower university degree. It consists of 180 credits and takes three years of full-time study. To be awarded a lower university degree, the student must complete basic and intermediate studies (including Bachelor’s thesis). Basic and intermediate studies familiarise the student with the scientific terminology of his/her field of study, with its most important theoretical and methodological concepts, and its most significant research results and problems relevant to the objectives of the degree programme.

At UTA the degree programmes were renewed in 2012. A total of 24 new degree programmes start in September 2012. In the new Degree Programmes students first take the Bachelor's degree through a broad-based Bachelor's programme. They will transfer to Master's studies through a system specified separately in each degree programme.

Second cycle degree

The Finnish Master’s degree (in Finnish maisterin tutkinto) is a higher university degree. It takes two years of full-time study and consists of 120 credits. To be awarded a higher university degree, the student must complete advanced studies in his/her field. The main aim of advanced studies is to develop the student’s ability to seek and apply scientific knowledge. The student must also complete sufficient elective studies. A large proportion of the Master’s level studies is taken up by research, and the writing of Master’s thesis is usually the most extensive single study module.

Some academic fields have a somewhat different degree structure. In psychology, the extent of the Master’s degree is 150 credits. In medicine, the first degree is Licentiate of Medicine, requiring 360 credits.

In most degree programmes at UTA students will receive the right to study for the Master's degree at the same time as for the Bachelor's degree. The selection for the Master's studies will be based on students’ earlier studies. Special criteria may also be imposed for Master’s studies.

Third cycle

Postgraduate studies (Doctoral) in Finland have traditionally consisted of two degrees, i.e. the licentiate (in Finnish lisensiaatin tutkinto) and the Doctor’s degree (in Finnish tohtorin tutkinto). Students holding a Master’s degree may apply for the right to continue towards the postgraduate degrees. A postgraduate student is required to carry out independent research work, to familiarise him/herself extensively with other research in his/her field of study and with general scientific theory. In the studies for the Licentiate’s degree, an extensive Licentiate’s thesis is required. A doctoral student is required to submit a doctoral dissertation, based on major independent scientific work, and to defend it in a public debate.

For more information on Finnish higher education, see the website of the Ministry of Education and Culture at:
http://www.minedu.fi/ or of CIMO (Centre for International Mobility) at: http://finland.cimo.fi/

Forms of Instruction

Studies at the University of Tampere consist of several types of work forms. The most typical teaching methods are lectures, seminars, and exercises in small groups.

Lecture courses normally include 2-4 hours of lectures per week with a written examination on the contents of the course at the end of the course. Attending the weekly sessions and writing an essay and/or giving a presentation in class completes seminars. The most typical teaching method e.g. in language studies is working in small groups. There is normally a test at the end of the course.

Some courses may be completed by independent reading of literature included in the course unit requirements followed by an exam on set books. Such exams are arranged as examinations on set examination days and for most subjects there is also an option to take an exam through an electronic exam service when convenient for the student. Writing an essay on the topics defined by the lecturer may also suffice to complete some courses.

Transcript of Academic Records

All students receive a transcript of their academic records once a year for the courses taken at the University of Tampere. The transcripts are available both in Finnish and in English. Students can also browse their study records electronically through the web tool NettiOpsu at
http://www.uta.fi/studies/nettiopsu/ (use the back button to re-enter this site)

Publications for Students

Teaching schedules are published on the web only.

Printed guidebooks for exchange students are introduced at http://www.uta.fi/studies/exchangesstudents/guidebooks.html

On the studies site you will find useful information meant to support studies.