Recognition and accreditation of acquired competencies (AHOT)

Approved by the Management Group 9 April 2010

With regard to the recognition and accreditation of acquired competencies, HAAGA-HELIA adheres to the following principles:

Transfer of credit

Transfer of credit is possible when the student has completed studies generating similar competencies at some other institute of higher education. Such accreditation shall always be awarded based on the objectives of the degree programme and competencies generated during the programme. The academic advisor identifies such studies and they are recorded in Winha as completed. Grades are also transferred, if possible, on the scale 1 - 5.

In other cases, students must otherwise demonstrate the acquired competencies. For transfer of credit, the place where the student completed the studies is also recorded.

Demonstration of acquired competencies

Studies at a university of applied sciences can also be completed by demonstration. This can involve earlier studies or work experience.

If a student has acquired competencies in some field, for example at a vocational college or through work experience, it is possible to complete courses teaching these competencies by demonstration. Students are informed about the dates of demonstration exams at the start of studies.

A student can participate in a demonstration exam for a course only once and this demonstration is graded using the same criteria as for the course (on the scale 1 - 5, or fail).

The student is expected to demonstrate that s/he has a command of the matters described in the course objectives and contents.

If a student is successful in the demonstration, the grade received for the demonstration is recorded in Winha.

Workplacement

Accreditation

Students can receive accreditation for workplacement completed in an other institute of higher education if this workplacement meets the objectives set for workplacement in the current degree programme.  The workplacement coordinator makes such accreditation decisions.

Demonstration

Completion of workplacement by demonstration is open to students who have acquired experience in the field prior to their studies and who wish to receive accreditation for this experience for good reason. The student demonstrates the acquired competencies in accordance with the instructions provided by the degree programme. Such demonstration sessions are agreed with the workplacement coordinator.

Thesis

The thesis cannot be completed by demonstration. The thesis also does not earn credit for another degree. Accreditation can be received for a thesis that has been completed for the same degree programme at another university of applied sciences.