Adopted at the meeting of the Board of HAAGA-HELIA University of Applied Sciences on on 28 March 2011.
In these regulations, the abbreviation UAS refers to University of Applied Sciences.

Chapter 1.
General Regulations Concerning Studies at HAAGA-HELIA University of Applied Sciences

1 § Degrees

The degrees to be obtained at HAAGA-HELIA UAS are bachelor’s degrees in Business and Administration, in Culture, in Sports and Leisure Management, and in Tourism, Catering and Institutional Management, and post-graduate, master’s degrees in Business and Administration, and in Tourism, Catering and Institutional Management. The degree programmes, related degrees, and degree titles to which earners are entitled are as follows:

Bachelor’s Degrees

Post-graduate Degrees (Master’s Degrees)

The extent of each degree programme leading to a bachelor's degree is 210 credits, with the exception that the extent of the journalismin koulutusohjelma started on 1 January 2004 is 240 credits. The extent of each master programme leading to a post-graduate master's degree is 90 credits.

The degree programmes are approved by the Ministry of Education and Culture following a proposal by the Board of HAAGA-HELIA UAS.

2 § Professional Specialisation Studies, Open University of Applied Sciences Education and Other Education

HAAGA-HELIA UAS provides professional specialisation studies based on degrees in higher and upper secondary education, open UAS education and other continuing and complementary studies to the extent determined by the Board of HAAGA-HELIA UAS.

3 § Curricula

The curricula of the degree programmes and professional specialisation studies are approved by the Board of HAAGA-HELIA UAS.

4 § Decision-making Concerning the Course Offerings

The person in charge of the degree programme decides about the courses to be delivered. The unit director decides about the delivery of the courses in the master programmes and in the specialisation studies. Decisions about open UAS courses are made by the director responsible for such courses.

5 § Registration and Admission to Course Implementations

The students register for all course implementations by using the student administration system according to the separately announced schedule. The registration includes two phases, which are the pre-selection and the post-selection.

If the number of registered students exceeds the number of available seats, the following rules are observed.

In the pre-selection, students are admitted to the courses as follows:

• When the number of registered students does not exceed the number of the announced maximum, all registered students are admitted.
• When the number of registered students exceeds the number of the announced maximum, students are ranked and admitted according to the number of credits earned, with the following exceptions:
• In compulsory courses, priority is given to students for whose semester, according to their presence, the course is meant in the work schedule, and secondary priority is given to other students to whose compulsory studies such courses belong.
• In evening, adult and weekend courses and complementary programmes, priority is given to students admitted to the programme.
• Concerning courses not listed above, no one is given priority.
• Students with the same number of credits are admitted according to the order of registration.
• Students not admitted in the pre-selection remain in line, queuing for an available seat. When the course begins, the teacher admits the maximum number of students confirmed for the course.

In the post-selection, students are admitted only in the order of registration (also concerning the evening, adult, weekend and compulsory course deliveries). New students who have been admitted to the university during any given semester nonetheless have priority for courses scheduled for the first semester of their studies.

Students of HAAGA-HELIA Open UAS register in the post-selection.

The student confirms his or her seat by attending the first lesson of the course. If unable to attend the first lesson due to illness or another obstacle, the student may also confirm his or her seat by notifying the teacher in advance. The seat remains conditional until it has been confirmed that the student has fulfilled the prerequisites set for the course.

6 § Course Completion and Assessment

Reaching the objectives of the courses leading to a degree is assessed using various assignments, examinations and other proof. Accepted completion of a course requires that the student participate in curriculum-based instruction and other performance as advised in the course description.

Accepted completion is assessed on the following scale:

• Excellent (5)
• Very good (4)
• Good (3)
• Satisfactory (2)
• Pass (1)

For an exceptionally justified reason, accepted completion may be assessed as “Completed” or “Accepted” (H), or as “Accommodated” (M). The Accommodated completion always requires that the student has participated actively in a course’s classes, exams and retakes, but has received a failing mark for the course. In addition, the student must be eligible to receive the Accommodated completion due to his or her starting level. The student can apply for an Accommodated completion from the head of his or her degree programme. A student can include at most 12 credits of studies marked as Accommodated in his or her diploma. The student’s application is to indicate the grounds why an Accommodated completion should be granted.

The grades for studies completed elsewhere than HAAGA-HELIA are also transferred if possible. Otherwise such studies are marked as “Completed elsewhere” (S). The grade needed for the language clause is transferred to the diploma.

All course completions are marked in the student’s register of studies and any passing grades received cannot be deleted from the register.

The teacher must assess each course within three weeks from the end of the course, or, concerning the spring semester, within two weeks from the end of the course.

7 § Retaking an Examination or Improving a Grade

A student may take a failed or accepted written examination for a course or a part of a course twice on two general course re-examination dates announced at the beginning of the course.  The higher of the accepted grades will be valid. After earning the degree, it is no longer possible to improve the grade. If a student's graduation would be unduly delayed, for example, due to a missing study attainment, the person in charge of the degree programme may arrange for an alternative means to complete the course.

The student must complete any partial attainment missing from the course attainment within one month from the end of the course, unless otherwise determined by the teacher. After this, the student must restart any failed compulsory course from the beginning and all previous partial attainments become void.

All written study records are filed for six months after the publication of the grades.

8 § Studies Completed Elsewhere and Knowledge Accreditation

A student's study programme may include studies completed in other Finnish or foreign higher education institutions, provided that the student fulfils the degree programme requirements. Such accredited studies to be included in the degree may be completed during the studies at the UAS or they may have been completed earlier. The student is also entitled to seek accreditation for workplacement or work experience completed before UAS studies in accordance with the guidelines set for this purpose. Courses can also be completed by demonstrating competencies acquired elsewhere. For the accreditation of such competencies, the student submits an application with an explanation as to why such accreditation should be awarded. The application initiates the process for the competencies accreditation. The competencies must be demonstrated as determined by the UAS.

The student submits the study accreditation application to the academic advisor or another person appointed by the education unit. A course teacher may approve accredidation for the course, or part thereof.

Any applications for the accreditation of previous studies must be submitted by the end of the student's first semester. The student's application must specify all the studies concerning which the student applies for accreditation. The knowledge accreditation process may also begin during the studies.

A post-graduate degree student may receive credit for courses in other Finnish or foreign higher education institutions with at least the corresponding level, as expressed in the student’s personal study plan, as long as the student meets the degree programme objectives and provides a report of such outside studies as determined by the degree programme. Credit may be issued only for courses completed after the first cycle higher education degree. Students must report about their previous studies and apply for the accreditation of these studies during the first semester of their studies.

9 § Proficiency in Finnish and Swedish

The student may obtain the proficiency in Finnish and Swedish required by the Act on the Knowledge of Languages Required of Personnel in Public Bodies (424/2003) by completing the relevant language courses included in the degree requirements and specified in the degree programme curriculum.

The person in charge of the degree programme may, for a special reason, either partially or completely exempt the student from language proficiency requirements.

10 § Student Registration as Attending or Non-Attending, and Participation in Instruction

For each academic year, the student must register as either attending or absent. Students failing to register as attending or absent lose their study right.

Students register as attending for one academic year at a time by 31 August. Only attending students are entitled to complete studies.

Students may also register as absent for one semester at a time. Absence registrations are made by 31 August or 10 January. A student may register as absent for a total of two academic years during his or her studies. Registration as non-attending is not possible for a period shorter than one semester.

Studying requires active participation in instruction. The requirement to be present in class is determined separately for each course. The course teacher may, for a justified reason, exempt the student from presence in class.

11 § Work Placement

Degree studies include work placement, worth 30 credits, involving  tasks approved by the UAS. A student may also complete studies included in the curriculum in the workplace.

The objective of the work placement included in the degree is to familiarise the student with workplace and train the student to apply academically attained knowledge and skills to practical work situations. Instructions for work placement are provided separately for each degree programme.

12 § Thesis

The thesis included in the degree is assessed by the supervising teacher and, according to the principal rule, by another assessor as well. Separate instructions concerning the thesis and its assessment are provided in other respects. If a thesis earns a passing grade, this grade is final and cannot be raised.

13 § Duration of Studies and the Applicable Curricula

Students (both youth and adult students) must complete their studies no later than one year after the period of time designated for these studies. The maximum duration of studies for post-graduate degree programmes is 4 years. Based on the student’s application, the person in charge of the degree programme may grant an extension to this period. The application processing fee is 35 euro. As a general rule, the student who has been granted such extension is subject to the degree requirements of the time when the student began his/her studies. The amount of time granted as an extension is based on the amount of studies remaining.

Non-degree programmes must be completed in the time allotted for them. However, if no more than 25% of such studies remain incomplete after this period, the student may apply for the completion of the missing parts with the next student group. Such an application is to be submitted to the person in charge of the degree programme. In all other cases, the student must reapply to the programme.

A student who has lost the right to study due to failure to register as attending or absent may apply for the restoration of the right to study from the person in charge of the degree programme.

The student follows the curriculum that is valid during the student’s first registration as attending. According to the general rule, a student whose study right has been reinstated or a student who reapplies for an available seat is subjected to the degree requirements of the time when the student restarts the studies. A student who has registered as absent for a period exceeding a year is subjected to the degree requirements of the time when the student restarts the studies after registration as absent. If needed, a personalised curriculum will be drawn up for students who restart their studies after a period of absence or a discontinuation of studies.

The maximum two-year absence period available to the student includes any allowed study interruptions that have been caused by illness, maternity leave, military service, or another similar reason and that the student has applied for and that have been decided about before the validity of the change of legislation regarding the compulsory registration as attending or absent. If the application of this rule leads to an unreasonable circumstance from the student’s perspective with the approved interruption time having exceeded two years, the student may apply for an exception to the study time from the person in charge of the degree programme.

14 § Admissions

As specified in Section 4 of the relevant Decree (1044/2009), the Admissions Office is responsible for the receipt, processing and filing of the applications sent to the UAS; the general communication of matters pertaining to the application and admission procedures; other practical arrangements of the joint application system; and the filing of the applicant information in the joint application register. The UAS checks the original certificates usually within four weeks from the start of studies.

The Admissions Office acts in the role of an authority and is responsible for treating all applicants fairly.

The decisions about student admissions are made by the person in charge of the degree programme, or, if such person is unavailable, the unit director, on the basis of the proposal of the study secretary.

The decisions about post-graduate degree student admissions are made by the unit director on the basis of the proposal of the study secretary.

The Board of HAAGA-HELIA UAS decides about the admissions criteria. The Admissions Office, headed by the student services director, prepares the decisions concerning any student admission rectification requests. The student services director takes them before the Board of HAAGA-HELIA UAS for final approval.

If the student has given any false information in connection with the application, has provided incomplete information or has failed to submit the required information before the set deadline, the student admission is cancelled. Such cancellation decision is made by the student services director.

15 § Changing Degree Programmes within the University of Applied Sciences

A student may apply for a transfer from one degree programme to another, while taking into account the regulations for one study place in a higher education institution. The student must submit a justified application, during the admission period of the intended degree programme admission period, to the person in charge of the intended degree programme, who will decide about the admission of the transfer applicant after hearing the person responsible for the initial degree programme.

A student can apply to another degree programme within the same field of education if there is a particular reason to do so. A student may also transfer from a programme conducted in English or Swedish to a programme in the same field conducted in Finnish, or vice versa, for a weighty reason. The transfer decision is made by the person in charge of the degree programme after hearing the person in charge of the initial programme.

When a transfer decision is made, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

• The transfer applicant must have completed at least 25 credits.
• The transfer applicant participates in the entrance examination of the intended programme and gains at least 50 per cent of the maximum points.
• The transfer does not result in any new study right and the remaining study time is sufficient for earning the degree.

The student cannot seek rectification on a decision concerning a transfer to another degree programme.

16 § Transfer Students from Other Universities of Applied Sciences

Only a student who is registered in another Finnish UAS and has a valid study right may be admitted as a transfer student. The applicant must have been registered as attending at the initial UAS for a minimum of one semester before starting at HAAGA-HELIA.

A student may transfer to complete the same degree or degree title in the same or corresponding degree programme if the programme includes available seats. The student is also expected to have a command of the programme’s teaching language. The student must submit an application to the person in charge of the degree programme during the application period set for the programme. The general requirement is that the student has completed enough studies at the initial UAS for earning the degree within the standard time frame. The minimum extent of the studies to be completed at HAAGA-HELIA UAS ranges from 60 to 90 credits according to the field of education. For post-graduate degrees, however, it is at least 30 credits. 

The transfer student may transfer his or her study right to HAAGA-HELIA UAS, in which case the student must resign from the initial UAS. The student must present a notice of resignation from the initial UAS by the given deadline. The transfer student must registers as attending during his or her first semester.

Transfer student application is possible during the degree programme admission times. The student cannot seek rectification on a decision concerning a transfer from another university of applied sciences.

17 § Double Degrees

A double degree refers to a degree where a student from a partner university from abroad completes a minimum of 60 credits at HAAGA-HELIA. In such cases the criteria for the awarding of a HAAGA-HELIA degree are agreed case-by-case with the partner university (course levels and contents, as well as matters pertaining to the thesis, work placement and the maturity examination).

Starting double degree studies requires that the student has completed at least three or four semesters of studies at the university abroad. A double degree can awarded by HAAGA-HELIA only if a degree is also awarded by the university abroad.

Double degree students are registered as degree programme students once they have completed the studies required for graduation. The Diploma Supplement for double degree students notes that the studies involved a double degree.

HAAGA-HELIA students can correspondingly complete double degrees at partner universities abroad. HAAGA-HELIA students apply for double degree programmes by means of the student exchange application process.

18 § Joint Degrees

A joint degree refers to a degree that is provided in cooperation by one or several institutes of higher education. The institutes agree on the curriculm together, and the student completes studies at the institutes as agreed. A degree can be awarded by one or several of the participating institutes of higher education.

19 § From a Vocational Degree Completed Abroad to a University of Applied Sciences Degree (Top-up Studies) 

A student can complete studies that aim for the conversion of a vocational degree completed abroad into a university of applied sciences degree. In such cases the partner is either an institute of vocational higher education or an institute of higher education from abroad. Earning of such a top-up degree requires the completion of at least 60-90 credits at HAAGA-HELIA. Students apply for such a joint degree by means of the regular application process, with the standard admission requirements, and students must have completed their vocational degree at their home school before they can be admitted.

20 § Tailored degree programmes

As set in the relevant legislation (Act on Universities of Applied Sciences, Section 26a), university of applied sciences degrees can be earned by completing tailored programmes. Such programmes are provided for groups and appropriate tuition is charged. Standard admission criteria apply to tailored programmes. Students of such programmes do not apply by means of the standard admission processes, but are admitted case-by-case by the person heading the programme as appointed by the Management Group. Students graduating from tailored programmes earn a standard diploma and are required to achieve the learning objectives of the degree programme.

21 § Diploma and Earning the Degree

To earn a degree, a student must successfully complete the courses and work placement confirmed in the curriculum, and write a thesis and a maturity examination.

The maturity sample is written in the degree programme language of instruction. However, the students with school education in Finnish or Swedish write their maturity sample in the language of their school education in Finnish or Swedish. The person in charge of the degree programme or the principal lecturer in charge of the post-graduate degree decides about writing the maturity sample in a language other than the degree programme language of instruction (see 8 §).

A degree diploma is awarded after the above-mentioned requirements have been accepted. The student must apply for the diploma with a specific form no later than two weeks before the intended graduation day. During the course of study, the student is entitled to obtain a certificate of completed studies and their grades on request.

22 § Study Attainment Rectification and the Examination Board

A student dissatisfied with the assessment of his or her study attainment or with the accreditation of the studies completed elsewhere may make an oral or written rectification request to the teacher who has made the assessment or the accreditation decision. Such rectification request must be made within 14 days from the moment when the student has had the chance to become aware of the assessment results and of the application of the assessment criteria to him- or herself.

A student dissatisfied with the teacher’s decision about the rectification request may submit a written rectification request to the Examination Board within 14 days from the moment when the student has learned about the teacher’s decision.

The written applications addressed to the Examination Board are submitted to the director of the student’s education unit.

23 § Open UAS

The Open UAS provides the opportunity to study towards a degree. When a person has obtained through studies at the Open UAS a minimum of 60 credits in core or professional studies that either are applicable to a certain degree programme or have been otherwise announced, the student may apply for admission as the degree student of the degree programme through joint application process. Applications are submitted directly to the Admissions Office on part of degree programmes taught in a language other than Finnish or Swedish. Until 31 December 2012, only studies completed at HAAGA-HELIA University of Applied Sciences, HAAGA University of Applied Sciences, or Helia University of Business and Applied Sciences are considered.  Students are selected based on credits earned and grades, and also possibly based on an interview.

The open UAS education is subjected to these degree regulations when applicable.

24 § Conduct at HAAGA-HELIA UAS

Students must behave appropriately in all UAS learning environments, including web-based environments.  It is forbidden to disturb fellow students, the study activities or the staff. The use of intoxicants or being under the influence of intoxicants is prohibited on HAAGA-HELIA UAS premises. Students who disrupt teaching or behave violently or threateningly or who endanger the life or health of another person may be ordered to leave an event organised by HAAGA-HELIA UAS or the room where teaching is being given.

It is forbidden to cheat in examinations and to plagiarise assignments, thesis reports and other complete materials. If a student is guilty of cheating, the student’s participation in the examination is ended and the student fails the course. A student guilty of plagiarism fails the course.

The punitive measures for the above-mentioned violations are governed in Section 28 of the Act on Polytechnic Studies (351/2003).

Chapter 2.
Regulations for the School of Vocational Teacher Education

1 § Criteria for Student Admissions

The starting point for student admissions consists of the qualifications and principles governed in the Act on Vocational Teacher Education (356/2003). The Board of HAAGA-HELIA University of Applied Sciences confirms each year the principles governing the points scheme by which applicants are selected.

Students are admitted primarily based on the information provided in their application forms. Furthermore, tasks and entrance examinations related to the admission criteria may be used. If need be, the candidate may be interviewed. The Board of HAAGA-HELIA UAS decides about having the entrance examination.

Applications and applicant point scores are reviewed by a committee designated for the purpose, with this committee comprising Admissions Office and School of Vocational Teacher Education staff, headed by the director of the School of Vocational Teacher Education. Admission decisions are made by the director of the School of Vocational Teacher Education based on proposals made by the Admissions Office planner and/or School of Vocational Teacher Education study secretary.

2 § Teacher Education Studies

The extent, structure and objectives of the Vocational Teacher Education are governed by the Decree on Vocational Teacher Education (357/2003). Thereby, the vocational Teacher education studies are organised through a teacher education programme, with an extent of 60 credits (498/2004).

The aim of the programme is to provide the students with the knowledge and skills to facilitate the learning process of different kinds of students, and with the preparedness to develop their field of education, while considering the development of workplaces and professions.

Vocational Teacher Education studies include:

1. Pedagogical studies.
2. Vocational pedagogical studies.
3. Instructor training.
4. Other studies.

The School of Vocational Teacher Education decides about the curriculum of the teacher education programme, developing it to meet the needs of vocational education, workplaces and professions.

A personal development plan (PDP) is made with each student.

The teacher education programme (60 credits) allows the student to complete the studies within time corresponding to their extent. Studies completed on a part-time basis must be completed in three years.

The School of Vocational Teacher Education may grant an extension to the study time for a particular reason. The director of the School of Vocational Teacher Education decides about such exceptions.

3 § Assessment

Student assessment is based on the principles of continuous personal development. The courses are assessed as “Accepted” or “Failed”. Studies completed according to a university curriculum are assessed according to the university assessment principles.

4 § Accreditation of Studies Completed Elsewhere

A student's study programme may include studies completed elsewhere, provided that they fulfil the requirements of the School of Vocational Teacher Education. The curriculum of the School of Vocational Teacher Education provides more specific regulations about the criteria for acceptable studies and the recognition of acquired competencies. Such accreditation decisions are made by the programme director.

5 § Rectification

The rectification requests related to student admissions are processed by the Board of HAAGA-HELIA UAS.

A student dissatisfied with the assessment of his or her study attainment or with the accreditation of the studies completed elsewhere may submit a written rectification request to the accreditation jury appointed by the director of the School of Vocational Teacher Education. Such rectification request must be made within 14 days.

A student dissatisfied with the decision about the rectification request related to the assessment of study attainments or the accreditation of studies completed elsewhere may submit a written rectification request to the Examination Board of HAAGA-HELIA within 14 days from the moment when the student has learned about the decision (Section 27, 351/2003). The rules of HAAGA-HELIA UAS provide regulations for the composition of the Examination Board.

6 § Other Rules and Regulations for Vocational Teacher Education

In other respects, the School of Vocational Teacher Education observes the regulations of the Act on Vocational Teacher Education (356/2003), the Decree on Vocational Teacher Education (357/2003), and, when applicable, the Act on Polytechnic Studies (351/2003).