Progress faster — recognise your prior learning
Recognition of prior learning helps you make use of your prior university and other studies, work experience and other skills as part of your degree. Through recognition of learning you can progress faster in your studies. It is important to have your prior learning recognized right at the beginning of your studies, so that you can plan a functional schedule for your first semester. On this page, you will find instructions for planning what prior learning to recognize and how. If you have prior learning, it is worth contacting your guidance counsellor before the orientation days.
What is recognition of learning?
Recognition of learning includes the following options. You can use all of them and complete several courses quickly. Your guidance counsellor will explain these in more detail in the orientation.
- Credit transfer (transfer crediting): If you have higher education studies in Finland or abroad completed less than 10 years ago that may be relevant to your Haaga-Helia degree studies, apply for credit transfer right at the beginning of your studies. When your previous studies are credited towards your Haaga-Helia degree, you will receive course credits for them. Your guidance counsellor will advise you on how to apply.
- Demonstration: If you have completed studies relevant to your Haaga-Helia degree at vocational level school or gained suitable work experience, you can complete a demonstration. In the demonstration, you verify your existing competence by completing tasks and possibly an exam. After completing the demonstration, you will receive course credits for it.
- Work&Study: This is suitable for situations where you are starting a work or volunteer assignment where you develop skills in a course that is relevant to your degree. Discuss with the teacher about completing the course through Work&Study by working and documenting the agreed-upon competences.
Learn more from your fellow students' video!
- Demonstration: Competence Recognition Experience Video
Transfer crediting prior higher education studies at the beginning of studies
If you have previous higher education studies,
- bring a transcript of records from another higher education institution with you to the orientation.
- Check that you receive course descriptions for the courses you want to credit for quickly, if necessary, so that you can make a decision quickly.
Always discuss credit transfer in person with your guidance counsellor during the orientation. Some degrees organise a separate information session before orientation. It is worth attending.
When considering credit transfer applications, we check the content, number of study credits and the grade of your previously completed course. The content and scale must correspond sufficiently to Haaga-Helia's course descriptions, which you can find in the study guide. Several previously completed courses can be used to credit one Haaga-Helia course and vice versa.