Language Centre
The Language Centres are independent units within the universities, offering e.g. Finnish courses. Students who wish to improve their language skills are advised to turn to the Language Centre. The contact information you will find on the web pages of your university.
Students are not allowed to participate in the teaching offered by the Departments of Foreign Languages unless they have been accepted and registered for studies there.
Studying in Finland
Are you curious about being a student in Finland? Here you can find out how studies are organised in Finland.
Academic year
The academic year lasts from 1 August to 31 July, and is divided in two semesters: the Autumn Semester (app. End of August – Mid of December) and the Spring Semester (app. January – May). At many universities the semesters are divided in two sections with a one-week break in between.
Registration
Registration for the studies is obligatory to earn credits. Please, keep the university informed of your contact information, e.g. your postal address. The following documents are needed when registering as a student:
- Passport or official identification card
- Insurance documents/E128 form/European Health Insurance Card
- Receipt of the payment of the Student Union Membership fee
- Registration form (available in the office)
Examinations »
Course descriptions usually specify what a student must do in order to earn credits from a course. Examinations, practical exercises, class participation, the quality of a term paper or an oral presentation – or a combination of these. If the study mode of a course calls for an examination the test is scheduled by the contact person or the course supervisor.
At Finnish universities, examinations are scheduled throughout the academic year. Examinations are scheduled by the contact person or the course supervisor. Two examination dates are set for each course, the first examination usually one to two weeks after the end of the course. The examinations are usually written exams; the course description specifies the form of examination. In some universities also a virtual exam is in use.
General examination days »
Examinations can also be taken on general examination days. The general examinations days are arranged by the Faculty, usually organised once a month. Independent studies in some subjects can be completed by taking examinations on set books. General examinations require signing up at least ten days in advance. Please note that books, dictionaries, notes, or other devices are not allowed in examinations unless otherwise informed. Also note that you are not allowed to cooperate with other students.
Grading system »
The grading system of courses at the Finnish universities follows two basic practices: 1) Applying a numerical scale with grading from 0 to 5 (maximum) or 2) Pass or Fail.
| Grade | Definition | ECTS scale |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Excellent | A |
| 4 | Very good | B |
| 4 | Good | C |
| 2 | Satisfactory | D |
| 1 | Sufficient | E |
| 0 | Fail | F |
| Pass | No number grade given | C |
The extent of the whole CBU Master’s Degree Programme is 120 ECTS. A total of 60 credits is equivalent to the (expected) workload of a full-time student during one academic year.
Master’s thesis »
The Master’s thesis is graded by two Ph.D. teachers or researchers appointed by the Dean. The Master’s thesis has to fulfil ten criteria: 1) Problem identification and thematic focus, 2) General understanding of research methodology, 3) Familiarity with theory, 4) Material, 5) Methods, 6) Presentation of results, 7) Conclusions, 8) Originality, 9) Clarity and formal composition and 10) Maturity. These criteria have different weights, which lead to the following total grade points and the verbal grades:
| Total grade points | Grade |
|---|---|
| 67-75 | Laudatur |
| 58-66 | Eximia cum laude approbatur |
| 50-57 | Magna cum laude approbatur |
| 41-49 | Cum laude approbatur |
| 33-40 | Non sine laude approbatur |
| 24-32 | Lubenter approbatur |
| 16-23 | Approbatur |
Maturity test »
The maturity test is included in the Bachelor’s and Master’s thesis alike. At the Bachelor´s level the maturity test is an essay, in which the student demonstrates his or her conversance with the field of research and language skills. If the student has completed the maturity test for the lower university degree, the maturity test completed for the Master’s thesis shall only assess the student’s conversance with the field of research as defined by the Professor in the student’s major subject. The maturity test usually includes three options for the topic of the essay, decided by the Professor. At the universities of technology the maturity test is written on one topic decided by the Professor.
Transcript »
The studies you complete at a Finnish university will automatically show in a transcript of records, "opintorekisteriote". The transcript includes information about completed courses, grades and ECTS credits, teachers’ names, etc. The credits will only appear in the transcript after a course is completed and graded. This takes a couple of weeks, max. a month, e.g. after an exam. You are not supposed to go from teacher to teacher collecting documents or signatures. The transcript is in the form of a computer print-out. It will be signed and stamped which makes it an official document. Transcripts can be obtained free of charge.