Regulations and Guidelines
The University of Turku Regulation on Education and Degrees
Summaries appended to theses
Guidelines in the event of sexual assault or harassment
Guidelines for the special arrangements
for students with disabilities and students with special needs
Guidelines in case of emergency
The University of Turku Regulation on Education and Degrees
The following is an unofficial translation of the Finnish Turun yliopiston johtosääntö koulutuksesta ja tutkinnoista . The original ruling in Finnish will always be applied in juridical proceedings.
Approved by the Board of the University of Turku on 2 December 2004 and 3 March 2005, 10 May 2007 and 13 March 2008 and confirmed by the Chancellor on 22 December 2004, 1 April 2005, 8 June 2007 and 27 March 2008.
Concerning degrees and education, the provisions of this university regulation are in force, in addition to what is enacted in the Universities Act (645/1997), in the amendment to the Universities Act (715/2004), in University Decree (115/1998), in the Government Decree on University Degrees (794/2004), in the Government Decree on Specialist's Degree (678/1998) and in Government Decree on Specialised Dentist Degree (316/2003).
Educational fields and degrees of the university
1 §
Attached to this University Regulation, there is a list of the fields of study at the university faculties and of Bachelor's and Master's degrees as well as postgraduate degrees which may be pursued at the university.
Bachelor's degrees cannot be completed in Medicine or Dentistry. The faculty may, however, grant the ranking of Bachelor of Medicine or Bachelor of Dentistry.
A joint degree may be completed and consist of studies carried out at other Finnish or international universities.
The extent of the studies of an educational programme organised as a joint degree which leads to a Master's degree shall be at least 120 credits. Joint degrees shall be planned and organised in such a manner that they afford the student the eligibility to academic postgraduate studies.
Agreements concerning joint degrees shall be decided upon by the Rector upon proposal by the faculties.
Student selection and the right to study
2 §
The faculty shall decide its admission criteria and admit students. This regulation shall be applied both to the right to study for a degree and to any other right to study at the university.
The faculties shall decide the criteria according to which the studies included under the national agreement on the flexible study rights (JOO-studies) at other Finnish universities shall be supported.
The University Board shall decide, upon proposals from the faculties, the number of students admitted annually to the university to pursue a Bachelor's or Master's degree.
A student may accept one study place leading to a degree only during one academic year.
3 §
Students may be admitted to supplementary education and to Open University studies provided by the Centre for Extension Studies and the Centre for Maritime Studies.
Students may be admitted to supplementary education on the basis of the national agreement on flexible study rights, and to other separate non-degree studies provided by the faculties and appropriate separate institutions.
The admission criteria for extension education shall be approved by the faculty, the Centre for Extension Studies, the Centre for Maritime Studies or the Language Centre.
The admission criteria to Open University education shall be approved by the Centre for Extension Studies or the Centre for Maritime Studies.
4 §
Those who are dissatisfied with the selection of students for degree or other studies may make an appeal for rectification from the Faculty Council, the Centre for Extension Studies or the Language Centre within fourteen (14) days of the published results. When the results are published, the applicant must be notified how the admission criteria have been applied to them and how a request for rectification can be made.
A reversal of the decision on rectification can be sought from the Administrative Court of Turku as enacted in the Administrative Judicial Procedure Act (586/1996) and in the Universities Act (645/1997).
In the administration of a rectification request, the results of student selection may not be changed to cause the detriment of someone already selected admitted to study.
Registration
5 §
A student must register every academic year either as attending or non-attending as defined by the Rector's Office.
A student who has not registered as defined by the Rector's Office will loose the right to study.
If such a student latter wishes to start or continue his/her studies, he/she must apply for the right to readmission from the Rector's Office in writing.
Academic year
6 §
The academic year of the university shall begin on 1 August and end on 31 July. Both the autumn semester, which begins on 1 August and ends 31 December and the spring semester, which begins 1 January and ends 31 July, may be divided into two teaching periods.
Teaching shall be given during the time periods defined in the curriculum. The teaching shall be organised in such a manner that students can pursue their studies efficiently and in an appropriate order.
The Rector decides on the time periods when there shall be no teaching given.
Curricula
7 §
It is the responsibility of the faculties to continually assess and develop the degrees, the studies included in the degrees and the teaching. They especially must focus on the quality of degrees, instruction, study guidance and studying, the educational needs of society, the comparability of degrees and studies, both nationally and internationally, as well as the outcomes of education.
The faculty, or a separate institute, shall approve the curricula for the following academic year by 15 June. The curricula shall be prepared in cooperation with the students.
The curricula and syllabi through which they are implemented shall be published two weeks before the beginning of each teaching period.
Curricula implemented by two or more faculties enter into force after all faculties concerned have approved it.
Teaching offered by the Open University shall be planned in cooperation with the faculties and the Centre for Extension Studies, as well as with the Centre for Maritime Studies and be based on agreements made between said bodies. The faculties shall approve the curricula of the Open University.
Teachers' work plans shall be made so that the teaching required by the curricula can be realised.
All students must formulate a personal study plan, for which the faculty will provide separate instructions.
Measurement of studies
8 §
A credit system shall be used as the basis for measuring studies. Study modules shall be assigned points according to the amount of work they require. The average workload of 1,600 hours required to complete the studies of one academic year shall be equivalent to 60 credits. One Finnish credit shall equal one credit in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Completion of studies
9 §
The rule enumerated in these university regulations shall be applied to studies that are completed either in written or verbal assessment and are included in the curricula adopted by the faculties and independent institutes.
10 §
Each faculty shall independently resolve matters concerning the general arrangements for completion of studies. The department, independent intuition or faculty shall decide on examination procedures.
Studies shall be organised in such a way that students are able to conduct them effectively in an expedient order and without interruption.
11 §
The person or persons responsible for each mode of study shall be mentioned in the curriculum, and that person must be qualified according to the level of difficulty of the studies to be completed. If a teacher is unable to or incapable of, either temporarily or permanently, performing his/her duties, the department is responsible for arranging another teacher or competent person of the same subject to conduct the mode of study.
12 §
The student has a right, unless the purpose of studies prevents it, to use either Finnish or Swedish, or another language in accordance with the curriculum, both verbally and in writing.
The right to use another language shall be decided by the faculty.
13 §
When preparing an assignment, care should be taken care that an examination or other requirement for completing studies is in accordance with the objectives determined in the curriculum. The duration of the examination should be in proportion to the level of difficulty and workload required in the studies.
Students with disabilities must be provided with the faculties and devices they need for an examination or for completing studies. The duration of the examination must be adjusted according to the functional abilities of the disabled student.
14 §
Only students registered as attending have the right to complete studies. The student must have the right to study required for completion of the type of studies in question.
Students participating in an examination must be able to show proof of identification.
15 §
The number of times an exam can be retaken shall be defined in the curriculum.
If there is an exam at the end of a course or a series of lectures, students have at least three opportunities to take the exam within one year after the end of the course or lecture series. When deciding dates for retaking exams, it must be taken to account that students need to have enough time to prepare for the exam.
If a student takes an exam several times, the highest grade shall be the one that applies.
16 §
All modes of study will be graded either on a pass/fail basis or on a five-level grading scale: 5 (excellent), 4 (very good), 3 (good), 2 (satisfactory), 1 (sufficient), 0 (fail). The scale 'good' and 'sufficient' may be used in assessing Swedish language studies.
The faculties may set other provisions when assessing Master's theses and their corresponding theses, Licentiate research and Doctoral dissertations.
17 §
The basics of the evaluation of studies are public.
Students have the right to get information concerning the essentials used to evaluate for their studies. They must be given the opportunity to familiarise themselves with their work, whether written or recorded in some other manner, after it had been evaluated. The application of the evaluation principles to the assignments should be explained after the completion of studies.
The disqualification principles of preliminary examiners, examiners and opponents of Licentiate research and Doctoral dissertations are explained in the Administrative Procedure Act (434/2003) sections 27-30.
The disqualification principles of the Administrative Procedure Act shall also be applied when evaluating other modes of study.
18 §
The results of completed studies must be published and sent to the student data system maintained by the Rector's Office within two (2) weeks after completion. The faculty or department can, for some special reason, make an exception and grant permission to depart from this practice. In the case that exam results will be given after the two-week limit, students must be informed of the time frame at the time of the evaluation.
The Master's thesis and other corresponding theses that are a part of both the Master's and Bachelor's degree must be evaluated within a term fixed separately by each faculty.
Included in the published results of studies will be those who have failed. The identity of those who have failed shall not be revealed.
Non-degree supplementary studies shall be registered in the student data system, and studies completed at Open University will be registered in the Centre for Continuing Education register.
19 §
Grades recorded in written or any other form shall be kept for six months after they have been published. Master's and other corresponding theses, as well as Licentiate research and Doctoral dissertations, shall be permanently saved.
Information recorded in the student data system shall be saved for 50 years.
20 §
With the exception of theses, completed studies shall not be given out or shown to any person who does not belong to the personnel of the department, or otherwise published without the permission of students. Students' work may be used in educational and research purposes, provided that the student's identity is not revealed.
Rectifying grades
21 §
There is a board of examiners in each faculty, appointed for a term of three years, which shall handle appeals for the rectification of grades.
22 §
A student may appeal for rectification of the grade in writing from the administrative body who had given the decision within fourteen (14) days after the grade for a thesis has been published. The student may appeal for rectification of the grades of other modes of study, other than the thesis, either verbally or in writing within fourteen (14) days after the teacher responsible has published the results. The rectification process also relates to the recognition of studies completed elsewhere.
The decision concerning the appeal for rectification shall be given in writing.
A student who is dissatisfied with the decision made on an appeal for rectification can bring the matter to the faculty’s board of examiners for consideration within fourteen (14) days, counting from the day the student is notified of the decision.
23 §
Prior to the grading of Licentiate research or a Doctoral dissertation, the author must be reserved an opportunity to supply an answer to the preliminary examiner, examiner or to the opponent’s statement.
The student may appeal for rectification in writing from the administrative body grading the thesis within fourteen (14) days of receiving information on the decision.
Supplementing studies
24 §
Students who have completed a Master's degree, or those who have completed a Bachelor's degree and do not have the right to complete a Master's degree, have the right to supplement their studies three following academic years after graduation. After this, students are able to supplement their studies through non-degree studies or Open University studies.
The tuition fees for Open University and supplementary education shall conform with what is decided upon according to the Act on Criteria for Charges Payable to the State (150/1992). The fees for Open University and separate non-degree studies shall be decided by the Rector.
Recognising other studies
25 §
The faculty shall decide on the recognition of studies completed at another Finnish university or foreign university, or at another higher educational institution, if no other grounds for credit transfer have been legislated.
Students may also use other forms of expertise towards their degree according to the decision of the faculty.
The same completed studies can be included in only one Bachelor's or Master's degree, except for language and communication studies.
Language skills
26 §
Students must prove to have acquired, in the studies for a Bachelor's or Master's degree, or by some other means:
- a knowledge of Finnish and Swedish which, according to the Act of the Knowledge of Language Required of Personnel in Public Bodies (424/2003), is required in an office requiring an academic degree in an officially bilingual district, and is necessary in the student's own field
- a knowledge of at least one foreign language that enables the student to follow the development in the field and to work in an international environment
Paragraph 1 does not apply to students who have had their education in a language other than Finnish or Swedish, or students who have had their education abroad. The faculty shall decide on the language skills required of such students.
In special circumstances, the faculty may exempt a student, partially or entirely, from the requirements for language skills as defined in paragraph 1.
When the language skills as defined in paragraph 1 are not required from the student, the faculty shall decide on the language of the maturity test.
Internships
27 §
The Bachelor's and Master's degree may include an internship as stipulated in the curriculum of the faculty.
Certificates
28 §
The faculty shall issue a degree certificate to students who complete a Bachelor's or Master's degree which will show:
- the name of the degree and field
- the major subject or corresponding entity or degree programme
- possible specialisation training included in the degree and the special field
- the central content of the degree
- the language skills demonstrated by the student; when recording the student's language skills, section 19 of the Government Decree on proving one's knowledge of Finnish and Swedish (481/2003) must be considered.
Certificates issued by the faculty for postgraduate degrees shall include points one to four in paragraph 1.
In the case of a joint degree, each university shall issue its own certificate, and each certificate shall contain the names of all universities involved in the degree, and furthermore mention that the degree is in fact a joint degree.
Along with issuing a degree certificate, the faculty shall issue a Diploma Supplement meant especially for international use which shall contain sufficient information about the university as well as the completed studies mentioned in the certificate, and an explanation of the level and status of these studies in the educational system.
Students have the right to receive an official transcript at least once a semester free of charge. Furthermore, students have the right to receive an official transcript at their own expense.
The Centre for Extension Studies and the Centre for Maritime Studies shall issue certificates for study modules competed at the Open University in a manner approved by the faculty in question or by the Language Centre.
The faculty can issue an equivalence certificate, on request and for a separate set fee, which indicates that the completed studies confer the competency required for posts and positions for which qualifications are prescribed by law or decree.
Academic titles
29 §
The Chancellor will make the decision about arranging degree ceremonies upon recommendation from the faculties. The faculty will make the decision about bestowing the honour of Doctor to those having completed a Doctoral degree.
The faculty may bestow the title of Honorary Doctor and the accompanying honours on a person who, by their academic or artistic activity or due to the meritorious efforts to promote the sciences, arts or other cultural activity, are considered worthy of such an honour.
Regulations concerning discipline
30 §
Students who are guilty of cheating during an examination shall immediately be removed from the examination area by the invigilator and in turn fail the exam. Students shall also fail if cheating is discovered after an examination. Furthermore, students will fail if dishonesty during the course has been proven. The decision to fail the student in such cases must be made within six months of the examination or other completed studies.
Students who are guilty of misconduct in teaching or research activities within the university may be subject to disciplinary action by a warning or temporary suspension at the most for one year. The rector will decide on issuing a warning to a student about misconduct in teaching or research activities and the university Board will decide on temporary suspension.
Before the matter is dealt with, the student must have verifiably received notice of misconduct and will be given the chance to be heard in the matter.
Regulations of the transition period
31 §
Students, who are studying for a degree according to the statute which had been in force up until 31 July 2005, have the right to transfer to the new system according to the statute given on university degrees (794/2004) or continue their studies according to the repealed regulations.
However, students shall continue their studies under the requirements of the new statute 794/2004 if they have not completed the degree of Master of Science in Technology, Licentiate of Dentistry or Licentiate of Medicine by 31 July 2010 or by any other degree according to the repealed statute by 31 July 2008. The faculties will determine the arrangements connected with the transition.
Studies completed by students according to the statute repealed by statute 794/2004 will be transferred to the new system in a manner to be decided by the faculty.
The regulations of the repealed statute will be applied to those students who continue to study for a degree according to the statue in question where applicable.
Entry into force
32 §
With the adoption of this University Regulation, the University of Turku Regulation on Teaching and Studying, as well as the University of Turku Regulation on the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy are repealed.
This University Regulation will enter into force 8 June 2007.
UNIVERSITY REGULATION APPENDIX
The faculties at the University of Turku present the following fields of study and both their lower and higher degrees as well as postgraduate degrees:
Faculty of Humanities
Humanities:
Bachelor of Arts (Humanististen tieteiden kandidaatti)
Master of Arts (Filosofian maisteri)
Licentiate of Philosophy (Filosofian lisensiaatti)
Doctor of Philosophy (Filosofian tohtori)
Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Natural Sciences:
Bachelor of Science (Luonnontieteiden kandidaatti)
Master of Science (Filosofian maisteri)
Licentiate of Philosophy (Filosofian lisensiaatti)
Doctor of Philosophy (Filosofian tohtori)
Engineering:
Bachelor of Science / Technology (Tekniikan kandidaatti)
Master of Science / Technology (Diplomi-insinööri)
Licentiate of Philosophy / Technology (Tekniikan lisensiaatti)
Doctor of Philosophy / Technology (Tekniikan tohtori)
Faculty of Medicine
Dentistry:
Licentiate of Dentistry (Hammaslääketieteiden lisensiaatti)
Doctor of Dental Science (Hammaslääketieteiden tohtori)
Specialist in Dentistry (Erikoishammaslääkäri)
Medicine:
Licentiate of Medicine (Lääketieteen lisensiaatti)
Doctor of Medial Science (Lääketieteen tohtori)
Specialist in Medicine (Erikoislääkäri)
Health Sciences:
Bachelor of Health Science (Terveystieteiden kandidaatti)
Master of Health Science (Terveystieteiden maisteri)
Licentiate of Health Science (Terveystieteiden lisensiaatti)
Doctor of Health Science (Terveystieteiden tohtori)
Faculty of Law
Law:
Bachelor of Laws (Oikeusnotaari)
Master of Laws (Oikeustieteen maisteri)
Licentiate Laws (Oikeustieteen lisensiaatti)
Doctor of Laws (Oikeustieteen tohtori)
Social Sciences:
Master of Social Sciences (Valtiotieteiden maisteri)
Faculty of Social Sciences
Psychology:
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) (Psykologian kandidaatti)
Master of Arts (Psychology) (Psykologian maisteri)
Master of Arts (Filosofian maisteri)
Licentiate of Arts (Psychology) (Psykologian lisensiaatti)
Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology) (Psykologian tohtori)
Social Sciences:
Bachelor of Social Sciences (Valtiotieteen kandidaatti)
Master of Social Sciences (Valtiotieteen maisteri)
Licentiate Social Sciences (Valtiotieteen lisensiaatti)
Doctor of Social Sciences (Valtiotieteen tohtori)
Faculty of Education
Education:
Bachelor of Arts (Education) (Kasvatustieteen kandidaatti)
Master of Arts (Education) (Kasvatustieteen maisteri)
Licentiate of Arts (Education) (Kasvatustieteen lisensiaatti)
Doctor of Philosophy (Education) (Kasvatustieteen tohtori)
The Doctor of Philosophy degree can also be completed at University of Turku at the Faculties of Medicine, Social Sciences and Education.
The Master of Philosophy degree can also be completed at University of Turku for the programme in Health Biosciences at the Faculty of Medicine.
Summaries appended to theses
All theses and Licentiate research must have an appended summary. There must be two copies made. One is to be put after the title page of the work and the other submitted for publication. The faculties will give instruction on where the thesis and the summary page are to be submitted.
The summary page must be prepared according to the model shown here. The required information in the model must be seen in the summary and it must be able to fit on one page. The summary page must also have the official name of the subject (e.g. French Studies not French).
Guidelines in the event of sexual harassment or assault
Approved by the University of Turku Board 7 June 2001
Sexual assault and harassment occur in many workplaces, but only in recent years has attention been paid to the phenomenon in the university world. According to a study made at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala 1991, as many as 21% of all female students who responded to a questionnaire had experienced sexual harassment In another study done at Stockholm University in 1992, approximately 12% of the staff and 10% of the students had been in a similar situation. In a study concerning the Faculty of History and Philosophy of the University of Oslo in 1994, 11% of the women reported having experienced harassment. In research done in the U.S. in the 1990s, harassment had been experienced by between 10% and even 75% of the respondents.
In a study carried out at the University of Helsinki in 1995, it was found that approximately 11% of the staff and 5.5% of the students had experienced sexual harassment throughout their entire university career. According to practical experience and a study done in the year 2000, this phenomenon is not foreign to University of Turku either.
Preventing and avoiding harassment is based on respect for others' sexual freedom and liberty. The Act on Gender Equality requires that an employer ensures, to the greatest possible extent, that employees are not exposed to sexual harassment or assault in the workplace.
These procedures are meant as guidelines both for those who experience sexual harassment and for those who, because of their station, need to handle harassment situations.
What is sexual harassment or assault?
Sexual harassment or assault means unwanted, one-sided physical or verbal behaviour, the results of which are always negative for the target of the behaviour. Harassment and assault are a subjective experience for the victim.
Harassment may mean
- sexually suggestive gestures, expressions, crude language, obscene jokes
- comments about another person's body, way of dressing or private life
- pornographic material, sexually toned language, telephone calls or email messages
- physical contact, suggesting or demanding intercourse or sexual interaction
(on the grounds of the Act on Gender Equality)
The consequences of harassment
Harassment may interfere with one's work, reduce work satisfaction, decrease work or study motivation, and spoil the working atmosphere of the entire community. On the personal level, the consequences may be health problems, sick leave, hinderances in one's studies, and finally the change of workplace or field of study.
The responsibility of the university
In addition to the responsibility assigned in the Act on Gender Equality, the university is responsible to arrange the teaching and guidance of students.
The departments are responsible to ensure that students do not experience harassment in such situations. If cases of harassment come up, the department is also responsible to ensure that studying can continue as normal after the situation has been taken care of.
Preventative measures
Even if harassment does not exist in the workplace and talking about it might seem uncomfortable or difficult, efforts should be made to discuss the matter, for example in workplace meetings, or in the department council or similar bodies. It is quite certain that at least some of the members of the work community have experienced some degree of sexual harassment. Discussion is a good way to prevent problems.
In such discussions, it should be made clear to all that
- sexual harassment will not be tolerated in the work community
- the victim of sexual harassment is not the guilty party
Repeated absences, sick leaves or suggestions of changing one's workplace or field of study may be symptoms of harassment.
When harassment or assault occurs
The responsibility of the employer begins when the victim of harassment, being a student or member of staff, reports the incident to an employer.
Depending on the severity of the case the matter shall be handled by the closest superior, the director of the department or unit, the dean or person at the Rector's Office in charge of the unit, or if necessary the director of administration or the Rector. Contact persons named especially for this purpose, an occupational safety representative or occupational health services can be contacted if necessary. The primary means of clarifying the situation should be discussions conducted by the director of the unit with the victim and the perpetrator of the harassment. Such discussions are confidential unless the parties involved decide otherwise.
In cases when the harassment (either severe or even mild harassment) does not cease after such discussions, the director of the unit should contact the dean. Superiors who do not belong to any department can turn to the respective office manager in charge of personnel matters at the Rector's Office. In such cases, the superior must obtain the permission of the victim to pursue the matter. The dean or office manager should see to it that the case receives unbiased and reliable handling and, if necessary, ensure that further actions are taken.
Consequences
If discussions within the work community do not lead to the desired outcome, the employer has sufficient authority and means to investigate the matter thoroughly and initiate the necessary measures. Depending on the severity of the harassment, the consequences may be an admonition, a warning, or even termination of employment. In the worst cases, it may be necessary to apply the regulations of criminal law concerning assault and moral crimes. The perpetrator may also be liable for legal compensation.
Contact persons at the University of Turku
The duty of the contact persons is to assist the victim of harassment clarify the situation. Contact persons will give advice on how to proceed in cases of harassment. They may also assist the superior while the matter is being clarified. Discussions between the contact person and a superior or the victim are confidential. Victims of harassment or assault may also contact members of the committee on equality issues.
Advisor of equality issues
There is an Advisor of Equality Issues at the Rector's Office who gives guidelines pertaining to the issues of the non-discrimination of individuals for both students and staff members. The Advisor works in interaction with the committee on equality issues. The job description of the Advisor of Equality Issues includes advice and information as well as the consequences and documentation of work situations related to equality questions.
Head of Administration and Advisor of Equality Issues Ms Anu Salmi, tel. 333 6466.
Assembly of the committee on equality issues (26 May 2008–31 December 2010) :
- Professor Marjaana Soininen, (Committee chair)
- Senior Researcher Kukku Melkas
- Laboratory Supervisor Eila Kalske
- Laboratory Supervisor Mika Keränen
- Professor Martti Kairinen
- Senior Assistant Kaisa Herne
- Clerical Officer Outi Rajamäki
- Researcher Anu Lahtinen
- Lecturer Juhani Hiirikoski
- Personnel Secretary Ulla Elomaa
- Secretary for Social Policy Minttu Naarminen
- Secretary Tytti Koivisto (Committee Secretary)
Guidelines for the special arrangements for students with disabilities and students with special needs
In general
The goal of the guidelines for the special arrangements for students with disabilities and students with special needs is to promote non-discrimination of those students with a disability, long term illness or severe condition when choosing candidates for study. (Non-Discrimination Act, 5 §)
When arrangements concerning teaching and studying are being coordinated, particular concern about accessibility and attainability is taken in to consideration; for example in matters of space and other teaching arrangements. Overall attainability will not necessarily reduce the need for special arrangements, but in many ways it supports the equality of a person in the university community who has disabilities or special needs.
The disability or chronic illness of a student or potential student can be physical or mental; for example he/she may have a movement, sensory or cognition disability. A special needs student may have difficulty in reading, writing or have some other learning disability. Students or those intending to study may have more than one disability or chronic illness, which may have an affect on getting an education and being chosen for studies.
Special arrangements can also be realised when the disability is short-term, e.g. an injury due to an accident.
Both the advisor of disabilities issues and the heads of academic and student affairs at the faculties will advise students on special arrangements.
Special arrangements
The content and implementation of special arrangements is specified according to the circumstance and nature of the student?s needs. For the first account of special arrangements, the student must present a medical certificate or another certified explanation about the needs of these arrangements.
Special arrangements can be applied to entrance exams or aptitude tests, or other educational exams. Besides lectures, other formats of education consists of academic guidance and furthermore student services. In the aforementioned educational situations, arrangements can pertain to the following circumstances:
- the arranging of exam and other educational situations (possible extra time, extra lighting or other conditions)
- aides (e.g. the possibility to use a computer as a writing aide or other devices such as a Braille display or induction loop)
- materials (e.g. the possibility to have exam questions in Braille or in large print)
- services (e.g. the possibility to use an interpreter or personal assistant)
A student who needs special arrangements is subject to the same surveillance during entrance examinations and other exams. If the student ends up using his/her own devices (e.g. a computer) during an entrance exam, the university has the right to check the files and programmes of the device before the start of the examination.
Special arrangements that are allowed will be recorded in the applicant's personal study plan or other relevant document. The applicant is responsible for reporting changes in his/her circumstances on which the special arrangements had been based
Special arrangements for entrance exams
If an applicant needs special arrangements for entrance exams, he/she must send a free form application to the advisor of disability issues at Student Services before the application deadline date at the faculty in question. The student must also attach a medical certificate or another certified explanation of the nature of his/her disability or illness. The student will be informed in writing (an e-mail will also work) in good time before the exam. When it comes to classroom teacher and kindergarten teacher training, special arrangements are agreed upon directly with the Faculty of Education.
As a main rule, extra time is granted one to two hours per entrance examination. The individual needs of the student and the differences between subjects are taken into consideration when the amount of extra time given is being determined.
Special arrangements for examinations and other formats of education
The goal is to improve the accessibility and attainability of exams and other educational formats so that they will be realised as well as possible in various educational circumstances.
A fundamental part of education also consists of academic advice. Furthermore, advising consists of services which, in different contexts, students with disabilities and students with special needs get to have the same rights to has other students.
The same special arrangements as in entrance examination are mainly applied as in other examination and formats of education.
In all formats of education, the aim is to also note the needs of disabled and special needs students in the attainability of information and study material. Announcements that pertain to study, e.g. the publishing of exam results, would have to be easily available in a format for visually impaired and special needs students as well; e.g. given in an electronic form or large print. Announcing up-to-date and accurate information, e.g. announcing schedule changes, is important especially to those students whose studies require e.g. the use of interpretation or transportation services.
The causative complications due to physical disability, chronic illness or a learning disability should be taken into account in the availability of study materials such as writing notes and group projects.
If a student had already used special arrangements for an entrance examination or the need for special arrangements have been written in his/her personal study plan, the same special arrangements may be used in other educational formats without any separate application. The arrangements made for the exam or other form of education must be worked out with the corresponding teacher of the educational situation.
The implementation and follow-up of special arrangements
Special arrangements are brought about in cooperation with the faculties, other units in charge of studies and the advisor of disability issues. If the applicant needs special arrangements, he/she must bring a written application to the advisor of disability issues at Student Services. The advisor will expedite a recommendation about the special arrangements to be granted, which afterwards the faculty, or other unit in charge of studies, will make the decision about the matter and take care of its outcome. The Language Centre or Centre for Extension Studies will not need to make a separate decision if the faculty has already granted special arrangements. The advisor of disability issues will be informed if the decision differs from her recommendation. An annual report will be written about the outcomes of all special arrangements requests.
Guidelines in case of emergency
In case of an emergency, call the general emergency number, which is 112 (N.B. when calling from a university phone you must dial 0 first).
Calling the emergency number is free of charge from all phones. When calling from a mobile phone there is no need to dial a city code.
Making the call:
- Call the emergency number yourself, if you can
- Explain what has happened
- Mention the exact address and city
- Answer any questions you are asked
- Follow the instructions you are given
- Finish the call only when you are given permission
The Head of Security at University of Turku is Service Engineer Mr Jussi Lukkala, tel. (02) 333 5207, e-mail: jussi.lukkala[at]utu.fi. Mr Lukkala be contacted in all matters concerning security and care of university grounds and property.
The number to call after office hours concerning security or property services:
Tele- ja Hälytysvalvonta Oy: Security services, opening locked doors, alarms: (02) 284 6999