Minor Studies and Supplimentary Education
The right to minor studies
University agreement on flexible study rights (JOO)
Supplementing a degree
Teaching at the Language Centre
Open University education
Centre for Extension Studies and regional development
Centre for Maritime Studies
Study equivalency in the Nordic countries
The right to minor studies
Minor studies refer to studies in a field that students complete in addition to their major and are included in their degree. These subjects can be chosen from the student's own faculty or from subjects taught at another faculty. With certain restrictions, students can apply for minors at other Finnish universities (see JOO agreement). Each faculty decides on the bases for granting the right to complete minor studies every year. Studying a minor is free of charge for degree students at the University of Turku. The right to some subjects may require, for example, participation in an entrance examination, while others may be open to all degree students of the university. At the same time, the number of students for a minor subject may be open or it could be limited to a specific quota.
Each faculty study guide explains in detail how many minor subjects you should take and which ones are suggested to supplement your major. Application procedures and the bases for accepting minor subject students at each faculty are explained online at www.utu.fi/opiskelu/oppaat/erillisopas. The English leaflet Application to Study as a Non-degree Visiting Student is also available at Student Services or at www.utu.fi/opiskelu/oppaat/visiting/ In addition to the general instructions on minors, the faculties may have agreed on special arrangements among themselves. More information on these arrangements can be found in the faculty study guides.
University agreement on flexible study rights (JOO)
According to the nationwide agreement of flexible study rights (joustava opinto-oikeus, JOO) all University of Turku degree students can study for their degree at other Finnish universities and degree students from other Finnish universities may do the same at the University of Turku.
The University of Turku has also made a JOO agreement with Turku Polytechnic. This contract also includes the right of exchange students to study at Turku Polytechnic.
In general, studies included in the JOO agreement system are those that are not offered at the student's university. Since study rights require that a student is currently working on a degree at his/her home university, JOO-studies can no longer be completed after graduation. JOO-studies need to be approved by the student's home university. After this, the application is sent to the host university, which makes the final decision about the student's acceptance.
The University of Turku is included with the computerised JOO application system. Instructions on applying, information on what JOO-studies are available at the univeristies and the JOO application are available on the flexible study rights webpages at www.joopas.fi. In order to log in, a current University of Turku user ID and e-mail password are required.
University of Turku students apply for flexible study rights online at the universities (see www.joopas.fi) that are included in the computer system. To apply to other universities that are not in the system, there is for now a paper application form for downloading from the JOOPAS system. Respectively, students from universities included in the system may apply for the University of Turku, and those from other universities must also use a paper form.
Instructions and application form for JOO-studies at Turku Polytechnic can be found at www.turkuamk.fi/JOO.
More information about the bases for approving JOO-studies for University of Turku students and courses offered for students of other universities can be obtained from the Study Advisors and the Heads of Academic and Student Affairs at each faculty.
Supplementing a degree
Students who have completed a degree at the University of Turku, either a Master's degree, or a Bachelor's degree not leading to a Master's degree, have a right to supplement their degree within three academic years after completing that degree. The right to supplement studies is granted in the sphere of minor study rights. There are no tuition fees for supplementary studies completed as a minor.
If more than three academic years have elapsed since the completion of a Master's degree or aforementioned Bachelor's degree, supplementary studies can only be completed as separate non-degree studies. Students who have completed the above-mentioned degree before 1 August 2006 may apply to the faculty for the right to pursue separate non-degree studies for the academic year 2009-2010, however with fee. The bases for accepting students to pursue separate non-degree studies are decided every year. The procedures for applying for the right to pursue separate non-degree studies and minor studies are explained at www.utu.fi/opiskelu/oppaat/visiting and in Finnish at www.utu.fi/opiskelu/oppaat/erillisopas/
Teaching at the Language Centre
The objective of the Language Centre is to develop the language and communication skills of the students and personnel of the university, as well as to promote intercultural understanding and facilitate the internationalisation process within the university. Language courses are therefore meant primarily for the university's own degree students and international exchange students.
General and all-faculty language courses
In addition to the language studies required by the curriculum of the faculties, the Language Centre organises courses in various languages (beginner's and higher levels), courses in writing and oral skills and, in some languages, grammar and specialised courses. During the academic year 2009-2010, courses will be given on the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, Finnish, Finnish for Foreigners, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish.
The number of participants accepted to the courses is limited and, depending on the course, you need to sign up either before the course starts at a specific place and time or at the first meeting. Further information on the courses and signing up is available in the Language Centre guide (in Finnish only), notice board and at the department’s webpages (kielikeskus.utu.fi/en). Please note that faculty-specific language courses are intended for students of the faculty in question. The right for others to participate in these courses is given in exceptional cases only.
Furthermore, students of the University of Turku have the possibility to take Polish language courses at Åbo Akademi University. Registration is done at Åbo Akademi University, not the Language Centre. More information about these courses is available on the notice boards and the Internet. To take part in language courses at Turku Polytechnic, you must apply for JOO-studies which can be found at www.turkuamk.fi/JOO.
Self-study at the Language Centre
All university students and staff members have the opportunity to study languages in the Language Centre self-study areas at Juslenia (rooms K 109 and K 110). The self-study area is primarily open during the months when teaching is arranged. Study material is available for the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Latvian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Sámi, Slovakian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish. The self-study area includes computing facilities, tape recording as well as video, where materials for the aforementioned languages can be utilised. The Language Centre staff is able to give everyone assistance on using the self-study possibilities – both on using the equipment and in finding suitable programmes.
Other information
The Language Centre offers all University of Turku students and international exchange students a chance to meet and get to know each other's languages and cultures at so-called language circles. Language circles are informal gatherings that are initiated by the Language Centre. The Language Centre also provides the space. Those regularly participating in language circles are given a certificate, but are not awarded university credit. Students themselves decide the nature of the activities. There have been some 10 to 15 different groups during each semester. The start of the language circles is announced on notice boards, in Turku Student Newspaper and on the Internet at the beginning of each semester.
Independent language study can also be done with a speaker of the target language, a so-called tandem partner. According to the needs of each partner, the tandem pair can practice each target language and develop both written and oral language skills as well as help in doing language homework. More information about tandem language exchange and finding a partner can be found on the Language Centre webpages.
Language Centre facilities
The Language Centre is located at Juslenia (Henrikinkatu 2, ground floor), Horttokuja 2, and Rosetta (Koskenniemenkatu 4). The language labs, video room K 101, multimedia centre K 110, class rooms K 136, K 138 and K 108, self-study room K 109 and self-study assistance room K 111 are at Juslenia. There's an office, library, most of the offices of the staff and class rooms 003, 110 and 113 are located at Horttokuja 2. Classroom Rosetta II and some of the offices of the staff are located in Rosetta. The cabinet room Knalli at Natural Sciences Building I as a Language Centre teaching area.
Contact information
Horttokuja 2
FI-20014 Turun yliopisto
Tel. (02) 333 5975 (office)
Fax (02) 333 6563
E-mail: kielikeskus[at]utu.fi
Website: kielikeskus.utu.fi/en
Open University education
Open University study is education equivalent to basic-level university studies meant for adults. Education equality and openness is the focus of Open University education. Anyone can study regardless of educational background.
Education offered at Open University is equivalent to studies required for a university degree and is approved by the faculties and subject departments. These basic-level studies can be used towards part of a degree. Degrees cannot be completed at Open University. However, a student has the possibility to apply as a degree student on the basis of Open University studies though a so-called channel. Open University studies are part-time and there are tuition fees. Tuition fee is primarily also required of university degree students.
Everyone has different study goals at Open University. Open University offers University of Turku degree students the possibility to complete major and minor subject studies as well as language and communication courses in flexible study formats.
Courses from all faculties and in over 40 different subjects
Education offered by the University of Turku Open University includes basic and intermediate studies in approximately 40 different subjects. Individual courses can be completed from the whole study module. Open University also offers language and communication studies equivalent to the degree requirements of the faculties and those included in beginner, intermediate, etc. general language studies of the Language Centre.
Evening studies and flexible web studies
The University of Turku itself arranges Open University studies in Turku and at the University Consortium of Pori as well as in cooperation with summer universities, adult education centres, folk high schools and other institutions for adult education all around Finland. Contact education and multi-modal teaching is arranged in the evening. Web-based and independent study modules can be completed as distance learning. Most of the courses start every year in September, but there are also courses available year-round.
More information online and in the study guides
The 2009-2010 study guide for Open University contains a presentation on the subjects and introductory information about its studies. You can request the guide free-of-charge from the Open University office. Current information about Open University study opportunities can be found at www.tkk.utu.fi/avoin/en.
Contact Information
Study counselling: Coordinator Mr Seppo Piiparinen, tel. (02) 333 6424, opo-avoin[at}utu.fi
Departmental Secretary: Ms Pirkko-Liisa Kovanen, tel. (02) 333 6334, pirkko-liisa.kovanen[at]utu.fi
Visiting address: Centre for Extension Studies of the University of Turku, Open University, Lemminkäisenkatu 14–18 B (DataCity, 2nd floor), Mon-Fri 8.00-15.45
Centre for Extension Studies and regional development
The university Centre for Extension Studies produces professional supplementary education as well as regional development projects in cooperation with the faculties and departments of the university. There is also a Congress Office in the centre, which carries out services for the academic communities of the universities in Turku and their partners in cooperation who arranges congress venues.
The rapid pace of development in society and working life demands flexibility and the ability to regenerate from both organisations and individuals. To meet the challenges of change requires both specialisation and diversification. The focal points of professional supplementary education lie in the fields of education, health and social services. The basic function of the centre is the updating and development of the knowledge of specialists. The most important modes of activity include university-level specialisation programmes, supplementary education for specialist, training for work communities, developmental services aimed at client organisations, as well as domestic and international research and development projects.
Academic unemployed persons and immigrants are the target groups whose connection to the labour markets can be strengthened by education and on-the-job training, arranged in cooperation with the employment authorities.
As experts in the field of e-learning, the Centre for Extension Studies staff can offer expertise in open learning platforms, multi-media study techniques, and the development of net-based tools based on the combination of a firm knowledge of pedagogy and technical know-how.
Regional development projects are a special part of the third task of the university. The Centre for Extension Studies is involved in the development of businesses and services in rural areas and the archipelago, promoting migration to the countryside and the creation of new jobs in rural areas. Other areas of focus include the food and travel industries as well as telecommuting. The development of internationalism, culture, interaction, and expertise are all a part of the activities.
Further information: The office of the Centre for Extension Studies, tel. (02) 333 6330
Centre for Maritime Studies
The Centre for Maritime Studies (CMS) is a special unit of the University of Turku which offers university-level professional supplementary education in shipping and closely related fields, as well as arranging public lectures, seminars and conferences. Another of its areas of strength is providing research services. In addition, CMS has a special maritime library and it issues three series of publications.
CMS invites lecturers from higher education institutions, public administration and businesses as well as from similar international organisations. The Universities of Turku, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Finnish Maritime Administration as well as the shipping industry and the trade unions in the field are represented on the CMS board.
Certificate in International Shipping and Commerce
Open University organises a Certificate in International Shipping and Commerce programme in seven modules of 60 credits. The programme takes about two to three years to complete as part-time studies when, for example, working. The programme is completed under supervision of CMS by examinations on literature and participating in lectures.
The programme is suited for everyone interested in the field. Its aim is to give students an extensive and diverse knowledge of the shipping field, to improve their professional skills, to enhance working opportunities in the field, to supplement education completed in colleges and universities, and prepare for potential basic and further studies in an institution of higher education.
Supplementary education programme of master mariner
The supplementary education programme of master mariner consists of 100 credits of university studies, focusing on business management, transportation and logistics, and legal issues. Courses can be done at the University of Turku, Turku School of Economics and Åbo Akademi University.
Studies are divided into approximately 40 credits of common studies, 40 credits of professional studies and 20 credits of optional studies. The extent of the modules has been defined flexibly so that variation in the extent of courses in different universities can be taken into account.
The programme aims at giving its students the readiness to work particularly in shore organisations of shipping companies, insurance companies, and port administration.
The requirements of the Open University programmes and the programme for master mariner are based on the requirements of the University of Turku, Turku School of Economics, and Åbo Akademi University. The applicability of the studies as part of undergraduate or postgraduate studies must be discussed on a case-to-case basis with the professor responsible for the field of study concerned.
Further information about supplementary professional education courses and the degree programmes is available at the CMS office, Veistämönaukio 1-3, 20100 TURKU, tel. (02) 281 3300 and at mkk.utu.fi/en.
Study equivalency in the Nordic countries
The Nordic countries made an agreement on study equivalency in June 1994. The Nordic countries agreed that applicants who are permanent residents of a Nordic country, and who are eligible for higher education in that country, are also eligible for higher education in another Nordic country with the same prerequisites as the country in question.