Commonly used terms

Bachelor’s degree

Degree awarded upon completion of an undergraduate study program (180 ECTS credits)

Open Degree

Degree awarded upon completion of courses making up 180 ECTS credits and containing either a concentration or a completed two-year integrated study program. More detailed information and requirements to the composition of the degree can be found here.

Master’s degree

Degree awarded upon completion of a master degree examination of 90 ECTS (1 ½ years) or 120 ECTS credits (2 years), including independent study. The degree builds upon one of the following completed programmes: bachelor degree, can. mag. degree, other degree or vocational attainment of at least three year's duration or education that is approved as equivalent to one of the above. A master degree can also be awarded on the basis of a master's examination of 300 ECTS (five years).

PhD degree: Degree at PhD level upon completion of a PhD programme.

Study:

Collection of courses making up at least 30 ECTS with joint admission.

Study programme:

A study of several years’ duration leading to a degree.

Foundation study:

Study that builds upon an upper secondary school diploma and in some cases also upon additional requirements.

Advanced study:

Study that builds upon other higher education.

Specialization:

Group of courses of at least 80 ECTS where at least 20 are at level 2.

Breadth component

Group of courses of at least 40 ECTS.

ECTS credit:

Goal for scope of courses and studies. A complete academic year corresponds to 60 ECTS credits.

Course:

Smallest credit-carrying unit with final examination.

Pre-requisites for entrance to an examination:

Tests or other activities that must be approved or passed before the student can sit an examination in a course, but where the result does not form the basis for the final mark.

New examination:

Examination that is arranged for examination candidates who did not pass or withdrew from the ordinary examination

Postponed examination:

Examination that is arranged for examination candidates who had legitimate reasons for absence from the ordinary examination

Extraordinary examination:

Examination that is arranged when a course is discontinued or if there are more than two semesters until the next ordinary examination