Optional Studies

You will find the Open University courses and the registration practices of each university of applied sciences from their websites. HAMK students can take Open University courses from other universities of applied sciences and pay the study fees themselves (except for CampusOnline and Averko courses). After receiving the transcript of records, they can start the RPL procedure to get the credits transferred to their student records. Open courses are usually subject to charges, but the Averko courses by Centria university of applied sciences are free of charge.

HAMK’s own open courses are available for HAMK students free of charge. You can take an open course if it can be included in your PSP. Students register for HAMK’s open courses via Pakki. HAMK’s AOKK /Professional Teacher Education (Humanities and Education) studies at the Open University of Applied Sciences are subject to a fee, and you can register for them using the current enrolment link during the open university’s registration periods.

HAMK students may take courses from other universities of applied sciences that belong to CampusOnline. These courses are available year-round, even in the summertime, and free of charge when they are suitable for the student’s degree. To see the upcoming courses, visit CampusOnline.fi. Please look up the enrolment times and practices of each university from the course information before enrolment. Most universities of applied sciences handle CampusOnline students as open university students, but without course fees. You can register for the studies organized by HAMK in Pakki.

Contact your student advisor or teacher tutor before registration to make sure that the course can be approved to your PSP. A Master’s degree student cannot complete Bachelor’s level studies at CampusOnline.

After completing the course, the student at HAMK sends the grade to the home university for recording.   The attainments transfer form found from Pakki can only be used to send the grade of a joint cross-institutional course (CampusOnline or similar) completed at another higher education institution, when you have completed the course while studying at HAMK at the same time. The suitability of the course must be confirmed by the guidance counsellor before registering. Bachelor level studies cannot be accepted for the Master’s degree. A RPL application is made for studies completed elsewhere and completed before the start of the degree studies at HAMK. A link to My Study Info and a screenshot is required for the application. If you are applying for an English or Swedish language study, an official transcript is required as an attachment.

The new Climate University cross-study agreement means that all students of the 18 collaborating higher education institutions can take Climate University courses from other institutions.

The course materials are open for everybody, but to get credits for the courses, you must be registered as a student at one of the partnering universities or the Open University. The courses mainly run online, but in addition to remote assignments, the instructors responsible for each course will offer real-time instruction, as well, and will grade the students’ performances. The Climate University courses are geared towards students, teachers, and anyone already in the labour market, who are interested in themes of climate change and sustainability. The main language of the courses is English, but they are also being translated into Finnish.

The Climate University collaboration includes the following institutions:

• University of Helsinki (coordinator)
• Aalto University
• Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
• Häme University of Applied Sciences
• LAB University of Applied Sciences
• Lappeenranta University of Technology
• Laurea University of Applied Sciences
• Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
• Svenska handelshögskolan
• Tampere University
• Turku University of Applied Sciences
• University of Arts
• University of Eastern Finland
• University of Jyväskylä
• University of Lapland
• University of Oulu
• University of Turku
• University of Vaasa

Instructions for registration: https://blogs.helsinki.fi/climateuniversity/

After completing the course, the student at HAMK sends the grade to the home university for recording.   The attainments transfer form found from Pakki can only be used to send the grade of a joint cross-institutional course (CampusOnline or similar) completed at another higher education institution, when you have completed the course while studying at HAMK at the same time.  The suitability of the course must be confirmed by the guidance counsellor before registering. Bachelor level studies cannot be accepted for the Master’s degree. The credit can also be accepted with RPL.

Open university studies at Häme Summer University provide degree students at HAMK with freedom and flexibility to plan their studies, to develop professional competencies and to build personalized career paths. Häme Summer University organizes university courses all year round. Unfortunately there is no course provision in English.

Prior to registration you need consult your study supervisor. HAMK will return the payment if the studies are in accordance with your personal study plan and if you have agreed on the completion of the studies with your study supervisor.

Häme Summer University gives 15 % discount from open university studies’ course fees to degree students at HAMK. To receive a discount, you need to be registered as an attending student at HAMK. In the Häme Summer University registration form fill in the name of the institution where you study and your student number. Alternatively, you can attach a copy / picture of your student ID card. After receiving a registration confirmation by e-mail, you need to pay the course fee. To get a refund for the course fee, provide your institution a receipt of the payment.

Open University studies at Häme Summer University:

https://hameenkesayliopisto.fi/koulutustarjonta/avoin-yliopisto-opetus/

You are entitled to a refund of Summer University payments if you have agreed in advance with your degree programme about taking the course. Pay for the fee of Summer University or Open University (summer courses) and deliver a receipt of the payment with the record of credits to your own degree programme. This applies only to courses which are implemented between May 15 and August 31.

Kauriala and Lyseo in Hämeenlinna, plus Riihimäki and Valkeakoski Upper Secondary Schools provide optional (short), B3 –language studies, e.g. French, Russian, Spanish, German

• studies are free of charge for HAMK’s bachelor degree students
• language studies must be completed during bachelor degree studies and approved by student counsellor or the head of degree programme
• if the student has already studied basics of the language in question, s/he should take an advanced course
• one course in high school = 3 cr in HAMK
• assessment accepted HYV – pass
• please check the language of tuition before enrolling on these courses
• the student will ask for a Transcript of Records from the high school and deliver it to the student counsellor for credit transfer
• for more information, contact your degree programme student counsellor and visit the local high school webpages
  • Upper secondary school of Valkeakoski
  • Upper secondary schools in Hämeenlinna
  • Upper secondary school in Riihimäki

We can also give you credits from studies, which are not in any of HAMK’s curricula i.e. R&D projects, student exchange, student tutoring, defense force studies, or civic organization activity. Also you may earn credits by actively participating in educational politics and activities of the student union, such as acting as a HAMKO tutor.
The student counsellor adds these credits to your PSP after a counselling session or as agreed.

You may apply for a credit transfer from scout trainings towards your Bachelor’s degree at HAMK. Just demonstrate your skills with an official training certificate and a portfolio that shows how your competence matches the learning outcomes of HAMK’s module: Leadership and guidance skills in volunteering. The table below shows, how many credits you may get from each scout training. The maximum number of credits is 15 credits, which equals the maximum number of credits in Professional Skills module.

Upon completion of this module, the student will know how to lead organisations, groups and individual people involved in voluntary work and learn how to develop these leadership skills further. The student gains leadership skills from activities such as event management, management position in an association, managing quality assurance and development projects, leading groups and individual people, guiding and training others, acting responsibly and taking care of security issues as well. Upon completion of the module, the student knows how to act responsibly in a volunteering position that has a major impact on our society. S/he knows how to organise training events and has the skills to educate others and assess learning outcomes with versatile assessment methods. The student knows how to plan, lead and develop the association’s training programme and recognition of prior learning.
The module completion is based on courses arranged by The Guides and Scouts of Finland. The courses accepted for the module are awarded with a certificate. They include:

• Basic Training for Guide and Scout Leaders (7 cr) – 3 cr in HAMK’s module,
• Trainer training (2 cr) – 2 cr in HAMK’s module,
• Advanced Training for Guide and Scout Leaders (25 cr) – 15 cr in HAMK’s module,
• Regional Training Commissioner training (3 cr) – 2 cr in HAMK’s module,
• Coach training (2 cr) – 2 cr in HAMK’s module.

The maximum number of credits accredited towards this module is 15 credits. In addition to the certificates, the students need to demonstrate their skills with a portfolio that shows how their competence matches the module’s learning outcomes.

Upon completion of this module, the student will know how to lead organisations, groups and individual people involved in voluntary work and learn how to develop these leadership skills further.

The module completion is based on a certificate from Basic Training for Guide and Scout Leaders (7 cr) arranged by The Guides and Scouts of Finland. In addition to the certificate, the students need to demonstrate their skills with a portfolio that shows how their competence matches the module’s learning outcomes.

Upon completion of this module, the student will know how to organise training events and has the skills to educate others and assess learning outcomes with versatile assessment methods.

The module completion is based on a certificate from Trainer training (2 cr) arranged by The Guides and Scouts of Finland. In addition to the certificate, the students need to demonstrate their skills with a portfolio that shows how their competence matches the module’s learning outcomes.

Students understand the importance and role of peer guidance and peer tutoring as part of student guidance at the higher education institution. Students are able to act as tutors and guide the new students at HAMK. Students working as tutors will develop their own community and co-operation skills, as well as strengthen guidance and leadership skills.

Tutoring consists of tutor training sessions and working as a tutor. Through training sessions, the tutor becomes familiar with the functions of the higher education institution and the study environment. Training sessions strengthen the ability of a tutor to work as a responsible peer guide and to encounter and act in different guidance situations. Students will work as tutors in their own degree programme in cooperation with other trained tutors. Tutors can choose to complete additional international tutor training after the basic training sessions. International tutors will work as tutors for incoming exchange students.

Students will use their previous experiences and knowledge of tutoring to improve and develop tutoring and student guidance in their own degree programme and in the whole higher education institution. Students will work as responsible tutors in their own degree programme and/or study campus or improve their knowledge by working as an international tutor for incoming exchange students.

Responsible tutors know how to organise and coordinate tutoring activities in their own degree programme and/or between different degree programmes at their own study campus. Responsible tutors will work as a link between active tutors and staff members of the higher education institution. Responsible tutors work as peer-to-peer leaders for tutors performing their first year as tutors, and guide and support them in cooperation with study counsellors.

Student understands their role in developing the university, for example the importance of giving feedback. Student constantly develops their learning environment by also evaluating their own role in the community. Student understands their role in development of quality system of The Student Union.

Student gains knowledge on following topics: developing and maintaining quality system in The Student Union and with the university, training student representatives, networking, developing feedback systems, communications.

Student representative in school’s management group 3 cr.
Board member of The Student Union in charge of quality and feedback, 5 cr.

Completion and evaluation:
Student writes a portfolio where they evaluate their learning and participation in quality assurance. Portfolio is returned to the head of Education Support Services who will approve the completion and amount of credits.

Student takes part in developing national university politics and working in national student organizations. Student understands role of The Student Unions as a civic organization and the societal significance of individual student’s membership.

Student gains knowledge on following topics: networking, municipal development, HAMK strategy, collaboration with HAMK strategic communication, collaboration with different interest groups, contract negotiations.

Member of the Central Electoral Committee 3 cr.
Member of the Council of Representatives 3 cr.
Member of the Board 5 cr.
Chairman/Vice Chairman of the Council of Representatives 5 cr.

Completion and evaluation:
Activities in The Student Union of Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMKO)
Student completes the course by taking part in HAMKO’s activities. HAMK and HAMKO have created guidelines which define the amount of credits student will get from different activities. Student writes a portfolio to and returns it to the president of The Student Union.

Other civic organization activities:
Student completes the course by recognition of prior studies (RPL). Student applies for credits from other civic organization activities, like acting in a nationwide organization. Student writes an extensive portfolio about their activities and responsibilities in the position of trust. Certificate of the position of trust should be copied and attached to the portfolio.

Student has worked in a position of trust in local student association at HAMK campus. Student knows meeting practices, Associations Act’s effect on association’s activities, what their own responsibilities and obligations in the association are and how to promote local student culture.

President/Chairman of student association 5 cr.
Board member of student association 3 cr.

Do you want to take part in the marketing of your studies? Join HAMK’s Marketing Team course or contact your own field’s marketing personnel:

Studies in Business, Design and Technology
Sanna Viljakainen, sanna.viljakainen@hamk.fi
tai Jani Svensk, jani.svensk@hamk.fi

Studies in Biotechnology and Natural Resources
Kia Partanen, kia.partanen@hamk.fi

Studies in Health and Social Services
Reetta Tilli, reetta.tilli@hamk.fi

If you can’t fit the Marketing Team course to your studies, you can also market your field and HAMK in smaller bits in separate opportunities. If this is the case, please contact your study councelor or the marketing personnel in your field. Then you can together come up with ways you could participate in HAMK’s marketing.

Marketing your education and competence outside of the Marketing Team:

Scope: 1-3 credits
Learning outcomes: The students improve their public speaking and interaction skills and their sales and marketing skills. The students learn to describe their education and practise marketing their competence. The students are introduced to and learn to use various channels of marketing communication.
Content: The students learn about marketing by taking part in HAMK’s marketing efforts. This participation may include students acting as presenters at fairs, taking part in school visits, describing their education to various groups, planning or implementing their own marketing projects, taking part in photo shoots, blogging or video blogging, or using other social media channels. The activities are selected together with a personnel member. The students receive training or instructions for their duties, and the relevant requirements are explained to them. The personnel member in charge of the learning task will guide the students and give feedback. A HAMK personnel member will check and acknowledge the completed activities. The students can keep collecting learning tasks throughout their studies, rather than having to accumulate them during a particular semester or academic year.
Assessment criteria: The credits will be assessed on the scale of Pass/Fail.

Scope: 3 credits

During the exchange period students will learn a lot more than what is stated on the certificates they receive. Students will find out about the host country’s culture before they leave and during their stay abroad. In addition, they will find a suitable exchange destination, find out about funding, student financial aid, and matters related to visas and insurance. Students will complete and submit the relevant forms. Students will also disseminate their exchange experiences to other students.

Scope: 2-5 credits

The aim of the course is to enhance students’ intercultural competence as an outcome of their exchange period abroad. This training course is for students who have been accepted for student exchange or placement abroad. On completion of this course, the student will be able to identify the basic concepts in intercultural communication, understand the cultural influence in behavior and communication, understand the adjustment process to a new culture, and will manage emotions in the face of ambiguity, change, and challenging circumstances and people. Students will explore the theoretical framework of intercultural competence and reflect their own experiences in the learning process.
The course includes also application process work, practical arrangements and preparation of the learning agreement. The course consist of three phases: pre-departure before exchange period, in-country while in exchange and re-entry after return.

Scope: 2-4 credits

Preparing a written report or development assignment starts with the mapping of the client’s need and the current situation. On the basis of this information, the student will prepare a development proposal or plan utilizing literature and / or researched information. The result of the work is a report that includes an introduction, a description of the implementation of the work, and the results.