Bachelor's Degree Path Studies

Study skills

Make sure that you have required study skills (e.g. language skills, academic writing skills, teamwork skills) for managing the studies in university of applies sciences and proceeding in studies together with the student group.  

The required language skills in degree programmes taught in English should be at least at an upper-intermediate level (spoken and written English). This corresponds to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, or an IELTS score of at least 6.0, or a TOEFL iBT score of at least 70. Descriptions of the language levels: Common European Framework of reference for languages

NOTICE! For Degree programmes in Nursing and in Social Services you are also required to have Finnish language skills (level B1 or better).

Make sure to understand the difference between open UAS path studies and pathway studies organised for tailor-made international student groups.

Health recommendations

If you are applying to study in Laurea Nursing or Laurea Social Services you must have a sufficient good health status and functional capacity so that you are capable of completing practical assignments and work placement periods as part of the studies. You can read more about the health requirements at the required certificates page under the title Health Cer­tifi­cates (for Nursing and Social Services only). Other part of that page does not concern path studies applicants.

Study fee

The study fee for path studies is 400 €. The fee should be paid when accepting the study place. The study fee grants you study entitlement for one academic year during which the path studies must be completed.

The path study fee will not be returned at any parts after you have accepted the study place. Only if you get a study place in degree programme in Laurea in the beginning of the same semester, you will get the refund. Degree or path studies in another UAS doesn't entitle for a refund because you can be a open UAS student in Laurea at the same time.

If you are planning to study with unemployment benefit, find out the possibilities before accepting the study place. TE services negative decision for the benefit doesn't entitle for a refund of the fee for path studies. NOTICE! Required certifications for the TE services are filled only when the path studies has begun. 

Benefits and services

You are assigned a personal tutor teacher and you will receive the same guidance and counselling as degree students.

Students studying at an open university of applied sciences are treated equally to degree students.

Path students can also identify and recognize prior competence through Recognition of prior studies and Demonstration of competence:

• Any prior learning acquired in higher education studies can be demonstrated by means of a certificate or a transcript of records, in which case the process for Recognition of prior studies will be used.
  • NOTE! These recognized prior studies are not eligible for separate application based on Open UAS studies.
• Competence acquired in other ways (e.g. at work or in hobbies) can be demonstrated using different methods which have been agreed upon in advance. In this case, the process for Demonstration of competence will be followed.

Prior competence can be identify at the beginning of studies at guidance discussions with the teacher tutor.

As a path student, you are not eligible for Kelas financial aid for students (study grant). For other forms of financial aid, please contact your local TE services.

Enrolment

Next Bachelor’s Degree Path Studies in English is starting in autumn 2024. More information about the Path Studies in Autumn 2024:

Path Studies in Autumn 2024

Bachelor’s degree path studies in Finnish have enrolment twice a year. In July-August is the enrolment for studies beginning in autumn semester and in November-December is the enrolment for studies starting beginning in spring semester. 

Separate application process based on Open UAS studies

You may apply to become a degree student through a separate application process when you have earned 60 credits at the end of the application period (in spring by 31st of July and in autumn by 31st of December). Studies completed in any university of applied sciences are eligible, but they must be open UAS studies and part of the degree programme that the person is applying for (e.g. Bachelor's Degree in Health Care).

For more information, see S​eparate applications for full-time degree programmes page.

Path studies must be completed during one academic year. If you can't complete the 60 credits during the path study year, you can gain the missing credits by choosing studies from the open UAS study offering and paying a new open UAS study fee (by credit or year payment). Note that in this case you cannot continue as a path student with your group. If you need guidance in the planning of your open UAS studies, book an appointment for personal guidance to Open UAS. More information about Open UAS studies and enrollment is on Open UAS Enrollment Instructions page.