If you are looking for information about open university routes into Finnish-language degree programmes, please see this page.
Becoming a degree-pursuing student is possible through several different admission processes: you may be admitted on the basis of a motivational letter, an entrance exam, or based on your previous diploma. The open university route is an alternative way of applying as a degree student; you are free to apply through any useful routes simultaneously. In Finland, open university routes have been available for several years and we are happy to announce that the first open university routes to English-language degree programmes are now open, with more on the way.
An open university route to a university means that you complete a set of studies as an open university student, after which you may apply to become a degree student. The admission criteria of each programme specify what studies you need to complete and how well to be eligible. There is a fixed number of seats to be filled by applicants; if there are more eligible applicants than there are seats, applicants will be selected on the order of their grades. Please note that English-language programmes also have requirements on your English-language skills. The application period is once per year, in the spring.
Admission criteria and the application timetable are confirmed yearly, and they are made public in the autumn, by October. The criteria can change or be updated so it is recommended to always check the criteria when they are published.
The studies offered via the open university are always parts of university degrees – in other words, the courses you take are the same ones degree students also complete. This means that the route studies you take at our open university will be approved as parts of your degree, which makes your future degree studies a bit lighter and can help you graduate sooner.
In short: you can begin degree studies before being admitted as a degree student.
Studying at an open university with the goal of becoming a degree-pursuing student is a long-term project and it is a good idea to plan your studies ahead – this may be done together with that academic subject’s coordinator or with a guidance counsellor; contact us at jok-ohjaus@uef.fi and we'll be glad to help.
The open university route is worth your while!
- You can start your studies flexibly while still working, for example.
- You get an idea of what studying a specific subject is like.
- You will have a part of your degree already done when you’re admitted as a degree student.
- You can familiarize yourself with UEF and hone your study skills before embarking on full-time studies.
More information about studying at the Open university can be found here: How to study at the Open university.
Our open university routes
The first open university route to an English-language degree programme in Finland.
The Lifelong Learning and Sustainable Development bachelor’s degree programme gives an opportunity to learn, in a multicultural and diverse context, how sustainable development can be advanced locally and globally, using innovative out-of-school learning spaces and methods typical of adult and lifelong learning (intergenerational or informal learning, nonformal education, associations, workplaces, organizations, civic movements, etc.).
Admission criteria: To be eligible to apply through the Open university route, applicants must have completed basic studies of the Bachelor’s degree programme in Lifelong Learning and Sustainable Development (five courses, a total of 25 ECTS) at the University of Eastern Finland’s Open University by 5 May, 2024, with a grade 3 or higher on scale 1-5. Applicants must submit their current open university study transcript by 24 January 2024 at 15:00 pm. All five courses must have been completed, graded and the basic studies unit (25 ECTS) compiled by 5 May 2024.
In addition, because the programme is taught entirely in English, the applicant must meet the general language requirements to be eligible to apply in this admission group. Please see the degree programme’s webpage for more information.
Seats: 5 students will be selected via the open university route. If there are more eligible applicants than there are seats, applicants will be ranked according to the weighted mean of grades of the five basic studies courses, calculated to two decimal places. If applicants have the same weighted mean, they will be ranked according to the points received in book and lecture exams at the course Introduction to education and lifelong learning (5 ECTS).
Route studies
- Basic studies in lifelong learning and sustainable development, 25 ECTS
- Introduction to education and lifelong learning 5 ECTS
- Adult education promoting sustainable development 6 ECTS
- Finnish education and society 5 ECTS
- Current trends in education 4 ECTS (spring semester, student quota 20 students)
- Active citizenship and non-formal education 5 ECTS (autumn semester)
Studying at the Open University
The studies are available as online teaching. Please note that not all courses can be completed year-round. Detailed information can be found in the course-specific links above.
More information about registration and fees.
More information
Coming up in 2024: Refunds for Open university route applicants pursuing their first degree
If you are applying as a degree student for the first time in the spring of 2024 via an open university route, you can apply for a refund of your open university fees.
To be eligible for the refund, the following criteria must be filled:
- You must be a first-time applicant to higher education (university or polytechnic) in Finland, and you must apply through our open university route.
- You must have completed the open university route studies according to the admission criteria of a degree programme at the University of Eastern Finland.
Refunds can be given for studies completed after 1 August 2023 and only for studies which are admission criteria for Open university routes.
When registering for studies, you will pay the open university fees as usual. Refunds can be applied for with a separate form after applying to become a degree student. Specific instructions and a link to the form will be published on this page in the spring of 2024.