Finish your degree at Laurea

This separate application is intended for applicants who have previously completed at least 160 ECTS credits at a Finnish University of Applied Sciences or University but the studies have since then been interrupted.

You can apply for example if:

• your studies have been interrupted and you want to complete a bachelor's degree
• you didn't finish your thesis during your previous studies
• you have completed 160 credits of studies at any Finnish university (including a university), but your studies have been interrupted

If your studies started in Laurea after August 1st 2015 and your studies have been interrupted, you can apply for restoration of study entitlement through a separate process.

Degree Programmes

Here is the list of the programmes available.

Degree programme in Social Services
Degree programme in Nursing
Degree programme in Service Business Management
Degree programme in Business Information Technology, Developing Digital Services
Degree programme in Business Information Technology, Cyber Security
Degree programme in Safety, Security and Risk Management
Degree programme in Hospitality Management and Service Design

Personal study plan and tutor

After restarting your studies, you will be assigned your own personal tutor, who will help you make a personal study plan. During the planning, you will go through your previous studies and skills that you have acquired otherwise for example in working life or through open UAS courses. Together, you will establish what kind of studies you need in order to finish your degree and graduate. The plan will accommodate your current life situation and can include methods such as work-based learning. In work-based learning you acquire the competence described in your curriculum by doing your work tasks or by participating in other activities that generate competence in line with your degree programme.

Flexible study opportunities

At Laurea, you have the flexibility to complete your studies while working. The studies can take the form of online studies, demonstrations of competence or personal projects, for example.

You can acquire the competencies required for your degree through your work

All the competencies you acquire in your degree are valuable and skills already acquired in working life can be recognized as part of your degree. Some of the learning can also be done through work-based learning, where you work on projects that meet the learning outcomes of the curriculum. Ideally, work-based learning, planned together, will enrich your work and develop your competence in an individual and work-based way - while your studies progress! 

Finishing your thesis in a new way

There are new flexible solutions for completing a thesis that you can combine with your work, such as the diary thesis and the portfolio thesis. For example, in a diary-style thesis, the work is broken down into small parts, with regular feedback and guidance. This makes it possible to complete the thesis with a lower threshold as part of your own work.

Together with your supervisor, you will plan the best way to do your thesis. You will receive regular guidance on how to write your thesis, and you can participate in workshops to support the thesis process. You can get started right away!  

L160 students enjoy the same services and benefits as other students:

•    Student card and the discounts that come with it
•    Student health care through Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS). Please note that you are also obliged to pay the FSHS fee every six months for the duration of your studies. 
The FSHS fee is paid by the student and is not invoiced separately.
•    Services for Laurea students, such as campus libraries, career counselling and the student union Laureamko.
•    Laurea graduation ceremony
•    Additionally, find out if you are entitled to benefits from organizations like KELA or the Employment Fund if you are not working full-time.

How to apply

1. Fill in the application form on studyinfo.fi.
   The application system limits the start of your studies to the application period, but in practice you can start your studies flexibly. The information on the form about the campus and the course of study does not matter, as your studies will be planned for you personally after you have applied and you can study on the campus or online that suits you best.
   
   If your studies in Laurea interrupted less than one semester ago, please apply for an extension.
   If your study rights at another university are still valid, apply for a transfer of your study rights.
   
   
2.  Attach a copy of your previous transcript to your application form. If you have completed higher education studies outside Laurea (e.g. through an Open University of Applied Sciences or a university), please also attach your transcripts from these studies to your application form.
   
   The studies for which you are applying cannot be part of a completed degree.
   If all your studies are at Laurea, your credits will be checked directly in the Laurea study register.
   
   
3. Attach a letter of motivation to your application form. The letter of motivation assesses the applicant's motivation and commitment to completing the degree. The motivation letter is one of the selection criteria and it will be evaluated as pass/fail. The applicant must respond to all the themes and questions below. The length of the motivation letter should be a minimum of two and a maximum of three A4 pages.
   Acceptable file formats are PDF or Microsoft Word.
   
   1. Motivation.
   •    What is the motivation behind your intention to complete your degree right now?
   
   2.  Time Management and Life Situation  
   •    What kind of schedule do you set for yourself to complete your studies?
   How much time do you plan to dedicate to studying on average per week?
   •    How will studying affect your daily routines and time management?
   
   3. Skills and Missing Studies  
   •    What studies do you believe are missing from your degree? Utilize Laurea's curriculum in your answer: Home | Study Guide, Laurea
   •    What kind of skills and knowledge have you already acquired?
   Are there any missing studies for which you could demonstrate relevant acquired skills?
   •    What are your strengths as a student? What skills do you still need to develop to complete your studies?
   
   4. Thesis
   •    Describe your current situation regarding your thesis.
   •    If you are employed, do you utilize your work in your thesis?
   
   

4. Send the application form.
   Please note that your application cannot be processed without the requested attachments.
   
   

5. We will contact you by e-mail to arrange an interview. Eligible applicants who have successfully completed the motivation letter will be invited for an interview. The interview will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. If you are applying for an English-language course, you may be tested on your language skills during the selection interview.

   The selection interview assesses the applicant's motivation and suitability for the field, as well as their willingness and ability to study at a university of applied sciences. The interview will be marked pass/fail.

6.   The final student selection is based on previous studies, the motivation letter and the selection interview.
   
    

The health and functional capacity of an applicant to the field of social and health care must be such that the student is able to carry out practical tasks and training related to the studies.  

Separate applications are subject to the "One study place per academic term rule". 
You can only take up one university place leading to a university degree from a course starting in the same semester. 
Read more about the selection criteria on Studyinfo.