Education
Learn and renew yourself at the Open UAS
Laurea’s Open University of Applied Sciences is about developing and complementing competence, providing routes to a degree or a new direction for your career. The study offering covers all our degree programs and numerous different themes.
Take the first steps towards Bachelor degree studies
Have you recently graduated from upper secondary school or a vocational institution and are wondering which field might be right for you? What if the next step became clear by trying it out? Take a look at degree programs and strengthen your study skills – with a easy entry.
Find your alternative route to a degree
Do you already know which field you want study, but didn’t get a study place yet? Are you thinking about ways to combine the competence development opportunities your work offers with studying? Studies completed at Laurea’s Open UAS take you towards a Bachelor or Master level degree.
Stay up to speed in working life
Do you need a new perspective or concrete skills for your job, or would you like extra confidence for new tasks? Choose the current topics that matter to you and develop your competence without a long commitment to studying.
Grow and specialize as an expert
Do you already have the basics of your work under control — is it time to specialize? Do you want to deepen your expertise, meet new requirements in your field, or take the next step in your career? Our clear and structured training entities support deepening your expertise or help you take the next step in your career.
What, for whom and how?
Competence needs and life situations vary, so Laurea offers versatile ways to develop your skills. Choose the option that suits you best.
Laurea’s Open University of Applied Sciences studies and other training offerings can be found in the Laurea Smart online store:
- You can participate in individual studies or complete larger entities, such as competence modules
- If you wish, you can aim towards degree studies through path studies
- All trainings are at higher education level, so completed studies can be accepted as part of a degree if you apply to Laurea as a degree student
The studies in the Laurea Smart online store are aimed at everyone, and generally there are no requirements for a prior qualification or work experience. Please note that Laurea’s degree students cannot enroll in studies offered through Laurea’s Open UAS.
The duration, scope and timing of studies vary:
- Attendance-based teaching is mainly organized on weekdays from 8:00 to 18:00
- There are also nonstop studies you can complete year-round at your own pace and even start within a few hours of your enrolment
- Enrolment takes place through the Laurea Smart online store according to the online store’s enrolment instructions (exceptions: path studies)
The study offerings include both free and paid options:
- Pricing of Open UAS studies is based on the national regulation on fees for open higher education (0–45 €/credit) and exact prices are stated on each course’s page
- You can pay for individual paid courses in the Open UAS either by a per-credit fee (15 €/credit) or by a semester fee (200 €).
- There are also free online studies available, which you can complete at your own pace free of charge.
- In addition, there are separately priced training packages and trainings realized, for example, in connection with Laurea’s RDI projects
- For students who graduated from Laurea on schedule, some Open UAS studies are free for four semesters after graduation: Free courses for students who graduated from Laurea on schedule
Laurea also offers tailored training for companies and organizations. You can find out more on the For Businesses page, where you can also submit a request for a quote.
Frequently asked questions
1. Who can enroll in Open UAS studies?
Anyone can enroll in Open UAS studies. As a rule, there are no requirements for a prior qualification or work experience. If such requirements exist, they are stated in the course description. For example, the prerequisite for Master’s level courses is a bachelor’s degree or equivalent competence.
Laurea’s degree students cannot enroll in studies offered through Laurea’s Open UAS.
2. How can I apply to study in the studies?
Most studies do not have an application process; you can enroll in the Laurea Smart online store through the course page following the enrolment instructions.
Some studies may have requirements for a prior qualification or competence. If there are prerequisites, they are described in the course information.
For Open UAS path studies, student selection is made through the free “Orientation to Open UAS path studies” online course. Transition to degree student status happens through a separate application.
If you are interested in alternative routes to degree studies and want to know more about admission criteria, check the separate applications and their requirements.
3. Can I use a study voucher to pay for studies?
Yes. If you are entitled to a study voucher worth 30 credits, you can use it to study at Laurea’s Open UAS. The study voucher allows you to get acquainted with higher education studies, a particular field, or to complete UAS-level degree studies.
You can activate the study voucher once the joint application higher education selections are clear and acceptance from waiting lists has ended. The study voucher does not need to be applied for separately and activating it does not commit you to anything.
Activate the study voucher by logging in to the Opin.fi service.
4. Can an employer pay for the studies?
Yes. Payments in the Laurea Smart online store are mainly processed via Paytrail. If you have agreed with your employer or another organization that they will pay for your studies, you can use Walley Company Invoice. Once the payment has gone through, the system will automatically direct you to the order confirmation page, where you can continue browsing.
As an employer (organization customer) you can purchase courses for your staff by redeeming activation links through which they can enrol on the course.
Read more in the Laurea Smart online store’s Enrolment and payment instructions
5. How do I choose the studies that suit me best?
In the Laurea Smart online store you can filter search results by study level (Bachelor/Master), study type and field of education, or by selecting an appropriate keyword.
If you are studying in the Open UAS with the aim of entering a degree programme, it is important to take studies of the corresponding level (Bachelor/Master) so that they can be credited towards the intended degree. The course description always states to which degree the particular course is primarily creditable. You should explore Bachelor and Master path study possibilities, which provide guided study aimed at becoming a degree student.
If you are taking studies to update or deepen your competence, explore the offerings by study type. There are ready-made working life oriented competence modules that support deepening your expertise.
If you need help planning your studies, please contact us.
6. Can I receive financial support for studying in the Open UAS or other studies?
Because the studies offered by Open UAS are not degree-leading education, they are not eligible for Kela study allowance or other student benefits.
If you are unemployed, explore study-enabling options on the Job Market site. You can ask for more information via Job Market’s service channel. Always check your possibilities for studying while unemployed on Työmarkkinatori before starting your studies.
7. Where can I get help with problems related to Laurea’s online store and systems?
Fill in the contact form if
- you have challenges with Laurea user account or systems
- registration or login to the online store does not work
- purchase or enrolment does not work
Advisory Services
If you have questions about matters such as enrollment, payment, or other matters, please check the student instructions.
If you cannot find an answer in the instructions, please contact us. We are happy to help you by email on weekdays.
Email: openuas(at)laurea.fi
Study Guidance Services
If you need help with planning your studies or considering different study options, you can book a free 30-minute guidance time.
The guidance session will be held through Teams. Please book a guidance time through the booking calendar.