You can apply for accreditation of prior learning for studies you have completed at another higher education institution based on a certificate or transcript and the description of the previous qualification. The studies may have been completed at a Finnish or a foreign higher education institution.
The level of competence according to the degree requirements must be EQF level 6 in Bachelor´s degrees and EQF level 7 in master´s degrees (European Qualifications Framework EQF).
You can replace core competence studies when studies you have completed elsewhere sufficiently correspond to the learning outcomes defined in Laurea’s curriculum. You can apply for accreditation of prior learning only for a complete course unit.
You can include studies you have completed elsewhere in your complementary competence if they deepen or broaden the core competence and support your career goals. It is advisable to apply for inclusion only once your PSP (HOPS) has become clear and you know which competences you want to include as complementary competence. The extent of the degree cannot be exceeded except in exceptional cases and accreditations recorded in the registry cannot be removed later. Also note possible field-specific degree requirements and that the same competence cannot be included both in core competence and in complementary competence.
You can apply for accreditation of prior learning only when your study entitlement is active. At the beginning of your studies it is sufficient that you assess your competence with respect to the studies of the first semester. You can apply for accreditation at any stage of your studies.
Laurea Open UAS pathway student: You can apply for accreditation only for those core competence studies that affect the smooth progress of your studies during the pathway year. You can apply for other accreditations only if you are admitted as a degree student. Note the effect of accreditations on eligibility in separate application rounds that use Open UAS studies.
Proceed like this when seeking accreditation
Identify your competence
Compare the learning outcomes of the studies you completed elsewhere with the learning outcomes described in the curriculum. For the comparison you will need your transcript and the description of the previous qualification from the curriculum. For complementary competence, accreditations are made on the basis of the original completion information (course name, scope, assessment), so equivalence to Laurea’s studies is not required.
Make a preliminary proposal for accreditation
Based on the comparison, make your own preliminary proposal for accreditation.
Have a guidance discussion
Have a guidance discussion with the teacher tutor or, if necessary, the study head (Bachelor´s degree students) / the responsible teacher of your programme (master´s degree students).
Submit an eAHOT application
Submit your accreditation application via the eAHOT function in Pakki. Read the eAHOT instructions carefully before starting the application to ensure smooth processing. Attach your preliminary proposal for accreditations, your study records and the descriptions of your previous studies to the application.
Please note that applications are not processed during holiday periods, so plan your schedule accordingly when submitting applications.
Recognition of competence
The decision on accreditation is made by the study head of your programme (Bachelor´s degree students) / the responsible teacher of the programme (master´s degree students). The grade recorded for the accreditation will be the grade you received in your earlier studies. If the competence of a course unit is recognized on the basis of several prior studies, the grade will be recorded as “approved” (pass).
Frequently asked questions about accreditation
Can I have mandatory language studies accredited?
If you have completed the mandatory language studies corresponding to your field at another higher education institution (the other national language / English), they can be accredited.
Examples of language studies that correspond to each other:
- language studies in Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Hospitality Management programmes
- language studies in Bachelor of Social Services, Bachelor of Criminal Sanctions Social Services and Bachelor of Community Pedagogy programmes
- language studies in public health nurse and registered nurse programmes
- language studies in university-level studies of the same field
If your language studies are from another field, you must complete a field-specific supplement. You do not submit an accreditation application for this; instead agree on the necessary supplement with the language teacher.
Can I have my thesis accredited?
In a Bachelor´s degree you can apply for accreditation if you have completed a thesis in another higher education degree that is applicable to your current degree. The prerequisite for accreditation is that the previous thesis fully meets Laurea’s thesis learning outcomes. Contact the thesis coordinator of your programme, who will assess the suitability of your work.
If your thesis is accredited, you do not need to complete a maturity test if there is a notation on the transcript or diploma. Otherwise you must complete a maturity test. For degrees completed abroad, the maturity test must be taken.
Apply for accreditation in eAHOT. Attach your diploma/transcript, a link to the previous thesis, the thesis coordinator’s endorsement (e.g. an email showing sender, recipient and date) and your own justification for the accreditation.
Do I apply for accreditation if the higher education studies I completed correspond only partially to the learning outcomes of a Laurea course unit?
An eAHOT application is not submitted in this case. You can discuss a possible partial credit with the responsible teacher of the course unit. Provide the teacher with the study record of your previous study and the course description. The responsible teacher will assess your competence on the basis of the documents you provide and guide you further. You can find the responsible teacher’s name in the course’s implementation plan.
How old can prior studies be for accreditation?
The obsolescence of studies is assessed in relation to the learning outcomes set out in the curriculum. Previously completed studies may be required to be supplemented with a demonstration of competence if workplace competence requirements have changed significantly.
How much can I accredit?
Accredited studies must be suitable for the degree in accordance with Laurea’s curriculum. There is no fixed limit on the amount of accredited studies. However, the extent of the degree cannot be exceeded except in exceptional cases on the basis of a PSP approved with the teacher tutor, provided that graduation is not delayed and studies are not accredited beyond the extent of the degree. If you have already completed your compulsory studies and the degree extent is full, you may not be admitted to the course unit in accordance with the degree regulations.
Can I apply for accreditation on the basis of non-commissioned officer / reserve officer school?
You can apply for accreditation in a Bachelor´s degree. The scope of accreditation is 3 credits for those who have completed non-commissioned officer school (AUK) and 5 credits for those who have completed reserve officer school (RUK). Apply for accreditation in eAHOT as inclusion in complementary competence. Attach the AUK/RUK course certificate to the application.
How are studies completed during an exchange accredited?
Read the instructions on accreditation of studies completed during student exchange and the instructions related to returning from exchange.
I have completed studies at another higher education institution during my current Laurea studies. I have not enrolled in the studies via Pakki. How do I get the study attainments into Laurea’s study register?
Apply for accreditation according to the eAHOT instructions.
Can continuing education I have completed be accredited?
The prerequisite for accreditation is that the course/training corresponds to higher education level. If the level is not evident from the certificate or description of the training, request an explanation from the provider whether the studies correspond to higher education level (EQF level 6 for AMK / EQF level 7 for YAMK).
Can I have high school or vocational upper secondary qualification studies accredited?
These are upper secondary level studies (EQF level 4), so they cannot be accredited towards a higher education degree.