Path Studies

Path studies are an alternative route to a degree

Path studies are right for you if

  • your goal is a study right in a degree programme.
  • you are ready for full-time studies in Turku, Finland. Completing studies through path studies is not more flexible than degree studies.
  • you want to try to study at a University of Applied Sciences or in a certain field without losing your first-time quota position in Finnish joint applications.
  • you want to switch fields without an entrance exam.
  • you have a Bachelor’s degree and you want to continue to Master’s studies before fulfilling the work experience requirement.

Path studies in brief

Path studies consist of 1st year studies of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, which are completed as an Open UAS student. Path studies must be completed within one academic year.

Path studies do not affect the quota for first-time applicants in the joint application process.

Path students study in the same study group as degree students. The studies themselves or the content of the studies are no different from degree studies.

Applications to path studies takes place twice a year: 1) in the summer when studies for selected students begin in the autumn semester and 2) at the end of the year when studies for selected students begin in January.

Price: path studies are subject to an Open UAS study fee: Bachelor’s level path studies (60 ECTS credits) cost 400 €. Master’s level path studies (30 ECTS credits) cost 300 €.

Path students are generally not eligible for student financial aid or other student benefits granted by Kela.

Key information on path studies

Study fee

Path studies are subject to a study fee. Read more about Open UAS study fees.The link takes you to an external site

Benefits and services for path students

Path studies are Open UAS studies and do not lead to a degree. Path students are therefore not entitled to most benefits available for degree students. Before applying, think carefully about how you will finance your path studies.

Path students cannot…

  • receive student financial aid or a student loan from KELA (The Social Insurance Institution of Finland).
  • get student discounts from VR or Matkahuolto.
  • utilize student health care services (YTHS).
  • have their prior studies accredited: credit transfer for possible earlier studies can be obtained only in degree studies.

As a path student, you can…

Path studies for employment services clients

If you are an employment services client, please be sure to discuss your situation with the office in charge of your case before applying to path studies. Read more.

The scope of Bachelor’s level path studies is 60 ECTS credits. If you are unemployed and wish to complete path studies while registered as a job seeker, you may need to complete less than 5 ECTS credits per month. If this is the case, the scope of your path studies can be set as 35 ECTS credits. You can request the change if you are accepted as a path student when you ask for a form detailing the scope and duration of your from Open UAS (avoinamk@turkuamk.fi). Please note that you yourself are responsible for ensuring that your studies do not exceed the credit limit set by employment services.

Duration of path studies

A path study right is granted for one year, either from 1 January to 31 December, or from 1 August to 31 July the following year.

A path study right cannot be extended or postponed.

If your situation changes and you have to quit your path studies during the academic year, read more detailed instructions for discontinuing Open UAS studies.