As the student admission system of higher education in Finland will be renewed by 2020, we also need new alternatives for students to show their capacity for higher education studies. The aim of this project is to develop, pilot and establish different paths to higher education.

Traditionally, entrance exams and the matriculation examination have been the ordinary ways to apply for a university in Finland. Besides these, also the channel through Open University has been available, though it has not yet worked as desired in universities’ student admission. Anyway, as the student admission system of higher education will be renewed by 2020, we also need new alternatives for students to show their capacity for higher education studies.

Our project is called Alternative path to university (Toinen reitti yliopistoon in Finnish). The aim of the project is to develop, pilot and establish different paths to higher education in addition to the previous methods: Firstly, we aim to revise the existing Open University route so that an increasing number of applicants would be admitted to university degree studies and that the admission criteria for study options could be predicted more accurately. Secondly, we will develop routes for secondary level students and for the needs of working life. In addition, we will develop guidance and advice services related to these routes. Open University studies give students an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and eligibility for university studies.

Alternative path to university is a higher education development project funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland. The project includes 11 universities and around 30 subjects.

https://www.avoin.jyu.fi/en/open-university/projects/alternative-path/alternative-path-to-university

Saarinen, Majlen

MSSc, Education Manager

Öppna universitetet

Fabriksgatan 2, 20500 ÅBO/TURKU, Finland

+3582 215 4500

majlen.saarinen(a)abo.fi