2 INFORMATION ON THE POLYTECHNIC

Higher education is provided by universities and polytechnics (ammattikorkeakoulu, AMK). The Finnish polytechnic system was built during the 1990’s to create a non-university sector of higher education. Polytechnic education emphasises close contacts with business, industry and services, especially at the regional level. The degrees are designed to meet the changing requirements and development needs of the world of work, having a pronounced occupational emphasis, and qualifying graduates for various expert duties. Polytechnics undertake research and development with an applied and practical emphasis.

There are presently 29 polytechnics in Finland, most of which are multi-field and operate in several units. Polytechnics offer Bachelor-level higher education degrees equivalent to Bachelor of Arts (Hon) or Bachelor of Science (Hon) Degrees in the UK and the US, the French Licence, the German Diplom Fachhochschule and the Dutch HBO Diploma.

Studies are organised into Degree Programmes, which are confirmed by the Ministry of Education, the curricula are independently decided by the polytechnics. Each Degree Programme consists of 140 credits (210 ECTS) and takes 3.5-4.5 years to complete. For some fields of study the number of credits is 160 (240 ECTS), such as studies in Natural Resources, Culture and Media and Public Health Nursing. Each credit is equivalent of 40 hours of work. The polytechnic degrees combine theory, practice and individual experience and qualify the graduates for planning, expert and managerial posts as well as for other professional tasks requiring a high standard of expertise.

Laurea operates in the Helsinki metropolitan area, one of the most competitive regions in the world. The area contains a significant concentration of higher education and research establishments, innovative companies and nationally important innovators, linked by various formal and informal networks. Due to the challenging nature of this innovation-packed environment, in order to promote development it is essential for professionals to become specialised in their areas of expertise and create wide-ranging networks.

The principle of networking has been chosen as a strategy for Laurea. Laurea’s task in developing its own areas of expertise is to operate as a provincial multi-faculty polytechnic for the whole metropolitan area. Laurea fulfils this task by bringing together teaching, research and development activities with regional development schemes. Each task is equally valuable, but the resources devoted to them vary within the polytechnic’s operations. In terms of content, Laurea focuses on welfare, business, ICT and sustainable development. Within the higher education system of the metropolitan area, Laurea is an example of an establishment which produces innovations within the workplace and transfers skills efficiently.

Laurea’s operations are based on the following values: a student and customer-focused approach, reliability, community spirit, openness and participation, social responsibility and innovation.

In terms of starting students, Laurea is the third largest polytechnic in Finland. In 2002 there were around 7,000 students at Laurea. Laurea has six fields of study: Social Sciences, Business and Administration; Culture; Natural Resources and the Environment; Tourism, Catering and Domestic Services; Social Services, Health and Sports and Natural Sciences. Thirteen Degree Programmes are taught in Finnish and four in English. Laurea has institutes in Hyvinkää, Kerava, Lohja, Porvoo, Järvenpää, Vantaa, as well as in the centre of the city of Espoo and in the Leppävaara area of Espoo.

Laurea is educating the professional experts and specialists of the 21st century and offers students a modern, stimulating and open learning environment. It is able to exploit the latest information technology and communications know-how and uses the Net for internal as well as external purposes. There is continuous interaction between Laurea, the wider community and the professional world. It is a characteristic of the educational approach at Laurea that the students take responsibility for their own studies and personal growth. From the broad range of fields of study available, students draw up a study programme that is tailored to their own individual needs and objectives. Students at Laurea are sure to face many exciting challenges as they develop their professional skills and learn to apply newly acquired knowledge, as well as contributing to progress within their professional fields, and discovering an international perspective.

Laurea offers Degree Programmes in Social Sciences, Business and Administration, Culture, Natural Resources and the Environment, Tourism, Catering and Domestic Services, Social Services, Health and Sports and Natural Sciences.

All Degree Programmes include some tuition in English; full programmes in English are the Degree Programme in Business Management, Degree Programme in Nursing, Degree Programme in Physiotherapy and Degree Programme in Social Services.

The activities of Laurea Polytechnic take place in three regional units: Espoo-Lohja, Central and Northern Uusimaa, and Vantaa-Porvoo. The Polytechnic’s central administration is run by the Board of Directors of the Polytechnic Limited Company together with an Administrative Unit (in Vantaa) that is supervised by the President. The regional units are run by Regional Principals.

Laurea Polytechnic is located in the heart of Finnish industry, services and information technology, in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. It would be hard to find a better place for a centre of higher education that prepares people for the modern professional world.