Pirkanmaan ammattikorkeakoulu PIRAMK University of Applied Sciences

1. Pirkanmaan ammattikorkeakoulu PIRAMK University of Applied Sciences

2. Greetings from Finland

3. Facts about Finland • 5 300 000 inhabitants (12 / 2007) • capital Helsinki • four very defined seasons • member of European Union since 1995 • GNP per capita around 30,000 € in 2006 • in PISA 2006 young Finnish students were rated best in science and mathematics in OECD countries and the second best in reading

4. Doctoral Degree Licentiate Degree Master’s Degree 2 years Bachelor’s Degree 3 years UNIVERSITIES Professional Master’s Degrees 1-1,5 years WORK EXPERIENCE 3 years Bachelor’s Degrees 3,5 -4,5 years UNIVERSITIES OF APPLIED SCIENCES (UAS) UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND/OR VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING Finnish education system BASIC EDUCATION

5. Higher education in Finland • universities of applied sciences are multi-field institutions of professional higher education and also engage in applied research and development • studies at the universities of applied sciences give the students an excellent combination of theory and practice • universities of applied sciences are primarily financed from public funds (state 57%, local 43%) • traditioanally scientific-based universities engage in both education and research

6. The city of Tampere • 200 000 inhabitants • 4 higher-education institutions • 40,000 students (1,000 foreign students) • 2 hours by car / 1,5 hours by train from the capital Helsinki • Tampere is the centre of industry, business, sports, culture and education

7. Pirkanmaa University of Applied Sciences (PIRAMK) main campus in Tampere approx. 4000 students approx. 400 staff members six fields of study 20 bachelor-level and 3 master-level degree programmes 3 bachelor level-degree programmes in English education divided into 4 clusters Research & Development services (four focus areas)

8. Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) • from January 1st 2010 PIRAMK will merge together with TAMK and the new institution will comprise the following: • main campus in the city of Tampere • approx. 9000 students • approx. 800 staff members • 7 fields of study • 33 bachelor-level and 9 master-level degree programmes • 6 bachelor and 1 master level-degree programmes in English • Research & Development services (seven focus areas)

9. The four clusters of education at PIRAMK

10. Research & Development services developing services, processes and products in cooperation with working life partners supporting development of PIRAMK’s degree programmes to meet the expectations of future working life

11. Welcome to visit PIRAMK • four distinct seasons offer exciting experiences in nature, sports and leisure activities • lively student life on campus and in city • good connections locally, nationally and internationally • PIRAMK is leading the applicant-per-place ratio in Finland • friendly English-speaking athmosphere • many degrees and courses available in English • good IT facilities on campuses

12. Internationalisation in 2009 Student Exchange Programmes • Leonardo • LLP/Erasmus • Nordplus • Tempus • North-South-South • First • bilateral agreements

13. Internationalisation strategy • international educational cooperation is an important part of the pedagogical strategy of the institution • The following international competences are implemented in the curricula of every degree programme: • basic skills: awareness of internationalisation • advanced skills: multiculturalism and international affairs • applied skills: abilities for the international working environment

14. International activities student mobility teacher mobility staff mobility international study weeks intensive subject courses curriculum development projects

15. Cooperation with • more than 100 institutions of higher education in Europe and elsewhere: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Japan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Mozambique, Nepal, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Tanzania, Uganda, USA and Vietnam • private companies, the public sector and the third sector in Finland and abroad

16. Services for incoming students/trainees • international staff help with practical matters and with study/training programmes • individual orientation for every student/trainee • student union PAKO organises activities • courses in Finnish language and culture • cross-institutional studies with University of Tampere and Tampere University of Technology, on-line bulletin board on studying, working and living in Tampere address: www.uta.fi/sitr (Studying in Tampere Region) • PIRAMK contact information: incoming.students@piramk.fi

17. Information for incoming students/trainees • academic year: September - May annually • minimum stay: 90 days • application rounds: May 15th and October 15th • required documents: student application form, learning agreement and transcript of previous studies • letter of acceptance with an information package will be sent to accepted students • PIRAMK ensures accommodation for exchange students • student tutors help with practical matters • orientation and Finnish language and culture course • transcript of records and certificate of attendance • 1 ECTS credit = 27 hours of student work • 60 ECTS credits = academic year • for more information: http://ects.piramk.fi

18. Studies available in English • degree programmes in English: Nursing, Social Services, Tourism, Environmental Engineering (TAMK), International Business (TAMK) and Media (TAMK) • other programmes/fields of study also offer modules, courses and tailor-made studies in English • practical training placements can be arranged as a part of the study programme exchange students may take up to 40 % of the courses from University of Tampere and Tampere University of Technology (SITR cross-institutional studies) summer school of Finnish language and culture (for students from outside Europe)

19. Outgoing students/trainees • selection according to PIRAMK’s set criteria • application round: 15 February (annually) • virtual orientation course for studying abroad • foreign language training and support • full recognition of studies and training abroad according to learning agreement / training agreement • Application Clinic – international staff give practical assistance with forms • contact information at PIRAMK: outgoing.students@piramk.fi

20. Assistance for teacher/staff exchanges • first contact with colleagues or international office at destination • negotiation of exchange period • setting the workplan with the hosts • travel / accommodation assistance • tailored certificate of the visit • opportunities for teachers: • themed international study weeks • opportunities for staff: • themed staff development weeks

21. Quality assurance system in PIRAMK • PIRAMK has passed the quality assurance system auditing made by Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council • quality assurance system is seamlessly connected to the daily operation of PIRAMK and its further development • quality assurance is also a part of the steering system • aim of the quality assurance system is that PIRAMK attains its strategic objectives and develops as a learning expert organisation to promote innovative expertise