Ammattikorkeakoulu
Encyclopedia
An ammattikorkeakoulu abbreviated amk, is a Finnish institution of higher education
.
". Although the Finnish Ministry of Education recommends the English term "polytechnic
", the Rectors' Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences has decided to use the term "university of applied sciences".
Unlike universities, AMKs focus on R&D by applying previous knowledge rather than producing new research, on the other hand they have a very clearly legislated objective in regional development. As such, keeping in mind that there is mandatory five-month practical training for all students, AMKs may prove to be a good platform for dispersing applied knowledge throughout higher education. AMKs provide professionals for locally important purposes and are governed by the city, although they receive most of the funding from the state. No tuition fees are collected from the students.
Finnish higher education has what is called a dual model, where universities
(yliopisto) focus on scientific or artistic master's and higher degrees and AMKs mostly on bachelor's-level vocational and practical education. The phrase "equal but different" was used in conjunction with the dual model, meaning that Finnish AMKs and universities serve different goals in the field of higher education and should not be combined on any level. The ongoing Bologna process
, however, has led to some reform, where, by complementing AMK studies with some theoretical studies, the route to higher degrees is open. Changes are described in detail in Education in Finland
.
There are about 100,000 students in AMK's. Most notable field of education is engineering
, on which field the schools offer high level majors starting from a broad base of mathematics and physics related to the field of study. Engineers graduating after minimum of four years and 240 ECTS
credits are awarded the degree of insinööri (amk)
/ingenjör (YH), often compared to the foreign Bachelor of Engineering.
Other typical fields of study in an ammattikorkeakoulu are health care (nursing
), business, and culture.
The term "university of applied sciences" was universally applied (January 1, 2006) to all Finnish ammattikorkeakoulus to give more correct impression of the level of education given. The term is borrowed from the German "Fachhochschule
". The decision could be made by the ammattikorkeakoulus, because there is no legislation concerning the translations of Finnish terms and they are financially independent of the Ministry of Education. The Finnish Ministry of Education, however, disagrees with this interpretation and recommends the use of the term polytechnic.
Because degrees from an AMK are more practically oriented compared to the degrees offered by Universities in Finland, a holder of an AMK degree wishing to get a Masters degree from a Finnish university may have to complete 60 ETCS worth of theoretical and scientific studies in addition to normal Master's degree requirement.
Since 2005, Finnish Parliament has approved the creation of higher AMK degree, similar to the Master's degree in universities. This has led to a small-scale kickoff of new degree programmes (limited fields of education), the extent of 60-90 ECTS credits. They will give similar qualifications as university Master's degree in the same areas of education (but a minimum amount of 3 years of work experience gained after latest tertiary degree is needed to qualify for AMK higher degree programme).
At the end of 2010, there has been nationwide discussions about the overly large amount of student places, especially in the fields of Engineering and Business. It is connected to a problem in funding - AMK's receive their funding quite extensively based on the amount of current students (this is changing to a more management by results -approach). This has led to an oversupply of AMK-educated people compared to the needs of the labour market — the unemployment of AMK graduates is 8%, on par with the general unemployment rate. Some cuts to the amount of student places are being issued by the Ministry of Education, starting with a nationwide cut of 10% applied to the new student intake in 2007 and 2008.
Education in Finland
The Finnish education system is an egalitarian Nordic system, with no tuition fees and with free meals served to full-time students. The present Finnish education system consists of well-funded and carefully thought out daycare programs and a one-year "pre-school" ; a nine-year compulsory basic...
.
Significance
The term literally means "school of higher vocational educationVocational education
Vocational education or vocational education and training is an education that prepares trainees for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic, and totally related to a specific trade, occupation, or vocation...
". Although the Finnish Ministry of Education recommends the English term "polytechnic
Institute of technology
Institute of technology is a designation employed in a wide range of learning institutions awarding different types of degrees and operating often at variable levels of the educational system...
", the Rectors' Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences has decided to use the term "university of applied sciences".
Unlike universities, AMKs focus on R&D by applying previous knowledge rather than producing new research, on the other hand they have a very clearly legislated objective in regional development. As such, keeping in mind that there is mandatory five-month practical training for all students, AMKs may prove to be a good platform for dispersing applied knowledge throughout higher education. AMKs provide professionals for locally important purposes and are governed by the city, although they receive most of the funding from the state. No tuition fees are collected from the students.
History
AMKs have been until just recently granting only tertiary degrees (3–4 years) that are specialized to the particular vocations (e.g. insinööri, translated into English as Bachelor of Engineering); in kind they are different from but in level comparable to academic bachelor's degrees, which are awarded by universities. In 2005, "higher AMK" degrees (which are translated into English as master's degrees) have been introduced for holders of an AMK degree or a similar degree like a bachelor's degree from a university, to continue studies alongside working. AMK's do not grant the higher degrees of licentiate and Ph.D. granted by universities, and a holder of an AMK higher degree is not eligible for doctoral studies in universities.Finnish higher education has what is called a dual model, where universities
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
(yliopisto) focus on scientific or artistic master's and higher degrees and AMKs mostly on bachelor's-level vocational and practical education. The phrase "equal but different" was used in conjunction with the dual model, meaning that Finnish AMKs and universities serve different goals in the field of higher education and should not be combined on any level. The ongoing Bologna process
Bologna process
The purpose of the Bologna Process is the creation of the European Higher Education Area by making academic degree standards and quality assurance standards more comparable and compatible throughout Europe, in particular under the Lisbon Recognition Convention...
, however, has led to some reform, where, by complementing AMK studies with some theoretical studies, the route to higher degrees is open. Changes are described in detail in Education in Finland
Education in Finland
The Finnish education system is an egalitarian Nordic system, with no tuition fees and with free meals served to full-time students. The present Finnish education system consists of well-funded and carefully thought out daycare programs and a one-year "pre-school" ; a nine-year compulsory basic...
.
There are about 100,000 students in AMK's. Most notable field of education is engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
, on which field the schools offer high level majors starting from a broad base of mathematics and physics related to the field of study. Engineers graduating after minimum of four years and 240 ECTS
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
This page describes ECTS-credits. For information about the ECTS grading system go to ECTS grading scale.European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System is a standard for comparing the study attainment and performance of students of higher education across the European Union and other...
credits are awarded the degree of insinööri (amk)
Insinööri (amk)
Insinööri is a four-year Bachelor of Engineering degree, given by institutions called Universities of Applied Sciences in Finland . The Swedish language term is ingenjör , where "YH" is an abbreviation for "yrkeshögskola"...
/ingenjör (YH), often compared to the foreign Bachelor of Engineering.
Other typical fields of study in an ammattikorkeakoulu are health care (nursing
Nursing
Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life from conception to death....
), business, and culture.
The term "university of applied sciences" was universally applied (January 1, 2006) to all Finnish ammattikorkeakoulus to give more correct impression of the level of education given. The term is borrowed from the German "Fachhochschule
Fachhochschule
A Fachhochschule or University of Applied Sciences is a German type of tertiary education institution, sometimes specialized in certain topical areas . Fachhochschulen were founded in Germany and later adopted by Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Greece...
". The decision could be made by the ammattikorkeakoulus, because there is no legislation concerning the translations of Finnish terms and they are financially independent of the Ministry of Education. The Finnish Ministry of Education, however, disagrees with this interpretation and recommends the use of the term polytechnic.
Because degrees from an AMK are more practically oriented compared to the degrees offered by Universities in Finland, a holder of an AMK degree wishing to get a Masters degree from a Finnish university may have to complete 60 ETCS worth of theoretical and scientific studies in addition to normal Master's degree requirement.
Since 2005, Finnish Parliament has approved the creation of higher AMK degree, similar to the Master's degree in universities. This has led to a small-scale kickoff of new degree programmes (limited fields of education), the extent of 60-90 ECTS credits. They will give similar qualifications as university Master's degree in the same areas of education (but a minimum amount of 3 years of work experience gained after latest tertiary degree is needed to qualify for AMK higher degree programme).
At the end of 2010, there has been nationwide discussions about the overly large amount of student places, especially in the fields of Engineering and Business. It is connected to a problem in funding - AMK's receive their funding quite extensively based on the amount of current students (this is changing to a more management by results -approach). This has led to an oversupply of AMK-educated people compared to the needs of the labour market — the unemployment of AMK graduates is 8%, on par with the general unemployment rate. Some cuts to the amount of student places are being issued by the Ministry of Education, starting with a nationwide cut of 10% applied to the new student intake in 2007 and 2008.