Section 1 Mission

The mission of the LAB University of Applied Sciences under the Universities of Applied Sciences Act (932/2014) is to provide higher education for professional expert jobs, support the professional growth of students, carry out applied research, development, and innovation activities and artistic activities that serve education in universities of applied sciences and promote industry, business, and regional development, taking the industrial structure of the region into account. In carrying out their mission, universities of applied sciences shall promote lifelong learning.

Section 2 Degrees

The LAB University of Applied Sciences is authorised to provide education leading to the following degrees: 

Bachelor's degrees

Master’s degrees 

Students who have started their studies before 1 January 2014 may finish their studies at the LAB University of Applied Sciences even if LAB is no longer obligated to teach the student’s subject area. In accordance with LAB’s authorisation to provide education, students may complete and receive their degree pursuant to the legislation in force prior to the current authorisation to provide education. 

Section 3 Degree programmes 

Studies leading to bachelor’s and master’s degrees are arranged as degree programmes. Degree programmes designed and executed by the university of applied sciences focus on duties requiring practical professional expertise and the development of those duties. 

Degree programmes may also be organised in collaboration with domestic or international universities based on agreements.

Section 4 Validity period of study attainments

The bachelor's and master's degrees may contain courses that date back no more than ten years. Also, language and communication studies included in the degree expire in ten years with the exception of the public administration language examination (other official language of Finland), which does not expire.For justified reasons, the validity period of courses may be extended by the vice president for education. 

Section 5 Languages of instruction and degrees 

The language of instruction and degrees at the LAB University of Applied Sciences is Finnish. In addition, the university of applied sciences teaches certain degree programmes in English. Finnish-language degree programmes may contain courses or modules taught in English if it is relevant to the field and supports the student’s internationalisation. Correspondingly, English-language degree programmes may include courses or modules taught in Finnish if they support the student’s integration into the Finnish working world. Language instruction may also be provided in other languages.

Each degree programme curriculum defines the language of instruction for the programme. Assignments are primarily completed in the language of the course or module. However, teachers may also provide an opportunity to complete the study attainments in Finnish.

Section 6 Continuous learning

The LAB University of Applied Sciences may provide professional specialisation education, open university of applied sciences studies, and other continuing and further education. 

LAB University of Applied Sciences students registered as attending cannot complete open university of applied sciences studies unless the open university of applied sciences web pages state otherwise. 

The university of applied sciences may arrange free-of-charge education providing immigrants with the language and other skills needed for degree studies at the university of applied sciences. The university of applied sciences may also provide student groups tailored education leading to a higher education degree and subject to a fee. 

Alumni who have graduated from the LAB University of Applied Sciences have the right to complete studies after graduation in accordance with the terms defined by the university of applied sciences.

Participation or completion certificates are issued for continuous learning programmes.

Section 7 Tuition fees and scholarship system

Under the Universities of Applied Sciences Act (932/2014), section 13 a, subject to exceptions provided by law, universities of applied sciences must charge tuition fees per academic year that cover at least the costs arising from organising the education for students admitted to a bachelor’s or master’s degree programme taught in a language other than Finnish or Swedish.

The university of applied sciences makes decisions on how the organising costs are calculated, how tuition fees are collected, and how scholarships and other forms of assistance are paid.

Section 8 Education management system

The education management system is based on the responsibilities set out in the LAB University of Applied Sciences regulations and in these degree regulations.

Education management aims to support the achievement of strategic targets, eliminate overlapping functions, and develop of education. The management system covers both bachelor's and master's degree education at the university of applied sciences.

The vice president for education is responsible for the operations and development of education, together with the unit directors and degree managers.

Section 9 Education management group

The education management group plans and implements measures in line with strategic goals. The education management group monitors the implementation of measures in accordance with strategic goals, reports to the  management group, and sees to the achievement of objectives set by the LAB management group in the operational working groups. 

Section 10 Eduteam

The Eduteam promotes and implements shared practices and agreed measures in the units and deals with current issues in student services.

Section 11 Future Learning working group

The mission and objective of the working group is to strengthen and develop the pedagogical expertise and teaching quality of the university of applied sciences staff. The working group supports evolving teaching practices through co-creation and collegial learning. 

Section 12 Student admissions to degree programmes and professional specialisation education

The LAB University of Applied Sciences board decides on the annual student intake.  

The vice president for education annually decides on the admission procedures and criteria after hearing each faculty and approves the admission of new degree students. 

Students are admitted to complete a bachelor's or master's degree or professional specialisation programmes.

Section 13 Admission of transfer students

A student of another university of applied sciences may apply for transfer to a programme in the same or a similar field at the LAB University of Applied Sciences. The vice president for education decides annually on the admission procedures and criteria for transfer students after hearing the faculties and decides on the admission of transfer students. 

Section 14 Revocation of the right to study

Admission decisions are contingent on the receipt and verification of the applicant’s study attainments in the national database or required original documents related to the previous degree or copies thereof certified in a country-specifically defined manner or after the conclusion of the SORA procedure. The university of applied sciences may revoke the right to study if the applicant has not submitted the required documents within the timeframe and in the form set by the university of applied sciences or if the applicant’s application contained false information. Decisions on revoking a right to study are made by the vice president for education. 

Section 15 Programme transfers 

Students may apply for transfer from one degree programme to another within the university of applied sciences. The faculty director decides annually on the transfer procedures and criteria after hearing the faculties. Decisions regarding transfers between programmes are made by the faculty director in question. 

Section 16 Administrative review of admission decisions 

Applicants dissatisfied with an admission or transfer decision may request an administrative review from the president of the LAB University of Applied Sciences within 14 days of the publication of the admission decisions. When decisions are released, applicants must be provided information on how the admission criteria were applied to them and how they can request an administrative review.

Administrative review decisions may be brought before the Administrative Court of Eastern Finland in accordance with the Administrative Judicial Procedure Act (808/2019). No appeals may be made against the administrative court ruling.

Decisions on appeals shall not prejudice any student accepted to the university of applied sciences. 

Students have the right to complete the studies for their degree in accordance with the university of applied sciences degree regulations and curriculum.

Students who accept a place in a programme leading to a new degree forfeit any other valid rights to study at the same or a lower education level. This rule applies to students admitted to programmes that start after 1 January 2027. 

The university of applied sciences' autumn semester starts on 1 August and ends on 31 December. The spring semester starts on 1 January and ends on 31 July.

To maintain their right to study, students must register each academic year as attending or non-attending in a way decided by the university of applied sciences. First-year degree students may register as non-attending only if compulsory or voluntary military service, the birth or adoption of their child, or their own illness or disability prevents them from starting their studies.

More advanced students must register as attending or non-attending every academic year between 1 May and 31 August. Students can register as non-attending for only the autumn semester by 31 August and for only the spring semester by 31 December. Registration as non-attending can be changed to attending at any time during the academic year in question. 

Only attending students may complete studies, have study attainments entered into their study records, and graduate. The insurance policies of the university of applied sciences only cover attending students.

Non-attending students must take into consideration how their absence affects their study-related benefits. Students registered as attending have access to a LAB University of Applied Sciences username and email account. 

Studies leading to a degree are designed as follows: the normative duration of bachelor's degrees accounting for 210 ECTS credits is 3.5 years, and that of bachelor's degrees accounting for 240 ECTS credits is 4 years. 

The normative duration of master’s studies of 60 ECTS credits is two years, and that of master’s studies of 90 ECTS credits is 2.5 years. The normative duration of master’s degree programmes arranged fully online is 2 years.

Full-time students have the right to exceed the normative duration of their studies by one year. For other students, the grounds for the maximum duration are provided for in the degree regulations of the university of applied sciences.

Students who are unable to complete their bachelor’s degree within the normative duration may continue their studies for one more year. Students must update their study plans and timelines for the one-year extension and discuss the completion of their studies with their teacher tutor. Students who have not completed their master’s studies within their normative duration may continue their studies for one more semester.

The duration of the studies starts when the student first enrols for studies at the university of applied sciences.

Absences due to service under the Conscription Act, the Non-Military Service Act or the Women’s Voluntary Military Service Act or to leave due to the birth of a child or adoption are excluded from the normative duration of studies. However, such leaves will be included in the duration of the studies if students register as attending during them. The duration of the studies will also continue to elapse if the student is absent during the first year due to the student’s own illness or disability. Other absences of no more than two semesters will not be included in the total duration of the studies if the student registers as non-attending for the duration of the absence.

For students who fail to register for the academic year, the normative duration will continue to elapse.

The degree manager may, upon application, grant degree students an extension if they have not been able to complete their studies within the normative time referred to in section 20. Students must apply for the extension before the maximum duration of their studies elapses. Granting an extension requires that students present a realistic plan, including a schedule and goals, for the completion of their studies. The plan must itemise the studies that the student will complete and specify the schedule for completing them. 

Extensions may be granted to students who, taking into account the number and scope of their completed and outstanding credits as well as any previous decisions regarding extensions, have a reasonable prospect of completing their degrees within a reasonable period. The student's situation in life will be taken into account in granting an extension.

Students may not register as non-attending during an extension. 

Applications for extensions are subject to a processing fee of 50 euros in accordance with the government decree 1440/2014, section 3.

Students who fail to register for the academic year in the manner decided by the university of applied sciences or who register as non-attending for the first academic year without a statutory reason forfeit their right to study.

If such students wish to restart or continue their studies at a later date, they must apply for the reinstatement of their right to study in writing and pay a processing fee for their reinstatement application. The degree manager makes decisions on the reinstatement of rights to study. Students may request an administrative review of the decision in accordance with section 23 above.

Universities of applied sciences charge a tuition fee from students coming from outside the EU/EEA countries to complete a degree in a language other than Finnish or Swedish. The payment of the tuition fee is a requirement for registration as attending and for a right to study. If students obligated to pay a tuition fee do not pay the fee in the manner declared by the university or by the deadline, they forfeit their right to study. If such students later wish to restart or continue their studies, they must apply for the reinstatement of their right to study in writing after paying the tuition fee and a processing fee for their reinstatement application. The degree manager makes the decision to reinstate a right to study. 

The application for the reinstatement of a right to study is subject to a processing fee of 50 euros in accordance with the government decree 1440/2014, section 3. 

Students who have not completed their degree in the time laid down in the Universities of Applied Sciences Act or during an extension to it forfeit their right to study. 

However, students have the opportunity to continue their studies through open university of applied sciences education. After having completed their studies through open higher education, the students may apply for the reinstatement of their right to study in order to graduate. 

Students who accept a place in a programme leading to a new degree forfeit any other valid rights to study at the same or a lower education level. Transfer students who accept a new right to study forfeit their previous right to study based on which the transfer was made.

Students may submit a written request to the president of the university of applied sciences for the correction of a decision concerning the forfeiture of their right to study within 14 days of having received the decision.

Administrative review decisions may be brought before the Administrative Court of Eastern Finland in accordance with the Administrative Judicial Procedure Act (808/2019).

The university of applied sciences may revoke a health care and social services student’s right to study when the student has, by endangering the health or safety of others, proven unfit for professional duties or practical training related to the studies. 

A student’s right to study may also be revoked if the student during the application stage concealed a previous revocation decision or the student has been sentenced for crimes that pose an obstacle to working with minors, or it is evident that the student's health or operating capacity do not meet the requirements of the studies.

Decisions to revoke or reinstate a right to study are made by the board of the LAB University of Applied Sciences. Before revoking a right to study, the matter must be investigated sufficiently, and the student must be given the opportunity to be heard in the matter. 

Before revoking a student’s right to study, the university of applied sciences must, together with the student, examine possibilities of pursuing another degree programme. With their consent, students may be transferred to another degree programme at the university of applied sciences for which they meet the admission requirements.

The university of applied sciences is obligated to inform the Finnish Supervisory Agency Valvira of decisions to revoke rights to study in social services and health care programmes and grounds for them.

A revoked right to study may, upon the student's application, be reinstated if the revocation was based on the student's health or operating capacity and the student is able to prove that those reasons no longer exist.

Students may lodge an appeal against a revocation decision in the national board for students’ legal protection within 14 days of the receipt of the decision, and after that in the Helsinki Administrative Court. A revocation decision may be enforced despite appeals unless the national board for students’ legal protection or the Helsinki Administrative Court expressly forbids it.

The process of revoking a right to study is described in the LAB University of Applied Sciences’ guidelines on the application of SORA legislation. 

A degree student’s right to study is terminated when the student has completed the related degree and received a degree certificate.

Students may waive their right to study by submitting a written notification. The notification is binding. The right to study ends on the receipt date of the notification. An entry thereof will be made to the university of applied sciences’ records. Students who wish to restart or continue their studies later must apply to the university of applied sciences through the regular admissions process. 

The curriculum is steered by LAB’s strategy, anticipating the future, the development, and needs of the working world, and the strategy of LUT Universities. The vice president for education approves curricula and changes to them.

Current curricula present the degree programme structures and the learning outcomes of courses included in the degrees. Curricula approved starting 1 August 2026 present the learning outcomes and structure of a degree programme and the descriptions and learning outcomes of courses included in the degree.

The core competence studies of the bachelor’s degree consist of core and professional studies, a traineeship promoting professional competence, and a thesis project. Core competence studies in the master’s degree contain advanced professional studies and a thesis project. In addition, the degree programme can include complementary competence studies at the LAB University of Applied Sciences or another higher education institution in Finland or abroad.

Degree programme descriptions must present degree-level learning outcomes or competences. Core competence courses in a degree programme must produce the degree-level learning outcomes.

The curriculum defines how students complete courses. For justified reasons, the degree manager may specify an alternative method and timeframe for completing the course.

Double degrees produced in collaboration with foreign universities must include at least 60 ECTS credits of studies carried out at the LAB University of Applied Sciences. The vice president for education may, for justified reasons, deviate from the number of credits above. 

The scope of studies is measured in ECTS credits. One credit refers to an average input of 27 hours of work by a student regardless of the teaching methods or arrangements. 

Completing a degree in its normative time requires an annual workload of 1600 hours, which corresponds to 60 ECTS credits. 

Students completing a degree may, based on a decision given by the university of applied sciences, transfer credits from studies they have carried out in another higher education institution in Finland or abroad and other prior learning. Students must prove these skills with an oral or written test or in another manner that enables the assessment of the skills.

Credit transfer takes place by substituting or including courses in the degree.

Students must submit a credit transfer application to the teacher tutor before the course starts. The teacher tutor makes the credit transfer decision and consults with the course instructor as needed. The recognition of language skills acquired in a context other than formal education is decided by a representative of the Language Centre. 

Studies that date back no more than ten years may be included in the degree. The ten-year period starts from the completion date of the study attainment. As a rule, studies that exceed the required credit limit will not be included in the degree. 

The accredited studies must be higher education-level. The assessment of the application takes the level, credits, content, and completion date of the transfer studies into consideration as well as the requirements of the degree the student is completing.

Credits cannot be transferred for theses or maturity tests. Further provisions on maturity tests are given in section 47. 

If credits for a course have been transferred to a LAB University of Applied Sciences degree, the course cannot be completed again nor can credits for the course be transferred again. A course completed at the LAB University of Applied Sciences cannot be substituted by transferring credits from a course completed at another educational institution.

Students who are dissatisfied with a credit transfer decision may orally or in writing request an administrative review from the person who made the decision. The request must be presented within 14 days of the date on which the student received the decision. 

Students dissatisfied with the administrative review decision may request an administrative review from the degree board of the LAB University of Applied Sciences within 14 days of the date the decision was made known. No appeals may be made against the final degree board decision.

All students are entitled to study guidance. 

The vice president for education is responsible for the organisation of study guidance for students.

Study guidance aims to help students plan and complete their studies and support students in career planning and finding employment. 

Higher education requires self-regulation and taking responsibility for the progress of one's studies. In addition to autonomous studies, students can take advantage of different study support services. 

Students prepare a personal study plan at the early stages of their studies and review and update it. The personal study plan supports goal-oriented studies and graduation within the target time. A student's personal study plan must include the studies defined in the curriculum.

Students follow the curriculum that is in force when they first register as attending. Students may also follow curricula that enter into force subsequently. When the curriculum or study attainments expire, the student may be assigned to follow the most recent valid curriculum that best corresponds to the studies completed by the student.

Students register for courses in accordance with the schedule and practices defined by the university of applied sciences. 

Students confirm their place in a course by attending the first session or in another way specified by the teacher. Students unable to take part in instruction when it starts due to illness or another hindrance may also confirm their space in the course by informing the teacher in advance. 

A course registration may be rejected if the student does not fulfil the prerequisites. The university may restrict the number of participants for a course for just cause.

Students may not re-register for a course they have already completed or substituted. 

Examination registrations are separate from course registrations and are provided for in section 36.

The university of applied sciences arranges different types of examinations on courses, such as paper-and-pen examinations, oral examinations, or by utilising Moodle or the electronic examination system Exam.

Teachers define the examination practices by the start of the course.

LAB has guidelines for examination retakes, which are applied to retakes on scheduled examination days. 

LAB's guidelines for special examination arrangements apply for students in need of special arrangements to complete examinations.

Students must register for examinations through the online registration system of the university of applied sciences or in another way specified by the teacher.

Students who duly register for an examination have the right to take that examination.

Teachers are not obligated to hold an examination for a student who has not registered for one. Students must prove their identity when they take part in an examination.

Students may attempt to improve failing grades twice within one year of the date the course ended, provided the course schedule and mode of delivery allows.

Students may attempt to improve a course’s passing grade once within a year of the date the grade was entered into the student's records. If the grade of the exam retake is lower than the original grade, the original grade will remain in force. 

The right to attempt improving a grade only applies to the final examination of a course. Students may attempt to improve their grade only if the overall grade of the course can be improved by retaking the final examination. Continuous assessment tests or other assignments cannot be completed more than once.

For justified reasons and if resources allow, a teacher may allow students to attempt to raise their grade by other means than an examination. Such decisions apply to all students in the course, and the teacher must specify in writing at the start of the course to what type of assessed assignment the retake opportunity applies.

Students who have received the top grade on the assessment scale cannot retake an examination. 

Students may not rewrite an approved thesis or attempt to raise its grade.

Grades of courses completed at the LAB University of Applied Sciences cannot be raised by transferring credits from courses completed at other institutions.

A study attainment refers to a bachelor's thesis, a master's thesis, or a written or oral examination, presentation, work, or other assignment included in the university of applied sciences’ curricula.

Study attainments are evaluated either on the scale excellent (5), very good (4), good (3), satisfactory (2), passable (1) and failed (0), or pass–fail. 

Theses are assessed on the scale 0–5.

Written and spoken proficiency in the national language of Finland that is not the student’s first language is assessed as good, satisfactory, or fail. 

The teacher of a course is responsible for course assessments, and thesis supervisors and possible secondary evaluators are responsible for thesis project assessments. The teacher assesses the student’s competences in relation to the intended learning outcomes of the course. 

The teacher determines how much the coursework affects the final grade for the course. If a student admitted to a course does not complete the related coursework, the student receives a failing grade for the course. Students cannot cancel their course registration after receiving an assessment for any part of the coursework. 

The requirements for passing are in force for a year after the course ends. 

Teachers must release assessment results to students and for study records within 30 days of the completion and submission of the course’s final study attainment that has been turned in accordance with the schedule of the course. For Exam or Moodle examinations which are open for several days, the grades must be made known within 30 days of the closure of the examination. 

Teachers must communicate the results of examinations or other study attainments scheduled for June or July to students within two months, but no later than by the end of August. Teachers must provide students with the results of examinations or other study attainments completed in December within 45 days.

No changes will be made to results in study records unless there is an error in the data. For instance, completed courses will not be removed and grading scales will not be changed. 

Teachers must keep examination scripts and other equivalent material and participant lists for examinations for at least six months after the grades are published.

An electronic plagiarism detector can be applied to the supervision and evaluation of students' work. If the plagiarism detector is a part of the evaluation or supervision process of a course, students cannot deny its use in the evaluation of the course if they wish to have their work assessed. An electronic plagiarism detector is applied to all theses at the LAB University of Applied Sciences. Students do the checking themselves, and the supervisor interprets the report. Teachers always have the right to demand the use of a plagiarism detector if there is reason to suspect cheating.

In written study attainments, students are responsible for referencing in accordance with good scientific practice. Teachers must have the opportunity to examine the original sources when assessing students’ study attainments. Students who cite artificial intelligence as a source in study attainments are responsible for saving the original materials and their later availability.  

Students have the right to obtain information on the assessment criteria applied to them. Students must have the opportunity to review their assessed written or otherwise stored assignments and examinations. 

If students are not satisfied with their grades, they may either orally or in writing request an administrative review of their grade from the teacher who gave the grade. According to law, students must make the request within 14 days of the day the grade was made known. They also have the right to find out why they were given the grade.

Students dissatisfied with the teacher's decision may submit a written request for an administrative review to the degree board of the university of applied sciences within 14 days of the receipt of the decision.

No appeals may be made against the final degree board decision.

The university of applied sciences has a degree board, which handles administrative review requests concerning study attainments. The board of the university of applied sciences appoints the chair and members of the degree board.

Section 43 Bachelor's thesis project

The thesis project of the bachelor's degree aims to develop and demonstrate the students’ abilities to apply their knowledge and skills to a practical specialist task connected to their professional studies. The thesis is a public document. Its scope is defined in the curriculum and is at least 15 ECTS credits. The thesis project for the degree of Bachelor of Construction Management is at least 10 ECTS credits.

Section 44 Master's thesis project

The master's thesis resembles a research project. The scope of the thesis is 30 ECTS credits.

Section 45 Thesis

Students write a thesis on their thesis project in accordance with the instructions in the curriculum. Students upload the report to the Theseus online library and define its user rights. An electronic plagiarism detector is applied to all theses at the LAB University of Applied Sciences. Students do the checking themselves and are informed of this practice in advance.

The thesis is written on a topic applicable to the student's discipline. The thesis can also be a group project of two or more students. However, in such cases, the parts of the thesis prepared independently by each student should be distinguishable. These parts should be evaluated separately.

Students write the thesis in Finnish or English. 

The university of applied sciences bears the main responsibility for thesis supervision and assessment. Industry and project partners may contribute to the supervision of a thesis.

The vice president for education decides on issuing general instructions concerning final theses at the university of applied sciences. Degree programmes may give more detailed instructions. 

Section 46 Maturity test

To complete their degree, students take a maturity test on the topic of their final thesis, demonstrating their knowledge of the topic area and their Finnish or Swedish skills. Students complete the maturity test in the language in which they have received their compulsory education in Finland. Students who have received their compulsory education in a language other than Finnish or Swedish complete the maturity test in English. Students complete the maturity test individually even if the final thesis was written by two or more students in collaboration.   

The university of applied sciences has issued more detailed instructions to students on taking the maturity test.

Section 47 Language proficiency

Students must in studies related to their university of applied sciences degree or in another manner demonstrate

1. a proficiency in Finnish and Swedish required of state personnel in bilingual authorities under the Act on the Knowledge of Languages Required of Personnel in Public Bodies (424/2003), section 6, subsection 1, and that is necessary in one’s professional duties and development;
2. writing and speaking skills in at least one foreign language necessary in one's professional duties and development.

Students who have obtained their compulsory education in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or who have received their compulsory education abroad shall, in connection with their bachelor's or master’s degree or in another way, demonstrate only the language skills referred to in paragraph 2 above.

The Language Centre director may, for a special reason, exempt a student from the language requirements either fully or partly. The grounds for the decision must be given in writing. 

Section 48 Degree certificate

A degree certificate can be awarded only when the student has completed the studies included in the degree and acquired the language proficiency referred to in section 47.

Degree certificates consist of three parts: the certificate page, a transcript of the student’s study records, and a Diploma Supplement for international use.

The degree certificate templates are confirmed by the president of the university of applied sciences. The president or a person assigned by the president signs degree certificates and their Diploma Supplements.

The certificate includes the degree title, the key content and scope of the degree, the degree programme and possible professional major subject or specialisation, and the title of the final thesis. The degree certificate also mentions the completion of practical training.

The student’s skills in Finnish and Swedish are also mentioned in the degree certificate. The certificate mentions the language of the graduate’s compulsory education and maturity test if it is either Finnish or Swedish, and grades for speaking and writing skills in the other official language of Finland.

The university of applied sciences gives graduates a degree certificate and a transcript of study records attesting to the completion of the degree. The transcript displays all of the courses completed by the student for the degree and the grades of the courses. 

Graduates receive a degree certificate in both Finnish and English for degrees completed in another language. For Finnish degree certificates, the university provides an English translation.

The university of applied sciences attaches a Diploma Supplement in English to its degree certificates. The supplement is intended especially for use in an international context. The Diploma Supplement provides information on the university of applied sciences and on the degree’s nature, background, level, content, and position in the education system.

During their studies, students are entitled to request a transcript of their study records as proof of studies they have completed.

Joint degree programmes organised in cooperation with other higher education institutions apply the provisions of this section where applicable and as separately agreed.

Section 49 Graduation

Students can graduate from the LAB University of Applied Sciences after they have completed the studies included in their degree in accordance with their personal study plan. Students must register as attending for the semester during which they request graduation. The graduation date is the submission date of the graduation request if all studies required for the degree have been completed and recorded. In other cases, the graduation date is the date when all required study attainments have been recorded.

Degree certificates are, with the exception of the turn of the year and July, awarded within three weeks of the submission of a graduation request or when all of the required study attainments are in the student’s study records.

Bachelor’s degrees at the LAB University of Applied Sciences require 210 or 240 ECTS credits. Bachelor's studies include a practical traineeship that promotes professional skills and accounts for at least 30 ECTS credits. Traineeship credits toward the degree may be granted up to the maximum extent defined in the curriculum.

Bachelor’s studies aim to provide graduates with the following in accordance with the Government Decree on Universities of Applied Sciences (1129/2014, section 4):

1. broad core practical knowledge and skills as well as theoretical knowledge for carrying out professional tasks and duties in the world of work in the graduate’s own field of expertise
2. the knowledge and skills to follow and promote the development of the graduate’s own professional field
3. the prerequisites for developing the graduate’s own professional skills and lifelong learning
4. adequate communicative and language proficiency for duties in the graduate’s own field and for international operations and collaboration

Master's degrees require 60 or 90 ECTS credits. 

Master’s studies aim to provide graduates with the following in accordance with the Government Decree on Universities of Applied Sciences (1129/2014, section 5):

1. extensive and in-depth knowledge and the theoretical knowledge and skills needed to develop the world of work in demanding expert and management tasks
2. an in-depth understanding of the profession itself, its position in the world of work and its significance in society, and the knowledge and skills to follow and differentiate developments in research knowledge and professional practice in the field
3. the skills and knowledge for lifelong learning and for continuously developing the graduate’s own professional skills
4. good communicative and language proficiency for duties in the graduate’s own field and for international operations and collaboration

Section 52 Equality between students 

All students of and applicants to the LAB University of Applied Sciences will be treated equally and following the same principles. The student admission process of the university of applied sciences is open and transparent. 

Section 53 Student feedback and complaints

Students are expected to contribute to the development of instruction and other operations at the university of applied sciences by, for example, giving feedback through the feedback channels which are part of the quality management system of the university of applied sciences. Feedback is collected on individual courses and at certain stages of studies, such as at the beginning and upon graduation. 

Students may give informal feedback on education to, for example, faculty directors, degree managers, teachers, Student Services staff, or the vice president for education. 

Individual students or student groups dissatisfied with instruction, guidance, teaching arrangements or other teaching-related matters at the university of applied sciences may submit a free-form, written complaint to the university of applied sciences. Complaints are submitted through the suggestion and feedback channel in eLAB. All feedback will be handled following the practices of the feedback channel.

Section 54 Misconduct in studies 

Students are expected to know and observe the ethical principles of studies at the university of applied sciences. In ethically problematic situations, students will be assisted and guided to make ethically sound choices. All cases of suspected misconduct will be investigated, and any misconduct observed will lead to disciplinary measures. 

Suspected offences are handled according to the policy of the university of applied sciences. 

Assistance in an offence is also considered an offence.

Students take examinations individually unless otherwise instructed.

If a thesis submitted for evaluation contains, for example, plagiarised text, suspected offences are handled according to the policy of the university of applied sciences. 

Section 55 Disciplinary measures 

In accordance with section 38 of the Universities of Applied Sciences Act (932/2014), students may be issued a written caution if they

• disrupt teaching;
• behave violently or threateningly;
• act under false pretences or otherwise cause disorder at the university of applied sciences;
• refuse to present the drug test certificate referred to in section 36; or
• according to the account referred to in section 36 of the Universities of Applied Sciences Act, have used narcotics for purposes other than medical treatment in a way which undermines their functional capacity.

If the act or neglect is serous or if the student carries on the inappropriate behaviour referred to in subsection 2 after having been cautioned, the student can be suspended from the university of applied sciences for a fixed period of no more than one year.

A student who disrupts teaching, behaves violently or threateningly, or threatens another person's life or well-being can be removed from the teaching space or event at the university of applied sciences. A student may be banned from attending teaching for a maximum of three days where there is danger that the safety of another student or a person working at the university of applied sciences or in some other teaching facility is threatened as a result of the student's violent or threatening behaviour or where the disrupting conduct of the student makes teaching and associated activities unreasonably difficult.

The president and a member of the teaching and research staff and the student’s practical training supervisor may work together or separately in matters referred to above. The measures must be recorded.

The decision in regard of a written caution to a student shall be made by the president of the university of applied sciences, and in regard of a suspension by the board of the university of applied sciences.

Before the decision is taken, the deed or neglect causing the disciplinary measure must be specified, the necessary investigation be made, and the student be given an opportunity to be heard in the matter.

The decision on the enforcement of an appealable decision and on the date on which the implementation commences shall be made at the same time as the decision to revoke the student's right to study, to dismiss the student, or to ban the student from studies.

These degree regulations will enter into force on 1 August 2026.