In Sisu, a student can apply for the recognition of prior learning in two ways: either through substitution or inclusion. The instructions for both are provided below. 

1. Substitution

A course can be substituted, for example, with a course completed at another higher education institution or with competences acquired through work experience. The course must be included in your study plan in order to apply for substitution. Substitution is only possible if the contents of the studies correspond to each other. A course can be approved as a substitution either fully or partially.

Open the course description for the course for which you want to apply for substitution. On the Equivalencies and substitutions -tab, scroll down to the Substitution -section, where you will find the Go to application -button. 

On the Add substitution information -tab, under Add information on studies or other prior learning -section, select either Completed studies or Other prior learning.

If you are applying for substitution based on studies completed at a higher education institution, select Completed studies. If you are applying for substitution based on competence acquired, for example, through work experience, select Other prior learning.

Enter the details of the course you have completed as accurately as possible in the fields that open next. In the Description field, include the learning outcomes and key content of the course. If you are applying for substitution based on multiple completed courses, you can add the details of another course by clicking the Add information on studies or other prior learning -button again.  

If you are applying for substitution based on Other prior learning, include evidence of your competence in the application. Also attach the required documents and a description of how your competence corresponds to the learning outcomes of the course to be substituted.  

Once you have filled in all the required fields, click the Continue -button in the lower right corner of the application form, and then you will be able to send it. You will be notified of the decision on the Sisu front page and in the messages section, and your application will also be visible on the My profile –page under  Applications and decisions -page. After approval, the substituted course will be marked as completed in your study plan.

    2. Inclusion  

Select an inclusion application when you want to incorporate previously completed higher education studies into your degree as they are. Inclusion does not require content equivalence, but the studies must be at a higher education level and support the learning objectives of the degree.  

You can apply for inclusion in Structure of studies –page,  from the three-dot menu in the upper right corner of the study plan, by selecting Request to have prior learning included in your degree –button.  

First, on the form, select where the study to be included will be placed in your study plan. Next, enter the name of the completed study in the text field, for example the name shown on the transcript from another higher education institution, then click continue.  

A pop-up window will then open where you should select “Add information on studies or other prior learning”. Choose Completed study when the inclusion is based on studies completed at a higher education institution. Fill in the details of the completed study as accurately as possible in the fields provided.  

Next, add attachments to your application by clicking the Select files -button at the bottom of the page. You will need to include a transcript of records or another official certificate from the institution where you completed the studies. The attachment must show details of the completed studies, including credits, completion date, and grade.

Click the Submit application -button at the lower right corner of the form. You will receive a notification of the decision on the Sisu front page and in your messages. The application will also be available on the My information -page.  

Once your inclusion application has been approved, you must add the included study to your study plan yourself. You can do this on the Sisu Study plan -page (Structure of studies page) from the Add to plan panel on the left-hand side.  

NOTE!: If you are including multiple courses, submit a separate inclusion application for each course. However, if you have completed a pre-defined study module, it is sufficient to submit one application for the entire module. If you are applying for the inclusion of a study module, make sure that your transcript includes details of the courses within the module and that an overall grade has been awarded for the module.