National Defence University Selections Guide 2020 Graduate and Post-graduate Studies in Military Sciences National Defence University Selections Guide 2020 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION National Defence University, Department of Academic Affairs Administration and Selection Section, Santahamina P.O. BOX 7, 00861 HELSINKI, FINLAND Tel. +358 299 530 214. Tel. +358 299 530 330 [email protected] www.maanpuolustuskorkeakoulu.fi www.upseeriksi.fi PUBLISHER National Defence University SUPPLIER Department of Academic Affairs RESPONSIBLE EDITOR Marke Hietapakka Hanna Lindevall LAYOUT PunaMusta Oy PHOTOGRAPHS Finnish Defence Forces WAN E S CO IC L D A B PRINTER R E O L N PunaMusta Oy Helsinki PrintedPrinted matter 2020 1234 5678 4041-0619 2 National Defence University Contents Selections Guide Foreword by the Rector ...................................................................4 Greetings of the Cadet Corps Association and Students’ Union ......5 2020 The Officer’s Profession ....................................................................6 Service Commitment ................................................................7 An Example of an Officer’s Tasks ..............................................7 Officer Education ......................................................................8 Progressing in Officer Studies ...................................................8 National Defence University .............................................................9 Military Sciences .....................................................................11 Bachelor of Military Sciences Degree .............................................12 Studying at the National Defence University ............................13 Service Commitment...............................................................14 Examples of Tasks (B.Sc. (Mil.Sc.)) ............................................14 Study Benefits .........................................................................15 Programmes Army Programme .............................................................16 Navy Programme ...............................................................21 Air Force Programme .........................................................23 Officer Pilots’ Programme ..................................................25 Applying to the Bachelor of Military Sciences Programme Eligibility ............................................................................27 Main Application Procedure for the Bachelor of Military Sciences Programme How to Apply ....................................................................31 Supporting Documents ......................................................31 Entrance exam ..................................................................34 Selection Criteria of the main application entrance exam ...36 Separate application procedure for the Officer Pilots’ Programme How to Apply ....................................................................38 Supporting Documents ......................................................39 Selection Criteria ...............................................................40 Accepting a Study Place ..................................................................41 Frequently Asked Questions ............................................................42 Contact Information ........................................................................42 Master of Military Sciences degree ................................................43 Executive Assistance Programme ....................................................46 General Staff Officer’s Degree ........................................................48 Doctor of Military Sciences Degree .................................................50 How to Apply .........................................................................52 Supporting Documents ..........................................................53 Additional Information ....................................................................54 3 Foreword by the Rector Working as an officer in the De- fence Forces and Border Guard Are you interested in training and leadership tasks that are interesting and include responsibility? This is an integral part of working in the officer’s profession in the Defence Forces and Border Guard. To become an officer, you study and train at the National Defence University, which is a unit within the Defence Forces and at the same time one of Finland’s fifteen universi- ties. By completing the Bachelor of Military Sciences at the National Defence University, you graduate to the officer’s profession. After the working phase, stud- ies continue towards the Master of Military Sciences degree, after which the officer’s career continues in different national and international tasks. The officer’s career encompasses the model of life-long learning, where you grow with your task producing security for Finnish society. The studies and requirements are based on the needs of the profession. They combine studies that fulfil university-level requirements and learning practical military skills. The teaching methods are varied and modern. A good example of this is high quality exer- cises in the right kind of operational environment. All who graduate as officers form a strong sense of soli- darity, which creates a life-long bond with the officer generation and, in addition to professional qualifica- tion, also a strong psychological foundation on which to prepare for future challenges. I encourage everyone who is interested and who meets the entrance requirements, to apply to study in the National Defence University. All who study to become an officer graduate to a fine profession and are offered a versatile and progressive workplace. Rector of the National Defence University, Major General Jari Kallio 4 Greetings of the Cadet Corps Association and Students’ Union Today’s officer is a military leader who also pos- The Cadet Corps Association is the student or- sesses the academic prerequisites for under- ganisation of the Bachelor of Military Sciences standing present day warfare and its different students, i.e. the cadets. It tends to cadet tradi- phenomena. In an officer’s scientific education, tions, creates solidarity and sees to the cadets’ this means that they apply the critical thinking interests, as well as represents and generates skills they have learned to what they experience cooperation with other institutions of higher and see. Depending of the phase of their career, education. At times, the availability of free time using an enquiry-based method , an officer will is scarce during military studies, but the Cadet first develop training and working methods, and Corps Association works hard to ensure that the later even tactics and procedures and methods of life of cadets is pleasant both on and off of cam- warfare. The right to lead, however,also comes pus. The Association organises many different with responsibilities: officers must have the abil- free-time activities, both in the field of sports as ity to continuously develop both their own and well as for mutual fun. Different celebrations and their subordinates’ professional skill in order to events are often those from which we have the meet the demands of the modern battlefield. most lasting memories of our school days. The Professionalism and preparedness to adapt are cadet community is known for its exceptional also part of an officer’s workday. team spirit. The National Defence University’s Students’ Un- The studies involve life in close proximity with ion was founded to promote students’ interests. each other and this creates a strong foundation Its objective is to give students the best possibili- on which to build long-lasting team spirit. Of- ties to bring forth their perspective in the Univer- ficers’ traditions are one of the most important sity’s decision making, and to give the best possi- motors of this team spirit. Cherishing these tra- bilities for gaining the high quality education that ditions and keeping them alive is an important they need in working life - an education that from task of the Cadet Corps Association and the Stu- an academic viewpoint, is comparable to that of dents’ Union. All officers, from cadet to general other universities. Members of the Students’ are shaped by the same traditions, which for its Union may include cadets, Master’s students, part further strengthens our chain. those studying on the Senior and General Staff Officer Course, or Advanced Military Economics The National Defence University’s student organ- and Technical Studies students, as well as doc- isations wish you luck and success in your appli- toral students. The Union can also accept other cation procedure! students of the National Defence University as its members. The Union promotes the goals of the Chairman of the Board of the National students within the National Defence University Defence University’s Students’ Union and also within the broader sphere of universities First Lieutenant Niko Kähärä and elsewhere in society. Chairman of the Cadet Corps Association Cadet Lassi Pietilä 5 The Officer’s Profession Officers serve in the Finnish Defence Forces and physical endurance. It is essential that every offic- the Border Guard as instructors, leaders, planners er maintains his own capabilities. The unbroken and subject-matter experts. Tasks vary depending chain of military traditions handed down from on service and branch. At the beginning of their generation to generation,