Education regulations University of the Arts Helsinki Education regulations Processing: 1. Public discussion session, 11 April 2013 2. Theatre Academy Research Council, 16 April 2013 3. Sibelius Academy Academic Council, 23 April 2013 4. Theatre Academy Teaching Council, 23 April 2013 5. University of the Arts steering group, 24 April 2013 6. Student union, 25 April 2013 7. Academy of Fine Arts Education and Research Council, 26 April 2013 8. University of the Arts Board, 13 May 2013 1 Education regulations Board, 13 May 2013 CHAPTER 1 – OVERVIEW Section 1 ScoPe of the regulations These education regulations apply to the studies and degrees completed at the University of the Arts Helsinki as well as to their provision. The rector and the academies of the University of the Arts provide further instructions specifying these regulations. Section 2 Degrees The University of the Arts Helsinki offers the following degrees (Government Decree on University Degrees 794/2004): Fine arts • Bachelor of Fine Arts • Master of Fine Arts • Doctor of Fine Arts Music • Bachelor of Music • Master of Music • Licentiate of Music • Doctor of Music Dance • Bachelor of Arts (Dance) • Master of Arts (Dance) • Licentiate of Arts (Dance) • Doctor of Arts (Dance) Theatre • Bachelor of Arts (Theatre and Drama) • Master of Arts (Theatre and Drama) • Licentiate of Arts (Theatre and Drama) • Doctor of Arts (Theatre and Drama) Section 3 Conferment of degrees Degrees are awarded by the dean of the academy (section 19 of the Regulations of the University of the Arts Helsinki). 2 Education regulations Section 4 Educational resPonsibilities of the University and the academies Provisions on the educational responsibilities of universities are issued in a Government decree and a decree of the Ministry of Education and Culture (Ministry of Education’s decree on the specification of educational responsibilities, university degree programmes and specialist education 568/2005). The rector shall decide how to assign the University’s educational responsibilities enacted by decrees among the academies. 3 Education regulations Section 5 Provision of education The University’s academies are responsible for providing education, unless this responsibility has been assigned, by rector’s decision, to an independent or joint institution. This responsibility includes the right to decide on matters related to education. Degree-oriented education is provided on the basis of disciplines or degree programmes. Disciplines may be organised into major subjects. The academies may decide on their disciplines, major subjects and degree programmes within the scope of the academies’ educational responsibilities and the decrees of the Ministry of Education and Culture. Should a discipline or degree programme be discontinued, the responsible academy or department must provide students who have begun their studies in the discipline or degree programme with the opportunity to complete any unfinished studies within a reasonable period of time, taking into consideration the provisions on the normative duration of study issued in the Universities Act. The academy shall decide on a transition period and related arrangements. Section 6 Degree-oriented studies and other education at the University University studies can be completed as either degree or non-degree studies without the right to complete a degree. The University also provides continuing education, and the Sibelius Academy arranges youth education. Section 7 Decisions on student intake The University Board decides annually on the intake of degree students for each academy and on the intake for the Sibelius Academy’s youth education (section 6 of the Regulations of the University of the Arts Helsinki). CHAPTER 2 – DEGREE EDUCATION Section 8 Degree students The University offers degree studies for • Undergraduate students and • Postgraduate students Section 9 APPlying for the right to Pursue studies The University decides how one may apply for the right to pursue studies. Section 10 Selection criteria and the organisation of the selection Process Each academy decides on the selection criteria for undergraduate and postgraduate students and organises the selection process. Provisions on the eligibility of undergraduate and postgraduate students are issued in the Universities Act (sections 37 and 37a). The University may issue provisions on other qualifications requirements as well. Section 11 Admission of students 4 Education regulations Undergraduate and postgraduate students are admitted by the dean of the academy (section 19 of the Regulations of the University of the Arts Helsinki). Upon publication of the selection results, the applicants must be told how they can obtain information on the application of the selection criteria and how they can appeal for rectification of the decision (section 82 of the Universities Act). Section 12 AccePting a Place offered The acceptance of a study place is governed by the Universities Act (section 38). Section 13 Right to complete studies In connection with student admissions, undergraduate students are granted the right to pursue both the first- and second-cycle degree or either one of these. A student accepted for postgraduate education is granted the right to pursue the Licentiate and/or doctoral degree. A student may, at any given time, have only one right to pursue a degree at the University of the Arts. When a student accepts a new right to pursue a degree at the University of the Arts, he or she forfeits any prior study right at the University. Only for a special reason, may the rector grant an exception to the rule on one study right. The academies decide on what conditions a student with the right to pursue both the first- and the second-cycle degree can embark on second-cycle studies before completing the first-cycle degree. Section 14 Change of major subject, disciPline and degree Programme Each academy decides on the prerequisites and procedures according to which degree students can change their major subject, discipline or degree programme within the academy, as well as the prerequisites and procedures according to which a student from another academy can transfer to the academy to pursue a degree. Such a move may require the transferring student to take a placement examination. Section 15 Registration for the academic year Degree students must register as attending or non-attending students annually (section 39 of the Universities Act). The University determines the registration period and provides further instructions. Students who do not register by the deadline lose their right to pursue studies. If such students wish to resume or continue their studies at a later date, they must apply in writing for readmission into the academy. Decisions on readmission are made by the dean of the academy (section 19 of the Regulations of the University of the Arts Helsinki). For the purpose of readmission, the academy may require students to present a feasible personal study plan and, if necessary, to take a placement examination. Section 16 Termination of the right to comPlete studies 5 Education regulations The normative duration of studies for an undergraduate degree and any extensions to it are subject to the provisions in the Universities Act (sections 40–42). Students must apply to the academy for an extension. A student who does not apply for or is denied an extension after the normative duration of studies defined in section 41 of the Universities Act loses his or her right to pursue studies (section 43 of the Universities Act). Decisions related to the normative duration of studies are made by the dean of the academy (section 19 of the Regulations of the University of the Arts Helsinki). The study right of a student who has completed his or her degree ends with the academic term in which the degree was completed. Section 18 Waiver of the right to Pursue studies Students may waive their right to complete studies by notifying the University in writing. The right to complete studies will then be recorded as having expired on the date of the written notice. To regain their right to pursue studies, such students must participate in the admissions process. Section 19 Revocation of the right to pursue studies The dean of the academy may revoke a right to pursue studies if the applicant has provided misleading information which may have influenced the selection results (section 50 of the Administrative Procedure Act 434/2003). The University Board may revoke a right to pursue studies in cases related to safety, as described in section 43a of the Universities Act (see also section 45a of the Universities Act). CHAPTER 3 – NON-DEGREE EDUCATION Section 20 Non-degree studies Non-degree studies may be completed as • An exchange student • A student of the open university • A student seeking further qualifications • A student of Sibelius Academy’s youth education • A student with a special study right, as decided by the academy Section 21 Right to complete studies The right to complete non-degree studies is limited to the course or module for which the right was granted. The right to pursue studies is granted for no more than two years at a time. Section 22 Granting of the right to Pursue studies The right to pursue non-degree studies is granted by the academy or department responsible for the provision of education. Decisions on the granting of non-degree study rights are not appealable, unless the decision relates to studies leading to qualifications. Decisions on the latter may be appealed as provided in the Universities Act (section 82(1)). 6 Education regulations Section 23 Fees for non-degree studies The University shall decide on the fees for non-degree studies in accordance with the Government decree on fees for University services (1082/2009). Section 24 Studies as an exchange student Exchange students pursue studies on the basis of the University’s or the academy’s exchange programmes or equivalent University-approved grant programme. Exchange students pursue studies according to the regulations on degree-oriented study without the right to complete a degree.