Freedom and Recognition of Learning in Curricula!

So far, the University of Oulu’s curricula have been approved one year at a time. Starting in 2027, the university will shift to three-year curricula, which should allow the staff more time for preparation and resources for developing teaching methods, study modules, and degree programme structures. Along with this change, student involvement in curriculum development must also be improved to ensure that we continue to have attractive, well-regarded and high-quality degree programmes. The student experience regarding the development of degree programmes and their content must not be underestimated. Satisfied students spread the positive student experience they’ve had, which is one significant factor influencing applicants’ choices when selecting a place to study.

In this blog post, we highlight issues that are important to us as Student Union, as the university transitions to three-year curricula.

International students must be given a comprehensive opportunity to study the Finnish language within their degree programmes and should also be encouraged to do so. This will provide the students with strong employment readiness and job opportunities after their studies. In addition, international students should be offered services and projects during their studies that support gaining work experience, which in turn also enhances their employment prospects in the future. Internships must also be included in every degree, both in Finnish- and English-language programmes, so that experience and networks can be developed already during the university studies, providing valuable assets for the future.

Every student must have the opportunity to include 10 study credits towards their degree from student society activities and positions of trust, regardless of their degree programme. The policies related to this must be clear and consistent across all faculties. Recognizing skills gained from society- and trust-related roles in degree programmes also supports the development of the generic skills emphasized by the university and demonstrates their real value in working life.

Degree structures must enable sufficient elective studies, for example through a freely chosen minor subject, and their completion should not be restricted by study credit limits. This allows students to broaden their expertise and steer their studies more toward their interests. At the same time, it helps to prevent students from transferring to other universities in search of better alignment with their interests. As a multidisciplinary university, the University of Oulu is well-positioned to support this due to its wide range of educational offerings, and this should be strengthened as an opportunity to pursue studies across both faculty and institutional boundaries.

More information:
2nd Vice-Chair of the OYY Board, Academic Affairs: Jonne Haapala (jonne.haapala@oyy.fi) 

OYY’s Academic Affairs Specialist: Mikko Hakoniemi (kopoasiantuntija@oyy.fi)