Recognition of learning

Before you create an application in osat.oulu.fi, examine whether the course or skills that you want to transfer match the contents of a course.  Compare the learning objectives of a prior course and compare them to the learning objectives of a current course.  Be aware that some credit transfer practices vary between faculties.

Learn more about RPL

• In some faculties it is possible to be awarded credits for your matriculation examination if your grade in a foreign language was an L or E.  This usually happens with the English language grade.  Your own teacher or faculty advisor can advise you further.  
• If you have completed the International Baccalaureate degree, you may be awarded some credits depending on what your faculty has stipulated.  Your own teacher or faculty adivsor can advise you further.
• You cannot be awarded any credits for high school Swedish courses or grades based on your highschool A or B Swedish courses, nor can you be awarded any credits for your matriculation grade in Swedish.  
• You may be awarded credits for your second official language requirement with completed courses in the University of Applied Sciences if you submit an application in the osat system.  If this happens, a grade of 1-3 will receive a grade of Satisfactory and a grade of 4 or 5 will be awared a grade of Good.   

Recognition for prior learning based on unofficial courses or other learning

Learning acquired outside formal education may come about in non-formal education (continuing education, courses, short workplace programs or liberal adult education) or informal learning (work experience, positions of trust, hobbies or language skills). The prior learning to be recognized must comply with or be equivalent to the learning objectives of the Language and Communication course description.   

The student must be able to comprehensively describe and prove their  learning so that it can be assessed. The student must be able also to analyse and give reasons for, how the competence you have acquired relates to the objectives of the course in question. The learning acquired by the student is compared with the learning objectives of the courses or modules proposed to be credited. If the prior learning and learning objectives are equivalent, credit transfer can be granted partially or fully.

Based on the materials submitted by the student, the decision-maker can:

• grant credit transfer directly for the courses or modules or parts thereof
• require the student to provide further evidence of the prior learning
• require the student to supplement their prior learning
• require the student to demonstrate prior learning by completing an examination or verbal exam such as a presentation
• reject the application

To begin this process, the student should submit an application in the osat system, https://osat.oulu.fi, and should be sure to mention how the learning objectives have been fulfilled or how the prior learning fulfills the learning objectives.  Be sure to apply for such credits as early as possible, for example in the term prior to the start of the course.  Be sure to fill in the application thoroughly and provide the required attachments.

Be aware the each faculty has its own rules and limitations.

Your application will be forwarded to the appropriate teacher and she or he will determine your case and any possible methods of demonstrating of skills.  The timeliness, scope and comprehensiveness will be criteria in the determination of your case.

Various methods are employed to determine whether the required learning objectives have been fulfilled.  Methods include written exams, a portfolio, a presentation or other verbal exam or interview.  Depending on the method selected for the verbal exam, an audience may be present.  The teacher will advise as to exactly what methods will be used.  Exams may be held twice a term.

The teacher will inform the student whether the demonstration was successful or not.  There are no do-overs.