Open path studies at the Open University of Applied Sciences, 2024-2025

The open path bachelor’s degree studies are largely available for all, regardless of your age or educational background. In order to qualify for enrolment in master’s level studies, you need to have a relevant higher education degree.

Welcome to the Open Path Studies at the Open University of Applied Sciences!

The purpose of open path studies

Open path studies offer you an opportunity to get acquainted with the degree programme learning and instruction processes and give you an insight into your possible future profession. Most commonly, open path studies are motivated by the objective of becoming eligible to apply for degree programme studies.

The learning outcomes and requirements of open path studies correspond to those of bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes. Every open path student is appointed to a group of degree students and follows the group’s schedule of first-year studies. Some of the open path studies can be completed with different groups depending on the student’s previous competencies and personal study plan.

The studies completed in the Open UAS will be accredited when the student becomes admitted as a Xamk degree student, provided that they are from the field of the degree programme.

Studying at the Open Path Studies

Apart from the student’s status, open path studies do not differ from degree programme studies. You will be an equal member in your group with the right to receive the same instructions and guidance as degree students. Similarly, you have access to all services provided by Student Affairs Offices, libraries and IT personnel on all campuses. You will also be covered by Xamk’s accident insurance, just like the degree programme students.

Depending on the field of study, open path studies can include practical training and courses related to the thesis writing process. The student’s objective in the open path studies is to earn, on average, 60 credits during one academic year. You can apply for degree programme studies after achieving 15/30/50 credits! Find more info here.

Facts about the Open Path Studies

  • Since the open path studies do not directly lead to a degree certificate, certain points should be considered:
  • If you are an unemployed jobseeker, contact the TE Office (Public Employment and Business Services) well in advance before the start of your studies to find the benefits you are entitled to while studying.

  • Open path students are not entitled to the student financial aid, travel allowance or meal subsidy granted by Kela. However, you can buy lunch at staff price at Xamk’s campus restaurants by presenting the Open UAS meal subsidy card. You will receive the card once you begin your studies.
  • Open path students can also take courses offered by the Open UAS that are outside their field of study but these courses are not included in their tuition fee. Check out the course calendar at koulutuskalenteri and open studies. When filling in the registration form for a course, tick the item indicating that you are paying a fee per semester.

Starting your studies

Estimated duration of studies and the right to study

  • The estimated duration of the open path studies is one year.
  • Registration for the first academic year has been done for you
  • Your right to study is valid for two academic years, and if you wish to continue your studies for a second year, you need to inform the Open Studies Office openstudies@xamk.fi.

Familiarize yourself with your degree programme

The curricula of all degree programmes can be viewed via the Xamk Curricula information system. Study the curriculum of your programme and plan in advance which courses you want to take. This will help you to get an overall idea of your forthcoming studies. You will also find further information about your programme.

Lux Intranet

One of the best sources of information related to your studies is Xamk Lux. Lux provides a lot of useful information about Xamk’s practices. From the Lux main page, you have access to all Xamk services.

Starting your studies

First, there will be orientation sessions for the whole group, providing you with general information about the studies and practical matters. Until you have drawn up your study plan and specified your choice of courses with your Studies Coordinator, attend all the courses intended for your group.

  • Remember to follow your Xamk student email regularly!∙
  • Also, follow Lux for information updates

Personal study plan (PSP)


Before or soon after the beginning of your studies, you must draw up a personal study plan (PSP) with your Studies Coordinator on the basis of your group’s curriculum. The PSP will help you to plan and carry out your studies according to your goals. PSP appointments are scheduled with a mentoring teacher.


There is no accreditation of prior learning in the Open UAS. However, prior learning can be discussed at the PSP meeting when choosing courses, and the accreditation can be accomplished after you have been accepted as a degree student.

Enrolment in courses / for attendance

Enrolment in courses takes place via the Peppi system. At the beginning of your studies, a Student Affairs Advisor from Xamk’s Student Affairs Office will arrange a briefing session for your group in which you can enrol in the courses of the forthcoming semester.

Your right to study is valid for one year, and you are automatically enrolled for attendance via the Peppi system for two semesters. If you continue open path for a second year, you need to inform us by email to openstudies@xamk.fi since you cannot enrol for second-year attendance on your own.

Timetables

Once you begin your studies you are obliged to keep track of the timetables. You will find them at Lukkarikone. Note that times and classrooms may change, and lectures and lessons may be cancelled due to a teacher falling ill. Therefore, it is advisable to occasionally view the front page of Lux as well as the timetables and Learn sites of courses for possible changes.

Grades and transcript of records

Teachers will register the grades via the Peppi system within one month after the course has ended. If you need a transcript, you can create an official and electronically signed transcript of records on Peppi.

Payment and cancellation terms

The tuition fee per semester. You will be invoiced for each semester (autumn and spring) separately. If you discontinue your studies during a semester, the tuition fee for the semester will still be payable, regardless of the number of completed courses.

If you are eligible for a discount (i.e. you are a full-time upper secondary school or vocational college student), you should submit a suitable certificate of this to the Open UAS office before or upon the start of your studies.

At its discretion, Xamk is entitled to refuse a student the right to study on the grounds of unpaid tuition fees.

Individual arrangements for studies

Note that open path students can also apply individual arrangements for their studies on the basis of an existing certificate / statement. More info here.

Good to know

Vaccinations in the fields of social and health care

As stated in Section 48 of the Communicable Diseases Act (1227/2016), all students in the fields of social and health care must be protected by vaccination against communicable diseases.

The Act also requires that the students annually take the seasonal influenza vaccination.

If a student is unable to present a certificate of having the required protection or refuses to take the required vaccinations, they will most likely be prevented from completing the mandatory supervised practical training. This may lead to a failure in finishing the compulsory degree programme studies and keep the student from acquiring the intended degree title and qualification to practise the profession.

Healthcare services

If you fall ill, you should visit your regular health care provider (e.g. an occupational health clinic). Open path students are not entitled to use the Finnish Student Health Services (FSHS).

Discontinuing open path studies

If you decide to discontinue your open path studies, immediately inform the Open UAS office by email to openstudies@xamk.fi. Do not use any other means of communication to provide this information.


If you don’t register for attendance for a second academic year, your studies will be terminated automatically after the first year.

From the open path to degree studies

Since the open path studies cannot lead to a completion of a degree, you have to separately apply for degree programme studies. In order to gain the eligibility for application, you need to complete the required credits (15/30/50) by way of open path studies. Xamk announces two application periods a year.
Click for more information.

Note that the degree student status is not automatically granted and the number of study places for open path students is limited.

If you’re accepted in a degree programme, take note of the following

  • Inform the Open UAS office about the termination of your open path studies by email to openstudies@xamk.fi.
  • Your user ID (for accessing Xamk student email, Learn, etc.) will remain the same. If you have problems with your credentials, contact Xinfo -> Submit a service request.
  • At the beginning of your degree studies, you will get a new student number and study register to which the credits you earned from your Open UAS studies will be transferred. The Student Affairs Office will contact you about this.

Contact us

If you have any questions, please contact us by email
openstudies@xamk.fi.

You can also check our contact information here (only in Finnish).