STUDIES AT NOVIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
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Novia – A New Way Our name is a combination of the Latin words nova
and via - a new way. The name conveys our ambition:
grammes: the Degree Programme in Nursing, the
Novia is the new way for our students to become pro-
Degree Programme in Energy and Environmental
fessionals equipped with quality education, ready to
Engineering in Vaasa and the Degree Programme
meet the challenges of an ever-changing job market
in Maritime Management in Turku and one adult
in a globalised world.
education degree programme in Sustainable Coastal
With its 4000 students Novia is big enough to
Manangement in Raseborg*. We offer two Master
have the resources to meet the expectations of stu-
Degree Programmes: Natural and Resource Manage-
dents and working life alike, yet small enough to pro-
ment in Raseborg and Leadership and Service Design
vide pleasant and stimulating study facilities.
in Turku. In addition, each field of education offers
courses in English for exchange students.
We offer a broad range of degree programmes in
We have four international Bachelor Degree pro-
nine fields: Technology, Communication and Trans-
Active growth in internationalisation is part of
port, Social Services, Health and Sports, Natural Re-
Novia’s strategy. I welcome
sources and the Environment, Social Sciences, Busi-
both students and teachers
ness and Administration; Culture, Tourism, Catering
from abroad to work and
and Domestic Services, Natural Sciences, as well as
study alongside our stu-
Humanities and Education.
dents and staff.
Novia’s campuses are located in coastal towns
from Jakobstad in the north to Raseborg in the south.
a stimulating and reward-
The coastal zone in Finland has long traditions in in-
ing experience both aca-
ternational trade and business and considering our
demically and culturally.
geography it is natural for us to build on this tradition.
I am convinced it will be
Örjan Andersson President
*We also offer two Masters degree programmes in English: Leadership and Service Design and Natural Resource Management.
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Novia is Unique Novia is a university network connecting cam-
ates an inspiring atmosphere for working together
puses in four coastal towns in southwestern and
toward the mutual goal: quality education.
western Finland. A string of approximately 600
Quality education today incorporates a sensi-
kilometers ties together the Swedish-speaking re-
tivity for sustainable development. Our geography
gions of the country, which are Novia’s main area
makes us particularly aware of the vulnerability of
of recruitment.
coastal areas which constitute Novia’s special field
Most of Novia’s 4000 students speak Swedish
of expertise. As future professionals Novia gradu-
as their first language, representing a national mi-
ates will have the know-how to apply the prin
nority of about 6 % or 300,000 people. The lan-
ciples of sustainable development for the benefit
guage of instruction at Novia is Swedish, a fact
of their organisations and their region.
that contributes to our identity. The unceremonious relationship between students and staff cre-
In 2013 there were 270 international students at Novia UAS Novia University of Applied Sciences
Novia offers 4 Bachelor degree
Novia is synonymous with quality
is the result of a merger between
programmes and 2 Master degree
education, project-based learning,
Svenska yrkeshögskolan and
programmes in English, 29 Bache-
student-centred methods, regional
Yrkeshögskolan Sydväst in 2008.
lor degree programmes in Swedish
presence, and sustainable
The new organisation has a 150-year
and 3 Masters programmes within
development – ecological,
continuum of education, dynamic and
the fields of technology, social and
economic, social and cultural.
adaptable to the changing needs of
health care and natural resources.
society. 3
Students first Novia is a multi-disciplinary institution of higher education that trains professionals for expert and development posts. The studies have a practical orientation. Novia interacts with regional industries, trade and services through e.g. projects, development work, practical training periods and commissioned Bachelor’s theses. The curriculum promotes new methods of learning and teaching. The traditional disciplinecentred approach is replaced by projectbased learning where theory and practice blend in logical entities. Student-centred methods aim for know ledge and qualifications vital on the job market today – and tomorrow. Along with project management skills students develop such key competences as problem-solving, communication and teamwork. The teacher’s role changes from lecturing soloist to coach and team worker. Much time is devoted to counselling the students, both in groups and individually. Cooperation between colleagues in planning a project, in counselling and assessing the students, is not only necessary but also stimulating and rewarding.
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Through research projects and project co-opera-
Exchange Studies
tion with local businesses and organisations, stu-
Most degree programmes at Novia are taught
dents and teachers build networks and acquire
in Swedish but non-Swedish students can eas-
know-how that benefit both themselves, the uni-
ily participate in the studies. Many courses are
versity and the local society. Novia’s role as a dyna
offered in English. The growing importance of
mic regional actor is thus enhanced by its pedagog-
project-based learning allows the use of Eng-
ical approach and methods of learning.
lish as the working language. Courses with a more practical orientation involving field work,
International Activities
workshops or laboratories are always open to
The goal of internationalisation at Novia is to in-
non-Swedish speakers. Exchange students can
crease the skills and capability of students and staff
work on individual projects guided by a teach-
to act and work in an international and multicul-
er, combine studies and a work placement or
tural environment. We offer a wide range of op-
choose courses from other Finnish universities
portunities for international participation: student
cooperating with Novia.
and staff exchange programmes, work placements
Students from Novia’s partner universi-ties
abroad, excursions, exhibitions, intensive courses
abroad can apply to Novia once they have been
and projects, international art and cultural events
nominated for an exchange by their home uni-
as well as research and development projects. Our
versity. For more information about the appli-
focus areas are Scandinavia, the countries around
cation procedure please visit
the Baltic Sea, other European countries, and
www.novia.fi
China.
Integrating international activities in the course
work provides valuable international experience for students and staff who do not participate in exchange. Internationalisation at home includes an increasing number of incoming exchange and degree students as well as guest lecturers from our partner universities who contribute to an international atmosphere on campus. Tutoring international students is a splendid opportunity to increase one’s intercultural awareness and have fun at the same time.
International Students at Novia Thanks to the relatively small size of our campuses all incoming students receive individual counselling and guidance from teachers, help and support from tutor students and personal service from the International Office. All regional campuses offer excellent study facilities.
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 Degree Studies  Novia offers three regular Bachelor Degree Programmes and one adult education programme taught exclusively in English.* The majority of students in them are non-Finnish citizens making the programmes truly multicultural, as well as maintaining an international perspective.
Maritime Management 270 credits The training is closely related to practice; simulators, workshops, rescue boats and training vessels form a significant part of the study environment. One year of the programme is realized as onboard training. Graduates from the programme are professional
Bachelor Degree Programmes Nursing 210 credits In an increasingly multicultural global society, the need for culturally competent nurses is imminent. The goal of the Degree Programme in Nursing is to educate registered nurses who can work anywhere in the world promoting and supporting health for
and versatile master mariners, qualified for Finnish, European and international careers. The first self-evident career is at sea as officers on board any type of vessel. Shore-based careers within the maritime industry are underpinned by a career of sufficient length at sea. The maritime industry Âoffers land-based positions within e.g. authorities, shipping companies, brokers, insurance companies, yards and logistics.
the prevention and treatment of diseases as well as rehabilitation and habilitation. Studies focus initially on basic nursing skills, followed by health care and mental health; the final year of advanced studies focuses on medical and surgical nursing
Adult Education Sustainable Coastal Management 240 credits (120 prior to admission+120 at Novia)
care.
Adult education in English leading to a Bache-lor's
Energy and Environmental Engineering 240 credits
cants who have already completed two years of
Degree in Natural Resources is meant for appliuniversity level studies.
Courses include environmental management focusing on for example life cycle analysis and management systems as well as energy techno-logy with a focus on sustainability. The students will learn to handle environmental and energy related tasks in a comprehensive way, taking into consideration both legislation and economy. The working methods of the degree programme include case studies, projects and team work which aim at improving the communication, argumentation and cooperation skills. The methods give a good basis for future industrial project work.
Master Degree Programmes Leadership and Service Design, 60/90 credits The studies are aimed for you with a few years of creative or business experience. The different professional and cultural backgrounds of the students will enable a dynamic and interactive learning environment. The studies are suitable for persons that want to work with leadership and service design tasks within creative business.
*We also offer two Masters degree programmes in English: Leadership and Service Design and Natural Resource Management.
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Natural Resource Management 60 credits The programme has a special focus on the coastal environment and natural resource economics. Vital competences for working in the field of natural resource management are skills in participatory processes and conflict management which you will be able to obtain. You will also gain advanced project management and leadership skills and be able to improve your professional communication
For international students the first contact with the student union will be the international tutor who meets them on arrival, shows them around and introduces them to the studies and the Finnish way of life. There are also peer tutors for new students, marketing tutors who take part in the recruitment of new students and “old” and wise mentor tutors who share their experiences of study-related matters with younger students. For more information about Novium please visit www.novium.fi
skills. For more information about applying for degree studies, please contact admissions@novia.fi
Student Union Novium is an independent service and support organisation for all Novia students. Its status is regu lated by law. Members of the student union annually elect representatives to the Union Council. The decisions of the council are implemented by the Executive Board, which is supported by a secretariat. The student union is represented on the board and in other decision-making bodies within Novia and therefore has good possibilities to voice the students’ interests in all decision making. Novium is also a member of the National Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences, SAMOK, which promotes the students’ inte-rests on a national level. In addition to benefits like subsidised meals in student restaurants and discounts for bus and train tickets, membership means first and foremost a great opportunity to get to know students from other degree programmes and Novia campuses. The student union organises get-togethers, excursions, sports activities and an annual ball. A typical feature for most social events organised by
lopment e v e D d n a h rc a e s e R Research and Development (R&D) is one of the core activities at Novia. The emphasis is on applied research with regional impact within the fields of environment and coastal zone management, environmental technology and matters related to energy, social and health care, arts, design and culture, entrepreneurship and business development. A large part of R&D is financed through the European Union, the Academy of Finland and other external sources. R&D is carried out in all Novia’s regional campuses. It is a great challenge and opportunity to engage teachers and students in research and development work. The aim is to increase student participation in different types of projects as part of their studies at Novia. The various aspects of sustainable development and concern for our future environment are a common denominator for all R&D activities. Novia and Åbo Akademi University together host the Research and Development Institute Aronia, which concentrates on environmental research with particular focus on coastal zones.
Finnish student unions is the wearing of an overall in the colour of one’s own student organisation. International students are welcome to follow this dress code and buy their own Novia overall. 7
Suomi – Finland Space - Silence - Sisu - Sauna - Sea
The climate is marked by distinct seasonal variation. The blue lakes and green forests of the summer are transformed into a white infinity in winter. Temperatures may vary from +30 oC in the summer to -35 oC in the winter. The change
Forests, lakes and islands are typical features of
of light that accompanies the seasons is striking.
the Finnish landscape. Forests cover almost three
The extremes are experienced in northern Fin-
quarters of the country’s surface. Some 188,000
land, where the polar night lasts for over a month
lakes characterise the scenery in the central and
around Christmas. To compensate, the legendary
eastern parts of the country. Off the long western
midnight sun never sets between late May and
and southern coastlines there are 180 000 islands
mid-July.
which make up large beautiful archipelagos. In
the southwest the Turku Archipelago stretches
enjoying the outdoors.
across to the semi autonomous, demilitarised is-
land province of Åland, half-way between Finland
Finnish way of life, significant even for the highly
and Sweden. The Kvarken archipelago outside the
wired, urbanized generation. There are about half
coast of Vaasa was included in the UNESCO World
a million lakeside or seaside holiday homes to ful-
Heritage List in 2006.
fill the longing back to nature.
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All four seasons offer wonderful possibilities for Close contact with nature is fundamental for the
Totally there are close to two million private saunas in Finland. The rite of sauna bathing includes plunging into the lake or the sea – in winter through a hole in the ice or rolling in the snow. An experience worth joining in and an act requiring some sisu. This Finnish word describes the mental determination and physical stamina the Finns have demonstrated in conquering both climatic and historical hardship to reach their present-day welfare. In addition to having sisu, Finnish people can be described as honest, reliable, diligent, straight-forward, modest, loyal and tough. They may not be very talkative at first but foreigners should not be discouraged by this. Enjoy their silence – not many people give you this luxury! The “winter Finn” appears more introvert and sulky, not too interested in small talk. However,
Facts and Figures • Population: 5.3 million • Area: 338 000 sq.km • Capital: Helsinki, population approx. 0.5 million • Independent republic since 1917 • Part of Sweden 1155–1809 • Autonomous grand duchy of Imperial Russia 1809–1917 • Member of the EU since 1995 • GDP about the same as in Austria and the Netherlands • Export: electrical, optical and telecommu- nication equipment, machinery and scientific instruments, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, foodstuffs, chemicals
the lighter the nights become, the more the sociable and open “summer Finn” takes over. Finland is officially a bilingual country. Finnish is the first language for 93 % of the population and Swedish is the mother tongue of some 6 %. Most of the Swedish-speaking Finns live along the western and southern coasts of Finland, where many municipalities are predominantly Swedish. In these areas there are comprehensive schools, vocational institutes and universities for both language groups. Most Finns understand and speak good English and often some other European language.
Pietarsaari – Jakobstad Vaasa – Vasa
Turku – Åbo
Raasepori – Raseborg
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s Degree Programme Degree Programmes in Swedish at Novia University of Applied Sciences Pietarsaari – Jakobstad
• DP in Social Services
• DP in Design
• DP in Social Services and Health Care
• DP in Fine Arts • DP in Music
Raasepori – Raseborg
• DP in Photography
• DP in Business Information Technology • DP in Civil and Construction
Vaasa – Vasa • DP in Business Administration
Engineering, Engineer • DP in Construction Management,
• DP in Civil and Construction Engineering, Engineer • DP in Civil and Construction Engineering, Engineer (Land Surveying)
Construction Manager • DP in Natural Resources and the Environment Turku – Åbo
• DP in Electrical Engineering and Automation
• DP in Business Administration
• DP in Industrial Management and Engineering
• DP for Community Educators
• DP in Mechanical and Production Engineering
• DP in Maritime Management
• DP in Technology Based Management
• DP in Maritime Studies, Master Mariner
• DP in Performing Arts
• DP in Nursing
• DP in Beauty and Cosmetics
• DP in Public Health Nursing
• DP for Biomedical Laboratory Scientists
• DP in Social Services
• DP in Midwifery
• DP in Social Services and Health Care
• DP in Nursing
• DP in Tourism Management
• DP in Public Health Nursing • DP in Radiography and Radiotherapy
Degree Programmes in English at Novia University of Applied Sciences Vaasa – Vasa • DP in Energy and Environmental Engineering • DP in Nursing Raasepori – Raseborg • DP in Natural Resource Management • DP in Sustainable Coastal Management Turku – Åbo • DP in Leadership and Service Design • DP in Maritime Management
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Did You Know That
Students at Novia Are Offered
• Nokia began as a producer of rubber boots
• Four Bachelor and two Master Degree Programmes
• In winter you can walk and even drive your car over the iced surface of the sea or the lakes • Finland has one of the highest standards of education in the world • Finnish ice-breakers can go through ice 1.5 meters thick • Sauna is one of the few Finnish words borrowed by other languages • The sports crazy Finns can compete in anything: hot sauna sitting, wife-carrying, boot throwing, swamp
in English • A wide range of courses • Supervised work placements • Individual counselling and guidance by teachers • Help and support by tutor students • Excellent study facilities in beautiful settings • Services and support of the International Office • Services and activities of Novium, the student union at Novia
football • Fish and pork baked inside a crust of bread make the Finnish dish “kalakukko” • Finns are the number one coffee drinkers in the world • All Finnish children over one year are guaranteed a place at a daycare centre • The “everyman’s right” or right of public access allows you to roam freely in the countryside, pick berries, mushrooms and flowers, fish, sail, ski, cycle and camp almost anywhere • Finnish Lapland is home to the real Santa Claus • Stories of the Moomin trolls, translated into at least 30 languages, were originally written by Tove Jansson, a Swedish-speaking Finn • Finland was the first country in the world to give women both the right to vote and to stand for election in 1906 • Nightwish, HIM, The Rasmus and Lordi are all Finnish. So are also Karita Mattila and Esa-Pekka Salonen. And who are they, you may ask! This and much more you will find out at www.finland.fi and www.finnfacts. com
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Contact: Novia University of Applied Sciences P.O. Box 6 65201 Vaasa Finland Phone +358 (0)6 328 5000 E-mail international@novia.fi
novia.fi