University of applied sciences (Finland)

As there is mandatory five-month practical training for all students, the UAS are a platform for dispersing applied knowledge throughout higher education.

The UAS provide professionals for locally important purposes and are often governed by the municipality, though they receive most of the funding from the state.

The UAS do not grant the higher degrees of licentiate and Ph.D. granted by universities, and a holder of an UAS higher degree might need specific studies bridging the gap between the two orientations (academic and vocational) in order to be eligible for doctoral studies in universities.

[1] As of June 2024, 22 universities of applied sciences operate under the direct administration of the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture.

This has led to a small-scale boost in new degree programmes (in limited fields of education), to the extent of 60-90 ECTS credits.

At the end of 2010, there were nationwide discussions about the excessive number of students in the UAS, especially in the fields of Engineering and Business.

The universities of applied science in Finland have been severely criticized for being too undemanding when offering degrees to new graduates as well as for lacking quality education.