Instructions for studying

An Open University student is granted a temporary study right, which lasts for the duration of the course's implementation and completion. The studies are completed with a written or oral exam or some other study and assessment method (e.g. essay, group work, discussion). These methods, dates and deadlines are informed at the latest when the studies begin. The student's right to complete studies ends when the exams related to the course implementation in question have been held or the deadline for another implementation method has expired.

Please note that an additional (fourth) exam is organized only in exceptional cases and always requires teacher’s separate consent.

In the Peppi student information system, a student can have many different student numbers. The student number is specific to the study right. If you need a student number, e.g. to answer an exam or for some other transaction related to your studies, you can check the student number related to the study right from Peppi Student's desktop. You can log in to Peppi Student's desktop with your University of Vaasa username and password.

The University of Vaasa Open University follows the University of Vaasa's regulations and instructions regarding studying and degrees.

You can find the University of Vaasa's common regulations, guidelines (e.g. procedural guidelines concerning academic fraud) and recommendations (e.g. ethical recommendations) as well as links to national legislation, guidelines and recommendations on the University of Vaasa's student pages.

The University of Vaasa encourages exploring the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models for teaching and learning. The University of Vaasa Open University also follows the principles defined by the university for the use of artificial intelligence to support learning.

AI can support different aspects of teaching and learning, but it should be used in a way that gives due consideration to the specific learning situation and learning objectives.

The University of Vaasa is committed to guide and support teachers and students in the use of these technologies. It is important that teachers and students not only understand the possibilities and limitations of AI, but also learn how to use it ethically and responsibly.

Guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning

1. In general, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models in learning and teaching is allowed. Teachers and students are allowed to use AI and large language models for teaching and learning purposes, such as to support the writing process or for proofreading.

2. Students must declare in writing if AI has been used in the coursework. The declaration must specify which language model or other tool was used and how. This also applies to theses.

3. The use of AI on a course or part of a course where it is prohibited, or the use of AI without declaring that it has been used, will be regarded as misconduct and treated in the same way as other cases of misconduct.

4. Students are responsible for the text they submit for assessment and its content. Answers generated by AI and large language models may be inaccurate or misleading. Students should ensure that the content of their submitted work is accurate and appropriate.

5. For justifiable reasons, teachers may prohibit the use of AI applications on an individual course or part of a course. The use of AI is at the discretion of the teacher responsible for the course. If the responsible teacher deems that the use of AI may be detrimental to achieving the learning objectives, the use of AI may be prohibited completely.

Instructions on the use of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning have been considered in the Management Groups of Schools and the Education Council on 21st June 2023. The rector has approved the instructions on 27th June 2023. Please note that the instructions will be updated with future EU regulations and technical development.

You can download an electronically verified, study-right-specific transcript of your study records from Peppi Student's desktop.

Study credits

Your Open University studies and credits may be divided into several study rights on Peppi Student’s desktop. Therefore you may not see all your credits in one place. In the upper right corner, under your own name, you can choose which study right information you want to view. Each number series found under the title Study rights refers to one study right, from which the grades related to that study right can also be found.

Downloading an official electronically signed transcript from Peppi:

1. Log in to Peppi Student's desktop with your University of Vaasa user account.
2. In the upper right corner, under your own name, choose the study right (number series) for which you want to order a certificate.
3. Choose the Study certificates tab.
4. Choose Transcript of Records.
5.Choose the document language and click Order.
6. The transcript appears in the Documents section and can be downloaded from there to your own device.

Ordering an official stamped and signed transcript (open university students only)

You can order an official stamped and signed transcript of your studies using the online form.

Online studies give the opportunity to study flexibly, regardless of location. Currently, almost all of our courses are offered online.

Online studying is more flexible in terms of place and time of study. The student must have access to a computer and internet connection. Some online studies also include face-to-face meetings, which are mentioned separately in the course descriptions. In most online studies, the work progresses according to the schedule planned in advance by the teacher, usually with an accuracy of weeks. In order to achieve good learning results, participants should follow the schedule planned for the course, so that there is enough time for learning and information processing.

In online studies, basic skills in using the internet and e-mail are sufficient. The University of Vaasa uses the online learning environment Moodle. The course key needed to register for the course in Moodle is normally sent by e-mail by the day the course starts. It can also be given to the participants during the first lecture of the course.

The study and assessment methods of each implementation are described in the course description and, in more detail, during the lectures or on the implementation’s course platform in Moodle when the studies begin.

Most studies are completed by exam. Exams are usually organized as online exams in Moodle, but there are also other exam methods (e.g. electronic EXAM in a separate exam room and traditional centralized exam organized on campus). In the case of EXAM or Moodle exam, the student registers for it directly in the system (Moodle exams do not always require separate registration). In the case of centralized exam organized on campus, which can be held e.g. during an implementation integrated into the degree education, registration takes place via Peppi Student's desktop.

The student has three exam options: the actual exam held at specified times and two re-exams, which are included in the study fee. The exams are of equal value. The best grade remains valid.

In some exams, you need your student number (number series). The number you can find in your own information, e.g. in Peppi Student's desktop.

Regarding studies organized in partner institutions, the exam arrangements follow the partner institutions' own exam practices. The partner institution in question determines the exam times and places, and also the possible registration happens to the institution.

Taking the exam always requires enrolling in the studies, and just taking the exam also costs the same as the study fee. University degree students also have to pay the study fee (for other than free of charge groups for degree students) regardless of the grade or whether the exam is passed or failed. Payment of the study fee is a prerequisite for the grade to be registered.
 

Exam schedules

The exact dates of the exams can be found in the course/implementation descriptions and Peppi or on the course platform in Moodle. Exam schedules are complemented throughout the academic year, so changes are possible.
 

Moodle exam

Moodle exam is completed in the Moodle online learning environment. The exam opens and closes at a specific time. The Moodle exam is mostly used in online courses. The exam can consist of, for example, multiple-choice questions, essay questions, or assignments to be returned to the course platform as separate text files.
 

Electronic Exam Service (EXAM)

The University of Vaasa uses the electronic examination system EXAM. Both general course exams and maturity tests can be completed as electronic exams. The electronic exam service EXAM is open to everyone with a valid University of Vaasa user account. The exam room has both real-time and recording video monitoring (image and sound). It is also possible to take the electronic EXAM as an exam visit at another university.
 

Centralized exam

Centralized exams are organized on campus, and the answers are written on exam paper. Most of the teaching at the Open University takes place online, which is why centralized exams are rarely organized at the Open University. However, implementations integrated into degree education may use a centralized exam.

Registration for the centralized exam always starts 45 days before the exam and ends 5 days before the exam. Registration takes place on Peppi Student's desktop using the Exams function.

This is how you register for the centralized exam as a student of the Open University:

1. Log in with your University of Vaasa username and password to Peppi Student’s desktop at https://opiskelija.peppi.uwasa.fi.
    
2. Check that you have chosen the correct study right (meaning the study right with which you enrolled in the implementation in question). You can see a list of your study rights by moving the mouse over your name in the upper right corner of the Student's desktop. Active study rights are marked with an arrow. You can choose a study right by clicking on the study right’s number series (after the student number of open university study rights it says 'Education not leading to a degree, open uni’).
    
3. From the top menu on the home page, choose Studies > Exams.
    
4. Among open university studies, those that use a centralized exam are usually studies that are integrated into degree education. Therefore, instead of their own implementation that begins with AY, open university students register for the corresponding implementation of degree education (the implementation has the same implementation time as the open implementation that begins with AY, and, in addition, the implementation code is notified e.g. in the course message.). If you are participating in e.g. implementation AYSATE2020-3008, enter the code of the degree side SATE2020 (without the AY) in the Exam search to the Implementation field, choose 'SATE2020-3017 Energy production' as the search result and click the Search button.
   
   As a result, you will get the exam times of that implementation and their registration times.
    
5. Click the Register button on the right side of the exam registration line.
    
6. Confirm your registration once more by clicking the Register button in the confirmation window that appears.
    
7. After the end of the registration period, you can check the exam room on your PSP view on the Exams tab (Studies > PSP > Exams) under the Registrations heading. The specific exam room is added to the 'Room’ section.

You can find more information about centralized exams on the University of Vaasa instruction page for degree students Completion and Assessment of Studies (opens in a new tab). 

NB! If you are unable to participate in the exam, please cancel your registration no later than three (3) days before the exam by clicking the Cancel button on the right side of the exam registration line. If you do not show up for an exam that you have not cancelled, the exam will be registered as failed.
 

Transfer exam - Taking the exam in another location

In exceptional cases, the exam can also be taken at a place other than the notified exam location. Ask about that opportunity from Marita Katajamäki, student services assistant at the Open University. These exam arrangements are agreed on a case-by-case basis. The transfer exam is subject to a fee.
 

Individual arrangements for exams

The person participating in the exam may need individual arrangements to complete the exam. Individual arrangements can include, for example, extra time, a separate space, aids or exam questions in a larger font.

A student who needs individual arrangements to complete their studies or an exam should contact Kristiina Pulakka, the head of education at the Open University, already at the beginning of their studies. 

Centralized exams: The student must also inform Marita Katajamäki, the assistant responsible for the open university's exam arrangements, about the agreed individual arrangements when registering for the exam.

Moodle and Electronic EXAMs: The student must also be in contact with the teacher of the course about individual arrangements.
 

Exam results

The assessment period for exams is 30 days beginning from the exam day or from the last exam day of the exam period, and the assessment period for other credits is 30 days from the last assignment return date. The results are updated in Peppi within two weeks after the end of the assessment period.

The grades of approved results can be found in Peppi for each study right. The grades of partial results can be inquired directly from the teacher.
 

Assessment of study credits

The evaluation uses a five-step grading scale from 1 to 5, where
5 = excellent,
4 = very good,
3 = good,
2 = satisfactory,
1 = sufficient and
hyl = failed.
 

Credits can also be graded as passed or failed. The assessment criteria for course credits can be found in the degree regulations of the University of Vaasa. A student who is not satisfied with his evaluation can request a review from the teacher who made the evaluation.

The student has three exam options: the actual exam held at specified times and two re-exams, which are included in the study fee. The exams are of equal value. The best grade remains valid.

The Tritonia academic library is located on Palosaari at Wolffintie 34, Vaasa. Open University students can also borrow course books and scientific literature that support their studies from the library. An increasing part of the library's material is available as online publications on the Internet.

Open University students are annually offered training in the use of databases and libraries on the Scientific Information Retrieval 1 course (requires separate registration).

You can get more information on, for example, opening hours, borrowing, long-distance loans and collections on Tritonia's website. From the library's website, you can also access the Finna database, where you can renew your own loans and make reservations for books.
 

Tritonia Academic library’s services:

Tritonia Finna

As a student of the Open University, for the duration of your study right, you have access to Tritonia Finna, where you can find all library materials (both printed books and online materials, databases, etc.). In Finna, you can also save your information searches and your favorites for later use, as well as renew loans and make reservations after obtaining a library card. You can access the databases remotely by logging in to Finna with your University of Vaasa username and password. In order to also use loans and reservation services as well as e-book services, you must also obtain a library card.

Tritonia library card
You can access both the book borrowing functions and the e-book services (Ellibs and Elib) by obtaining a Tritonia library card. You can order the library card by using the form on Tritonia's website.

Services of other libraries:

If you live elsewhere than in Vaasa, you can also look for learning materials in the collections of your local library or the library of the university closest to you and obtain a library card. On the national information retrieval portal Finna, you can find the collections and materials of most Finnish libraries.

Classroom teaching in Vaasa takes place at the university's premises on the campus area in Palosaari. The lecture rooms are located in Tervahovi, Fabriikki and Technobothnia.

Marking methods of rooms:

• Rooms starting with F are located in Fabriikki
• Rooms starting with A, B, C or D are located at the university's main building Tervahovi 
• Rooms starting with TF are located in Technobothnia

Kuva

The lecture rooms most commonly used in teaching

Fabriikki

Visiting address: Yliopistonranta 10

1st floor:
Rooms F104, F118, F119, F140 ja F141

2nd floor:
Computer classes F222 ja F224
Rooms F223, F249, F250, F251, F259, F268 ja F291

3rd floor:
Computer class F351A
Rooms F309, F326, F337, F342, F345, F362A ja F366

3½ floor:
Rooms F651 ja F652

4th floor:
Rooms F425, F426, F453, F454 ja F455

Tervahovi

Visiting address: Wolffintie 32

1st floor:
Computer classes B107, C215, D123 ja D217
Learning environments D102, D103 ja D115

2nd floor:
Computer classes C215 ja D217
Rooms Palomäki A201, Levón A202, A213, Wolff B201, B203, B209, Kurtén C203, C209, D215, D219 ja D218
Language studio B211

Technobothnia

Visiting address: Puuvillakuja 3

Distance learning facilities
Multimedia class
Simulation class
Automation class
PC, Mac and unix classes
Rooms TF4102 - TF4111
 

Teaching facilities of partner institutions

You can get guidance on the teaching facilities of partner institutions by contacting the relevant partner institution.