Language Centre Programmes in Languages as optional studies

The Language Centre Programmes in Languages are offered in the following languages:

• Programme in Chinese 15 cr or 25 cr, responsible teacher Ching-Yeh Lin
• Programme in English 15 cr or 25 cr, responsible teacher Fergal Bradley
• Programme in Finnish as a Native Language and Communication 15 cr, responsible teacher Maiju Ranta
• Programme in French 15 cr or 25 cr, responsible teacher Ritva Nordström-Ylönen
• Programme in German 15 cr or 25 cr, responsible teacher Tia Patenge
• Programme in Italian 15 cr or 25 cr, responsible teacher Giuseppe Feroldi
• Programme in Japanese 15 cr, responsible teacher Pia Matilainen 
• Programme in Professional Communication and Interaction Skills (Language Centre) 15 cr, (only in Finnish) responsible teachers Hanna Kosonen and Minna Lyytinen
• Programme in Russian 15 cr or 25 cr, responsible teacher Nina Shilova
• Programme in Spanish 15 cr or 25 cr, responsible teacher Mirjami Matilainen
• Programme in Swedish 15 cr or 25 cr, responsible teachers Johanna Manner-Kivipuro and Carola Rewell-Heikkinen

Students of all University of Helsinki faculties can complete a Language Centre Programme in Languages. You can begin to pursue the language studies to be included in the programme from the beginning of your studies. You must specify the intended scope of the programme in your personal study plan (PSP). Often Language Centre Programme in Language can be included in the optional studies of your degree. However, always check the applicability from your degree programme. NB! Students of the Bachelor’s Programme in Languages or the Master’s Programme in Languages at the Faculty of Arts may not complete a Language Centre study module in the language of their study track.

NB! Language studies included in a Language Centre Programmes should not be included in a bachelor’s degree if you intend to continue the programme during your master’s degree.

1. Planning a programme in languages with the teacher

First check the Language Centre’s language-specific requirements for Programmes, and contact the responsible teacher of the programme. If you have already begun studies in a language and wish to complete an entire programme in that language, contact the responsible teacher of the programme in question. You should also contact the responsible teacher of the programme if your study plan changes during your studies and whenever you need advice on choosing language courses. 

2. Completing language courses included in a programme

At the University of Helsinki

• Register for Language Centre courses in Sisu in accordance with the instructions provided by the Language Centre.
• Completed courses are recorded in Sisu in accordance with the Language Centre’s regular practices.
• Registration for courses offered by University of Helsinki degree programmes must follow the instructions of each degree programme.

 At other Finnish higher education institutions

• Students must agree with the responsible teacher of the programme on the inclusion of language courses completed at other Finnish higher education institutions (universities, universities of applied sciences) in a Language Centre programme.
• When relevant, remember to apply for the flexible study right to be able to complete language studies at other Finnish universities.

At higher education institutions abroad

• It is recommended that before your student exchange, you agree with the responsible teacher of the programme on the inclusion of language studies to be completed at higher education institution outside Finland before the beginning of the exchange period.

Transferring credits for a language course completed elsewhere to a Language Centre programme

• Applications for inclusion are submitted in Sisu. Read carefully the instructions related to applying for inclusion.
• Applications for substitution are submitted in Sisu. Read carefully the instructions related to applying for substitution.
• Attach a copy of the certificate of completion with an account of the content of the completed studies (e.g., a course description).
• The module coordinator will decide on credit transfer.

3. Approval and compilation of the Language Centre Programme

The Language Centre programmes must be separately approved by the responsible teacher of the programme. When you have completed all the courses that you planned to include in the programme, you must apply for separate approval in Sisu in accordance with the instructions provided. NB! With this application, you are applying approval for the content of the module. The module will be compiled separately at the latest when you graduate.

When compiling the module, take the following into account:

• Modules completed more than ten years ago cannot be included in degrees, and courses completed more than ten years ago cannot be included in modules. You can find more information on the page Expiry of studies. 
• Requests for the approval of modules must be submitted in Sisu by the end of May each academic year. Requests received during the summer will be processed as of mid-August.
• A compiled module cannot be deleted from the records.