Participation in administrative bodies and student organisations as part of studies

Participation in administrative bodies and student organisations can yield between two and five credits for each degree. You can use them according to the instructions from your degree programme either as part of the career and expert skills requirement or as optional studies.

The granting of credits for the participation in administrative bodies and student organisations is based on a Rector’s decision. You can read the vicerector’s decision HY/497 on Flamma (requires logging in).

However, participation in administrative bodies and student organisations cannot fully compensate for the career and expert skills component in your degree.

The minimum number of credits is two.

You can only receive credits once for serving in a single administrative body or student organisation. Skills acquired more than ten years previously will not be considered. The number of credits will be determined according to the following general principles:

• Serving in a multi-member administrative body as described in the Universities Act, the University’s Regulations or the University’s Regulations on Degrees and the Protection of Students’ Rights, such as the University Collegium, the University Board, a faculty council, a department council, the board of an independent institute, the advisory board of the teacher training schools, a teaching skills committee, the student admissions board, the Board of the Open University, the steering group of a degree programme or the Academic Appeals Board: no less than one academic year or calendar year as an elected member or deputy member (1 cr), you must be present at no less than half of all meetings
• Another multi-member body established by a decision from the rector or vice-rector: no less than one academic year or calendar year as an elected member or deputy member (1 cr), you must be present at no less than half of all meetings
• Serving on the board of an organisation under the Student Union: no less than one academic year or calendar year as an elected member (1 cr), no less than one academic year or calendar year as chair, treasurer or secretary (2 cr), you must be present at no less than half of all meetings
• Serving as an official of an organisation under the Student Union: no less than one academic year or calendar year as an elected official (1 cr), specific duties and active participation are required (e.g., organising events)
• Serving on the Student Union’s Representative Council, Board or a committee: no less than one academic year or calendar year as a member (1 cr), no less than one academic year or calendar year as chair or secretary of a committee (2 cr), no less than one academic year or calendar year as chair of the Board (3 cr), you must be present at no less than half of all meetings
• Serving in a national or international student organisation in your subject: no less than one academic year or calendar year as an elected member (1 cr), no less than one academic year or calendar year as chair, treasurer or secretary (2 cr), you must be present at no less than half of all meetings, no less than one academic year or calendar year as an elected official (1 cr), specific duties and active participation are required (e.g., organising events)

You can also apply the skills acquired through experience in the administrative bodies or student organisations of another higher education institution to your degree at the University of Helsinki. The number of credits will be determined according to the above principles.

Your skills in administrative and student organisation activities will be graded on a pass-fail basis.

Submit an application for credits to the Student Service point of your faculty. Your application must include a certificate provided by the chair or secretary of the administrative body or an equivalent person in the student organisation. The certificate must indicate your role and duties as well as the level of involvement and the number of meetings you have attended.