Curriculum and Equivalence between curricula

Belongs to themes:

By selecting a degree programme you are able to see the general content as well as the possible degree programme-specific content. You do not have to select a degree programme to see the Open University's instructions.

The curriculum of your degree programme specifies the structure and learning objectives of your degree, as well as the learning objectives, content and competence assessment methods of the modules and courses included in the degree. Get to know the curriculum of your degree programme right at the beginning of your studies and plan your studies using the instructions on the Personal study plan page.

By selecting your degree programme from the menu above, you will see a link to the entire curriculum of your programme. Degree structures as well as degree programme, study module and course details are available in the Degree structure section. You will also see the information in Sisu after you have completed the study plan. You can find the curricula for the doctoral programmes on the page Scope and structure of doctoral degrees.

Teaching is based on curricula. When you have completed a course, it will be graded. Usually, one or more course completion methods (e.g., lectures, an examination or a seminar) are offered during each academic year. Many courses are also available as open university education to degree students, too. You can read more about the teaching programmes for each academic year and about open university education at Where can I find courses?

The faculty councils make decisions on the curricula, and the curricula are valid for three academic years. Currently all teaching is arranged according to the 2023–2026 curricula.

If you are studying according to the previous curriculum or you have older previous studies, please see the instructions of your own degree programme below for equivalence between curricula. When the curriculum period changes, you are entitled to transfer to complete your studies in accordance with the new curriculum. The faculty council can set a deadline after which students must transfer to complete their studies in accordance with a more recent curriculum.

Curriculum and Equivalence table in Master's Programme in Food Sciences
General information about the curricula
Old curricula and equivalence tables at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry (older than 2017)

Curriculum and Equivalence table in Master's Programme in Food Sciences

2026–2030 Curriculum

The curriculum will come into effect on August 1, 2026. The attached file summarizes the most significant changes and study equivalencies (pdf) compared to the previous curriculum.

Curriculum 2023-26

Curriculum for Master's Programme in Food Sciences 2023-26 (pdf) will take effect from 1.8.2023.

Key changes compered to curriculum 2020-23 (pdf).

Equivalencies between old and new courses can be found in Sisu from the course information page.

Curriculum 2020-23

You can graduate according the 2020-23 curriculum until 31.7.2026, but you can also transfer to study according the newer curriculum. 

Curriculum for Master's Programme in Food Sciences 2020–2023, updated for 2021-23 (pdf)

Equivalence table between old curricula and curriculum 2020-23.
 

Changes in curriculum 2020-23 compared to 2017-20:

  • scope of the advanced studies has changed to 85 credits including the study module where Master's thesis is done,
  • code and scope of FOOD-119 Literature Exam, Packaging Technology, 5 cr has changed > FOOD-118, 3 cr and
  • code and scope of FOOD-606 Literature Exam, Food Technology, 4-5 cr has changed > FOOD-608, 2-6 cr
  • FOOD-114 Experimental Design and Quality Control is not arranged anymore from 2020-21 on.

 

General information about the curricula

Curriculum

Curricula specify the content of degrees and teaching.

Up-to-date course descriptions included in the current curriculum are searchable with the name and/or identifier of the course, for example, in the Sisu system. In addition, some of the information included in curricula is available on the Studyinfo site (the general goals of the programme, planned duration, qualification title, student admission and criteria, further study opportunities), by theme on the Instructions for Students website (e.g., courses provided, theses, degree structure and scope, exchange studies abroad, optional studies, etc.) and programme-specific PDF guides, in which case the link to the relevant PDF guide is provided in the degree programme–specific section (above). Each degree programme has a predefined set of learning outcomes that all graduates from the programme are expected to attain. The Language Centre also has its own curriculum.

The validity of the 2023-2026 curricula ends on 31.7.2026. However, you have the option to graduate according to the current curriculum during the two-year transition period until 31 July 2028, unless your degree programme has decided otherwise. The new curriculum 2026-2030 will come into effect on August 1, 2026. 

What does this mean for studies?

You will start your studies according to the curriculum valid at the time of commencing your studies. For example, if you started your studies in 2024, you have studied according to the curriculum for 2023–2026.

When the curriculum period ends, it is followed by a transition period, during which you will have the opportunity to complete incomplete study modules and your degree. As a rule, the transition period between the curricula for 2020–2023 and 2023–2026 is three years, i.e., until 31 July 2026. The transition period between 2023-2026 and 2026-2030 is two years ending on 31 July 2028. In exceptional cases, the transition period is shorter. This will be indicated and communicated separately.

You may also transfer to pursue your studies according to the new curriculum as soon as it enters into force. 

Teaching is carried out in accordance with the curriculum through coursework. Course delivery, e.g., the courses organised, may differ in annual curricula. If a course is removed entirely, a corresponding course is often specified to replace it. If no equivalent course has been specified, you can discuss with the teacher responsible for the module whether it is possible to replace the removed course with another course (submit an application in the free edit mode in your study plan). 

Where can curricula be examined?

In practice, the curriculum is evident through the degree structure. You can familiarise yourself with degree structures in Sisu or the section Degree Structure in the Studies Service main menu. You may compare curricula by changing the academic year.

Examining the degree structure in Sisu:

  • Go to sisu.helsinki.fi
  • Choose ‘Structure of studies’
  • The link opens your study plan. The study plan contains information on the degree structure of your programme or study track.
  • You can view the course descriptions by clicking on the code.

Old curricula and equivalence tables at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry (older than 2017)

Old study books and equivalence tables can be found in Finnish by changing the language of the page.