Credit transfers

General Principles

You must submit an application for the credit transfer of studies completed elsewhere or earlier.
Transferable study credits can be up to five years old, language studies up to ten years old.
Credits taken elsewhere cannot generally be transferred beyond the minimum extent of the degree (180/120 credits).
Language Center determines recognition of competence for language skills not obtained through formal education (see Previously Acquired Competence).
Work experience cannot be used to apply for credit transfer in Sisu (see Previously Acquired Competence).
If a course credit has been transferred for a degree at LUT University, it cannot be retaken at LUT University or transferred again. A course already completed at LUT University cannot be replaced by a course completed elsewhere.

Lower Degree

You can transfer University studies or University of applied sciences studies for a bachelor's degree.
If a course has been transferred for an LUT-degree, it cannot be retaken at LUT or transferred again.

Higher Degree

You can transfer higher university degree level studies or Master of Applied Sciences degree level studies for an M.Sc. / M.B.A. / M.A. degree.
Language studies from the University of applied sciences level can be transferred only if they are not part of a degree.
Bachelor level university studies can be accepted for higher degrees in minor studies, language studies, and elective studies if they are not part of the lower university degree.
If a course has been transferred for an LUT-degree, it cannot be retaken at LUT or transferred again.

Note! Business students have their own separate guidelines for the recognition of studies from Universities of applied sciences. Refer to the 'Dive Deeper' section below.

Credit transfer of a course into a LUT degree is done by

Inclusion
Substitution
RPL – recognition of prior learning

Credit transfers are applied for in Sisu. Please read the Sisu instructions carefully. Applications will be processed in four weeks.

Inclusion of studies (studies completed elsewhere that do not correspond to an LUT course but are applicable to the degree, for example, language studies)

The studies to be included in the degree are recorded in Sisu with their original name, credits, and grade if they are equivalent to those at LUT. If the original credits do not follow the ECTS standards, they will be converted into ECTS credits (1 credit = 27 working hours). If the grading scale is not equivalent to that of LUT, it will be marked as 'H' (pass).

Example 1: If you have completed a course elsewhere that is equivalent to an LUT course in content and learning targets but is one credit point less in scope, you can apply to have that specific course included in your LUT degree.

Example 2: If you have completed studies during an exchange program that are suitable in content as part of your advanced specialization studies or minor studies for the degree, you can apply to have them included in your degree.

Note! You must get approval for exchange studies and the learning agreement before departure.

Example 3: A minor that is included based on a previously completed degree will be entered into Sisu as one module with the grade H (pass), for instance: Minor Studies X completed elsewhere, 20/24 credits, grade H.

See Sisu instructions for inclusion.

Substitution (studies equivalent to LUT courses, e.g., Swedish, leadership training, multilingual studies for Bachelor of Social Sciences).

When an LUT course is substituted with a course completed elsewhere, it will be recorded with the original grade attained ranging from 1-5 (if the grading scale used is the same as LUT's, i.e. 1-5) or with the grade H (if the grading scale is different from LUT's). The course completed elsewhere must correspond to the LUT course in content, learning outcomes, and scope.

Example 1: The Finnish Defence Forces’ Leadership Training is listed in Sisu as a course titled 'Leadership, 6 credits'. This course is placed in the degree's elective studies, and the substitution must be applied for in Sisu. You will need a certificate from the NCO School or the Reserve Officer School. In Business Administration, only leadership training completed in 1999 or later can be included.

Example 2: The Civil Service Language Proficiency in Swedish or Finnish completed elsewhere is applied via substitution in Sisu.

Example 3: Substitutions for multilingual language and communication studies in Social Sciences can be applied for if you have previously completed suitable studies in Finnish, a foreign language, and Swedish. Substitution can also be sought separately for Swedish.

Example 4: ' Working in Student Guild or at the Student Union of LUT, 3 credits' is listed as a course in Sisu. It is possible to earn 3 credits from this course if the student has served on the board of LUT's guild or student union. Further details are available in the course description in Sisu.

See Sisu instructions for substitution.

Previously acquired competence, for example, work experience, language skills, etc. (Recognition of Prior Learning - RPL)

Students can have degree courses recognized through other acquired competencies (Recognition of Prior Learning - RPL). Competence is demonstrated through an oral or written examination or through other means (e.g., portfolio) allowing for assessment of the competence. The responsible teacher for the course decides on the method of demonstrating competence and any additional requirements. This form is submitted to the responsible teacher.

The completion is recorded as an LUT course in Sisu. The course is assessed on a scale of 1-5 or as 'pass' (H).
If you wish to demonstrate previously acquired language proficiency in a language taught by the Language Center (excluding English) that was not completed at a university, please fill out the Recognition of Prior Learning form. Submit the application to the teacher of the course.
For applications related to English language proficiency, send them to Ritva Kosonen (ritva.kosonen@lab.fi).

Files

Recognition of prior learning (PDF 235.29 KB)

More information

Business administration Bachelor's - Recognition of prior learning