Competence provided by VET in relation to the requirements of studies at universities of applied sciences
Between 2022 and 2023, FINEEC carries out an evaluation examining how the competence of students who have completed vocational education and training (VET) corresponds to the requirements of studies at universities of applied sciences (UAS). Factors contributing to the evaluation include changes made to the admission procedure of UASs, more extensive utilisation of the vocational qualification certificate in student admissions and increasing the proportion of highly educated young adults to 50 per cent of the age group, which was set as an objective in the Vision for Higher Education and Research 2030 and in the Education Policy Report. The results of the evaluation will be published in January 2024.
Objectives of the evaluation
- To promote smooth transitions to UAS studies either directly from VET or from working life.
- To provide an overall picture of and information on the competence and capabilities produced by VET in relation to the requirements of UAS studies.
- To find out how UASs support the development of the competence of their students who have completed a vocational qualification and the progress of these students in their studies.
- Increase mutual understanding between different actors in VET and UAS education.
Although the evaluation examines the capabilities for further studies produced by VET in relation to the requirements of UAS studies, the results can also be utilised, where applicable, when developing study paths from VET to universities.
Evaluation questions
The following evaluation questions have been defined for the evaluation:
- What kind of capacities for further studies does VET leading to a qualification provide?
- What kind of competences and capabilities does VET produce in relation to the requirements of UAS studies? Strengths and enhancement areas.
- How is the creation of the competence and capabilities required in UAS studies supported in vocational institutions?
- How do UASs support the development of competence of their students who have completed a vocational qualification and the progress of these students in their studies? Strengths and enhancement areas.
- What factors promote and prevent the development of capacities for further studies and progress in UAS studies for students who have completed a vocational qualification? How does cooperation between VET providers and UASs work?
More information on the background and objectives of the evaluation is available in the of the evaluation (in Finnish):
Collection of evaluation data
In the evaluation, information is collected from UAS students who have a vocational qualification, VET providers, UASs, and teaching and guidance staff. Schedule for collecting data:
- April–May 2023: UAS management and staff
- August–September 2023: VET providers
- September 2023: UAS students
In addition, the already existing evaluation, statistical and register data will be utilised broadly to answer the evaluation questions.
Evaluation team
An evaluation team with multiple perspectives has been appointed to support the experts at FINEEC in the implementation of the evaluation.
- Maija Aaltola, Principal, Joint Authority of Education in Espoo Region Omnia
- Ari-Pekka Anttila, Education Director, Ammattiopisto Luovi, (until 31.7.2023 Senior Specialist, Tampere University of Applied Sciences)
- Hannele Keränen, Director, Lapland University of Applied Sciences
- Niina Nurkka, Senior Evaluation Adviser, Finnish Education Evaluation Centre.
- Saila Peteri, Sector Manager, Lapland Education Centre REDU
- Kari Ranta, Guidance Counselling Coordinator, Savo Vocational College
- Sini Riihimäki, Community Educator (BHum) student, Humak University of Applied Sciences
- Annika Stadius, Director, Arcada University of Applied Sciences
- Mika Tammilehto, Principal Research Scientist, Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK)
Material produced in the evaluation
Project plan (in Finnish):
Evaluation's first results (pdf)
Information letters
Surveys in English
Data Protection in English
For more information about the evaluation, please contact
FINEEC’s other evaluations examining transitions from one educational level to another:
- Smooth transitions – Evaluation of the functioning of study paths leading from vocational education and training to universities of applied sciences and cooperation between educational levels (Abstract in English)
- Evaluation of the new forms of student counselling (OHJA) 2022–2024
- Evaluation of student transitions and smooth study paths
- IIEP-UNESCO project on flexible learning pathways in higher education 2018–2022
- Immigrants’ educational pathways