Åland University of Applied Sciences is located in the town of Mariehamn. It is a small university, which allows for close contact between teachers and students.
Åland UAS offers degree programmes in Swedish in business administration, navigation, hospitality management, engineering (marine, electrical and IT) and health and caring sciences for a total of 600 students.
Åland Open University offers around 100 academic courses, lectures and seminars annually. Close cooperation and interaction with those working in the field and the community is essential.
Maritime education on the Åland Islands has a proud tradition and includes extensive courses for active sailors and young people who want to enter a maritime profession. Alandica Shipping Academy coordinates maritime education on Åland Islands.
Alandica Shipping Academy offers programmes and courses that lead to the awarding of different certificates of competency required to work on board a ship, as well as refresher courses for working seafarers that are required under international regulations.
Alandica Shipping Academy consists of three sections: upper secondary-level programmes offered by the Maritime College (Sjöfartsgymnasiet), Åland University of Applied Sciences programmes offered by Åland UAS, and open courses offered by the Maritime Safety Center and Åland UAS.
Deck and engine repairman
Electro-technical rating
Engine officer
Deck officer
Electro-technical Engineering
Marine Engineering
Master Mariner
Maritime courses at Maritime Safety Center
Academic courses and further education through lectures and seminars.
Open University offers a wide selection of courses accessible to everyone. The approximately 100 academic courses and seminars held each year require no prior studies. Among other academic courses, the school offers further training for teachers, managers and other professions.
Generally, Open University courses are held on weekends. As most lecturers live elsewhere, the courses are usually held on Friday nights and Saturdays, which enables students and people in full-time work to participate.
Over the last few years, nearly 2,000 new students have registered with the school. Many choose to take optional courses included in the polytechnic’s degree programmes, whereas others participate out of curiosity or just for fun.
The courses are designed and held in cooperation with other universities, such as Åbo Akademi University, the Swedish Business University and the University of Art and Design Helsinki. The courses are held in accordance with the requirements of each university.
Open University has no permanent curriculum. Instead, the school strives to hold courses based on its students’ wishes. In order to keep students’ costs to a minimum, most course books may be borrowed from the library. Open University also provides exam services for those who study elsewhere but who wish to take their exams in Åland, and also arranges language tests.
Open University has something to offer most everyone.
The Åland Islands have their own legislation regulating the content of educational programmes, but follow the Finnish education structure. More information about the Finnish education system can be found at studyinfo.fi.
The Finnish education system consists of pre-school education, comprehensive school, post-comprehensive general and vocational education, higher education, and adult education. Comprehensive school provides a nine-year educational programme (with a voluntary 10th form) for all school-age children, beginning at the age of seven. Post-comprehensive education is provided by general upper secondary schools and vocational institutions. Higher education is provided by 20 universities and 28 universities of applied sciences. Adult education is provided by special institutions, vocational institutions, universities and universities of applied sciences, all of which have a continuing education centre.
The education offered by Åland UAS emphasizes close contact with business, industry and services, especially at the regional level. The university’s degree programmes are designed to meet the changing requirements and development needs of the workplace, having a pronounced occupational emphasis and qualifying graduates for various expert duties. Åland UAS undertakes research and development activities with an applied and practical emphasis. Each degree programme awards 180-270 ECTS credits and takes 3-4.5 years to complete. Each credit is equivalent to 40 hours of work. The university’s programmes combine theory, practice and individual experience. Often, at least a one-year internship is included, as is international exchange.
Åland University of Applied Sciences was founded in 1997 by the Åland Provincial Government as a co-operative network for vocational higher education with the right to award polytechnical diplomas.
On 1 January 2003, Åland University of Applied Sciences became a permanent institution when itmerged with Åland Open University. After the merger, its Swedish name was changed to Högskolan på Åland.
Åland University of Applied Sciences offers seven degree programmes in Swedish.
The programmes offered at Åland University of Applied Sciences provide the theoretical and practical knowledge required to carry out advanced tasks in working life, both independently and in teamwork settings.
The programmes are flexible. Individual study programmes can be composed by selecting courses from other programmes, or from the Open University within the optional units. Interaction with those working in the field means that the curriculum is based on the requirements of today’s professional life. UAS’ programmes also endeavour to supply new competence to the professional community through development work and applied research.
The Business Administration Programme provides students with business and management skills with a focus on financial control and logistics. Acquiring a degree in Business Administration will prove useful in gaining employment, or in succeeding as an entrepreneur. Twenty weeks of practicaltraining are a mandatory part of the programme. The degree programme lasts 3.5 years and awards an equivalent of 210 ECTS credits.
Students obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
The Electro-technical Engineering Programme trains future electro-technical engineers, with a special focus on electrical and automation systems in a marine environment. The initial foundation courses are in mathematics, physics, languages and computer programming. More specific professional courses are taught later on, such as electro-technology, automation, control engineering and computer technology. The ship automation degree also includes courses in mechanical and ship engineering as well as engine room simulator training. The programme is carried out in accordance with IMO’s international STCW standards. Practical training is mandatory. The degree programme lasts four years and awards the equivalent of 240 ECTS credits.
Students obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and are qualified to work as electro-technical officers.
The Health and Caring Sciences Programme aims to provide high-quality theoretical and practical nursing competence. It emphasizes a caring, quality-conscious and professional approach to the practice of nursing. The programme leads to a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, which qualifies you to work as a nurse in Finland or within the European Union. Practical training, which makes up one-third of the programme, is carried out in various healthcare environments each semester and provides both a deep understanding and a broad overview of the different possibilities that a career in nursing offers. The practical training can be carried out in Åland or in a Nordic or European country. The degree programme lasts 3.5 years and awards the equivalent of 210 ECTS credits.
Students obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.
The Tourism and Leadership Programme educates future tourism and hospitality managers. It focuses on three key areas: high-quality practical and theoretical competence, outstanding service, and the potential for self-development. As part of the programme, practical training is carried out in different occupational, and preferably international, restaurant and hotel environments. The degree programme lasts 3.5 years and awards the equivalent of 210 ECTS credits.
Students obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management, Tourism
The Information Technology Programme provides a solid foundation for a career in a wide range of business areas related to IT. The programme is divided into three parallel specializations: studies in software engineering, software engineering and economics, and computer science. The degree programme lasts for either 3.5 or four years and awards the equivalent of 210 or 240 ECTS credits, respectively.
Students obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology and Business Administration, or a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering.
The Marine Engineering degree programme specializes in energy and ship engineering. The programme focuses on skills in mathematics, physics, chemistry andcomputer technology, although professional subjects such as ship engines, ship technology, automation and electronics are also necessary to become a qualified marine engineer. Practical training is mandatory. Students have the opportunity to train in modern, life-sized engine room simulators. The programme is based on IMO’s international STCW standards. The degree programme lasts for four years and awards the equivalent of 270 ECTS credits.
Students obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and are qualified to work as engineer officersat the management or operational level.
This programme focuses on four main areas: navigation, marine transport and technology, seafaring skills, and management. The programme is carried out in accordance with IMO’s international STCW standards. Practical training is mandatory. Students also have the opportunity to train in modern, life-sized bridge simulators. During the course of the programme, students acquire both the practical and theoretical proficiency required of professional seafarers. The degree programme lasts 4.5 years and awards the equivalent of 270 ECTS credits.
Students obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Technology. The Finnish Maritime Authority on the basis of the studies and the professional training issues the certificates required for working aboard vessels. Students obtain competence as Officer in charge of a navigational watch. Upon completion of the studies and working experience as officers, students obtain a certificate of competence as Chief Officer and Master Mariner.