Insinööri (amk)
Encyclopedia
Insinööri ('amk' short for ammattikorkeakoulu
) is a four-year (240 ECTS
) Bachelor of Engineering degree, given by institutions called Universities of Applied Sciences
in Finland
(comparable to the German Fachhochschule
). The Swedish language term is ingenjör (YH), where "YH" is an abbreviation for "yrkeshögskola". Because the degree is a more practically oriented degree compared to the degree offered by Universities in Finland, a holder of an Insinööri wishing to get a Master's degree in engineering from a Finnish university may have to complete 60 ETCS worth of mathematical and scientific studies in addition to normal Master's degree requirement. If compared internationally, the degree is rather extensive. Its goal is to include sufficient skills and knowledge to enter the workforce, not academic studies.
Usually the insinööri (amk) (240 ECTS
) consists of basic studies, professional studies, free choice studies, practical training and final thesis. Quite often the selected degree programme (field of engineering) is divided into specialisation options, where the aforementioned fields are emphasised in different ways. Engineering students choose their specialisation after first or second year.
Insinööri (amk) is not related, and has very little in common with the new (introduced 2005) university degree tekniikan kandidaatti or TkK, since TkK includes very little practical education, and is in practice an intermediate step on the way to diplomi-insinööri
(a Master's level degree). The amount of practical training in Insinööri (amk) is ca. 45 ECTS, which is far more than the requirement for a comparable university degree. Due to this difference, university degrees and degrees received from Universities of Applied Sciences are not directly comparable. Unlike students in Universities of Applied Sciences, university students are supposed to gather relevant work experience independently as practical training is not such an integral part of the degree.
. However, in 2005, the degree of higher AMK engineer was introduced for two additional years of study (60 ECTS), so the higher AMK degree (insinööri (ylempi amk)) is the new terminal degree. In contrast to University degrees, one cannot directly apply a right to study for a higher AMK degree upon graduation, because the applying qualifications include a minimum of three years work experience after Bachelors degree.
In terms of education level, this degree is to be considered to be at par with traditional Master's degrees by Finnish Law, which considers the degree as equivalent to University Master's degrees in the context of public services.
However, Insinööri (ylempi amk) does not entitle the holder to apply directly for post-graduate studies, namely Licentiate's and Doctor's degrees, at a University. It is also widely disputed, whether the traditional Master's degrees in Technology (diplomi-insinööri) and the new Insinööri (ylempi amk) are comparable in terms of academic skills, as the former has a significantly broader base in natural sciences than the latter.
Ammattikorkeakoulu
An ammattikorkeakoulu , abbreviated amk, is a Finnish institution of higher education.- Significance :...
) is a four-year (240 ECTS
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
This page describes ECTS-credits. For information about the ECTS grading system go to ECTS grading scale.European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System is a standard for comparing the study attainment and performance of students of higher education across the European Union and other...
) Bachelor of Engineering degree, given by institutions called Universities of Applied Sciences
Ammattikorkeakoulu
An ammattikorkeakoulu , abbreviated amk, is a Finnish institution of higher education.- Significance :...
in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
(comparable to the German Fachhochschule
Fachhochschule
A Fachhochschule or University of Applied Sciences is a German type of tertiary education institution, sometimes specialized in certain topical areas . Fachhochschulen were founded in Germany and later adopted by Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Greece...
). The Swedish language term is ingenjör (YH), where "YH" is an abbreviation for "yrkeshögskola". Because the degree is a more practically oriented degree compared to the degree offered by Universities in Finland, a holder of an Insinööri wishing to get a Master's degree in engineering from a Finnish university may have to complete 60 ETCS worth of mathematical and scientific studies in addition to normal Master's degree requirement. If compared internationally, the degree is rather extensive. Its goal is to include sufficient skills and knowledge to enter the workforce, not academic studies.
Usually the insinööri (amk) (240 ECTS
ECTS
ECTS may refer to:* Elementary cognitive tasks, from psychometrics* Engine coolant temperature sensor* European Calcified Tissue Society* European Computer Trade Show* European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System...
) consists of basic studies, professional studies, free choice studies, practical training and final thesis. Quite often the selected degree programme (field of engineering) is divided into specialisation options, where the aforementioned fields are emphasised in different ways. Engineering students choose their specialisation after first or second year.
Insinööri (amk) is not related, and has very little in common with the new (introduced 2005) university degree tekniikan kandidaatti or TkK, since TkK includes very little practical education, and is in practice an intermediate step on the way to diplomi-insinööri
Diplomi-insinööri
Diplomi-insinööri is a Finnish Master's level academic degree with a nominal length of 300 ECTS credits. The official English translation of the degree is Master of Science in Engineering, Master of Science and Master of Science in Technology. The Finnish name derives from the old German degree...
(a Master's level degree). The amount of practical training in Insinööri (amk) is ca. 45 ECTS, which is far more than the requirement for a comparable university degree. Due to this difference, university degrees and degrees received from Universities of Applied Sciences are not directly comparable. Unlike students in Universities of Applied Sciences, university students are supposed to gather relevant work experience independently as practical training is not such an integral part of the degree.
The insinööri (ylempi amk) or insinööri (yamk) degree
Traditionally, the insinööri (amk) is a terminal degreeTerminal degree
A terminal degree is, in some countries, the highest academic degree in a given field of study. This phrase is in common use in the United States, but is not universal in an international context: the concept is not in general use in the United Kingdom, for example, and the exact definition varies...
. However, in 2005, the degree of higher AMK engineer was introduced for two additional years of study (60 ECTS), so the higher AMK degree (insinööri (ylempi amk)) is the new terminal degree. In contrast to University degrees, one cannot directly apply a right to study for a higher AMK degree upon graduation, because the applying qualifications include a minimum of three years work experience after Bachelors degree.
In terms of education level, this degree is to be considered to be at par with traditional Master's degrees by Finnish Law, which considers the degree as equivalent to University Master's degrees in the context of public services.
However, Insinööri (ylempi amk) does not entitle the holder to apply directly for post-graduate studies, namely Licentiate's and Doctor's degrees, at a University. It is also widely disputed, whether the traditional Master's degrees in Technology (diplomi-insinööri) and the new Insinööri (ylempi amk) are comparable in terms of academic skills, as the former has a significantly broader base in natural sciences than the latter.