Changing of language requirements and flexible methods of taking the test
A change to the language requirements of English and second national language (Swedish) included in the degree may be applied if
- the student has not previously studied the language or
- owing to their starting level, it is not possible for them to achieve the required level during their studies.
The starting level can be considered to be insufficient when
- there were very few language studies during general education (for example, language studies in the former 'kansalaiskoulu' or the language studies lasted for less than two years)
- language learning has been slowed by considerable learning difficulties.
Applications to change your language competence requirements are submitted to your own degree programme. The language and communication teacher agreed to by the degree programme will issue a statement on the change application, on the basis of which the head of the department responsible for the degree programme will make a decision.
If the starting level of the student's English is considered insufficient, the B2-level English courses are removed from the student's personal curriculum. Instead, the student takes basic-level (A1–A2) English courses either at Metropolia or elsewhere.
If the starting level of the student's Swedish is considered insufficient, the B1-level Swedish courses are removed from the student's personal curriculum. Instead, the student takes basic-level (A1–A2) Swedish courses either at Metropolia or elsewhere.
If the reason for changing the language competence requirements is considerable learning difficulties, a decision will be made that is the best in terms of the student's language learning and professional development. It may be decided, for example, that the student will complete basic-level courses only in English or Swedish, with the goal of learning as much of one of the languages as possible.
Changes to language requirements are entered in the language statement of the degree certificate and the student's personal study plan (PSP), and the student is informed about the changes. Please note that changing the language requirement may prevent the student from being chosen for a civil servant position in a bilingual administrative district.
If a student has studied in comprehensive school or general upper secondary school with sign language as native language, their schooling language is sign language. A student with sign language as their native language can also be considered to have received their education in Finnish or Swedish
- if they have passed the native language matriculation exam of Finland (Finnish or Swedish)
- if they have received the grade of magna cum laude approbatur, eximia cum laude approbatur or laudatur from the matriculation exam's Finnish as a second language or Swedish as a second language test.
Students whose native language is sign language complete their language and communication studies either in contact teaching with the assistance of an interpreter or in remote guidance. Language and communication requirements may be changed so that the student only has to prove competence in written communication skills.
In Finnish degree programmes, sign language students write their final project in Finnish, and in English degree programmes in English. In the final project seminar, sign language students present their work by means of an interpreter.
Language of maturity test of sign language students in Finnish-language degree programmes
- Schooling languages sign language and Finnish, language of the maturity test Finnish
- Schooling languages sign language and Swedish, language of the maturity test Swedish
- Schooling languages sign language and other than Finnish or Swedish , language of the maturity test English
Language of maturity test of sign language students in English-language degree programmes
- Schooling languages sign language and Finnish, language of the maturity test Finnish
- Schooling languages sign language and Swedish, language of the maturity test Swedish
- Schooling languages sign language and other than Finnish or Swedish , language of the maturity test English
The problems contributing to dyslexia – observing, processing and organising sounds of speech – make language learning in particular more difficult. Remembering new words, spelling, reading and listening comprehension and pronunciation may be inadequate. It is difficult for dyslexics to realise they have made a mistake and to spell foreign words.
Individual support
Metropolia students may request individual assistance also for their language and communication studies if their challenges are related to language learning difficulties. A student may have previously identified need for support, or it may be identified during UAS studies.
A student may bring up their challenge with language and communication studies with Metropolia's language and communication teacher or directly with the special education teacher of their campus. In discussing with the special education teacher, the student's strengths can also be identified. Once these have been identified, the student can also apply for any individual learning arrangements. Special education teachers assist students in applying for individual teaching arrangements and with learning difficulties.
Read more about additional information about individual support and dyslexia screening.
Exemption
Depending on the severity of the dyslexia, the student may be partly or fully exempted from language and communication studies included in their degree programme. If there are well-grounded reasons to consider that a student should be altogether exempted from language and communication studies, the student must fill in the form Applications to change language competence requirements.
The application and its appendices are submitted to the degree programme. The language and communication teacher agreed to by the degree programme will issue a statement on the change application. This will be either approved or rejected by the degree programme. Note that this change will be entered in the language statement of the degree certificate, which may have an effect when applying for specific jobs or civil service positions.