History
Novia University of Applied Sciences was formed on August 1, 2008, by the merging of the Sydväst Polytechnic and the Swedish Polytechnic, Finland. Novia UAS offers multidisciplinary higher education with a practical orientation, training professionals for expert and development posts based on the requirements of working life and its development, on scientific research and artistic principles.
Education
Novia UAS has an educational approach based on that students should have the opportunity to build their knowledge on past experience. Projectified learning emanating from the constructivist pedagogy, which means that students in this form of learning actively take responsibility for the learning process, supported by their teachers and supervisors in close cooperation with working life outside the university.
Research
Novia aims at long-term cooperation with HEIs, enterprises and education and research institutions. Novia will form strategic partnerships and participate in international projects that enhance the quality of education, especially within our focus areas:
- Sustainable Energy Technology
- Bioeconomy
- Health and Welfare
- Maritime Simulation
- Culture and Entrepreneurship
Career
Practical training is a compulsory part of the studies at Novia. Students may opt to do their internship or write their final thesis in a regional, national or international enterprise or organization, which often leads to employment after graduation. Our close co-operation with working life is permanently present in our daily activities and in attuning curricula to labour market demands.
Distance Learning Courses
Student services
There are Student Affairs Offices located at every campus. The Student Affairs Office can assist you with student services incl. registration for the academic year, transcript of records, education arrangements as well as schedules.
The international office coordinates exchange studies at Novia University of Applied Sciences. Most degree programmes at Novia UAS are taught in Swedish but many courses are offered in English. The growing importance of project-based learning allows the use of English as the working language. Courses with a more practical orientation involving field work, workshops or laboratories are always open to non-Swedish speakers.
Housing services
Students at Novia UAS in Turku can find apartments through Turun Ylioppilaskyläsäätiö (TYS) that rents out student housing. It is also possible to get an apartment trough the private market or via The Student Union at Åbo Akademi University.
Library services
The library is a central pedagogical resource for learning, teaching and research at Novia UAS. The library at Novia UAS is a part of Tritonia. We offer library services at all campuses. In addition to printed books and journals we also have a large collection of electronic information resources.
ICT services
The Campus in Turku at Novia is constantly working to improve and modernize the education and educational profile. Since computers have become a common part of our everyday work, all students should have their own laptops for their studies (Bring Your Own Device praxis BYOD). The unit will continue to have computer rooms, especially with heavier software and special equipment.
Medical services
Novia UAS has negotiated an insurance package at the insurance company Marsh that can be purchased by international students studying at Novia UAS. Non-EU students are required to obtain a student health insurance for their student residence permit. Novia UAS recommends the Marsh student health insurance as it covers the basic health care needs of a student during their stay in Finland.
Campus life
Turku is a large city in Finland and the student life is lively and full of traditions. The maritime programmes are situated in Auriga Business Center, which is located at Turku harbour. The other degree programmes are situated in the city center, near the Cathedral.
Sports facilities
In the city of Turku students have a lot of choices regarding leisure activities. In addition to programs organized by student associations, students can for example take part in courses at Arbis (Swedish Adult Education Center of Åbo).
Student clubs
Novium is an independent service and support organisation for all the students at Novia UAS. Its status is regulated by law. Members of the student union annualy elect representatives to the Union Council. The decisions of the council are implemented by the Executive Board, which is supported by a secreteriat. The student union is represented in the Board of Novia University of Applied Sciences and in other decision making bodies within Novia UAS and therefore has good possibilities to voice students' interests in all decision making. Novium is also a member of the national union of students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences, SAMOK, which promotes the students' interests on a national level.
The Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council has awarded the institution a quality label that is valid for six years starting from 24 May 2012.
The quality system fulfills the national criteria set for the quality management of higher education institutions, and the system corresponds to the European principles and recommendations for the quality management of higher education institutions.