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• You must be able to read and write academic texts in English.
• Computer skills and access to the Internet are needed when studying through distance learning.

Studying at the Open University is considered to be a part-time activity. It is generally not possible to receive state study grants for these studies. No student discounts are granted either to Open University students. Open university courses do not entitle students to a residence permit.

Please note that you cannot get a diploma or complete a degree at the Open University. If you intend to include Open University courses in your university studies elsewhere, please contact your own university’s student advisors beforehand.

According to the Degree Regulations of the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥, each student is obliged to become familiar with, and adhere to, the practical instructions related to studies. 

Open University teaching corresponds to university teaching in quality and standard. Therefore, all students entering the Open University’s study programmes taught in English should have a good knowledge of the language. You must also be able to read and write academic texts.

The language of instruction at the Open University is mostly Finnish, except for the select studies we offer in English. All students entering the Open University’s studies taught in English should have a good command of English. The entry level required corresponds to the Council of Europe’s level B2 in the .

The required competences can be described as follows:

• can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation
• can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party
• can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue, giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options

International students may have very different linguistic backgrounds, and it is recommended that they consult the teachers of the Open University before registering as students. The on English vocabulary, grammar, listening and reading. Online English tests can give an indication of your ability.

Essay instructions

An essay is a piece of writing where you aim to discuss the given topic from different perspectives, presenting a critical view and using versatile scientific argumentation, leaning also on the required and relevant reference material.  Hence, you are able to convince the reader of what and how you have learnt of the topic. Most course assignments are essays.

An essay is less restricted than a scientific article both in style and structure. However, the text should proceed in a systematic manner, placing emphasis on different entities. An essay is outlined in sections that are headed. The following division is the most common way to structure an essay:

1. Introduction, which introduces the subject or the problem, briefly puts the subject in context, demonstrates the viewpoint, and defines the boundaries of the discussion
2. Discussion, the structure of which depends on the chosen viewpoint (e.g. comparative structure, thesis statement and argumentation, moving from broad scale phenomena to narrow, or from theory to practice)
3. Conclusion, in which you can draw together the central concepts of the text, further develop their thoughts, deliberate on the (practical) implications of the results, etc. A conclusion also gives you the opportunity to reflect on what they learned during the writing process.
   Be aware that essays should have a clear and coherent structure. They should be written in proper academic language, the references should be marked in the text and on the last page there should be a list of references. If no other course specific instruction is given, you can follow the APA guidelines for citing in the text and making the list of references.

When writing an essay, you should consider the three general categories:

Ideas

• Do you answer the assignment given?
• Do you understand the reading materials?
• Do your explanations of concepts, ideas and examples demonstrate an ability to gather the main points, paraphrase them and apply them?
• Do you have original interpretations?
• Does your writing demonstrate an understanding of the subject, or does it wander from one subject to the next offering only superficial remarks?

Argumentation

• Can the reader easily see what your main point is?
• Does the essay provide a series of points that add up to an argumentation supporting the main point?
• Does the essay continue logically from point to point?
• Do you give examples and explanations to support your generalisations?
• Does the essay contain contradictions?

Structure and style

• Is the paragraph structure logical?
• Is your point of view clear?
• Do the citations and the bibliography follow the scientific standards?

Layout of an essay

• On the top of the cover page of you essay you should mark:
  • name of the author
  • title of the essay
  • name and code of the course
  • date
• The second page includes a Table of content
• Your essay should begin on the 3rd page
• Use font size 12 and spacing 1.5
• On the last page, there should be a List of References including all the references you have used (books, articles, statistics, on-line material etc., also unpublished material should be listed)

Teachers may have different instructions for some assignments. Please follow the instructions given by the teacher.