General description

Students attend the session based on their previous study background. The contents of the course may vary among students and the participation requirements are individually planned. Separate instructions on attendance and options will be given before the start of the programme. The General Orientation Course for International Students is compulsory for all new arrivals in Finland.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student is expected to grasp the principles of studying in the university and to be familiar with the University of Tampere as a study environment. The student is also expected to be aware of the structure, requirements and learning outcomes of her/his degree programme, and the learning, study guidance and councelling opportunities available to her/him. The student is expected to be able to apply this knowledge in the planning and completion of her/his studies.With regard to study planning and study skills the student:
- understand the significance of study planning
- be familiar with the learning opportunities available to her/him
- recognise her/his strengths and challenges in progressing in her/his studies
- plan and assess her/his studies throughout the completion of the degree
- manage and apply the basics of academic information literacy and the basic skills of information retrieval in her/his field of study
- seek and use various data extensively and critically
- understand the ethical issues related to the use of texts and other data in the academic environment.
Upon graduation, the student will understand the significance of lifelong learning.

Contents

During the orientation, the students will familiarise themselves with the University of Tampere as a learning environment, their own degree programme, and with the services available to them to support their studies, their planning and completion. The course also introduces the study counseling and study practices of the University of Tampere and the degree programme.
The course consists of participation in the following four parts:
1) Orientation Week for International Students
2) Introduction to Academic Culture and Degree Studies
3) Orientation to the Degree Programme and School
4) Study skills and personal study planning
Each student draws up a personal study plan (PSP, HOPS), designed first and foremost to support the student in the process of planning and completing her/his studies. The student checks and updates her/his personal study plan during her/his studies with the support provided by the degree programme. This course also includes the course basics of information literacy (9 hours), taught by the university library, which will introduce the student to the printed and electronic library materials, and provide the student with a grasp of information retrieval, use and assessment of information, and good ethical practices in the academia. More information: http://www.uta.fi/kirjasto/en/guides/search_guides/information_seeking/index.html

Evaluation

Belongs to following study modules

2018–2019

Teaching

Archived Teaching Schedule. Please refer to current Teaching Shedule.

-