<h2>What are free choice studies?</h2>

Students who are working towards different degrees at Tampere University are required to earn a varying number of credits by completing electives known as free choice studies. Please see the curriculum of your degree programme to check the designated number of elective credits for your degree. Free choice studies give you the opportunity to take courses outside of your major and minor, courses offered by other faculties or the other options that are available.

<h2>Where can I find all the options that are available?</h2>

Read more about free choice studies in the <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/handbook/uni?page=3123">Student's guide</a>.

<h2>Instructions for managing your free choice studies in Sisu</h2>

When you find an interesting study module or a course that you want to attend as part of your free choice studies, you must first add the module or course to your personal study plan.

1. Go to the student information system Sisu and the section titled Structure of studies.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/structure_of_studies.png?itok=EL8ShW3D" alt="" ></figure>

2. In your study plan, go to the section reserved for free choice studies (the screenshot below shows Free Choice Studies in Administrative Studies). If this section does not already display the categories Free Choice Study Modules and Free Choice Course Units, click on the section heading and activate the module and courses in the selection assistant that appears on the right.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/free_choice_studies.png?itok=8hTwAiGA" alt="" ></figure>

&nbsp;

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/free_choice_studies_selection_assistant.png?itok=zWsdvK1a" alt="" ></figure>

3. Now the categories Free Choice Study Modules and Free Choice Course Units appear in your study plan under the Free Choice Studies heading.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/free_choice_studies_modules_course_units.png?itok=kwY6wXVt" alt="" ></figure>

4. To add a free choice module to your study plan, select Free Choice Study Modules in your study plan.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/free_choice_study_modules.png?itok=l9mDjJmm" alt="" ></figure>

5. A selection assistant appears on the right. Add the chosen module to your plan.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/basic_studies_in_computer_sciences.png?itok=mIGoHyZA" alt="" ></figure>

6. To add a free choice course to your study plan, select Free Choice Course Units in your study plan.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/free_choice_course_units.png?itok=SqPHBmgL" alt="" ></figure>

7. A selection assistant appears on the right. Add the chosen course to your plan.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/political_ideologies.png?itok=1VIvc4hI" alt="" ></figure>

8. After you select a module or a course in the selection assistant, it will appear in your study plan.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/module_in_study_plan.png?itok=Z3YrTIOg" alt="" ></figure>

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/course_unit_in_study_plan.png?itok=CBDAzWEn" alt="" ></figure>

9. Some modules must be separately confirmed. The text Not confirmed is shown next to these modules. To confirm your choice of module, click on the module. A selection assistant appears on the right. At the top of the selection assistant, click on Show to confirm your choice. If you are working on a draft version of your study plan and are unsure whether you will actually include this module in your final plan or not, you should not confirm your choice of module. To cancel a confirmation, you will need to contact administrative staff.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/not_confirmed.png?itok=qUBYCpxM" alt="" ></figure>

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/selection_requires_confirmation.png?itok=Q-JatomK" alt="" ></figure>

Adding a study module/course to your personal study plan

1. To delete a study module or a course from your study plan, select Free Choice Study Modules or Free Choice Course Units in your study plan.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/deleting_study_module_and_course_unit.png?itok=xj-HUGcj" alt="" ></figure>

2. A selection assistant appears on the right. To delete a module or a course, click on the trash can icon next to the course name.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/deleting_study_module.png?itok=An523zNM" alt="" ></figure>

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/deleting_course_unit.png?itok=P8uslv0l" alt="" ></figure>

Deleting a study module/course from your personal study plan

If you have completed courses at Tampere University earlier and want to include these courses in your free choice studies but have not yet added them to your study plan, click Add to the plan on the left to find the courses first.

1. Click Add to the plan on the left of your study plan.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/add_to_the_plan.png?itok=mziivPCP" alt="" ></figure>

2. In the window that appears on the left, select the course by clicking on the arrow.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/select_the_course.png?itok=DI4gMCFl" alt="" ></figure>

3. Sisu shows you all the sections of your study plan where you can place the selected course. Select the correct location (Free Choice Course Units) and click Select.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/select_an_appropriate_place.png?itok=eovbUfqW" alt="" ></figure>

4. Confirm the selection in the selection assistant that appears on the right.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/confirm_the_selection.png?itok=rPiBPm5v" alt="" ></figure>

5. The course you have previously completed will now appear in your study plan.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/completed_course_unit_in_study_plan.png?itok=OdQIGpGn" alt="" ></figure>

You can also use the free edit mode to add previously completed courses and modules to your plan.

Adding previously completed courses to your study plan

If you have completed a study module before the student information system Sisu was introduced at Tampere University and you want include this module in your free choice studies, go to the free edit mode.

1. In your study plan, select Free Choice Study Modules.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/free_choice_study_modules.png?itok=l9mDjJmm" alt="" ></figure>

2. A selection assistant appears on the right. Click on the three dots on the top right to access the free edit mode.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/free_edit_mode_0.png?itok=-7lNB-Me" alt="" ></figure>

3. Click on Add a study module you have already completed.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/add_study_module_you_have_already_completed.png?itok=E-FklBIU" alt="" ></figure>

4. Click Add to include the selected module in your plan.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/add_completed_study_module.png?itok=M71QHZr5" alt="" ></figure>

5. The module you completed before Sisu was introduced now appears in your study plan, but you still need to apply for approval for the custom module. In free edit mode, click on the Apply for approval button and submit your request.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/apply_for_approval_0.png?itok=DYiyMgi3" alt="" ></figure>

Adding a module that you completed before the Sisu system was introduced (City Centre campus, Kauppi campus)

If you have completed a study module before the student information system Sisu was introduced at Tampere University and you want to include this module in your free choice studies, go to the selection assistant.

1. In your study plan, select Free Choice Study Modules.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/free_choice_study_modules.png?itok=l9mDjJmm" alt="" ></figure>

2. A selection assistant appears on the right. Add the module you have already completed to your study plan.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/production_and_product_development_studies.png?itok=w_rVknbb" alt="" ></figure>

3. Now the module appears in your study plan but not the completed courses included in this module. To add the completed courses to the module, select Compulsory courses.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/compulsory_courses.png?itok=-zHVPzQc" alt="" ></figure>

4. A selection assistant appears on the right. Go to the free edit mode.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/free_edit_mode_compulsory_courses.png?itok=Ro-TbAux" alt="" ></figure>

5. Delete all the courses listed in the free edit mode window by clicking on the trash can icons.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/deleting_compulsory_courses_from_study_plan.png?itok=cI8wf9J4" alt="" ></figure>

6. Click Add a course you have already completed and select the compulsory courses that you have completed from the list that appears below.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/add_courses_you_have_already_completed.png?itok=G35u_QCL" alt="" ></figure>

7. Follow the same steps to add previously completed non-compulsory courses to your study plan.

If a module you have completed is not available in the selection assistant, you must add it to your plan as a <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/handbook/uni?page=17672">personal study module</a>.

Adding a module that you completed before the Sisu system was introduced (Hervanta campus)

Let's say you have placed a study module or a course in the free choice studies section of a study plan for your unfinisfed bachelor's degree. If you decide later that you want to include the module or a course in the free choice studies section of your study plan for a master's degree instead, you can transfer the module or a course. Please be aware that courses or modules that are already counted towards a completed bachelor's degree cannot be transferred.

1. First, delete the chosen module or course from the free choice studies section of your BSc study plan. See the instructions for deleting a study module/course from your personal study plan.

2. Add the module or a course to the free choice studies section of your MSc study plan. See the instructions for adding a study module/course to your personal study plan.

Transferring a module or course from a study plan for a bachelor's degree to a study plan for a master's degree

<h3>Modules that are not confirmed</h3>

Your study plan may include modules displaying the text Not confirmed. You can confirm these modules yourself. If you are working on a draft version of your study plan and are unsure whether you will actually include this module in your final plan or not, you should not confirm the modules. To cancel a confirmation, you will need to contact administrative staff. To confirm a module, first click on the module displaying the text Not confirmed. Click Show in the selection assistant that appears on the right to confirm the choice of module.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/not_confirmed.png?itok=qUBYCpxM" alt="" ></figure>

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/selection_requires_confirmation.png?itok=Q-JatomK" alt="" ></figure>

<h3>Modules for which you do have a valid study right</h3>

Your study plan may include modules displaying the text No study right. You need to apply for the study right separately outside of the Sisu system. The application procedure depends on the policy of the education provider that offers the module. To find the application instructions, click on the module that displays the text No study right. Then click Show in the selection assistant that appears on the right to access the instructions.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/no_study_right.png?itok=_eRAEt2C" alt="" ></figure>

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/requires_separate_study_right.png?itok=nbXyoift" alt="" ></figure>

Instructions may also be available in the Student's guide.

<h3>Nonconforming study modules</h3>

Your study plan may include modules that do not conform to the standard structure of your degree (usually after editing the plan using the free edit mode). Sisu will flag these custom modules, and you need to separately apply for their approval.

Read more about <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/handbook/uni?page=4752">nonconforming study modules</a>.

<h3>Modules that must be separately approved</h3>

Your study plan may include modules that must be separately approved. <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/handbook/uni?page=4752">Read more about these modules</a>.

<figure role="group"><img src="https://content-webapi.tuni.fi/image-style/max_1300x1300/proxy/public/2021-07/approval_required.png?itok=V2fXnCrj" alt="" ></figure>

<h3>Recognition of prior learning towards your current degree</h3>

If you have previously completed courses or modules in other higher education institutions, you can apply for their inclusion in your free choice studies to have them count towards your current degree at Tampere University. <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/handbook/uni?search=recognition&amp;page=3127">Read more about the recognition of prior learning</a>.

<h3>Modules completed outside Tampere University and personal modules</h3>

You can add modules to your study plan that you have completed outside Tampere University or that fall into the category of personal modules. <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/handbook/uni?page=17672">Read more about these modules</a>.

<h3>Splitting the credits carried by modules between your BSc and MSc degrees</h3>

As a rule, students complete entire study module while working towards their degree. However, it is possible to split a study module so that some of the courses are counted towards your bachelor's degree and some towards your master's degree. Read more about study modules that you start at the BSc stage and complete at the MSc stage.

<h3>Indirect selections</h3>

A single module or course cannot appear in your study plan twice. If the same module or course appears more than once in your study plan, Sisu will display an alert. Read more about <a href="https://www.tuni.fi/studentsguide/handbook/uni?page=4752">indirect selections</a>.

Free choice elective studies in Sisu

What are free choice studies?

Where can I find all the options that are available?

Instructions for managing your free choice studies in Sisu

OpenAdding a study module/course to your personal study plan

OpenDeleting a study module/course from your personal study plan

OpenAdding previously completed courses to your study plan

OpenAdding a module that you completed before the Sisu system was introduced (City Centre campus, Kauppi campus)

OpenAdding a module that you completed before the Sisu system was introduced (Hervanta campus)

OpenTransferring a module or course from a study plan for a bachelor's degree to a study plan for a master's degree

OpenInstructions for special cases