Åland University of Applied Sciences is located in the town of Mariehamn. It is a small university, which allows for close contact between teachers and students.
Åland UAS offers degree programmes in Swedish in business administration, navigation, hospitality management, engineering (maritime technology, energy, automation and IT) and health and caring sciences for a total of 600 students.
Åland Open University offers academic courses, lectures and seminars annually. Close cooperation and interaction with those working in the field and the community is essential.
Maritime education on the Åland Islands has a proud tradition and includes extensive courses for active sailors and young people who want to enter a maritime profession. Alandica Shipping Academy coordinates maritime education on Åland Islands.
Alandica Shipping Academy offers programmes and courses that lead to the awarding of different certificates of competency required to work on board a ship, as well as refresher courses for working seafarers that are required under international regulations.
Alandica Shipping Academy consists of three sections: upper secondary-level programmes offered by the Maritime College (Sjöfartsgymnasiet), Åland University of Applied Sciences programmes offered by Åland UAS, and open courses offered by the Maritime Safety Center and Åland UAS.
Deck and engine repairman
Electro-technical rating
Engine officer
Deck officer
Energy, Design & Automation
Maritime Technology
Nautical Science
Maritime courses at Maritime Safety Center
Academic courses and further education through lectures and seminars.
Open University offers a wide selection of courses accessible to everyone. The academic courses and seminars held each year require no prior studies. Among other academic courses, the school offers further training for teachers, managers and other professions.
Generally, Open University courses are held on weekends. As most lecturers live elsewhere, the courses are usually held on Friday nights and Saturdays, which enables students and people in full-time work to participate.
Over the last few years, nearly 2,000 new students have registered with the school. Many choose to take optional courses included in the polytechnic’s degree programmes, whereas others participate out of curiosity or just for fun.
The courses are designed and held in cooperation with other universities, such as Åbo Akademi University, the Swedish Business University and the University of Art and Design Helsinki. The courses are held in accordance with the requirements of each university.
Open University has no permanent curriculum. Instead, the school strives to hold courses based on its students’ wishes. In order to keep students’ costs to a minimum, most course books may be borrowed from the library. Open University also provides exam services for those who study elsewhere but who wish to take their exams in Åland, and also arranges language tests.
Open University has something to offer most everyone.
The Åland Islands have their own legislation regulating the content of educational programmes, but follow the Finnish education structure. More information about the Finnish education system can be found at studyinfo.fi.
The Finnish education system consists of pre-school education, comprehensive school, post-comprehensive general and vocational education, higher education, and adult education. Comprehensive school provides a nine-year educational programme (with a voluntary 10th form) for all school-age children, beginning at the age of seven. Post-comprehensive education is provided by general upper secondary schools and vocational institutions. Higher education is provided by 20 universities and 28 universities of applied sciences. Adult education is provided by special institutions, vocational institutions, universities and universities of applied sciences, all of which have a continuing education centre.
The education offered by Åland UAS emphasizes close contact with business, industry and services, especially at the regional level. The university’s degree programmes are designed to meet the changing requirements and development needs of the workplace, having a pronounced occupational emphasis and qualifying graduates for various expert duties. Åland UAS undertakes research and development activities with an applied and practical emphasis. Each degree programme awards between 180 to 270 ECTS credits and takes 3-4.5 years to complete. Each credit is equivalent to 40 hours of work. The university’s programmes combine theory, practice and individual experience. Often, at least a one-year internship is included, as is international exchange.
Åland University of Applied Sciences was founded in 1997 by the Åland Provincial Government as a co-operative network for vocational higher education with the right to award polytechnical diplomas.
On 1 January 2003, Åland University of Applied Sciences became a permanent institution when it merged with Åland Open University. After the merger, its Swedish name was changed to Högskolan på Åland.
Åland University of Applied Sciences offers eight bachelor’s degree programmes in Swedish and one master degree programme in English.
The programmes offered at Åland University of Applied Sciences provide the theoretical and practical knowledge required to carry out advanced tasks in working life, both independently and in teamwork settings.
The programmes are flexible. Individual study programmes can be composed by selecting courses from other programmes, or from the Open University within the optional units. Interaction with those working in the field means that the curriculum is based on the requirements of today’s professional life. UAS’ programmes also endeavour to supply new competence to the professional community through development work and applied research.
The Business Administration Programme provides students with business and management skills with a focus on financial control and logistics. Acquiring a degree in Business Administration will prove useful in gaining employment, or in succeeding as an entrepreneur.
Twenty weeks of practicaltraining are a mandatory part of the programme.
The degree programme lasts 3.5 years and awards an equivalent of 210 ECTS credits.
Students obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
The Energy, Design & Automation Programme combines theoretical and practical elements in many of its courses. Our state-of-the-art energy laboratories, advanced simulators, and automation labs on campus play a central role in the teaching, providing a hands-on experience with the latest technologies. With a strong focus on sustainability and future technologies, the students develop skills in renewable energy production, the development of smart energy systems, advanced automation, as well as mechanical design and modeling.
The programme combines in-depth theoretical engineering expertise with practical skills, preparing you to meet the rapid pace of technological development and the demands of the modern workforce.
Practical training is mandatory. The degree programme lasts four years and awards the equivalent of 240 ECTS credits.
Students obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Energy Engineering and are qualified to work in fields like sustainable energy, energy management, smart systems, and production automation.
The Health and Caring Sciences Programme aims to provide high-quality theoretical and practical nursing competence. It emphasizes a caring, quality-conscious and professional approach to the practice of nursing. The programme leads to a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, which qualifies you to work as a nurse in Finland or within the European Union.
Practical training, which makes up one-third of the programme, is carried out in various healthcare environments each semester and provides both a deep understanding and a broad overview of the different possibilities that a career in nursing offers. The practical training can be carried out in Åland or in a Nordic or European country.
The degree programme lasts 3.5 years and awards the equivalent of 210 ECTS credits.
Students obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care, and become Registered Nurses.
The Tourism and Leadership Programme educates future tourism and hospitality managers. It focuses on three key areas: high-quality practical and theoretical competence, outstanding service, and the potential for self-development. As part of the programme, practical training is carried out in different occupational, and preferably international, restaurant and hotel environments.
The degree programme lasts 3.5 years and awards the equivalent of 210 ECTS credits.
Students obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management, Tourism
The Computer Science and Engineering Programme is designed to meet the needs of the job market and maintains close collaboration with the Åland IT sector. The program provides you with versatile knowledge in software development and computer engineering.
The programme offer courses in programming and systems development, networks, and databases. You will also study computer engineering, including microcontrollers and IoT, machine learning, and AI.
Computer Engineers have a strong theoretical foundation, enabling them to work in areas such as the development of industrial IT applications, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI).
The degree programme lasts for four years and awards the equivalent of 240 ECTS credits.
Students obtain a Bachelor’s Degree of Engineering, Information Technology.
The Information Systems Scientist Programme is designed to meet the needs of the job market and maintains close collaboration with the Åland IT sector.
The programme offers courses in programming, software development, and systems development, as well as computer engineering and modules where you will learn more about IT operations and security. You will also study operating systems, networks, and databases.
The degree programme lasts for 3.5 years and awards the equivalent of 210 ECTS credits.
Students obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology.
Depending on your chosen specialization – Mechanical or Electrical – you will have the opportunity to apply for international certifications for service on board ships under the STCW Convention, such as Chief Engineer or Chief Electrical Engineer.
The theoretical parts of the program can be studied on campus or, to some extent, remotely – offering flexibility. The practical components take place on campus in our various laboratories, in the engine room simulator, providing valuable hands-on experience in real-world environments.
The Maritime Technology programme works closely with companies in the maritime and technology sectors, offering opportunities for internships and projects. The newly installed laboratory equipment for sustainable energy systems is a central part of the program, giving you direct access to the technologies shaping the maritime industry of the future.
The degree programme lasts 4.5 years and awards the equivalent of 270 ECTS credits.
Students obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Marine Technology.
This programme focuses on four main areas: navigation, marine transport and technology, seafaring skills, and management. The programme is carried out in accordance with IMO’s international STCW standards. Practical training is mandatory. Students also have the opportunity to train in modern, life-sized bridge simulators.
During the course of the programme, students acquire both the practical and theoretical proficiency required of professional seafarers.
The degree programme lasts 4.5 years and awards the equivalent of 270 ECTS credits.
Students obtain a Bachelor’s Degree as Master Mariner. The Finnish Maritime Authority on the basis of the studies and the professional training issues the certificates required for working aboard vessels.
Students obtain competence as Officer in charge of a navigational watch. Upon completion of the studies and working experience as officers, students obtain a certificate of competence as Chief Officer and Master Mariner.