VAMK's Polytechnic Name Replaced by University of Applied Sciences

ARENE (Rectors' Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences) has proposed that all Finnish universities of applied sciences replace the earlier used term polytechnic with university of applied sciences. The reform has been taken into practice in all the 29 Finnish universities of applied sciences.

Why New Name?

Adaptation of the new name will make international cooperation, comparison and recognition of education at universities of applied sciences easier. The term university of applied sciences is internationally used to refer to higher level professional education. The term polytechnic, for its part, is connected to secondary level or other lower level professional education and is not used in any European country to refer to higher education. For instance in Germany, the term university of applied sciences is used alongside the German term Fachhochschule.

Usage in English Language

In English texts, the name of our university of applied sciences is written in Finnish followed by the English definition: Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu, University of Applied Sciences

The acronym for our university of applied sciences in English is VAMK in capital letters. When the acronym is used for the first time, the full name is written in Finnish followed by the acronym in parentheses and then the English definition. For instance: "Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu (VAMK), University of Applied Sciences, is a multidisciplinary, multilingual and international institution providing higher education and research services within Technology and Communication, Business Economics and Tourism as well as Health Care and Social Services. VAMK has approximately 3,500 students enrolled and a staff of over 240 members."

More Information

Information and Marketing Manager Tarja Gromov, tarja.gromov@puv.fi