Faculty of Social Sciences

Etappi - monitoring study progress

What is Etappi?

On 1 August 2005, the University of Helsinki implemented a system of monitoring studies by introducing "checkpoints" (in Finnish: Etappi-järjestelmä) to support smooth study progress and, consequently, the completion of degrees.

The monitoring system consists of five checkpoints. At each checkpoint, those students who have not completed the recommended amount of credits or who have not been able to complete a degree, will be contacted by the Faculty.

Does Etappi Apply to Me?

The Etappi system applies to all students pursuing their degrees in accordance with the new degree structure, i.e. all students who have started their studies after 2005.

Additionally, Etappi applies to students who have started their studies before 2005, but have changed into the new degree structure.

Etappi Checkpoints at the Faculty of Social Sciences

At the Faculty of Social Sciences, there are five Etappi checkpoints:

Checkpoint 1 : Bachelor's Degree, first year. New bachelor degree students should have at least 25 credits by the end of the third study period of the first study year.*

• If the student has earned less than 25 credits, the Faculty will contact her/him and ask her/him to present an explanation on how she/he plans to proceed with the studies.
• If necessary, the student will be directed to the major subject department for counselling.
  

Checkpoint 2 : Bachelor's Degree, third year. Bachelor degree students should have at least 100 credits by the third year of study.

• The student can not register for attendance, until she/he has presented an appropriate study plan that is to be approved by the Faculty.
• The study right will be extended with a maximum period of two years.
• If necessary, the student will be directed to the major subject department for counselling.
  

Checkpoint 3: Bachelor's Degree, fourth year. Students who have not completed a Bachelor's Degree within four years are contacted and they are to present a study plan.

• The student can not register for attendance, until she/he has presented an appropriate study plan that is to be approved by the Faculty.
• The study right will be extended with a maximum period of two years. For a well-grounded reason, the study right may be re-extended for one year at a time.
• If necessary, the student will be directed to the major subject department for counselling.
  

Checkpoint 4: Master's Degree, second year. Master degree students should have at least 60 credits by the end of their second study year.

• The student can not register for attendance, until she/he has presented an appropriate study plan that is to be approved by the Faculty.
• The study right will be extended with a maximum period of two years.
• If necessary, the student will be directed to the major subject department for counselling.
  

Checkpoint 5: Students who have not completed a Master's Degree within three years are contacted and they are to present a study plan.

• The student can not register for attendance, until she/he has presented an appropriate study plan that is to be approved by the Faculty.
• The study right will be extended with a maximum period of two years. For a well-grounded reason, the study right may be re-extended for one year at a time.
• If necessary, the student will be directed to the major subject department for counselling.

*It should be noted that international bachelor degree students are granted a two-year conditional admission, during which they have to complete a certain amount of language and other studies.

Spring Term 2009 Etappi Checkpoints

There will be two Etappi checkpoints during the spring term 2009:

1) Students who enrolled for bachelor degree studies in autumn 2008 (Checkpoint 1). After the third period, the student should have completed at least 25 credits.

2) Students who enrolled for master degree studies in autumn 2007 (Checkpoint 4). By the beginning of March, the student should have completed at least 60 credits.

You can download the study plan form here (pdf).

For More Information

For more detailed information on the Etappi system, please contact Planning Officer Tiina Kononen, e-mail: Tiina Kononen[at]helsinki.fi, tel. 09-191 24883.