Kurssivaihtelut

Kurssivaihtelut are exchanges of academic courses between universities that allow a student from one institution to take a class at another university while maintaining the same degree credit structure. The concept originated in Finland in the 1990s as part of the national effort to align educational programmes with the Bologna Process and the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). By enabling students to study a course outside their home university, kurssivaihtelut promote academic mobility, cross‑disciplinary learning and internationalisation of the Finnish higher education system.

In practice, a student selects a course offered at a partner university and submits a formal request to the curriculum office of their home university. The request must include a brief description of the course content, credit value, and how it fits within the student’s degree programme. After approval, the student registers for the course as an external participant, attends lectures and assessments, and receives a grade that is then translated into ECTS credits. These credits are officially recognised by the home university and count toward the student’s degree. The process is governed by bilateral agreements and national regulations that ensure quality assurance and comparable assessment standards across institutions.

Kurssivaihtelut are popular among students of humanities, social sciences and natural sciences who wish to gain a different academic perspective or learn the subject in another language. They also provide opportunities for faculty exchange, joint research projects and collaborative teaching. Nationally, universities such as Aalto, University of Turku, and the University of Jyväskylä have active kurssivaihtelu programmes, and many students use these exchanges as stepping stones to full study‑abroad programmes or to broaden their professional networks before graduating.