Sivuaine

Sivuaine is a minor subject or secondary field of study in the Finnish higher education system. It is studied alongside a student’s main field of study (pääaine) and is intended to broaden knowledge, complement skills, and enhance career prospects. The sivuaine is not a separate degree in itself unless pursued as a formal minor program, but it forms part of the degree’s completed credits.

A sivuaine consists of a defined set of courses within a specific field or discipline, and it earns a designated number of study credits, typically measured in ECTS. The usual size of a sivuaine is about 15–30 ECTS, though the exact requirement varies by degree program and university. Students select a sivuaine from offered minors, and some programs allow cross-disciplinary or inter-faculty options. Prerequisites or eligibility rules may apply, depending on the chosen subject and faculty.

The purpose of a sivuaine is to provide additional expertise that complements the main subject, potentially enabling more versatile career paths or further study. It may broaden analytical, language, or technical competencies and can support interdisciplinary work. In the degree certificate, sivuaine studies are recorded as completed credits within the broader degree framework. Regulations governing sivuaine, including available subjects, credit requirements, and evaluation methods, are determined by each university and degree program, so students should consult their program guides for specifics.