valintaryhmän

Valintaryhmä is a term used in Finnish higher education to refer to a committee responsible for admissions decisions for degree programmes during a recruitment period. The group applies the program-specific criteria established by the institution and applicable laws to assess applicants and decide who will be offered study places. The composition typically includes representatives from the academic unit (for example the program director or department head), admissions staff, and faculty members who contribute to the program; in some cases it may include student representatives or external experts. The exact composition and mandate vary by institution and program.

In practice, the valintaryhmä reviews applicants' eligibility, evaluates merit and qualifications (such as grades, entrance exam results, portfolios, language tests and any required documents), and applies published scoring and selection rules. The group may handle special considerations, such as recognition of prior learning, disability accommodations, or reserved quotas. After evaluation, the valintaryhmä produces a ranked list or a selection decision, which is finalized by the institution's admissions authority and communicated to applicants. Decisions can be appealed according to the institution's procedures and applicable law.

Valintaryhmät operate within the broader national framework for admissions (e.g., yhteishaku and national eligibility requirements), but exact rules and processes are defined by each university or university of applied sciences and may differ between fields of study. The term literally means a "selection group."