Finnish universities tighten remote study options, emphasizing in-person attendance for bachelor’s programs

Finnish universities are tightening remote study options for students, emphasizing in-person attendance, particularly during the early stages of study. For instance, starting this semester, most bachelor’s degree programs at the University of Lapland will require in-person learning, regardless of the faculty. In master’s programs, remote learning is more permissive.

Universities justify this increase in in-person classes as a way to restore community spirit and enhance the quality of learning, while also addressing concerns about academic dishonesty. This shift has taken some new students at the University of Helsinki by surprise.

Nuutti Saramo, president of the student organization for law students at the University of Lapland, acknowledges that while in-person learning is beneficial up to a point, most students prefer to complete their master’s studies elsewhere. He notes that 90% of law students hail from the capital region or nearby cities, driving them to seek remote study options.

A survey by Yle revealed that half of the responding universities strongly recommend in-person classes for first-year students, while others acknowledged a growing trend toward in-person instruction despite no formal guidelines at the university level.

The primary motivation for universities to encourage students back on campus stems from the need to rebuild community after the pandemic years, combating issues notably linked to remote learning, such as assessment challenges and increased academic dishonesty. Generally, the majority of students express satisfaction with the increase in in-person classes, according to evaluations from various universities.