Bachelor of Engineering, Automation Engineering

Name of the Degree Programme

Degree Programme in Automation Engineering (In Finnish)

Field of study

Engineering, manufacturing and construction
The classification of the educational field is based on the international ISCED classification used by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Specialisations

The lines of specialisation in the Degree Programme in Automation Engineering are
- Machine Automation
- Electrical Automation

Qualification awarded

Bachelor of Engineering

In addition, students may complete a double degree together with the Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany.

Students who complete a double degree receive both a Finnish and German Bachelor's Degree in Engineering.

Level of qualification

The degree programme leads to a higher education degree which is a first cycle Bachelor-level degree in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). According to the eight-level classification of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and National Qualifications Framework (NQF), the degree represents level 6.
The description of the level of the Degree is included in the Statute, at
http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2017/20170120

Specific admission requirements

Eligibility for studies at a university of applied sciences is stipulated in the Universities of Applied Sciences Act 932/2014.
The selection criteria are specified in the data of the Degree Programme at www.opintopolku.fi and www.seamk.fi/haku

On the websites, application and instructions are in Finnish language for the degree programmes taught in Finnish.

Qualification requirements and regulations (incl. graduation requirements)

Please see the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.

Examination regulations, assessment and grading

Please see the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.

Structure of the studies

In accordance with the Universities of Applied Sciences Act, the studies of a Degree Programme consist of basic studies, professional studies, practical training promoting professional skills, free elective studies, and a final project/thesis. The extent of the studies is 60 credits a year.

The professional basics of the automation engineer are created during the first two years of the studies giving the important tools to the future engineers to use the languages, mathematics and physics. Simultaneously the basic studies of the automation engineering are studied consisting of automation engineering, electrical engineering, programming and mechanics depending on the specialization line chosen by the student. The specialization line is chosen after the first year of the studies.

In the third year of the studies the students get the deeper knowledge of the PLC (programmable logic controllers), electrical and mechanical planning, programming and robotics according to their choices. The students also participate in the actual projects commissioned by the industry (Project studies /Projektipaja, FramiPro). In the third study year the students can carry on the studies at the Faculty of Engineering of Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany making them possible to achieve the double degrees i.e. the students receive two engineering diplomas, one from Finland and the other one from Germany.

During the third study year's march to the the final study year's october the studies consists of the practical training in the industry where the students usually get the topic of their final theses finalizing their studies in the spring term of the fourth year. In the spring term the students have some courses of the professional studies, but mainly the spring term of the fourth year is reserved for writing their final theses/Bachelor theses.

The curriculum includes five seams permeating through the studies and extending over them. They are based on SeAMK’s reports, studies and strategy, as well as on the national and international recommendations and regulations related to education provided by universities of applied sciences.
- The Information Search seam strengthens the student’s professional and field-specific information search skills throughout the studies.
- The Internationalization seam secures the improvement of the student’s international competencies during their studies.
- The studies corresponding to the Entrepreneurship seam help the student understand the central and growing role of entrepreneurship in society.
- The Sustainable Development seam makes the student aware of social responsibility and helps them understand the diversity of sustainable development as a working life skill.
- The seam of Career Guidance helps the student recognise their competencies and own strengths. It also includes working life knowledge, job search skills, and lifelong learning.

Students have the opportunity to include multidisciplinary, working life-oriented project studies in their personal curricula (SeAMKPro).

In the degree program in automation, the competencies of sustainable development run through the curriculum of the degree program. The goal of sustainable development is to help students become aware of social responsibility and understand the multidimensional significance of sustainable development as a working life skill. In the degree program, the student is aware of and is able to apply the principles of sustainable development in practice.

Profile of the programme

Basic studies provide the foundation for academic work, language and communication competence, entrepreneurship, and the mathematical and physical knowledge required for subsequent professional studies.

Foundational professional studies introduce students to core technologies of modern industrial automation, including control engineering, programmable logic controllers, sensors, industrial communication networks, electrical engineering, and programming. Students gain a strong basis for standards-based engineering practices, particularly in the areas of machine and electrical safety.

Shared advanced professional studies cover topics in corporate finance and human resource management, project management, fundamentals of electrical design, industrial automation control and field devices, and advanced automation programming. Students develop an understanding of business operations, sustainable resource use, and circular economy principles.

Elective professional studies may include courses in programming, production simulation, CAD design, or studies offered by our partner universities across Finland.

In the Machine Automation specialisation, advanced professional studies focus on manufacturing technologies, machine design, production simulation, industrial robotics, mechatronics, and motion control. Students learn to model mechanisms, design machines and assembly solutions, and implement control systems using programmable logic controllers, industrial robots, and motion control systems.

In the Electrical Automation specialisation, emphasis is placed on electrical design and power engineering, ICT and the industrial internet in automation, and process automation. Students develop skills in designing, programming, documenting, and commissioning electrical systems, fulfilling safety requirements, and deploying automation systems in industrial environments. Upon completing this specialisation, students are eligible to take the national S2 Electrical Safety Examination.

Generic and subject specifc competences

Generic competences form the basis for working life, collaboration, and the development of professional expertise. In accordance with recommendations from the Rectors’ Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences, these include learning skills, working-life competence, ethics, sustainable development, internationality and multiculturalism, as well as anticipatory development. At SeAMK, entrepreneurial competence is additionally emphasised.

Programme-specific competences form the basis for the student’s development into a professional expert. In Automation Engineering, these focus on electrical engineering, electrical and equipment safety, industrial and production economics, design competence, process, equipment and system expertise, and mastery of basic electronic circuits.

Pedagogical approach and learning environment

The degree programme in Automation Engineering follows a socioconstructivist approach to learning: competence is built through the student’s own work, practical exercises carried out in groups, and the theoretical studies that support them—progressing from fundamentals to advanced applied expertise.

Teaching takes into account the student’s prior knowledge and helps them connect new concepts with existing experience and understanding. Solving challenging tasks together with peers develops teamwork skills essential in working life, creates meaningful learning experiences, and is often genuinely enjoyable.

Students engage with diverse learning methods, ranging from traditional classroom teaching to flipped classroom models, project-based learning, and the writing of their thesis.

All studies share a strong emphasis on practical work in SeAMK’s state-of-the-art learning environments—from modern computer labs to automation and robotics laboratories—that closely reflect equipment, methods, and practices used in industry.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning (RPL)

The RPL procedure (OT in finnish)) means the identification and recognition of the student’s previously acquired learning. The student has the opportunity to apply for the recognition of their competencies if the competencies correspond to the learning goals of the Degree Programme. The identification process is closely connected with the preparation of the student’s personal curriculum and is updated during personal counselling discussions.

The identification and recognition practices are presented in the RPL Instruction of SeAMK. It specifies how recognition of competencies is applied for, how the application is processed, and how the student is informed of it. The instruction lists the RPL contact persons of each Degree Programme, who counsel students on matters related to the process.

In the assessment of prior learning, for example the following evidence is used:

- certificates on training programmes with similar content and other training programmes
- testimonials and further clarifications by an employer
- interviews of the student
- written and oral exams or reports
- functional or written assignments or other evidence
- presentations, portfolios

The final project/thesis and the Maturity Test cannot be submitted to the RPL procedure.

The Head of the Degree Programme, the Student Counsellor, and when necessary, the teacher of the course in question are responsible for RPL. Their task is to inform students of the recognition and assessment process, to discuss students' Personal Study Plan and to guide students in the demonstration of prior learning.

Project studies and the final thesis are not observed in RPL.

According to the degree regulation, prior learning of a subject expires in ten years.

Assessment is course-specific, defined by the teacher in question. Assessment methods are an exam (written or oral), practical assignment, a laboratory test, a field test or equivalent.

Work-based learning and work placements

The student’s salaried work during their studies and the competencies achieved through it can be used in order to complete a course. This is referred to as employment-integrated learning, and it can also be related to voluntary work or hobbies. It is essential that the things learnt through working contribute to the attainment of the learning goals of the course. Learning achieved through employment-integrated learning can be verified, for instance, through skills demonstrations and assignments.

Occupational profiles

Jobs for professionals possessing numerous areas of expertise do not rest with just one employer. Our diverse training in the fields of automation, electricity and machinery opens up new job opportunities in a world that ever-increasingly depends on technology. For this reason, the job situation for automation engineers is excellent on both the national and international levels. Job titles include designer, technical expert, production manager, sales manager, purchasing manager, etc. Graduates may also work in teaching and as independent entrepreneurs.
After completing the vocational language studies the student is able to communicate in spoken and written situations related to his field of study. He can search for information and follow the development of his professional field in the target language.

Internationalization

Internationality is an essential part of our degree program. You can hear different languages - we have exchange students from all over the world.

The language of our lectures can be either in Finnish or in English; if exchange students are present the language is English. This encourages our students to take part in exchange programs; it contributes to their language skills and their knowledge of different cultures.

In our degree program you can accomplish both the Finnish and German Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, that is to say, the double degree. Our partner university in Germany is Hochschule Aschaffenburg. After two years of studying you can choose whether you want continue your studies in Seinäjoki or apply to the Hochschule Aschaffenburg for the third academic year (this is for the double degree). The fourth academic year is spent in Seinäjoki again. The students can also do their internships abroad.

If you would rather choose a shorter time for studying abroad, there are various exchange possibilities ranging from 3 to 5 months in countries all over the world.

Access to further studies

After three years of work experience, the student will be eligible for further studies for a Master’s Degree in the field in question.

Graduation requirements

Please see the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences and instructions for graduates at Intra.

Mode of study

Our younger students study full-time in the degree programme, while our students in the adult education programme study part-time through various modes of study.

Head of degree programme

Mr. Tommi Ylimäki, +358 50 3967 692, tommi.ylimaki@seamk.fi

Student counsellor

Mr Jorma Mettälä, tel. +358 40 830 7481, e-mail: jorma.mettala(at)seamk.fi
or
Ms Pia-Mari Riihilahti, tel. +358 40 830 2355, e-mail: pia-mari.riihilahti(at)seamk.fi.

Coordination of international mobility

Tiina Välimäki, 040-830 4127, tiina.valimaki(at)seamk.fi, Coordinator, Outgoing student exchanges to Europe
Maria Loukola, 040-830 2240, maria.loukola(at)seamk.fi, Coordinator, Incoming and outgoing student exchanges outside Europe

Student services

Tel. +358 20 124 5055, studentservices@seamk.fi