Studying at the National Defence University
The National Defence University offers university classes to approximately 900 people annually and continuing training to approximately 1,000 people.
This page brings together general information useful for those studying at the National Defence University, as well as material for applicants seeking admission as students.
If you notice any omissions, please send an email to [email protected].
To a new student
You can apply to the Bachelor of Military Sciences degree programme in the main application to the National Defence University, that is, the national second joint application in the spring.
Use the links below for additional information about the application process and selection criteria:
Selections Guide 2025
upseeriksi.fi (Additional information and selection criteria)
Studyinfo.fi (application)
The Defence Command nominates officers to master’s studies.
If you have completed a bachelor’s degree minimum in another field, you may apply to study for the master of military sciences degree on the Executive Assistance Programme. This degree does not lead to a post in the Defence Forces or Border Guard. The studies are full-time day-time studies and take two years.
Use the links below for additional information about the application process and selection criteria:
Selections Guide 2025
Studyinfo.fi
Master of Military Sciences Degree, Executive Assistance Programme selection criteria 2025
Applying and entrance exam
You can apply to postgraduate studies in military sciences through rolling admission. Before submitting an application, applicants must consult the professor at the National Defence University, within whose discipline the planned research subject belongs. A favourable opinion by the professor is required in order to be accepted for postgraduate studies.
Applicants who have completed a Master's or higher degree in a discipline that is relevant to military sciences may apply to complete a doctoral degree in military sciences. In order to be accepted, the National Defence University must have the prerequisites to supervise the prospective student and dissertation subjects must fall within the field of military sciences and be useful from the point of view of total national defence.
A further requirement is that students accepted have received at least the following review of their previously completed Master's or higher level (pro gradu, officer's degree, diploma) thesis:
• minimum cum laude approbatur (on the Finnish academic grading scale of approbatur-laudatur)
• • minumum 2 (on a numerical scale of 1-3)
• • minimum 3 (on a numerical scale of 1-5)
If some other scale has been used for evaluation, the review received must reach at least an equivalent level. Exceptions to this general rule can be made upon proposal by the professor of the discipline in question.
Please submit your application with supporting documents to the National Defence University's Registry Office addressed to the Rector of the National Defence University:
National Defence University Registry Office P. O. Box 7 00861 Helsinki
The decision to accept a postgraduate student is made by the Rector of the National Defence University based on the proposal of the Research Council. Foreign applicants are approved by the Defence Command's Chief of Personnel upon proposal by the Rector of the National Defence University. Applicants are informed by letter as to whether their application was successful or not.
Use the links below for additional information:
Lisätietoja löydät alla olevista linkeistä:
- Sotatieteellisten jatkotutkintojen valintaopas 2021
- Application form
- Information about the documents to be attached to the application form available in this file.
- Consent to undergo security clearance
The last application round for the "flexible study rights" was held in the spring of 2025.
Additional information:
Education Coordinator
Eini Annala
tel. + 358 (0) 299 530 212
[email protected]
The National Defence University also provides continuing education for the needs of the Defence Forces, Border Guard, Ministry of Defence and various interest groups. You can find the courses on the Torni portal education branch menu. That is also where you can find course information, more specific application instructions and the application form.
In principle, you can apply to continuing education twice a year by 1 April and 1 October. Applying to some of the courses follows course-specific instructions.
Introductory Course on the Finnish Defence Forces is a course open to all. You can find it on PVMoodle.
Additional information:
[email protected]
Degrees
The basic task of the Bachelor of Military Sciences Degree is to provide the Finnish Defence Forces and Border Guard with university-educated officers able to carry out their main tasks and to combine theory and practice comprehensively.
The graduating military sciences bachelors will possess the necessary skills for scientific thinking and master's studies. Officers who graduate with a bachelor's degree are professional and qualified. The officers have the special know-how needed for the tasks in their services and branches Their knowledge, skills and attitudes are developed consistently throughout and at all of the stages of the studies.
The areas of competence included in the studies include:
• Leadership: "The desire and ability to lead and take responsibility."
• Operation skills: "The desire and ability to win battles."
• Performance: ”The desire and ability to develop."
• Education: ”The desire and ability to learn and teach.”
• Research: "The desire and ability to understand."
Students studying for their bachelor of military sciences degree serve in the rank of cadet. Cadets who complete their bachelor's degree and begin working in the Finnish Defence Forces receive a fixed-term junior officer's commission and are promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
Degree Structure
The Bachelor of Military Sciences Degree (lower university degree) comprises 180 ECTS credits. In addition, bachelor's students complete professional studies worth of 30 ECTS credits to become qualified officers. The students complete their bachelor's degrees (210 credits) in three years.
The degree is divided into three entities:
• Obligatory tri-service studies (80 credits)
All cadets complete these tri-service studies, as they form the basis of a common set of skills and knowledge for all officers. These studies are completed at the National Defence University (NDU).
• Service-specific studies (minimum 40 credits)
The service-specific studies cater in particular for the needs of the Army, Navy and Air Force. The scope of the studies depends on the programmes. The National Defence University dispenses some of the teaching while most is done by the service schools (Army Academy, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy).
• Branch studies (maximum 90 credits)
Branch studies have students specialising in their own branch. Again, the scope of the studies depends on the branch. Teaching takes place at service schools, branch schools and functional area schools (incl. the Logistics School of the Defence Forces Logistics Command and the Border Guard's Border and Coast Guard Academy).
Read more in the Study Guide (link to the Library website)
Programmes and specializations
There are four alternative study programmes within a military science bachelor's programme containing 19 specializations altogether:
Army Programme:
• Infantry and anti-armour
• Mortar
• Armour
• Reconnaissance
• Electronic Warfare
• Field Artillery
• Air Defence
• Military Engineer
• Army C5 Programme
• Logistics Programme
• Border Guard
Navy Programme:
• Naval Forces
• Coastal Forces
• Coast Guard (separates from the Naval Programme)
Air Force Programme:
• Aircraft and Weapons Systems
• Air Force C5
• Air Force Control and Reporting Centre Programme
Officer Pilots' Programme
• Air Force Officer Pilot Specialization
• Army Helicopter Pilot Programme
The primary task of the Master's Degree is to educate officers for the Defence Forces and the Border Guard, who possess the knowledge and skills required for tasks at mid-management level. The master's degree and the military professional studies that it includes aim to give students the prerequisites to serve as leaders within a battalion in emergency conditions, as commanding officers of a company-level unit in normal conditions and in staff positions within headquarters on international missions.
Degree Structure
The Master's Degree in Military Sciences is a higher university degree in military sciences comprising 120 ECTS credits. In addition to the degree studies, a total of 13 credits of military professional studies (excl. in the Executive Assistance Programme) are also completed. The degree is based on service-specific studies, and it contains the programmes of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard, Officer Pilots’ and Executive Assistance programmes.
Commissioned officers can complete their master's studies once they have served in the Defence Forces for five years. The master's studies take two years. Officers in the Officer Pilot's Programme begin their master's studies immediately after they have completed their bachelor's degrees. They complete their studies over the course of six years alongside their flight service. The degree is completed in a time frame determined by the Defence Command and Border Guard Headquarters.
The military science studies of the Master of Military Sciences Degree consists of the tri-service studies included in the Master’s Programme and advanced studies.
• The studies included in the tri-service studies provide the student with the key military scientific competence. Optional studies aimed at enhancing the students’ expertise serve to direct their competency according to their own needs, interests and foci. Language and communication studies are a part of the tri-services studies, and they aim at boosting the students’ language skills. As a part of their foreign language studies, the majority of students take the English language examination STANAG 6001.
• Advanced studies are studies that provide the students with the most central competence of their programme. The studies are mandatory to all and diverge according to programme. A master’s thesis and research method studies are a part of the advanced studies. Research studies are organized by department and type of research studies depending on the field of research. The topic of the master’s thesis determines which NDU department guides the student’s thesis writing. The Executive Assistance Programme advanced studies include a traineeship aimed at enhancing students’ expertise.
Civilian students from outside the Finnish Defence Forces can also be admitted in the Master of Military Sciences Programme. Anyone with a suitable bachelor's degree from a university of applied sciences or university may apply to the Executive Assistance Programme.
The aim of the programme is to produce an understanding in military sciences and promote overall security and safety and cooperation within the field. The objective is to train experts in national security and safety for the needs of comprehensive national defence and interagency cooperation. Military professional studies are not required in addition to the degree, nor does it lead to an officer’s position or career in the Defence Forces. The degree is completed in two years.
If a person who has been admitted to study for the Master of Military Sciences Degree has obtained a bachelor’s degree elsewhere, he or she may be required to complete supplementary studies to acquire the competencies needed for the Master’s. (Act on the National Defence University 30 December 2008/1121 Section 15). The supplementary studies must be completed during an orientation year which is the year preceding the actual studies.
The studies are mainly full time, so in principle, working while studying is not possible. In the Study Guide you can see in detail what courses are studied in which week. If needed, ask for more information about the study schedule contact information.
The objective of the Doctor of Military Sciences Degree is conducting research and science as well as producing new researched data to support teaching and decision-making and to develop military science.
The Doctor of Military Sciences degree is aimed primarily at officers who have completed the Master of Military Sciences or General Staff Officer Degree. For special reasons, a person who has completed a suitable Master's degree at the National Defence University or another university can be accepted to study towards this degree.
A doctoral degree in military sciences can be awarded in the following disciplines:
For justified reasons, the degree can be achieved also in another scientific field decided separately.
Degree Structure
The Doctor of Military Sciences degree is a postgraduate degree in military sciences. The scope of the Doctor of Military Sciences degree is 50 ECTS credits.
The degree consists of three entities:
• Common studies (minimum 10 credits)
• Studies in one's own field of research (maximum 40 credits)
• Doctoral Dissertation
If his or her previous degree is from a field other than military sciences, the student admitted may be required to complete a maximum of 15 credits of supplementary studies (so-called bridging studies). The supplementary studies are not included in the Doctor of Military Sciences Degree.
The students who have started their studies before the introduction of the 50-credit curriculum approved in June 2019 can finish, if they so desire, their Doctor of Military Sciences degree by the end of 2023 according to the 70-credit curriculum approved in December 2015.
Doctoral dissertations written in the National Defence University
The Bachelor of Military Sciences Degree is a lower university degree (European Qualifications Framework level 6). The Master of Military Sciences Degree is a higher university degree (EQF 7) and the Doctor of Military Sciences Degree is a doctoral degree (EQF 8). The General Staff Officer’s Course (first course started in 1994) is a continuing education programme and one of officers’ professional military education courses.
The officer training system has changed several times as changes have taken place in the national educational system. Comparability with especially previously achieved officer’s degrees may rouse questions. The key comparison data are described below.
Under-graduate and graduate degrees:
• There are several officer’s degrees completed before 1995 (Cadet Course 77/ Naval Cadet Course 60 and earlier degrees) that vary in scope. They were the lower university degrees of their time. Back then, the lower and higher university degree were often together named bachelor’s degree. Officer’s education was not equivalent to it in terms of duration, academic content or thesis.
Decree on Universities’ Degree System 203/1994 (This decree entered into force on 1 April 1994.)
• Starting from 1991 (Cadet Course 78/Naval Cadet Course 61), the basic education of these courses was extended to four years. At the same time, they attained the level of a higher university degree. The first course in this form graduated in 1995.
• Decree Amending the Decree on Military Educational Establishments and Degrees Achieved in Them (908/1991).
• Decree on the National Defence University (668/1992)
• Starting from 2001 (Cadet Course 88/Naval Cadet Course 71), officers’ basic education changed again. This time, the education was divided into three stages. The first stage included a one-year basic education course, after which some of the students entered service in brigade-level units as second lieutenants (so-called fixed-term reserve officers). Some continued their studies for 1.5 years and graduated as lieutenants having completed the Bachelor of Military Sciences Degree. The rest continued their studies for another 1.5 years and graduated as first lieutenants and masters of military sciences. In other words, the total length of the education of the last mentioned group was four years.
• Decree on the National Defence University (668/1992).
• Government Decree Amending the Decree on the National Defence University (Section 12, 612/2001)
• Starting from 2006 (Cadet Course 93/Naval Cadet Course76), officers’ degree education has followed the current two-stage degree system (according to the so-called Bologna Model). In this system, the Bachelor of Military Sciences Degree (lower university degree) is completed first, followed by the Master of Military Sciences Degree (higher university degree) at a later stage.
• Decree on the National Defence University (668/1992)
• Government Decree Amending the Decree on the National Defence University (735/2006)
As of 2009:
• Act on the National Defence University (1121/2008)
• Government Decree on the National Defence University (1124/2008)
Post-graduate degrees
• The postgraduate degree provided by the National Defence University is the Doctor of Military Sciences Degree.
• Decree on the National Defence University (668/1992)
• Government Decree Amending the Decree on the National Defence University (612/2001)
• Act on the National Defence University (1121/2008)
• Decree Amending the Decree on Military Educational Establishments and Degrees Achieved in Them (1320/1989).
• Decree on the National Defence University (668/1992)
• Decree on Universities’ Degree System (203/1994)
• Decree on Universities’ Degree System (464/1998)
General Staff Officer Course is part of the Defence Forces’ continuing education programme and one of officers’ professional military education courses. Its purpose is to train general staff officers for the Defence Forces and the Border Guard, with the required competence for leadership and expert duties in service and joint commands both at home and abroad during peacetime and wartime. In addition, the General Staff Officer Course prepares officers for the duties of a Commander.
Professional military education of general staff officers comprises a six-month Senior Staff Officer Course and the General Staff Officer Course, which takes one year. The General Staff Officer Course is aimed at Masters of Military Sciences, who typically apply for the course about five years after completing their Master's degree. For special reasons, applicants who have completed some other Master's degree and who are otherwise deemed to possess the necessary knowledge and skills for these studies can be accepted to the course.
Continuing Education
Competence development is essential for enhancing one’s skills and professional competence. In practice, competence development often means continuing education. It helps you keep up your competence, advance in your career, stay motived and get some change in your daily routines.
The National Defence University organizes continuing education in cooperation with the Defence Command and other military educational institutions. Our field of speciality is university-level continuing education which also includes career-related courses for officers. Our products also include many independently studied online courses. Personnel of the Defence Forces, Border Guard and Ministry of Defence and representatives of different interest groups are invited to participate in our training.
The Defence Forces continuing education and training calendar provides information about our courses. It is published annually on the Defence Forces intranet Torni portal.
Degree Programmes
The Military Academy is responsible for the Bachelor of Military Sciences Degree organized at the National Defence University. It also provides guidance for the studies provided by military educational establishments. The Commandant of the Military Academy is the supervisor of all the soldiers of the Academy. Course leaders lead their cadet courses as direct military supervisors. In addition to leading, they provide guidance for studies, answer for the curricula and officer training and act as the disciplinary supervisors of their course.
Tactical Command and Staff College is responsible for the Master of Military Sciences Degrees organized at the National Defence University. It also provides guidance for the military science studies provided by military educational establishments. The Director of the Tactical Command and Staff College is the supervisor of all the officers on the Degree Programme. Course leaders lead their master’s courses as direct military supervisors. In addition to leading, they provide guidance for studies, answer for the curricula and officer training.
More information about the Tactical Command and Staff College.
War College is responsible for the studies of the General Staff Officer Course, Senior Staff Officer Course, Senior Command Course and the High Command Course organized at the National Defence University. It also answers for organizing the common studies of the Chiefs of Branch Course included in continuing studies and leadership of the course. It also directs the military science studies included in the postgraduate degrees organized in the Border and Coast Guard Academy. The Commandant of the College is the supervisor of all the soldiers of War College Course leaders lead their courses as direct military supervisors. In addition to leading, they provide guidance for studies, answer for the curricula and officer training. Teaching is mostly provided at the National Defence University.
The task of the National Defence University’s research branch is to lead and coordinate the university’s research activities and manage the NDU’s academic research administration. The research branch fills professorships and evaluates the academic eligibility of professors and adjunct professors. In addition, the research branch is responsible for the Doctor of Military Sciences Degree, the National Defence University’s scientific publication activities and research ethical issues. The entity is led by the Research Director assisted by research branch senior planning coordinators.
To a new student
The National Defence University’s academic year is 12 months long comprising a Christmas and summer break. The academic year starts on 1 August and ends on 31 July. The academic year consists of an autumn, spring and summer semester as follows:
• autumn semester (1st semester) 1 August –31 December (Incl. a Christmas break)
• spring semester (2nd semester) 1 January–31 May
• summer semester (3rd semester) 1 June–31 July (Incl. a summer break)
At the National Defence University, the studies (scientific and military professional) required for a degree are completed in a period of time determined in the curriculum concerned.
• Bachelor of Military Sciences Degree 3 years
• Master of Military Sciences Degree: 2 years
o NOTE! A working phase lasting, in principle, five years minimum is completed between the Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Students on the Officer Pilots’ Programme are an exception; their master’s studies start right after the military sciences bachelor’s degree and will be completed in seven years.
• General Staff Officer’s Degree: Appr. two years
• Master of Military Sciences Degree: Appr. four years of full-time studies
If a student can not complete his or her studies in the time set by the curriculum, they may lose their right to study for the degree. A student may apply for more time for completing his/ her studies for a justified reason, but if the National Defence University does not grant additional time, they will lose their study right.
The Finnish language is the language of instruction and studies at the National Defence University. Students have the right to use either Finnish or Swedish at examinations. Theses or other written work may be written either in Finnish or Swedish. The National Defence University may decide that instruction may be provided or theses may be written also in some other language. Maturity essays are written in the student’s language of secondary education.
At the National Defence University, degree studies are provided both in the form of contact and distance studies. There are a lot of contact studies, and some courses require attendance also in the evening and on weekends. Studies are provided both at the National Defence University in Santahamina, Helsinki, and at other military educational establishments and their training areas across Finland.
Studying requires being able to use various kinds of studying skills. The most important part of studying skills is the ability to work and study independently, ability to plan your own studies and use of time, and make choices relating to studies. Your studying skills improve all through your studies, even if you don’t notice it. As a student, it would be worthwhile to assess your own learning and studying skills and reflect on what your strengths as a learner are and what skills you still should work on. It is also important to have the ability to identify situations where you need support and guidance in your studies, and the skills to find and benefit from the guidance services available.
Study guidance is provided to help students learn how to learn, to support their studies and draw up a personal study plan and/or personal competence development plan.
Students have primary responsibility for their own studies, improving their know-how and drawing up a personal study plan. The course leader’s role in study guidance is the most central; his task is to oversee that the studies advance from the point of view of the studies as a whole.
The education coordinator provides guidance and advice in matters related to the structure of the degrees, ways of completing them and planning, and ways of improving one’s studying skills. The course secretary gives advice in practical matters, such as those relating to the study data administration system, study and degree certificates, and practical student services (remunerations during studies, travel costs etc.)
NDU Department teachers and those of military educational establishments give subject-matter guidance. Students may contact the course leader or education coordinator in charge of the degree level concerned, if they have challenges in their studies or learning difficulties. If needed, you may also get discussion help from the military chaplain or health care centre through the NDU Personnel Unit.
Departments
The National Defence University has three departments: the Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy, Department of Warfare and Department of Military Technology. The Defence Language Centre is equated with the departments as well. The departments are in charge of implementing instruction in accordance with curricula.
Department of Warfare - National Defence University
Department of Military Technology - National Defence University
Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy - National Defence University
Students' everyday life, accommodation and free time
The National Defence University provides accommodation for degree students working in the Defence Forces or Border Guard and students attending specific continuing education courses.
Ask the course secretaries responsible for the different degree or course levels for more information about accommodation.
On the Santahamina island, you can eat at the garrison restaurants and Soldier’s Home canteens. Cadets take their meals free of charge.
Leijona Catering
In Santahamina, garrison restaurant Ignatius in the National Defence University’s Juhlasalirakennus (Ceremonial Hall Building) and garrison restaurant Sahara in the Guard Jaeger Regiment both serve lunch.
Garrison restaurants also serve students breakfast and dinner and, on weekends, all the meals served in the garrison (only Sahara).
Weekly menus are available on the Leijona Catering website
Besides these garrison restaurants, in Santahamina, you can eat at the Soldier’s Home canteens of the Cadet Club, Auditorium Building and Guard Jaeger Regiment.
In the Soldier’s Home canteen, you can buy refreshments and savoury and sweet snacks.
The opening hours and contact information of the Soldier’s Home canteens operating in Santahamina are available on the Helsinki-Santahamina Soldier’s Home Association’s website (LINK: https://www.hssky.fi/)
Cafè Korvike is in the Santahamina Building. There, you can buy e.g. coffee, tea, salads and other good things to eat.
Opening hours and contact information
• Monday - Thursday 8.30-15.00.
• Friday 8.30 - 12.00
• During vacation periods and on days before and after public holidays, there may be changes to the opening hours.
• Contact information: telephone 0299 530 703
Opening hours may vary. Café Korvike updates its opening hours on Facebook.
The National Defence University’s Students’ Union, founded in 2009, is a common student union of all NDU degree students. The membership of the Union comprises approximately 800 Military Sciences Bachelor’s or Master’s or General Staff Officer’s degree students.
The Union represents all NDU students from undergraduate and graduate students to postgraduate students. All full-time students of the National Defence University can become members of the Union.
A Body of Representatives and a Board exercise power in the Union. The Board changes every year. One of its important tasks is to appoint student representatives for the NDU’s multirole administrative organs.
The National Defence University’s Students’ Union
• Serves as a link between its members
• Promotes the societal, social and intellectual aspirations of its members as well as those related to their studies and status in society
• Promotes and looks after the common interests of its members
• Represents its members in Finland and in international activities
• Takes part in carrying out the educational task provided for in Section 2 of the Act on the National Defence University by preparing the students to become active, informed and critical citizens.
The Cadet Corps Association is the student association of Military Sciences Bachelor’s degree students - the cadets. It endeavours to uphold cadet traditions, create team spirit, and look after the interests of its members. At times, free time is often scarce during military studies, but the Cadet Corps Association works hard to ensure that also the lighter side of cadet life finds its slot in the busy weekdays.
The Association organizes many different free-time activities, for example in the field of sports and for mutual fun. Various kinds of events are organized with many different student associations, and forms of cooperation and partners are constantly being sought. In addition to organizing events of various kinds, the student association produces the Kalpa magazine.
The War College’s Students’ Union is an unregistered association of the student officers of the NDU’s General Staff Officer Course. In addition, the Union accepts as its members the student officers serving the Defence Forces studying on a general staff officer course abroad.
The objective of the Union’s activities is to join together its members in a solid, comradely cooperation, promote its members’ intellectual and physical aspirations and keep in contact with associations and organizations at the National Defence University and other educational institutions. This goal is promoted by motivating the members to take part in common events in the framework of sports, culture and fun and games. All the activities of the Union are voluntary and informal, aimed at providing the members with a means of counterbalancing the straining studies.
Well-being, health, safety
The National Defence University supports students’ well-being in many different ways. Students’ physical performance keeps being supported and promoted all through their career as officers as well. The National Defence University’s Senior Chaplain and the Santahamina Health Centre, among others, also support students’ well-being.
Exercising
Students pursuing degree studies leading to an appointment as an officer as well as students on continuing education courses have access to versatile indoor and outdoor exercise facilities in Santahamina. The exercise facilities include, among others
• Two indoor gyms and one outdoor gym
• A martial arts gym
• A swimming pool
• A climbing wall
• A sports gym (with several types of games equipment)
• Sports field
• A padel court
• Orienteering terrain
• Disc golf course
You can borrow different kinds of sports equipment including bikes, discs, canoes and SUP boards from the Physical Education Group.
Social and psychological well-being
The Senior Chaplain provides support for students especially when is comes to social and psychological well-being. His office is located in the National Defence University Main Building.
Health
The Health Centre of Santahamina serves NDU degree students (excl. doctoral students who are not in a public-service employment relationship with the NDU). A specific healthcare action plan describes in more detail the procedures involving student healthcare.
Santahamina is a military site, so anyone moving in the area must always be prepared to prove their identity and right to access the area or facilities. Access to and moving around on the Santahamina military island requires an authorization.
The objective of the Defence Forces’ security activities is to secure the activities, personnel, information, materiel, environment and reputation. The focus of implementing security lies on preventive activities. By preventive action, illegal action aimed at the Defence Forces can be detected, identified and prevented and the probability and consequences of accidents, damage and casualties can be decreased.
Security sets limits to moving around, using phones and taking photographs or video footage in military sites. Security zones are determined for the Defence Forces’ areas and individual sites depending on their purpose.
The security zone determines the security arrangements to be made at the site and the access rights of the personnel. The general condition for being authorized to enter a military site is that the visit involves official duties or work or service duties, studies at the NDU, an assignment or commission by the Defence Forces or some other reason relevant for the NDU. These include, for example, an invitation to visit, living in the area or an indispensable meeting with someone.
Premises security refers to any arrangements to ensure that the premises remain under the control and use only by those having a right of access to them. In addition to security involving premises and access control, premises security also covers monitoring conducted by security personnel.
A few instructions and good practices involving security are below.
Always follow the orders and instructions given by a guard or person on guard duty.
In Santahamina, move only in authorized areas. Don’t approach firing ranges or their vicinity, except if you are part of a firing unit or if you have received a firing authorization. Never move around a combat shooting area, except if you are part of a firing unit, and don’t cross the red and yellow danger zone warning barriers.
Observe any permanent and provisional warning signs in the terrain as well as barriers. Watch out when moving in the terrain as well.
Soldiers train practically everywhere in Santahamina. Don’t approach a unit in training. The unit may be using training ammunition, explosives, smoke and tear gas.
Military vehicles, even large personnel carriers, move on the roads and in the terrain in Santahamina. The personnel carriers have limited lookout views. In Santahamina, there is also a driving school, so some of the drivers are only just learning their job. Watch out when moving on the roads.
Training units post notifications of their dangerous activities on the island’s notice board. Keep informed of any events taking place on the island and remember that notifications are not given regarding just any routine training event.
Students' rights and obligations
The Rector of the National Defence University approves applicants to degree studies and grants them rights to study. The Defence Command nominates all foreign students, and the Rector of the National Defence University grants them rights to study.
The National Defence University may interrupt a student’s studies at the student’s own initiative. Studies may be interrupted at the University’s initiative for a fixed term of one year maximum at a time. The Rector has the right to make decisions involving the interruption of a student’s studies or loss of their right to study.
Study guidance is provided to help students learn how to learn, to support their studies and to assist them in the drawing up of their personal study plan and/or personal competence development plan.
Students have primary responsibility for own their studies, working on their competence and drawing up of a personal study plan. At the beginning of their studies, degree students (excl. General Staff Officer Degree) draw up a personal study plan to be specified as their studies progress.
Students must identify any factors that hinder their learning or make it more difficult. They must improve their skills and how they work in cooperation with the guidance personnel.
• The education coordinator gives guidance and advice in matters involving the structure of the degrees, ways of completing and planning them as well as improving students’ studying skills.
• The course secretary gives advice in various practical matters, such as those involving the study data administration system, and helps with study and degree certificates and practical services for students (remunerations during studies, travel costs etc.)
• The teachers give subject-matter guidance.
• The course leader monitors the progress of studies as a whole.
Students may contact the course leader or education coordinator in charge of the degree level concerned, if they have challenges in their studies or learning difficulties. If necessary, discussion help is also available from the National Defence Forces military chaplain or Santahamina Health Centre.
The National Defence University’s internal order is military. Military order means clear chains of command and procedures, openness, initiative, military discipline, and observing service orders and generally observed standards.
Military order provides the NDU with uniform conduct and procedures. Military order also covers the position of superiors and command authority. Command authority refers to the right of giving personal orders and commands to someone for which they are accountable.
The military orders typically part of this culture do not apply to civilian students. However, they are required to know military order in practice and observe it in their conduct, because they undergo their studies with soldiers.
At the beginning of their studies, students admitted to the National Defence University must give a written commitment of serving in the Defence Forces or the Border Guard for the length of time that the degree took them starting from their date of graduation. The Defence Command Personnel Division determines the required commitment times more specifically.
If a person resigns or is given notice during the time he/she has committed to serve for reasons other than illness, incapacity for service at sea or lack of aptitude for flying, they must reimburse the state for the cost of their studies.
Bachelor of Military Sciences students are cadets by service rank and belong to the regular personnel of the Defence Forces. However, they are not in a public-service relationship with the FDF. The Act and Decree on Military Discipline apply to students pursuing studies leading to an appointment as an officer.
Students pursuing Bachelor of Military Sciences studies required for an officer’s post are entitled to free education, studying and training equipment, health care, accommodation, meals and clothing. In addition, these students are paid a daily allowance, two trips between the location of their educational institution and home or domicile per each full study month. Remunerations are also paid to those entitled to them due to demanding service circumstances.
Cadets are also entitled to a digital student card (Slice). It serves as an official student ID card with which you can get student discounts from VR, Matkahuolto and HSL, for example.
Bachelor’s degree students may obtain financial assistance from Kela for university studies. The financial assistance granted to cadets includes a government guarantee for a student loan and possibly also housing assistance. Cadets are not eligible for students' financial aid, because the daily allowance paid by the National Defence University exceeds the limit for receiving financial aid. For more information on receiving and applying for financial assistance from Kela, see the Kela website .
A person applying to the National Defence University is obligated to take a drug test before admission. On the order of the National Defence University, students are obligated to take a drug test when studying or undergoing training part of the studies.
Master’s and General Staff Officer’s degree students who are officers in the Defence Forces or Border Guard regular personnel are ordered to study at the National Defence University, so they receive a salary for their studies.
During their studies, the students are entitled to free instruction, studying and training equipment, health care and accommodation or, if they live in the capital region, a storage space for keeping their equipment, a space for changing clothes and studying independently.
A daily allowance is paid for the duration of the course to those entitled to it. Trips back home are remunerated once every other week to those entitled to it.
Civilian students enjoy the same position and students’ social support as those studying in universities referred to in the Universities Act. The rights and obligations of a person completing university studies are defined in the Act, decrees and the National Defence University Regulation.
Students completing university studies are entitled to Kela’s financial aid for students as provided for in the Act on the financial aid for students (65/1994) The students on the Executive Assistance Programme pay a health care fee per semester to Kela. Students are entitled to services provided by Ylioppilaiden terveydenhoitosäätiö (YTHS) during their studies (excl. the orientation year).
Electronic tools
PEPPI is a comprehensive set of services for the needs of teaching and study data administration designed for use by both teachers and students.
The degree studies’ curricula, pedagogical manuscripts, weekly programmes and course evaluations are available in Peppi.
More information about Peppi is available from the education coordinators of the programmes and course secretaries.
The National Defence University uses Zoom for public online lectures and webinars. Zoom is available for students for working independently on group assignments, for instance.
The National Defence University’s Digital Pedagogical Services can give you support and pointers for how to use Zoom in versatile ways (classroom Lohtaja).
The National Defence University provides access for students to Turnitin when they need it in their studies and for writing their final papers. Turnitin serves as a tool for students for their scientific written work. The tool gives students and teachers information about any similarities in a submitted assignment compared with an extensive base of data. Turnitin provides a report on the outcome of such a comparison.
Turnitin is aimed at improving students’ scientific writing skills and avoiding plagiarism. Instructions for using Turnitin are available in thesis studies or from teachers of study modules in case Turnitin is used during them.
Link to Turnitin.
NDU degree students have access to the Webropol survey programme. The programme can be utilized for final theses data collection. The tool is available only for handling unclassified information. You will get instructions when working on your final paper.
The National Defence University uses PVMoodle, the NDU learning platform for online studies. Studies containing unclassified information are mainly carried out on an Internet platform (PILVI-PVMOODLE) while studies containing classified material are always implemented on TUVE-PVMoodle.
Peppi handles personal data belonging to the study data administration register of the National Defence University. So, in itself, Peppi is not a register, but an environment for processing data related to this register. The Privacy Policy Statement of the NDU Study Data Administration Register can be downloaded here:
The Privacy Policy Statement of the NDU Study Data Administration Register
Additional information about the principles of handling personal data in the Defence Forces is available via the link below:
Implementation of privacy policy in the Defence Forces
The PVSAP HCM LSO system available in the TUVE environment is used for continuing education and training study data administration.
The NDU belongs to the Haka trust network. Haka is Finnish universities’ shared credentials system. The students and staff of the universities that have joined the system may access, if necessary, the services of other universities with their own university’s user ID.
Contact information: forms, certificates etc
Do you need a copy of your degree certificate from the National Defence University?
Requests for copies of certificates are addressed to the NDU Registry Office: [email protected]
In this connection, would you please state on which course you studied or, alternatively, your graduation year. This piece of information is needed for providing a copy of the certificate.
Please note that some of the certificates may have been transferred to the National Archives. The National Defence University Registry Office will help you with this.
You can not get a new degree / course certificate, only a copy of the original.
Do you need a certificate of comparability of your degree?
A Diploma Supplement that may be attached your degree certificate describes the level of your degree in another educational system in English.
Sometimes, however, a separate review may be needed, in particular, of a former-educational system degree and its level in the general educational system. You can request this kind of a free-form certificate of comparability from the National Defence University’s Department of Academic Affairs: [email protected]
• A certificate of comparability is based on the legislation in force at the time of issuance of the degree. You can find this information here DEGREES AND COURSES, COMPARABILITY OF DEGREES
Finnish Defence Forces
- Finnish Defence Forces switchboard tel. +358 (0) 299 800
- Finnish Defence Forces website puolustusvoimat.fi/en
National Defence University
Functional address National Defence University, P.O. Box 7, 00861 Helsinki
o The unit concerned can be marked with the address, if known.
National Defence University website maanpuolustuskorkeakoulu.fi/en
- Email for official contacts from which an official electronic message is registered and forwarded to the organization or person in charge [email protected]
- Email address from which a message gets forwarded to the organization or person in charge [email protected]
- Email to a person [email protected]
Check up-to-date contact information at maanpuolustuskorkeakoulu.fi/en/contact-info
