Ammattikorkeakoulu, short AMK, is a Finnish polytechnical institution. Literal translation is School of Higher Vocational Education. The term polytechnic, from the Greek πολύ polú meaning many and τεχνικός tekhnikós meaning arts, is commonly used in many countries to describe an institution that delivers vocational or technical education and training, other countries do not use the term and use alternative terminology. ... A vocation is an occupation, either professional or voluntary, that is seen more to those who carry it out than simply financial reward. ...

Finnish higher education has what is called a dual model, where universities (Yliopisto; lit. "higher institute") focus on scientific Master's and higher degrees and polytechnics on Bachelor's-level vocational and practical education. The phrase "equal but different" is used in conjuction with the dual model, meaning that Finnish polytechnics and universities serve different goals in the field of higher education and should not be combined on any level. A university is an institution of higher education and of research, which grants academic degrees. ...

There are about 100.000 students in Finnish polytechnics. Most notable field of education is engineering, on which field the schools offer high level tuition starting from a broad base of mathemathics and physics related to the field of study. Engineers graduating after minimum of four years and 240 ECTS credits are awarded the degree of Insinööri(AMK), equalent of Bachelor of Engineering, which has been found to be one of top engineering degrees in Europe. Engineering is the application of science to the needs of humanity. ... European credit transfer system (ECTS) is a method that is used to compare the marks (US: grade) given in education across European Union. ...

Other typical fields of tuition in Ammattikorkeakoulu are healthcare, business and culture.

Some Finnish polytechnics have taken the english title of University of Applied Sciences to give more correct impression of the level of tuition given. The term is loaned from German Fachhochschule. it is a gay university Austria Categories: Section stubs | Education in Germany ...

Bachelor's graduates from Finnish polytechnics are allowed to enter universities for post-graduate studies leading to Master's degree, should they have their degree on suitable field. However, since 2005, Finnish Parliament has approved the creation of higher polytechnical degree, similar to Master's in universities. Finnish polytechnics are also taking part in the Bologna process. The purpose of the Bologna process is to create the European higher education area by harmonising academic degree standards and quality assurance standards throughout Europe. ...