Student's Dictionary

Student Glossary at Your Fingertips!

AHOT
Recognition and acknowledgment of prior learning. This refers to recognizing and accepting skills acquired through previous studies, internships, work experience, or hobbies that align with the learning objectives of a degree program.

Alumni
A graduate of a university of applied sciences.

Annual Gala
The annual gala of the student union, the most prestigious event of the year. Vujut includes formal events, from a cocktail reception to an evening gala, stylish dress, and the recognition of outstanding achievements.

Appro
In an “Appro” event, participants visit predetermined bars and collect stamps on their performance pass. After collecting enough stamps, they can redeem a patch for their overalls.

Bar & cafeSAVOTTA
The student union’s café located at the Microkatu campus. The best place for coffee on campus.

Campus
A campus refers to the area of higher education institutions. Savonia University of Applied Sciences has two campuses in Kuopio (Microkatu and the music campus at Kuopio Music Center), as well as campuses in Varkaus and Iisalmi.

Drink Ticket
A small piece of paper, often seen late at night, that usually brings a smile to one’s face.

HOPS
Personal Study Plan (Henkilökohtainen opintosuunnitelma).

IC
International Club, a monthly event organized by the student union for international students.

Impro
See Kauppakadun Impro.

Interdisciplinary
A term often used for student events, meaning that the event is open to students from all fields of study, whether at a university or a university of applied sciences.

ISYY
The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (Itä-Suomen yliopiston ylioppilaskunta).

Kauppakadun Impro
Kauppakadun Impro is the largest interdisciplinary student event in Kuopio, taking over Kauppakatu in September. At Impro, you can compete for amazing prizes either as part of a four-person team or as a solo performer.

Kinra
The Kuopio Engineering Students’ Association Kinra, the local chapter of the Finnish Engineering Students’ Association in Kuopio.

Kuopion Haalaribileet
Interdisciplinary overalls party organized by Preemio ry, the business students’ association of the University of Eastern Finland. Never say no to panda!

Kuopion Opiskelijabileet
The Kuopio Student Parties (KOB) is a joint event concept organized by the student associations of Savonia University of Applied Sciences, bringing all students together to party throughout the academic year.

KuoTra
Kuopio Business Students’ Association, representing business students.

KuRA
Kuopio Architecture Students’ Association.

KUREO
Kuopio Restonom Students’ Association, representing students in the tourism and hospitality sector.

KUTOP
Kuopio Teku Students’ Association, representing students in the field of technology.

KV
International. For example, a KV tutor is a peer tutor for international exchange students at Savonia.

Mobile Student Card
A student card in your phone. Join SAVOTTA to get access to this!

Moodle
Savonia’s web-based learning environment where you can find course materials for most of your study modules.

Mutka
The Kuopio Design Students’ Association, representing students in the design field.

OLL
The Finnish Student Sports Federation.

Opsi
Study plan.

Opus
Savonia’s library located at the Microkatu campus.

Overall badge
Patches collected for overalls, typically obtained from various events either for free or for a fee. The number of patches on one’s overalls shows how experienced the wearer is at attending events and parties, or how active they are in customizing their overalls.

Overalls
The student uniform, primarily worn at student parties. Usually worn by university and university of applied sciences students. Overalls are ordered through your field of study organization at the beginning of the fall.

Peppi
The new student information management system. Instructions for using Peppi can be found in Reppu.

RDI
Research, development, and innovation activities.

Reppu
Savonia’s student portal, the main communication tool for students. Reppu includes both general student information and details about your own degree program. Log in to Reppu using your Savonia credentials here: Reppu.

SAIMO
The Savonia University of Applied Sciences Iisalmi Rural Students’ Association.

SAITO
The Savonia University of Applied Sciences Iisalmi Tutor Student Association.

SAMOK
The National Union of University of Applied Sciences Students in Finland. A national, independent, and non-partisan advocacy and service organization controlled by university of applied sciences students.

Savonia
The university of applied sciences where you study.

SAVOTTA
The student union of Savonia University of Applied Sciences.

Sitning
An academic dinner party, originally from university students, now also adopted by university of applied sciences students.

Slice
Slice is Finland’s largest student benefit service and mobile student card application. You can download Slice as a SAVOTTA member. Slice offers thousands of student benefits in over 140 locations across Finland. Benefits can be browsed and redeemed conveniently through the Slice.fi app, which also includes the digital student card.

Smolle
The student union’s multi-tasker, Jari Smolander.

Study Credit
Study credits. One credit corresponds to approximately 27 hours of work.

Student
At universities of applied sciences, students are referred to as students, not pupils.

Student Card
At Savonia, each degree student is given a student card, which also serves as an ID card, printing authentication, locker key, and library card. A card with a year sticker indicates membership in the student union and eligibility for student benefits.

Student Union
The student union is your representative at the university of applied sciences. Each university of applied sciences has its own student union. It’s not an association, but a public law entity established by the university of applied sciences act. At Savonia, SAVOTTA is the student union!

Student Union’s Representative Council
The highest decision-making body of the student union, elected annually. Any member of the student union can run for election and vote. SAVOTTA’s edustajisto consists of 12 members. It’s often shortened to “edari.”

Study Field Organization
Nearly every study program has its own. The role of these organizations is to represent the interests of their field’s students and organize events.

SYKETTÄ
Provider of student sports services in Kuopio, Iisalmi, Varkaus, Joensuu, and Savonlinna.

Tempo
The association of music and dance teacher students at Savonia.

Tertta
The Kuopio Social and Health Sector Students’ Association.

Thesis
A final thesis is part of the studies at universities of applied sciences, usually done towards the end of the degree. The purpose of the thesis is to develop and demonstrate the student’s ability to apply their knowledge and skills.

Tutor
A peer mentor and trained student guide. A student from a later year who helps orient new students.

Validity Sticker
A sticker placed on the student card to show membership in the student union and entitlement to student benefits.

Vappu
The biggest student celebration of the academic year, also known as Wabu, lasting from a week to a month, depending on the field of study. Vappu culminates on April 30 with the WappuSAVOTTA, where among other things, the Siskotytön statue is cleaned and the Teacher of the Year is awarded.

WAIO
Walter Ahlström’s Engineering Students’ Association in Varkaus.

Winterfest
An interdisciplinary winter party for students in Savilahti, Kuopio, in February.

YAMK
Master’s degree at a university of applied sciences.