FINNISH UNIVERSITY NETWORK FOR TOURISM STUDIES (FUNTS)

Aalto University, Hanken School of Economics, Lappeenranta University of Technology, University of Helsinki, University of Eastern Finland, University of Lapland,University of Oulu, University of Tampere, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University

The Finnish University Network for Tourism Studies (FUNTS) started its study programme in September 1995.The coordinating unit of FUNTS is the Centre for Tourism Studies of the University of Eastern Finland in Savonlinna. The department is a part of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies.

The objective of the FUNTS is to unite through networking research and education of its member universities to offer the students the multidiscplinary study programme in tourism. The students from the member universities are admitted into the network programme through an application process. The aim of the annual enrolment is that the students accepted to the programme represent a diversified range of disciplines.

The students will graduate from their own universities and receive a Bachelors/Master's degree in their major with the orientation towards tourism studies.

FUNTS also offers courses for PhD-students doing their research on tourism. The Summer School also welcomes PhD-students from foreign universities.

The central objectives of the programme are to promote multidisciplinary approach in studies on tourism, to activate international cooperation in teaching and research, to foster the interaction between science and practice, and to encourage diverse forms of teaching.

The basic studies (25 -28 ECTS) are offered as web courses. The subject and advanced level courses (25-40 ECTS), as well as courses offerered for the PhD students, include both intensive courses and web courses. During the course of the programme, the concept of tourism is considered from the viewpoint of various disciplines, including geography, history, cultural anthropology, physical education, economics, social sciences, and environmental sciences.

FUNDING OF FUNTS 2010 onwards
FUNTS is funded by its member universities. Additional external funding is sought to cover new operations.

FUNTS poster by Tommi Musturi (2002), University of Art and Design Helsinki

April 12th, 2010 Ulla Ritola-Pesonen