The mission of UAS is to provide higher education for professional expert jobs based on the requirements of working life and its development. 

UAS education draws from research, and artistic and cultural premises. UAS engage in applied research and development and innovative and artistic activities that serve polytechnic education and regional development.

They offer Bachelor's degrees and, having obtained a minimum of three years of working experience, candidates can further their vocational competence by completing Master's degree. In addition to UAS-degrees, they provide vocational specialist training and vocational teacher education.

Universities of applied sciences provide open UAS education in all fields of vocational education and training. Such courses are open to anybody interested in higher education, independent of age or previous educational level.

There are 22 institutions providing education that are administered by the Ministry of Education and Culture. In addition, Högskolan på Åland provides education in the Åland Islands and the Police University College works under the Ministry of the Interior. Vipunen's statistics only include data on the higher education institutions administered by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

The statistics on UAS are based on data collected by the Ministry of Education and Culture from the universities of applied sciences, universities, and data produced by Statistics Finland. ​​​