The Bachelor programme looks at education from the perspective of global education. Global education is a learner-centred approach to foster critical awareness of global challenges and a sustainable way of life. The key concepts are lifelong learning and sustainable development. The degree programme is built to be integrated into the native Finnish Bachelor's programme. Finnish and international students study the same courses together, which can also be completed in various ways through distance learning.
Some courses in the programme are based on project-based learning (PBL) or service-learning, in which studying takes place in co-operation with working-life organisations, including planning, implementing, and developing national and international projects supporting sustainable development and lifelong learning.
For instructions on how to apply and a direct link to the application form on Studyinfo, please scroll down. The application period is open 3.1.-17.1.2024.
Key information
- Level of degree: Bachelor's degree
- Programme duration: 3 years / 180 ECTS credits
- Language of instruction: English
- Programme start: September 2024
- Tuition fee: EU/EEA nationals no tuition fee, non-EU/EEA nationals 10 000 €/academic year. Scholarship 50%/year
- Tuition waivers available for everyone
- Study campus: Joensuu
Why study with us?
- The programme gives you an opportunity to learn, in a multicultural and diverse context, how sustainable development can be advanced locally and globally, using innovative out-of-school learning spaces and methods typical of adult and lifelong learning (intergenerational or informal learning, nonformal education, associations, workplaces, organisations, civic movements, etc.).
Studies
During their studies, students will be able to create working-life skills and build their own working-life networks. The studies also provide methodological and theoretical skills to analyse and study education as a constructor of individuals and society. This makes it possible to continue studies in one of the university’s international Master's programmes.
Check course catalogue in Peppi.
Orientation, and language and communication studies (16 ECTS)
Basic studies in education (25 ECTS)
Methodological studies (20 ECTS)
Intermediate subject courses (34 ECTS)
Minor subject studies: Either a basic and intermediate study combination, or two sets of basic study combinations (50-60 ECTS)
Other studies: Any university studies or a study unit (25-35 ECTS)
The programme does not confer teacher qualifications. Instead the programme produces competencies that can be utilized in a wide variety of occupations. Students’ own interests, minor studies, and work experience guides future career opportunities.
Career opportunities aren’t limited to one specific profession!
Emphasis on:
- Education and adult education
- Educational planning
- Evaluation
- Educational policy
- Development projects
- Development cooperation
After completing the bachelors degree you can continue your studies and apply for master's programme.
Basic studies in education 25 ECTS
- Introduction to education and lifelong learning 5 ECTS
- Adult education promoting sustainable development 6 ECTS
- Finnish education and society 5 ECTS
- Current trends in education 4 ECTS
- Active citizenship and non-formal education 5 ECTS
Intermediate studies in education 54 ECTS
Methodological studies 20 ECTS
- Quantitative research (lectures) 4 ECTS
- Quantitative research (seminars) 1 ECTS
- Qualitative research methods for bachelor programmes 5 ECTS
- Bachelor thesis seminar (LLLSus) 3 ECTS
- Bachelor’s thesis (LLLSus) 6 ECTS
- Maturity test (LLLSus) 0 ECTS
Thematic studies 34 ECTS
- Globalization and education 5 ECTS
- Lifelong learning and lifecourse 5 ECTS
- Education policy and education system 4 ECTS
- Classics of education and adult education 5 ECTS
- Theory and practice of network and project work II 5 ECTS
- Internship (LLLSus) 10 ECTS
How to apply?
Admission group I – Motivational online questionnaire and online interview
Eligibility criteria
Eligible applicants hold an upper secondary education certificate:
- Finnish matriculation examination
- International Baccalaureate degree (IB)
- European Baccalaureate degree (EB)
- Deutsches Internationales Abitur degree (DIA) or Reifeprüfung degree (RP) in Finland
- A Finnish vocational upper secondary qualification, further vocational qualification or specialist vocational qualification as set in the Vocational Education Act (531/2017)
- any other comparable upper secondary educational qualification which provides eligibility for university-level Bachelor’s studies in the country in question.
- Advanced International Certificate of Education degree (AICE) in Finland, or has the right to study towards a university degree in Finland, or holds a degree conferred by a Finnish higher education institution or at least a Bachelor level degree conferred by a foreign institution.
Applicants who are in the final semester of their upper secondary education are also eligible to apply. In this Admission group I (motivational online questionnaire and online interview), completed Finnish matriculation examinations and Finnish vocational qualifications of which the university has received information by 14 June 2024 will be taken into account. International matriculation examinations and degrees completed abroad will be taken into account if the required attachments have been sent by the deadline (24.1.2024).
Language requirements
Applicants must either (1) meet the language proficiency criteria (see below), or (2) reach the minimum required language test results to be considered eligible to the University of Eastern Finland. No exceptions will be made.
(1) Applicants who hold one of the following do not have to take an English language test
- Proof of completed secondary or tertiary education taught exclusively in English
- Finnish matriculation examination in English language, minimum grade of magna cum laude approbatur (M)
- International Baccalaureate degree (diploma completed in English, satisfactory completion of A level English exam (literature / language and literature / literature and performance), satisfactory completion of B level English exam, minimum grade of 5 (good).
- EB degree: L1, mother tongue (English) completed successfully OR L2 – or L3 language (English) completed with a minimum score of 7.
- Reifeprüfung (RP) degree (German school of Helsinki) Satisfactory completion of English A (or a similar expected grade from upcoming DIA degree): Written scores are at a satisfactory level AND Oral score being minimum of 8.
The language of instruction of secondary education must be proven with the degree certificate, diploma or transcript. Please note that all teaching and assessments must be entirely in English.
Online studies or studies completed on offshore campuses outside the accepted countries/area cannot be used to indicate language skills, even if the degree-awarding institution is in one of the accepted countries.
(2) All other applicants take one of the following language tests
Some test organisers give an expiration date on the tests. The language test results must be verifiable from the online verification service of the organiser. Language test scores are valid for two years from the day they are issued.
- TOEFL: minimum score 78 (IBT-test)
- IELTS (academic)-test minimum score 6.0
- PTE (academic)-test minimum score 54
- C1 Advanced score C
- C2 Proficiency minimum score: Level C1
- A National certificate of language proficiency (YKI) (English) of The Finnish National Agency for Education done at level 4 in all different areas.
No other degrees or statements of language proficiency will be accepted.
TOEFL, IELTS and PTE certificates are valid for two years from the day they are issued, i.e., the language test needs to be in effect during the application period, from 3 January 2022 onwards.
A language test is not needed if the applicant’s secondary education was conducted in English or they have completed a university degree or a university of applied sciences degree in English in an EU/EEA country, the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, or Switzerland.
Admission group II – Open university route
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible in apply in admission group II applicants must have completed basic studies in Bachelor’s degree programme in Lifelong Learning and Sustainable Development (five courses, a total of 25 ECTS) at the University of Eastern Finland Open University by 5 May, 2024, with grade 3 or higher on scale 1-5.
Language requirements
Applicants must either (1) meet the language proficiency criteria (see below), or (2) reach the minimum required language test results to be considered eligible to the University of Eastern Finland. No exceptions will be made.
(1) Applicants who hold one of the following do not have to take an English language test
- Proof of completed secondary or tertiary education taught exclusively in English
- Finnish matriculation examination in English language, minimum grade of magna cum laude approbatur (M)
- International Baccalaureate degree (diploma completed in English, satisfactory completion of A level English exam (literature / language and literature / literature and performance), satisfactory completion of B level English exam, minimum grade of 5 (good).
- EB degree: L1, mother tongue (English) completed successfully OR L2 – or L3 language (English) completed with a minimum score of 7.
- Reifeprüfung (RP) degree (German school of Helsinki) Satisfactory completion of English A (or a similar expected grade from upcoming DIA degree): Written scores are at a satisfactory level AND Oral score being minimum of 8.
The language of instruction of secondary education must be proven with the degree certificate, diploma or transcript. Please note that all teaching and assessments must be entirely in English.
Online studies or studies completed on offshore campuses outside the accepted countries/area cannot be used to indicate language skills, even if the degree-awarding institution is in one of the accepted countries.
(2) All other applicants take one of the following language tests
Some test organisers give an expiration date on the tests. The language test results must be verifiable from the online verification service of the organiser. Language test scores are valid for two years from the day they are issued.
- TOEFL: minimum score 78 (IBT-test)
- IELTS (academic)-test minimum score 6.0
- PTE (academic)-test minimum score 54
- C1 Advanced score C
- C2 Proficiency minimum score: Level C1
- A National certificate of language proficiency (YKI) (English) of The Finnish National Agency for Education done at level 4 in all different areas.
No other degrees or statements of language proficiency will be accepted.
TOEFL, IELTS and PTE certificates are valid for two years from the day they are issued, i.e., the language test needs to be in effect during the application period, from 3 January 2022 onwards.
A language test is not needed if the applicant’s secondary education was conducted in English or they have completed a university degree or a university of applied sciences degree in English in an EU/EEA country, the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, or Switzerland.
Student selection process
Admission group I – Motivational online questionnaire and online interview
The admission to the programme in Admission group I is based on the scores of the motivational online questionnaire (Stage 1) and the online interview (Stage 2) that is evaluated on the scale of pass/fail.
STAGE 1: Answering the motivational online questionnaire (5.-18.2.2024)
The purpose of the motivational online questionnaire is to determine the applicant’s suitability for the programme.
The questionnaire must be filled in English and completed in person and individually by the person applying to the programme. This will be controlled at Stage 2.
The online questionnaire is open from 5.-18.2.2024. The applicant must answer the questionnaire within that period. After the closing of the online questionnaire (18.2.2024 at 18:00 pm Finnish time), additional answers will no longer be accepted.
To be eligible for selection to the Stage 2 in application process, the applicant must gain at least 10 points out of 25 points from the motivational online questionnaire. A maximum of 40 applicants who have scored at least 10 points will be invited to participate the Stage 2 (online interview) in the order of the points.
STAGE 2: Individual online interview in English (8.-19.4.2024)
The maximum of 40 highest scored applicants will be invited by email by 22.3.2024 to conduct an individual online interview. The individual online interview instructions will be sent by email to applicants who are invited to Stage 2. The applicants must have the technical tools to conduct the online interview: a computer or a mobile device with a camera and microphone, and a stable internet connection. The applicant also must have an official identity card with picture and present it during the online interview. The responsibility to organize these technical and physical facilities lies with the applicant.
The online interview is organized between 8.-19.4.2024.
The purpose of the interview in English is to check the applicant’s identity and find out about the applicant’s interest in field of education, motivation as well as readiness and competences for managing academic studies.
Online interview will be evaluated pass/fail.
In admission group I study places will be offered to top 15 eligible applicants ranked based on the points of the motivational online questionnaire, who have also passed the online interview. Please note that passing both stages does not guarantee study place.
Admission group II – Open university route
To be eligible in apply in admission group II applicants must have completed basic studies in Bachelor’s degree programme in Lifelong Learning and Sustainable Development (five courses, a total of 25 ECTS) at the University of Eastern Finland Open University by 5 May, 2024, with grade 3 or higher on scale 1-5.
Applicants must submit their current open university study transcript by 24 January 2024 at 15:00 pm. All five courses must have been completed, graded and the basic studies unit (25 ECTS) compiled by 5 May 2024.
Applicants are ranked according to the weighted mean of grades of the five basic studies courses, calculated to two decimal places. If applicants have the same weighted mean, they will be ranked according to the points received in book and lecture exams at the course Introduction to education and lifelong learning (5 ECTS).
Additionally, the applicant must meet the above-mentioned language requirements to be eligible to apply in this admission group.
If some of the 5 study places in this Admission group II are not filled, remaining places will be transferred to be filled in the Admission group I.
Annual tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students will be 10 000 EUR. There are no tuition fees for EU/EEA students or students with a Swiss nationality.
Non-EU/EEA applicants can apply for the tuition fee waivers when applying for admission to the university by filling out the relevant section on the application form. The decision about the waiver is made in connection with student admission, and the student is notified of the matter in the letter of acceptance. The waiver is personal and it is awarded for three academic years. The waiver exempts the student from the tuition fee partially (50%).
Students who are awarded a tuition fee waiver are required to sign and return a student agreement. The Early Bird deduction ends on 21 June 2024. The first tuition fee payment for autumn 2024 needs to be made by 31 August 2024. In addition, Student Union membership fee and Kela student health care fee are obligatory for degree students.
Application period 2024
Application period is 3.1.-17.1.2024. Attachments must be submitted by 24.1.2024, at 15:00 pm Finnish time.
Apply via Studyinfo
Studyinfo.fi is the official national admissions portal with all the up-to-date information about study programmes leading to a degree in Finland.
Contact information
Please do not hesitate to contact us in case you have any questions about our programme.
Programme coordinator: Jenni Korhonen, uef-edubachelor@groups.uef.fi
