Master's Degree Programme in Educational Sciences

The Master’s Degree Programme in Educational Sciences is a 2-year programme comprising 120 ECTS credits. Instruction is research-based and the programme offers both theoretical and practical skills in the field of educational sciences, ranging from early childhood to adult education. The language of instruction in the programme is English. After completing the programme and being awarded the degree of Master of Arts (Education), graduates are eligible to apply for doctoral studies.

During the Master’s Degree Programme in Educational Sciences, students will gain a broad understanding of the field, including awareness of international issues in education. Students will also gain insights into the Finnish education system and ways of adapting educational theories and practices in varying contexts. Students contribute to the programme and the community through their knowledge and expertise on their own cultures, histories, politics, societies, economies and religions. The programme aims to provide students with inspiring contacts and opportunities to participate in academic debate both locally and globally.

Students specialise in one of the following areas of education that they find the most relevant and interesting: Early Childhood Studies, Special Education, Guidance and Counselling, Language Education, Educational Leadership, or Current Issues in Education and Psychology. With research-based instruction students will acquire scientific expertise in the field of education and their specialisation, and will be able to apply theories and develop educational practices. An overarching aim is to provide students with relevant skills and knowledge to be able to work in the highly digitalized learning environments of today. The Master’s Degree creates a foundation for producing scientific knowledge and applying scientific methods in practice in the field of education.

Graduates of the programme will be well prepared to work in a variety of educational settings, for example, as educational consultants, coordinators, teacher educators, researchers or educational planners. Working life skills will be built in cooperation with educational practitioners from the field. Students are guided throughout the studies to develop their professional expertise with research-based knowledge and digital solutions that are integrated into the programme as tools of both instruction and learning. The programme is grounded in the responsibility and commitment of the student, strengthened by an inquisitive and entrepreneurial attitude.

Our mission is to produce visionary educators with humane values and appropriate skills to make a difference in the changing world. We seek to support students in becoming globally aware educators able to work in diverse and even challenging environments.

Upon completion of the Master’s degree, students will be able to apply the following skills in five different phenomenon areas:

Learning and Guidance

- ability to analyse diverse learning and guidance processes and relate these to the different learning environments

- awareness of the diversity of the concepts of knowledge, learning and the human being and their relation to learning cultures

Competence and Expertise

- ability to evaluate and document one’s own professional growth

- ability to develop the competencies needed in working life

- ability to develop the work environment by searching for scientific and practical knowledge in the area

- professional ethics

Scientific Knowledge

- ability to critically analyse scientific research

- ability to develop one’s own thinking based on research

- ability to conduct ethical scientific research in the field of education

Interaction and Cooperation

- intercultural knowledge and competence and the ability to apply them in practice

- ability to work competently as part of a team in a multicultural environment

Education, Society and Change

- understanding of and ability to critically analyse educational phenomena in an international context by integrating scientific, experimental and practical aspects

- understanding of the field of education as promoting human rights and equity