University of Helsinki

Studies

Degrees

The Faculty of Behavioural Sciences offers first cycle university degrees [Bachelor of Arts (Education), Bachelor of Arts, and Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)], and second cycle university degrees [Master of Arts (Education), Master of Arts, and Master of Arts (Psychology)].

It is also possible to obtain scientific postgraduate degrees: Licentiate of Education and Doctor of Education, Licentiate of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy, and Licentiate of Arts (Psychology) and Doctor of Philosophy (Psychology).

All students take first a Bachelor´s degree but they all have the right to continue their studies to a Master's degree. However, the first cycle university degree only is available in kindergarten teacher education. Those who have obtained a Bachelor's degree in kindergarten teacher education may apply for studies leading to a Master's degree, for example, in early childhood education.

The first cycle university degree consists of 180 credits and the second cycle degree an additional 120 credits (Master of Arts ( Psychology): 150 credits). One credit is defined as in the European Credit Transfer System so it takes 5 - 5,5 years on average to take a Master's degree.

In Finland, in primary and subject teacher education (excluding kindergarten teacher education), formal qualifications can be obtained only by completing a second cycle university degree.

Those who have obtained a Master's degree may pursue scientific postgraduate studies leading to Licentiate's or Doctor's Degree in Education, Philosophy or Psychology.

Degree programmes

The Faculty of Behavioural Sciences offers the following degree programmes and main subject options (majors in brackets):

Education as major:

• Adult education and developmental work research (adult education, second cycle degree only)
• Class teacher education (education/educational psychology)
• Early childhood education (education, second cycle degree only)
• General and Adult education (offered also in Swedish)
• Home economics teacher education (home economics or education)
• Kindergarten teacher education (education, first cycle degree only)
• Sociology and Politics of Education (second cycle degree only)
• Special education (special needs education)
• Textiles teacher education (craft science or education)

Others:

• Cognitive science (cognitive science)
• Craft science (craft science)
• Home economics (home economics)
• Logopedics (logopedics)
• Phonetics (phonetics)
• Psychology (psychology)

Studies in the faculty

Besides degree-oriented studies, the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences arranges pedagogical studies for teachers, studies for teachers of special education and minor subject studies for students from various faculties.

The language of tuition is mainly Finnish. The degree programme of education (general and adult education) is also offered in Swedish. Besides teaching in Finnish and Swedish, the Faculty also organises courses in English for exchange students studying in the Faculty. It is also possible to carry out postgradute studies in English. All students are also required to read quite much literature in a foreign language (mainly in English) as a part of the required courses or as separate literature surveys.

Study counselling

Further information on degrees, studies, application procedure and grounds for student selection are available in the office for study affairs, tel. +358 9 191 20509 and +358 9 191 20510, e-mail kaytt-neuvonta@helsinki.fi. If you have questions related specifically to international students please contact International Relations Officer tel. +358 9 191 20504,
e-mail kaytt-intl@helsinki.fi.