University of Helsinki

Degrees offered in Finnish and Swedish

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 (ECTS credits) 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 the relevant field.

Degree programmes

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

In the field of Education

• Class teacher education (education/educational psychology)
• Early childhood education (education, second cycle degree only)
• Education, general and adult education (education)
• Home economics teacher education (home economics /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/education)

In other fields

• Cognitive science (cognitive science)
• Craft science (craft science)
• Home economics (home economics)
• Logopedics (logopedics)
• Phonetics (phonetics/phonetics with emphasis on speech sciences)
• 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.

Language policy

The language of tuition is mainly Finnish. The degree programmes of Education (general and adult education)  and Kindergarten teacher education is also offered in Swedish. As the University of Helsinki is bilingual it is always possible to use one’s own native language in examinations and during the class regardless of the language of the tuition. 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. Compulsory language studies are included in all studies.

Besides teaching in Finnish and Swedish, the Faculty also arranges some Master’s degree programmes in English for Finnish and international students alike,  iIt is also possible to carry out postgraduate studies in English in all fields.

As the Faculty is involved actively in international cooperation, there are separate courses offered for incoming visiting and exchange students. The Department of Teacher Education offers a minor in English called “Finnish education and pedagogical studies” of 25 credits.

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.