The two-year Master's Degree Programme in Learning, Teaching and Counseling in Intercultural Context (120 ECTS) is a multidisciplinary programme focusing on different study fields related to education. The Programme is divided into orientation studies and content studies related to adult education and counseling, as well as primary education, special (inclusive) education and education of science. The thematic modules can be flexibly chosen by students according to their personal interests and needs.

The curriculum of the programme has a global focus and is not limited to one particular research or study field related to education. Instead it offers a walkthrough to diverse disciplines related to education and pedagogy. On one hand, the Programme focuses on the basics of education, lifelong learning, knowledge society and development of working life.   The studies open up comparative perspectives to questions pertaining to lifelong learning and expertise, educational policy and educational research. The Programme studies focus as well on such topics as active citizenship, career counseling, life and educational paths of individuals and communities in various social and sociopolitical contexts.

The programme offers students current perspectives on teaching, studying and learning concerning such domains as biology, chemistry, geography and physics. It aims at widening students' world-view through various scientific key concepts and theories related to the paradigm of education through the understanding of the main correlations between natural sciences, technology, society and human beings. The programme has a socio-scientific focus and provides students with the teaching knowledge needed mainly on primary and secondary school levels.

The programme tackles global and current issues of primary and science education, constituting the core of the Finnish expertise recognized worldwide. It provides academic tools to develop student's theoretical and empirical understanding of primary education and children's development. In the course of their studies, students will become familiar with how to apply their knowledge and skills to observation, monitoring and pedagogical evaluation of children's development, learning processes and learning environments.

The programme brings closer to students a concept of special education and inclusive education and gives a general view on their role in Finnish and other educational systems. It studies learning disabilities, as well as essential developmental needs in acquiring socio-emotional and analytical skill.

Degree Structure

Orientation Studies (5 ECTS)

Orientation studies provide students with the useful tools indispensable for successful completion of the courses included in the Curriculum. They familiarize students with the University of Eastern Finland, present the core of the Finnish educational system in general, as well as introduce the main learning objectives, content and evaluation criteria of the MDP in Educational Sciences.

Major Studies (90 ECTS)

Major Studies aim at deepening students' knowledge and academic skills related to research methodology in educational sciences. The content studies also prepare students to plan and execute their research activities related to the topic of their Master's thesis: adult education and counseling, special education, science education and primary education.

Other Studies (25 ECTS)

Other Studies vary according to the sub-programme and students' personal interests. They consist of any university-level courses that serve to deepen students' expertise in the field of education. They can be chosen from the two other sub-programmes of the MDP in Educational Sciences or from other international study programmes.

Admission

Admission requirements

• BA (or MA) degree in Education. Applicants whose degree does not focus on Education will not be taken into consideration during the selection process.
• At least 20 ECTS of research methodology courses completed during applicant's bachelor's degree studies

• English proficiency. Minimum requirements for the language skills verified through the official tests are as follows:
  • IELTS (Academic): 6.5/5.5 in writing
  • TOEFL PBT: 580/4 in writing
  • TOEFL iBT: 90/22 in writing
  • PTE (Academic): 59

Applicants who have completed their secondary education or BA degree in English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States, do not have to take a language test. Also, applicants who have successfully completed an International Baccalaureate with English as A1 language are exempt from the language test.

Along with the introduction of the tuition fees, UEF will provide an attractive scholarship scheme for 50% of the students admitted to the programme. The scholarship will consist of 80-100% exemption from the tuition fees. A scholarship will be awarded for two academic years, however obtaining a scholarship for the second year will be conditioned by the progress of student's studies and his/her general academic performance during the first study year.

Application period for the scholarship is the same as for the admission: 1.12.2016-13.1.2017.

The Philosophical Faculty may, in some cases, award an additional scholarship helping to cover student's living expenses in Finland, which may apply to both student groups: from EU and non EU/EEA countries. The student shall apply for the financial aid from the faculty during the application period by submitting a separate letter as an application enclosure.

Notifications concerning scholarships and other additional financial support will be sent to the admitted students together with the official acceptance letter.