Programme Coordinator
Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education
Are you interested in supporting children's development and growth through research‑based knowledge? The Bachelor's Degree Programme in Early Childhood Education (EarlyEdu) gives you key competences and qualification to work as an early childhood education teacher and in expert positions in the field of early education.
Why EarlyEdu programme?
The Bachelor's Degree Programme in Early Childhood Education (EarlyEdu) offers students diverse perspectives on early childhood education. This bachelor's degree qualifies students to work as early childhood education teachers in Finland, including pre-primary education. This is a functionally bilingual programme that integrates communication and Finnish language studies into the curriculum, supporting students to develop the level of Finnish proficiency required for teaching in early childhood education.
Graduates of this programme have strong professional competence to work as early childhood education teachers and they are able to act as early childhood education experts in different early childhood education contexts. You will be able to support children's growth, development, and learning while taking into account the individuality and needs of each learner.
Programme details
The complete studies total 180 ECTS credits. Studying full-time, students will graduate within 3 years. Studies begin in August, and there is no mid-point entry to the programme. The programme is taught entirely in English. However, learning Finnish is strongly supported during the programme through specific language courses and Finnish is also integrated in content studies. Language learning is a long and intensive process, and it continues also after completing the degree.
After graduation, students are awarded the title Bachelor of Arts in Education.
Tuition fee €10,000
- Students from non-EU/EEA countries are liable to pay a tuition fee but can apply for a scholarship after their first year of studies.
- Early Bird discount: Applicants paying tuition fees can save €1500 by accepting their study place within 14 days.
NB! The curriculum will be published later.
For those students who aim at entering the Finnish labour market it is possible to include up to 25 ECTS credits Finnish language studies to the degree.
If you are interested in young children’s learning, development and education from this perspective, this programme may be the right choice for you.
Student profile
In Finland, early childhood education has a unique approach that emphasises supporting children’s agency and participation, close cooperation with families, as well as play and play pedagogy. Our early childhood education is a high‑quality combination of various pedagogical approaches, and the teachers are highly trained professionals.
The students and the professionals in this field are expected to...
- be sensitive to children's perspectives,
- have the ability to express themselves,
- be able to structure and manage complex issues,
- have the ability to think theoretically,
- and be prepared to promote issues that are important for children's well-being in the community and society.
To apply, you must have a suitable secondary education qualification and proven English language skills. For further details, please read the admission criteria.
Career opportunities for EarlyEdu graduates
Graduates of the Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Early Childhood Education are qualified to work as early childhood education and pre‑primary teachers in Finland. The functionally bilingual programme also helps students develop and promote the Finnish language skills required for teacher positions. It is noteworthy that, in Finland, a pre-primary teacher is required to demonstrate excellent language proficiency in the language of instruction. Reaching this level in Finnish language proficiency by the end of the studies cannot be guaranteed.
With strong research‑based and pedagogical competence, graduates can support children’s growth, development, and learning, and work as experts in various early childhood education settings.
Additionally, your degree gives you formal eligibility to apply for the other international master's programmes at the University of Jyväskylä, like the Master’s Degree Programme in Educational Sciences (EDUMA). This option – after the bachelor level graduation – enables you even more career opportunities and new academic research skills.
Why choose Finland and Jyväskylä?
Finland is one of the world’s top destinations for international students, offering high-quality education in a safe, inclusive, and forward-thinking society. Finland provides a fair and supportive environment for building a career—and is especially known for enabling women to successfully balance work and family life. Ranked the happiest country in the world for eight consecutive years (UN World Happiness Report), Finland combines academic excellence with an exceptional quality of life.
Welcome to the student city Jyväskylä!
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Contact us
If you have questions concerning the admission process, please contact JYU Admission Services: admissions@jyu.fi
About tuition fees and the scholarship programme for students liable to pay tuition fees, please contact the International Office: degree-students@jyu.fi.
Stay up-to-date and subscribe for the JYU newsletter! We will email you with the latest updates on our international degree programmes and the application process once a month.
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