Pedagogical Studies in Adult Education, Autumn 2026

Eligibility criteria

Quota 1: Students of the degree programme in education and adult education at the University of Jyväskylä 

Applicants must have completed Basic and Intermediate studies in Education or Adult Education or Early Childhood Education (60 ECTS credits). Studies must be completed and the study modules compiled in the study register by 30 April 2026. The Pedagogical Studies in Adult Education will be incorporated into the student’s master’s degree.

Quota 2: Holders of a master’s degree from the University of Jyväskylä 

The following studies must be completed by the closing date of the application period, and the required study modules must be compiled in the study register: 

1. Basic Studies in Education or Adult Education or Early Childhood Education, Basic Pedagogical Studies in Education or Basic Studies in University Pedagogy (25 ECTS credits) and 
2. Master’s degree from the University of Jyväskylä 

Quota 3: University of Jyväskylä staff 

The following studies must be completed by the closing date of the application period, and the required study modules must be compiled in the study register: 

1. Basic Studies in Education or Adult Education or Early Childhood Education, Basic Pedagogical Studies in Education or Basic Studies in University Pedagogy (25 ECTS credits) and 
2. Master’s degree 

University of Jyväskylä Regulations, Section 25 (11 December 2013): “University staff include those who have a contract of employment with the University.” An applicant who is employed by the University of Jyväskylä on the closing date of the application period is considered to be a staff member. A degree certificate, a certificate of completion of the basic studies in education and a certificate of employment or personnel record or other equivalent official document are required as attachments. 

Quota 4: Bachelor’s and master’s degree students at the University of Jyväskylä whose major is a subject other than a subject taught in comprehensive or general upper secondary education (with the exception of psychology and the master’s degree programme in adult language learning) 

The following studies must be completed by the closing date of the application period, and the required study modules must be compiled in the study register: 

1. Basic Studies in Education or Adult Education or Early Childhood Education, Basic Pedagogical Studies in Education or Basic Studies in University Pedagogy (25 ECTS credits) and 
2. Bachelor’s degree and a right to study for a master’s degree at the University of Jyväskylä 

Postgraduate students or students supplementing a degree are not eligible to apply under this quota.

Applicants for the master’s programme in adult language learning will not be granted the right to study in the Pedagogical Studies in Adult Education if they do not also obtain and accept the right to study in the master’s programme in adult language learning. Applicants for the master’s programme in adult education may be selected on a conditional basis until a place on the master’s programme is confirmed. 

Quota 5: English-language group 

The following studies must be completed, and the required study modules must be compiled in the study register: 

• Master’s degree in education from the Degree Programme in Development, Education and International Cooperation (DEICO) or Development and International Cooperation (DEV), with education as a major subject, by 31 July 2026, or 
• Master's degree in education from the Degree Programme in Educational Sciences (EDUMA) or Educational Leadership (MPEL) by 31 July 2026, or 
• Basic Studies in University Pedagogy in English by the ending date of the application period. 

Staff members or students at University of Jyväskylä who have completed the Basic Studies in University Pedagogy can apply for this group. An applicant who is employed by the University of Jyväskylä on the closing date of the application period is considered to be a staff member. 

At least six (6) applicants in Quota 5 must accept a study place in order for the English-language teaching to be provided for the group. 

Quota 6: Supplementing pedagogical studies completed abroad 

The following studies must be completed by the closing date of the application period: 

• Master’s degree 
• University degree completed abroad and a decision on its recognition by the Finnish National Agency for Education. 

If the teaching qualification obtained abroad is equivalent in level to a Finnish lower university degree (bachelor’s degree), the applicant must also hold a master's degree. 

If the decision by the Finnish National Agency for Education states that the completed studies are equivalent to the teacher’s pedagogical studies (60 ECTS credits) completed in Finland, after the applicant has completed the necessary supplementary studies, the applicant may apply for the Pedagogical Studies in Adult Education. The scope of the supplementary pedagogical studies must be defined in the decision. 

Language proficiency requirements 

The language of instruction for Pedagogical Studies in Adult Education for those selected in Quotas 1–4 is Finnish. Higher education degrees must be accompanied by a decision on equivalence from the Finnish National Agency for Education. Applicants whose language of education is other than Finnish are required to demonstrate their knowledge of Finnish, for example, by means of the following language proficiency tests: 

• The Finnish National Certificate of Language Proficiency of the Finnish National Agency for Education at level 5 in all test components (speaking, writing, listening and reading comprehension) 
• The Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate with good skills in all test components (speaking, writing and reading comprehension) 

More information about language proficiency requirements can be found (in Finnish) on the University of Jyväskylä’s website.