Introduction
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Get a Degree in the Field of Education With an Advanced Combination of Theory and Practice!
Get a degree in the field of education with an advanced combination of theory and practice! The Master's Degree Programme in Education and Learning trains you for various national and international tasks in the field of education.
The Education and Learning programme aims to train experts in the areas of research on learning and sociology of education. It does so by addressing education both from micro and macro-level perspectives throughout the basic studies, the electives and the topic of their master thesis, but also by taking 21st century skills (as defined in international policy documents) in the areas learning skills (e.g. critical thinking problem solving, metacognition life-long learning), life skills (e.g. communication, collaboration cultural awareness, and networking) and literacy skills (information, ICT and mathematical & scientific literacy), as a reference in organizing the contents of the curriculum. This degree does not constitute a formal teaching qualification.
Throughout the studies, a strong emphasis is placed on students’ research skills. The applicants also have the possibility to apply for a double degree option called the Finnish-German Master Programme in Education, where a part of the degree studies is completed at the University of Regensburg, Germany.
Programme Structure
The studies are divided into different study modules as follows:
Orientation and general studies 24 ECTS
Compulsory courses, including academic English and intensive Finnish
Advanced studies in Educational Sciences 75 ECTS
Compulsory courses in Educational Sciences 25 ECTS
Internship 10 ECTS
Master’s Thesis 40 ECTS
Elective studies 21 ECTS
Optional courses
Academic Excellence & Experience
The Master’s degree in Education and Learning is a two-year programme which trains experts and researchers for various national and international tasks in the field of education.
The EdLearn programme aims to train experts in the areas of research on learning and sociology of education. It does so by addressing education both from micro and macro-level perspectives throughout the basic studies, the electives and the topic of their master thesis, but also by taking 21st century skills (as defined in international policy documents) in the areas learning skills (e.g. critical thinking problem solving, metacognition life-long learning), life skills (e.g. communication, collaboration cultural awareness, and networking) and literacy skills (information, ICT and mathematical & scientific literacy), as a reference in organising the contents of the curriculum.
These skills are addressed throughout the curriculum through content, study arrangements and in the master thesis project. At the same time, the master thesis is also considered an important area of specialisation during the studies in the programme.
Preferred research areas for a Master’s thesis in the programme are divided into two main research areas that align with the departments in the Faculty of Education:
research related to learning and instruction, and
research related to educational policy and sociology of education.
In the first area, theses can be done for instance within the frame of research themes like Teaching and teacher education, Scientific and mathematical thinking in the digitalised world, Multiculturalism, equity, and societal change; Well-being, participation, and avoidance of marginalisation, Expertise and higher education, and Early childhood education.
In the second area, these can be done for instance within the frame of research themes like comparative research on education systems and education policies; young people’s educational transitions and trajectories; educational inclusion, equity and justice, and research on higher education, lifelong learning and working life.
In either area, quantitative, qualitative and mixed and/or multi-method approaches of data collection and critical analysis are employed, often within comparative designs.
Master's Thesis & Topics
Students complete a Master’s thesis as part of the advanced studies in the field of educational science. A Master’s thesis should demonstrate the students':
Ability for scientific thinking.
Mastery of the required research methods.
Familiarity with the topic of the thesis.
Ability to communicate in a scientific context.
There are two key research areas for Master’s theses in the Programme: 1) research on learning and instruction, and 2) research on educational policy and sociology of education.
Examples of thesis topics:
Attendance Policy Moderates the Influence of Achievement Goals and Transfer of Training.
Analysis of educational transfer and policy changes after PISA in Japan and Finland.
Achievement goals, learning strategies and exam performance in English learning: a study among undergraduate EFL learners in China.
Children with hearing problems in elementary school environments in Pakistan and in Finland.
Developmental trajectories towards the concept of rational numbers: a latent transition analysis of third to sixth-grade students.
Extracurricular language activities in higher education: perspectives of teachers and students.
Double Degree Possibility
The applicants can choose an option that leads to two Master’s degrees. This double degree option is called the Finnish-German Master Programme in Education and it leads to the following degrees: Master of Arts in Education from the University of Turku, and Master of Arts Erziehungswissenschaft (Educational Science) from the University of Regensburg, Germany. The studies take two years to complete (120 ECTS credits).
A student who has been admitted to the double degree option studies the 2nd semester at the University of Regensburg, Institute of Education.
The number of students admitted to the Education and Learning programme is 20 at the most: a maximum of 20 students to the single degree option and, among the 20 best scoring applicants, a maximum of 5 students will be admitted to the double degree option.
Competence Description
The Education and Learning programme trains students to become experts in the areas of research on learning and sociology of education. Students will develop their capability to do analytical and critical research in two key research areas: 1) research on learning and instruction, and 2) research on educational policy and sociology of education.
Job Options
Master´s Programme in Education and Learning educates future experts for positions in public, private and civil society sectors. Students graduating from the Programme may work, among others, as:
Researchers
Educational experts
Coordinators
Educational consultants
Educators
Administrators
NB. This degree does not constitute a formal teaching qualification.
Career in Research
After completing the Master in Education and Learning (Master of Arts), students may pursue postgraduate studies for the Doctorate of Philosophy at the University of Turku.
The Master Graduates are eligible to apply for a position in the University of Turku Graduate School, UTUGS. The Graduate School consists of doctoral programmes which cover all the disciplines and doctoral candidates of the University.
Together with the doctoral programmes, the Graduate School provides systematic and high-quality doctoral training. UTUGS aims to train highly qualified experts with the skills required for both professional career in research and other positions of expertise.
Entry Requirements
General Admission Requirements
Application period for most of the International Bachelor's and Master's Degree Programmes at the University of Turku is in January every year, and studies begin in the following August. Please see the programme's page at the University's website for up-to-date information.
General Requirement
You are an eligible applicant for Master’s-level studies if:
you have a nationally recognized first cycle degree – normally a Bachelor’s degree – from an accredited institution of higher education,
your degree corresponds to at least 180 ECTS (European credits) or to three years of full-time study,
your degree is in a relevant field for the Master’s degree programme that you’re applying to. Please check the programme page for detailed degree requirements.
Language Requirements
Applicants must have excellent English language skills and a certificate that proves those skills. You can indicate your language skills by taking one of the internationally recognized English language tests.
Applicants must reach the minimum required test results to be considered eligible to the University of Turku. No exceptions will be made. Read more about the language requirements here.
Programme-specific Admission Requirements
Applicants who have completed a Bachelor’s degree in education, adult education or special education are eligible to apply to the programme. Also, applicants who have a Bachelor’s degree from other fields of study, and who have either an official teacher’s qualification or who can prove a clear affinity to educational sciences are eligible to apply to the programme. The degree must include at least three years of studies.
NB. Applicants who have completed a Finnish first-cycle polytechnic degree called ammattikorkeakoulututkinto must have either completed basic and intermediate studies (altogether min. 60 ECTS) in education, special education or adult education, OR have completed basic studies (min. 25 ECTS) in education and can prove a clear affinity to educational sciences are also eligible to apply to the programme
The decision for admission will be based on the relevance of:
The field of applicant’s previous degree(s),
The amount, relevance and grades of the courses in the degree(s),
Motivation letter.
Application Evaluation
The number of students to be admitted to the programme is 20 at the most: a maximum of 20 students to the single degree option and among the 20 best scoring applicants a maximum of 5 students will be admitted to the double degree option. The admission is based on the scoring criteria, which are explained below. The purpose is to acquire an understanding of the applicant’s qualifications and motivation regarding the requirements of the programme.
The applicants are evaluated and ranked using the criteria mentioned below. The 20 highest-ranking applicants will be admitted to the single-degree programme. The maximum 5 double-degree applicants who are most suitable for the double degree option out of the 20 highest-ranking applicants will be admitted to the double degree programme.
The eligible applications will be scored based on their previous studies (0 to maximum 25 points) and the Letter of Motivation (0 to maximum 15 points), with a maximum of 40 points achievable.
Double degree application evaluation
The 5 double degree students will be selected out of the 20 highest-ranking applicants overall. The double degree applications will be scored based on the motivation to study in the double degree programme, and the research orientation and its relevance to the key research areas at the University of Regensburg, as stated in the motivation letter.
Here you will find more information on how and when to apply to the University of Turku and about our scholarships options.
