Master's Degree Programme in Education and Learning
Turku, Finland
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
22 Jan 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 10,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* free for citizens of EU/EEA countries or Switzerland, for citizens of non-EU/EEA countries €10,000/academic year
Introduction
Discover all degree programs of the University of Turku
Get a degree in 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 basic studies, electives and master’s theses, but also by taking 21st-century skills (as defined in international policy documents) as a reference in organising the contents of the curriculum. In particular, the programme focuses on 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. This degree does not constitute a formal teaching qualification.
Throughout the studies, a strong emphasis will be placed on your research skills. You will 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.
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Academic Excellence & Experience
The Master’s degree in Education and Learning is a two-year programme that trains experts and researchers for various national and international tasks in the field of education.
The EdLearn programme develops sets of various skills through content, study arrangements and in the master’s thesis project. At the same time, the master’s 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 of the Faculty of Education:
- research related to learning and instruction, and
- research related to educational policy and sociology of education.
In the first area, you can do the thesis 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, the research themes can be in the field of 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.
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.
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Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarship Opportunities
The University of Turku supports merited and motivated students with generous scholarships. The university offers these scholarships to students pursuing Master's level studies who are subject to tuition fees.
Scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, and you can apply for a scholarship by simply answering “yes” to the corresponding question in the online application form when you apply for the programme.
One type of scholarship covers whole tuition fees for two years for Master’s degree programmes. In addition to that, there is a scholarship for the best applicants that covers tuition fees and includes an additional grant of €5,000.
Approximately 30 % of the admitted students are awarded a scholarship by the University of Turku.
Curriculum
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
Master's Thesis & Topics
You will complete a master’s thesis as part of the advanced studies in the field of educational science. A master’s thesis should demonstrate your:
- the ability for scientific thinking,
- mastery of the required research methods,
- familiarity with the topic of the thesis,
- ability to communicate in a scientific context.
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
Program Outcome
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.
Career Opportunities
Job Options
Master´s Programme in Education and Learning educates future experts for positions in public, private and civil society sectors. After graduating from the programme, you may work, among others, as a:
- researcher,
- educational expert,
- coordinator,
- educational consultant,
- educator,
- administrator.
NB. This degree does not constitute a formal teaching qualification.
Career in Research
After completing the Master in Education and Learning (Master of Arts), you may pursue postgraduate studies for the Doctorate of Philosophy at the University of Turku. You will be able to apply for a position at 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 careers in research and other positions of expertise.