What competencies does the graduate have?
The Degree Programme in Social Services provides students with the expertise to work in a variety of professional social services environments and wider society, promoting social inclusion, holistic well-being, functional ability and safety of individuals, families, and communities. They gain the skills required to plan and carry out social activities and analysis, implement participatory research, and analyse local and global conditions in relation to wider economic and social changes. The students learn about social work and social policy issues from the Finnish, European and Global perspectives.
Students complete specialisation studies of 15 ECTS either in Care or Diversity and Multicultural Competence or in Social Services or Early Childhood Education. It is possible to qualify as a Bachelor of Social Services in the field of early childhood education (varhaiskasvatuksen sosionomi) in this Degree Programme.
What kind of career opportunities does the graduate have?
Bachelors of Social Services are qualified to work with various client groups in promoting wellbeing and preventing exclusion: for instance in early childhood education and care, adult social work, work with older people, youth work, child and family work, child protection, mental health and substance use and disability work. The work can consist of supervision, counselling, coordination of services and managerial work e.g. in communities or in a residential setting. Completed studies in the degree programme prepare the student for working with public, private and non-profit organizations.
Degree Programme provides qualification to work as Bachelors of Social Services (sosionomi) in Finland. This Degree Programme does not provide social worker´s qualification in Finland.
Rights to practise in healthcare and social welfare - Finnish Supervisory Agency
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Information on the scholarship scheme at Diak can be found on Diak's website.
"}},"maksullisuusKuvaus":{"en":"Universities of applied sciences and universities charge a tuition fee from bachelor’s or master’s level students studying for a degree in languages other than Finnish or Swedish. EU/EEA area and Swiss citizens are not subject to the charge. Information about documents that exempt from paying the tuition fee can be found at Studyinfo.
"},"suunniteltuKestoKuvaus":{},"suunniteltuKestoVuodet":3,"onkoApuraha":true,"lisatiedot":[{"otsikko":{"koodiUri":"koulutuksenlisatiedot_01#1","nimi":{"fi":"Opintojen rakenne","sv":"Studiernas uppbyggnad","en":"Structure of studies"}},"teksti":{"en":"Basic studies
Professional studies
Elective studies
Thesis: 15 ECTS
The more detailed curriculum can be viewed on the Diak website.
"}},{"otsikko":{"koodiUri":"koulutuksenlisatiedot_02#1","nimi":{"fi":"Jatko-opintomahdollisuudet","sv":"Möjlighet till fortsatta studier","en":"Further study opportunities"}},"teksti":{"en":"A master’s degree at a university of applied sciences
As a graduate from the Bachelor’s degree programme in social services you are eligible to apply for master’s studies at a university of applied sciences.
Students who have completed a bachelor’s degree at a university of applied sciences and acquired at least two years experience in working life can deepen their professional competence by completing a master’s degree at a university of applied sciences. The master’s degree programmes consist of 60 or 90 ECTS credits and can often be completed while working.
A master’s degree at a university
After a bachelor’s degree completed at a university of applied sciences, students can apply to a master’s degree programme at a university. The second-cycle university degree usually consists of 120 credits (2 years of full-time study). The admission decisions are made by the receiving higher education institution.
Specialisation studies
Professional competence can also be developed through specialisation studies that do not lead to a degree. Specialisation studies are arranged in a flexible way and are therefore suitable for persons in working life.
"}},{"otsikko":{"koodiUri":"koulutuksenlisatiedot_04#1","nimi":{"fi":"Uramahdollisuudet","sv":"Karriärmöjligheter","en":"Career opportunities"}},"teksti":{"en":"
Completed studies in the degree programme prepare the student for working in public, private and non-profit organisations as well as faith-based communities in national and international contexts.
"}},{"otsikko":{"koodiUri":"koulutuksenlisatiedot_05#1","nimi":{"fi":"Yhteistyö muiden toimijoiden kanssa","sv":"Samarbete med andra aktörer","en":"Co-operation with other parties"}},"teksti":{"en":"Diak has long-term involvement with different local communities, which enables students to work with local organisations, municipalities, churches and faith communities during their studies. The students will engage in development work in challenging contexts both in Finland and internationally. The learning is close to 'real life' and the campus-based learning uses a variety of methods, including project work. The ‘multidisciplinary network' approach is an important element and the students often work in small groups and teams related to the specific themes of each academic term.
"}},{"otsikko":{"koodiUri":"koulutuksenlisatiedot_06#1","nimi":{"fi":"Kansainvälistyminen","sv":"Internationell verksamhet","en":"Internationalisation"}},"teksti":{"en":"The course balances the need for knowledge of the Finnish and international contexts. This means that graduates will be able to work in Finland or in other countries. Those at the cutting edge of social service work are often involved in international projects and networks. English is most often the preferred language for international projects, and graduates of this programme will therefore have a head start in such projects.
"}},{"otsikko":{"koodiUri":"koulutuksenlisatiedot_09#1","nimi":{"fi":"Koulutuksen antama pätevyys","sv":"Kompetens som utbildningen ger","en":"Qualification"}},"teksti":{"en":"The qualification obtained is Bachelor of Social Services / sosionomi (AMK).
"}},{"otsikko":{"koodiUri":"koulutuksenlisatiedot_11#1","nimi":{"fi":"Opinnäytetyö","sv":"Lärdomsprov","en":"Thesis"}},"teksti":{"en":"Research is a key part of the Degree Programme and this is linked to issues that are encountered in the social services field locally or internationally. Diak has many international links and students are encouraged to undertake international placements, projects and thesis research process.
All theses produced at Diak are research-based and aimed at developing an area of work. They are usually linked to Diak’s learning environments, workplace development projects and work placement periods.
The thesis can be research-focused i.e. involve a study or report, or a development project, which involves developing, implementing and evaluating new products, practices or processes. A developmental thesis can be produced in the form of a project, product R&D, or a development project.
Thesis can be produced in pairs or in teams of 3-4 students. Student can produce thesis individually if certain criteria are met.
"}}],"maksut":[{"maksullisuustyyppi":"lukuvuosimaksu","maksunMaara":10500.0}],"suunniteltuKestoKuukaudet":6,"opetustapaKuvaus":{"en":"This is a blended-learning programme. It includes contact and distance learning sessions and work placement periods. There is a full-time contact learning at the campus generally 1-2 days per week. The distance learning days consist of for instance scheduled online lectures, group work, seminars and exams. Work placements require full-time attendance.
"},"opetuskieletKuvaus":{"en":"Studying in English in a multicultural study group offers an opportunity to learn in a real international learning environment. The Degree Programme in Social Services is taught in English. However, students are expected to learn Finnish during their studies and placements. Students, whose first language is other than Finnish complete maximum 23 ECTS of Finnish language studies.
See the Diak website for more information about language requirements already in the application stage.
"},"opetustapa":[{"koodiUri":"opetuspaikkakk_4#1","nimi":{"fi":"Monimuoto","sv":"Flerform","en":"Blended teaching"}}],"opetusaikaKuvaus":{"en":"Teaching takes place between 8am and 5pm during weekdays.
"},"opetuskieli":[{"koodiUri":"oppilaitoksenopetuskieli_4#2","nimi":{"fi":"englanti","sv":"engelska","en":"English"}}],"opetusaika":[{"koodiUri":"opetusaikakk_1#1","nimi":{"fi":"Päiväopetus","sv":"Dagundervisning","en":"Day time teaching"}}]},"yhteyshenkilot":[],"tyyppi":"amk"},"formatoituModified":{"fi":"15.9.2026 klo 09:05","sv":"15.9.2026 kl. 09:05","en":"Sep. 15, 2026 at 09:05 AM UTC+3"},"koulutustyyppi":"amk"}