Bachelor of Social Services, Early Childhood Education, full-time

At Turku University of Applied Sciences, we work as a community and follow the principles of innovation pedagogy (Innopeda®). Innovation pedagogy combines learning with research, development and innovation activities. Learning is regarded as a process of building knowledge in social interaction with other people in various learning environments. Students’ active role in the development of their learning plays a central part.

The degree consists of core competence and complementary competence studies. The studies include a thesis, practical training periods and optional studies.

Core Competence Studies 95 ECTS

• Studying skills and working life competences 20 ETCS
• Promotion of a good life 15 ETCS
• Basics and methods of client work 15 ETCS
• Social inclusion 15 ETCS
• Production of welfare services and management 15 ETCS
• Optional studies 15 ECTS

Complementary Competence Studies 65 ETCS

• Research and development 20 ETCS (incl. a thesis of 15 ETCS)
• Optional methodological studies 15 ETCS
• Optional client group-specific studies 20 ETCS + 10 ETCS (those who focus on early childhood education select Bachelor of Social Services, early childhood education 30 ETCS)

Core and Complementary Competence Training Periods 50 ETCS

• Voluntary work 5 ETCS
• Project-based training in client work 5 ETCS
• Client work training 10 ETCS
• Demanding client work/first-line management training 10 ETCS
• Research, development and innovation training 5 ETCS
• Complementary competence training 15 ETCS

In our English-language degree programme the only specialization option is in Early Childhood Education.

Under the Act on Social Welfare Professionals (817/2015), the Bachelor of Social Services is a protected and licensed professional title in Finland. Those students who complete early childhood education studies may work as social pedagogues in early childhood education and care. When they graduate, they must apply for their degree certificate and the qualification as a social pedagogue in early childhood education and care separately.

Those who have completed a Bachelor’s degree in Social Services in Finland may apply for the right to practice a social service profession as a licensed professional from the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira).

Higher education studies provide many opportunities for internationalisation. For example, you can leave for student exchange or complete a practical training period abroad. Most of the foreign partner institutions of Turku UAS are in Europe, but field-specific cooperation partners can also be found outside Europe. You can leave for a period abroad on your second year of studies at the earliest, but it is useful to prepare yourself already at the beginning of your studies. For example, you can start studying the language of your target country and get to know exchange students from the country in question. If you decide to complete practical training abroad, it is useful to start looking for an appropriate practical training place in good time.

You can get internationalised during your studies also without leaving for an exchange yourself, for example by:

• participating in teaching in a foreign language and language studies
• by including courses related to internationality in your studies, where you get to meet students from all over the world
• becoming an international tutor, who helps foreign students as they arrive in Finland. Every year, over 300 foreign exchange students and almost 400 foreign degree students study at Turku UAS, and they will be glad to get to know Finnish students.
• participating in organizing leisure activities for foreign students in ESN-International Action Club

You need your own laptop for the studies. In most fields, a so-called basic device is enough. More specific instructions on purchasing your own laptop are provided for new students before the beginning of the studies. Turku UAS will offer the most important basic software at your disposal free of charge for the duration of your studies, for example the Microsoft Office apps. In some degree programmes you may have to purchase some additional software at your own expense. In most of these cases, too, you’ll get a student discount on the purchase price of the software. You will be notified of the need to purchase possible additional software at the beginning of the studies.

A Bachelor's degree from a UAS opens many possibilities for postgraduate studies. The degree provides the opportunity to apply for Master’s degree programmes in Finnish and foreign higher education institutions. And, after having completed a Master’s degree, you can apply for scientific postgraduate studies, such as Licentiate or Doctoral studies.

A Master’s degree at a university of applied sciences is the own postgraduate degree of those who have completed a Bachelor’s degree at a university of applied sciences. A Master's degree from a UAS is equivalent to a Master’s degree from a university. It corresponds to the same EQF (European Qualification Framework) level as other Master’s degrees, such as university Master’s degrees and the degree Master of Science in Engineering (level 7). UAS Master’s degrees are aimed at experts who have already become qualified in working life, and they are often strongly linked to the development of the student’s work, work community and more broadly, working life. One of the special qualities of UAS Master’s degrees is the requirement of work experience acquired before the studies: you can apply for the degree programme once you have gained at least two years of work experience. Work experience preceding the Master’s degree studies provides an excellent foundation for Master’s degree studies. Turku UAS' Master School offers a wide selection of Master’s degrees for deepening your professional and leadership expertise.

The employment situation of newly graduated Bachelors of Social Services is good in Finland. The majority finds employment immediately after graduation.