Oulu University of Applied Sciences (OAMK)
Bachelor of Social Services, Social Services
Oulu, Finland
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
21 Jan 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 10,000 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for non-EU/EEA/Switzerland students
What is the Social Services degree all about?
Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Social Services provides excellent skills for working in professional positions in the field of social services, especially in early childhood education. During your studies, you will learn how to assess clients’ support needs, write client plans and support the inclusion and well-being of clients and families through various client work methods. You will support and strengthen children’s interaction and participation, learning, while also working to prevent social exclusion. You will guide clients in the service system and develop your work in early childhood education and care.
The studies emphasise the combination of theory and practice, alongside a developmental approach to work, equipping you with core professional skills as a social counsellor. Both native Finnish speakers and international applicants can apply for the degree programme. International students participate in intensive Finnish language training, which enhances their ability to study and work in Finnish.
Upon application, the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) will grant you the right to practice a social welfare profession. You will be qualified to work as a social counsellor.
Scholarship is meant for students who are required to pay the tuition fees. Therefore, those who are not paying the tuition fee because of their citizenship of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland or applicants who are exempted from the tuition fee because of the status of their residence permit, cannot apply.
The scholarship is awarded solely on the basis of the student’s Finnish language skills. Students can enhance their language skills during their studies. The maximum scholarship during the optimal study time of the degree programme is 6000€. The scholarship is available only for the tuition-paying students who have been admitted to the degree programmes with the official start date of studies in August 2026. If you are applying for transfer student selection or the study right based on previous studies, and you are liable for tuition fees, please contact the admission services. Scholarship is taxable under Finnish legislation.
Study the structure of Social Services
The scope of the degree is 210 credits. The degree programme consists of:
- Study and Communication studies, 17 cr
- Knowledge Base in Social Field, 16 cr
- Methods of Working with Clients in the Social Field, 44 cr
- Developing Social Field, 19 cr
- Working as an Expert in Early Childhood Education and Care, 30 cr
- Free Choice Studies, 15 cr
- Professional Practice, 45 cr
- Research and Development Skills, 9 cr
- Bachelor’s Thesis, 15 cr
Advanced professional studies will focus on developing your professional competence in early childhood and care.
In your courses, you will acquire knowledge and skills that you will apply during your practical training. You will complete three long practical training periods, in total of 45 credits (30 weeks). During the practical training, you will develop your professional identity and expertise as a social services professional, deepen your understanding of tasks related to early childhood education and care, and strengthen your interaction and guidance skills.
Your professional growth during the practical training will be supported by skilled and experienced employees, who will act as your immediate supervisors. Many of them are also social services professionals (Bachelor of Social Services).
After graduation, you can work in professional positions in the public, private (companies) and third sectors (organisations, associations and foundations). You will be able to take up several positions in the world of work, including
- Social Counsellor in early childhood education and care
- Project Worker
- Project Manager
- Social Counsellor in a social work project
- Social Services Entrepreneur.
In your work, you will be able to develop welfare, social and educational services to meet the diverse needs of individuals, communities, and societies.