Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education
Jyväskylä, Finland
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
21 Jan 2027
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2027
TUITION FEES
EUR 10,000
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
About: The Bachelor's programme in Early Childhood Education at the University of Jyväskylä trains students for work in early childhood settings and pre-primary education. Taught in English, studies total 180 ECTS credits and run full-time for 3 years starting each August. Finnish language courses (up to 25 ECTS) support labor-market entry.
Career Outcomes: Graduates gain eligibility to work as an early childhood education teacher and pre-primary teacher in Finland and can work as specialists in daycare, early learning centers, curriculum development or inclusion support. Finnish proficiency for pre-primary roles isn't guaranteed; degree allows application to JYU master's programmes like EDUMA.
The Bachelor's Degree Programme in Early Childhood Education offers diverse perspectives on early childhood education and qualifies graduates to work as early childhood education teachers in Finland, including pre-primary education. Students develop professional competence to support children's growth, development and learning while considering each learner's individuality and needs.
The programme includes communication and Finnish language studies, with up to 25 ECTS credits in Finnish language studies available for students aiming to enter the Finnish labour market. Studies total 180 ECTS credits and are completed full-time in 3 years. The programme is taught entirely in English, while Finnish is supported through dedicated language courses and its integration into content studies. Studies begin in August, with no mid-point entry.
Graduates of this programme have strong professional competence to work as early childhood education teachers and they are able to act as early childhood education experts in different early childhood education contexts. You will be able to support children's growth, development, and learning while taking into account the individuality and needs of each learner.
Graduates are qualified to work as early childhood education and pre-primary teachers in Finland, and as experts in various early childhood education settings. The programme develops the Finnish language skills required for teacher positions, although excellent Finnish proficiency required for pre-primary teaching cannot be guaranteed by the end of the studies. The degree also gives formal eligibility to apply for other international master's programmes at the University of Jyväskylä, including the Master's Degree Programme in Educational Sciences (EDUMA).
Student profile
The programme is suited to students interested in young children's learning, development and education. Students are expected to be sensitive to children's perspectives, express themselves effectively, structure and manage complex issues, think theoretically, and promote issues important to children's well-being in the community and society.