Program Overview

Pedagogical Studies Arranged in English (STEP Programme)

The Subject Teacher Education Programme (STEP) contains the Pedagogical Studies for Teachers arranged in English. The Programme helps the future teacher to develop into a professional in the planning, implementation, evaluation, and development of teaching.

Study Objectives

Subject teachers in Comprehensive Schools and Upper-Secondary Schools must have completed, among other things, the Pedagogical Studies for Teachers as defined in the Decrees No 986/1998. The Subject Teacher Education Programme (STEP) is the Pedagogical Studies for Teachers arranged in English complying with the Decree requirements.

Programme Details

• The extent of the Programme is 60 credits which corresponds to a work load of one full academic year.
• The academic year runs from 1 August to 31 July but the compulsory attendance is required from the last week of August until the end of May.
• Even if the Programme can be completed in one academic year, the non-degree students are automatically given a study right for two years.
• The Programme does not lead to an academic degree but it is required for subject teacher qualification in Finland.
• There are no tuition fees connected to the Programme, but on the other hand, the University is not able to provide any financial support to its students.

Eligibility

The STEP Programme is open to those:

• Who have already completed an appropriate Masters level degree at a Finnish university or abroad (= non-degree applicants), and who have already completed sufficient studies at least in one of the teaching subjects covered by the Programme.
• Master's level degree students at the University of Helsinki can also apply.

Language Proficiency Requirements

To be eligible for the programme, applicants must demonstrate sufficient language proficiency in English. The following are accepted as proof of language proficiency:

• IELTS Academic: Overall score 6.5, with a minimum score of 6.0 in the writing section.
• TOEFL: TOEFL iBT (Internet-based) 92, a minimum score of 22 in the writing section.
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) or C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE): Pass levels A, B or C.
• PTE Academic: Overall score 62, with a minimum score of 54 in each communicative skills section.
• National Certificate of Language Proficiency: Skills level 5 in the reading comprehension, writing, and speaking subtests.
• Upper-secondary schooling in English in specific countries.
• International Baccalaureate with English as the A1 language or English as a major subject.
• University degree completed in English in specific countries.

Application Attachments

Applicants may attach the required documents electronically in their application. Alternatively, they can submit the required documents in paper. The documents may be unofficial copies, but if a study place is offered, officially certified copies may be required.

Certified Copies

A certified copy must be a copy of the original document, and all pages included in the original document must be included in the certified copy. Each page must be stamped and signed by the certifying institution or individual.

Authorised Translation

An authorised translation must include the translators stamp and signature. Every page of a translation with multiple pages must bear the translators stamp or signature.

Legalisation

If a certified copy cannot be obtained, a legalised copy of the academic documents may be submitted. Legalisation can take place by two different routes depending on whether the country of the awarding institution is a signatory to the Hague Convention of 1961 or not.

Submitting Documents

Documents can be submitted electronically or in paper by post, courier, or by hand. The easiest and most secure way to submit the required documents is to attach them electronically in the application via the Studyinfo.fi pages.