Early Childhood Education, Bachelor of Social Services
The Bachelor’s degree in Social Services provides students with extensive abilities to work as social service professionals in social services and early childhood education.
The objective of the studies is to train creative and socially aware social service and early childhood education professionals who have reflective skills and a strong professional identity.
Degree title
Bachelor of Social Services (AMK)
Scope and duration
Tuition fees
11 500 € for non EU / EEA citizens
Read more.
Type of studies
Location
Language of instruction
Experts in Early Childhood Education
The Bachelor’s degree in Social Services provides students with extensive abilities to work as social service professionals in social services and early childhood education, as well as in various roles in counselling, education, planning and development in health and wellness services.
When you work as a Bachelor of Social Services in early childhood education, you have a social pedagogical approach to your work. You promote the fulfilment of children’s rights and understand the importance of a safe growth environment for children’s overall well-being. You offer dialogical education, which is guided by the principle of supporting children to grow as individuals and as members of a community.
As an expert on social services, you support children’s social inclusion and sense of community, offer support to their guardians and work in multi-professional work communities and networks. You understand the effects of societal changes on the lives of families with children, and you have broad knowledge of family services, so that you can contribute to preventing the disadvantage and marginalization of children and families.
The degree programme is conducted as full-time studies, which means that studying requires participation in classes on campus and cannot be completed as full online studies.
Structure of the studies
The scope of Bachelor’s degree in Social Services is 210 ECTS credits and the planned duration 3.5 years. The degree consists of core competence and complementary competence studies. The studies include a thesis, practical training periods and optional studies.
The core competence studies provide students with the basic professional competences required for social and education services, including interaction, counselling, learning, information seeking and development skills. The complementary competence studies focus on early childhood education, optional methodology studies and research and development.
The Bachelor of Social Services studies combine theory and practice with an exploratory approach. A key tool in professional development is reflection, which means that students take the time to critically examine and evaluate their actions. During their studies, students apply theories and research knowledge to practice in their practical training and project and development assignments.
Close cooperation with various working life partners ensures that Bachelor of Social Services students receive the best possible support and education for their future profession in different fields of social services.
If you have fluency in Finnish you can also study the Bachelor of Social Services degree in Finnish. The degree programme conducted in Finnish is located on our campus in Turku and offers specialization opportunities also for e.g. social work with adults or child protection. Read more on our Finnish site.
After graduation
The employment situation of newly graduated Bachelors of Social Services is good in Finland. The majority finds employment immediately after graduation. Learning the Finnish language will improve the chances of finding a job.
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).
Checklist for applicants
Applying in Joint Application
Joint application means that you can apply to up to six study programmes with one application form. These six options may include degree programmes from one or several different higher education institutions in Finland.
Checklist before you apply
1
Check the admission criteria: please take a close look the general information on eligibility, application procedure and student selection methods.
2
Take a look at the tuition fees and scholarships: the higher education institutions in Finland collect tuition fees from students outside the EU/EEA area.
Please note also: The Ministry of education and culture is preparing changes in legislation considering application fees for applicants to degree programmes in higher education. Read more about the preparations to introduce application fees.
3
Look at the schedules: make sure to apply and upload attachments on time.
Instructions for joint application: admission criteria and schedules
Apply in Joint Application
Yoou can apply for this degree programme in joint application.
Next joint application period is:
The deadline for application is at 3 pm (Finnish time) on the last day of the application period.
Application forms at Studyinfo
Studyinfo.fi is the national portal for submitting applications.
Joint application
Bachelor of Social Services, Early Childhood Education, Salo
How many students are selected in this degree programme?
You can find the number of study places offered in joint application to this degree programme at Studyinfo.fi on the degree programme’s page. The number of study places varies from year to year.
In joint application the quota for first-time applicants in this degree programme is 90%, which means that the majority of study places are reserved for applicants applying for their first higher education degree.
Co-operation with educational agents
Turku UAS co-operates with education agencies specialized in international student recruitment.
Separate applications
You can apply to Turku UAS also through separate applications. Application periods and student selection methods are different from joint application procedure.
Tuition fees and scholarships
Tuition fees are charged from students who are not citizens of EU/EEA countries and are accepted to Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programmes conducted in English.
When are studies starting?
If you apply in the spring application periods (first and second joint application), the studies begin in August / September.
If you apply in the autumn application periods (autumn joint application), the studies begin in January.
The starting dates and other information for new students will be published on the New Students guide.
Contact Us
Questions related to admissions: Admission Services
We co-operate with agencies specialized in international student recruitment. See the list of our verified educational partners and agents.
Starting your studies?
Welcome to Turku University of Applied Sciences! Turku UAS is one the leading universities of applied sciences in Finland, home to over 12,000 Finnish and international students. It’s great to have you as part of our community.
Our New Students’ Guide gathers all the information you need to prepare for your arrival in Finland and to get started with your studies. Please read the instructions carefully.
See you on campus or online!
Salo as a student city
Smooth everyday life in Salo. Housing is spacious and living costs are lower. Turku University of Applied Sciences is part of the Salo IoT Campus.
