Mailing address:   
University of Tampere
Department of Teacher Education in Tampere
33014 UNIVERSITY OF TAMPERE
Finland

Visiting address:   
Ratapihankatu 55
Atalpa-building, 2nd floor

WWW-address:   
http://www.uta.fi/laitokset/okl/tokl

International coordinator
Ms. Tarja Järventie
Amanuensis
Departmental Coordinator
Tel. +358 3 3551 6851
Fax. +358 3 3551 7537
E-mail tarja.jarventie(at)uta.fi

The subject teacher’s basic overall qualification is the higher university degree (MA/ MSc) and it is done in the university faculties in which the students carry out their major subject studies. The Department of Teacher Education is in charge of the teacher’s pedagogical studies contained in the higher university degree. The teacher’s pedagogical studies give a comprehensive pedagogical qualification to teach in comprehensive schools, upper secondary and vocational schools, in a number of adult institutions and in tertiary level institutions. The studies have a didactic emphasis and include the student teaching. Full-time students can complete the pedagogical studies within an academic year.

The teacher’s pedagogical studies are a minor subject and can be completed either as part the MA degree or as separate studies after the degree. The pedagogical studies are organised in cooperation with the faculties providing the major subject studies for the secondary (and tertiary level) teachers. In addition to the university faculties, the Polytechnic University of Tampere also has an option for engineering students to do the teacher’s pedagogical studies as a minor subject in their higher degree of engineering. The student teaching is carried out at the Teaching Practice School of the University and in several other secondary and tertiary level institutions in Tampere region, in cooperation with the Department of Teacher Education.

The Department of Teacher Education has a long-term cooperation (since 2000) with St. Martin’s College, Lancaster and Carlisle, UK, whereby students can apply for an option to do a dual teacher certificate in some subjects (French, German, English, history and mathematics). The students carry out their subject studies in Tampere University and do their pedagogical studies both in St Martin’s College and in Tampere University. The candidates apply to both institutions according to the same procedures and admission criteria as when applying to Finnish teacher education. Students stay at St. Martin’s College for an academic year (from early September to mid-July) and are supposed to achieve the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and the Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Successful completion of the PGCE course is recognised as equivalent to 22 Finnish credits in education. Upon their return the students do the remaining pedagogical studies (13 credits) in order to complete the Finnish qualifications for the teacher’s pedagogical studies (35 Finnish credits). These qualifications are recognised throughout the European Union, subject to agreements between the member states.

• Degree Programmes taught in Finnish
• Bachelor of Arts (Education)
• Master of Arts (Education)