Planning to become a subject teacher?

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Subject teacher education provides you with a wide-ranging subject teacher qualification for teaching in comprehensive and general upper secondary schools, as well as teaching general education subjects at other educational institutions.

Qualification of a subject teacher
Eligibility and application process for pedagogical studies
Näin haet aineenopettajaksi

Qualification of a subject teacher

The qualification of a subject teacher can be attained by completing a bachelor’s and master’s degree, as well as the following studies:

  • Pedagogical studies for teachers
  • Studies in the teaching subject

As a degree student, you will usually include your studies as part of your degree, but this is not required for attaining the qualification. Check the page about obtaining teacher qualification after graduation.

Eligibility and application process for pedagogical studies

The Subject Teacher Education Programme in English (STEP, 60 ECTS) is a two-year programme designed for students aiming to become qualified subject teachers in Finland. The change from a one-year to a two-year programme starts in August 2026. As of 2026, application to STEP takes place only every second year. 

There are no tuition fees in STEP programme.

The programme includes 15 cr of studies in education, 25 cr of studies in subject didactics (=how to teach your own teaching subject) and 20 cr of teaching practices.

The STEP Programme welcomes applicants who meet the following criteria:

  • Non-Degree Applicants:
    • Completion of a suitable Master's degree from a Finnish university or abroad.
    • Adequate studies in at least one teaching subject covered by the Programme.
    • A good knowledge of English.

  • Degree Applicants close to graduation:

    • Master level degree students in applicable educational programs of the University of Helsinki can apply to STEP if they fulfil the conditions mentioned in the admission requirements.
    • In this case, the admission to the STEP Programme after graduation (a non-degree student’s separate study right) may be conditional.

    Non-degree students’ study right is automatically valid for two years. Non-degree students can also apply for a one-year extension of their study right if they have made sufficient progress in their studies.

Näin haet aineenopettajaksi

Helsingin yliopisto tarjoaa selkeät polut aineenopettajaksi pätevöitymiseen. Tutustu tarkemmin:

  1. Pedagogisiin opintoihin hakeminen: lisätietoa siitä, missä ja milloin voit hakea pedagogisiin opintoihin ja mitä hakuprosessissa tulee huomioida.
  2. Opettajan pedagogisten opintojen ohjesivu: Tutustu pedagogisten opintojen sisältöön ja siihen, miten ne valmistavat sinut käytännön opetustyöhön.
  3. Opetettavan aineen opinnot: Opetettavalla aineella tarkoitetaan perusopetukseen tai lukion opetukseen kuuluvaa oppiainetta. Tarkista, mitä aineita voit opiskella ja millaiset vaatimukset liittyvät yhden tai kahden opetettavan aineen pätevyyteen.