Education in Finland – Gain insights with 5 MOOCs

A sustainable society is built by fostering well-being and learning for life. Join five Education in Finland: Learning for Life MOOCs designed by top education experts and study the best practices of Finnish education. Explore educational leadership,  early childhood education and care (ECEC) and pre-primary education, basic education, upper secondary education as well as guidance and counselling. Develop your expertise with the flexible, fully online studies. The courses are open for anyone and free of charge.

Finland has often been described as the happiest country in the world. The education system, and how it embodies the country’s deep-rooted values, is seen as key to the success Finland has seen in recent decades. The foundation of the world-famous Finnish education system was created at the University of Jyväskylä (JYU) in 1863.

But what are the actual strengths, best practices, and highlights of Finland’s education system? Find out for yourself: you can explore core aspects of Finnish education through studies available for anyone on University of Jyväskylä Online Courses.

The courses are designed for anyone who is interested in education, teaching and leading pedagogical know-how. Get academic study credits from one of the leading multidisciplinary universities in Finland when you register for the courses. No prior studies are required.

  • MOOC 1. Educational Leadership: Supporting high-quality teaching in Finland (1 ECTS): Sign up here!
  • MOOC 2. Finnish Early Education and Pedagogy: Right to play, learn and participate (1 ECTS): Sign up here!
  • MOOC 3. Finnish Basic Education: Equal opportunities for all (1 ECTS): Sign up here!
  • MOOC 4. Upper Secondary Education in Finland: No dead ends (1 ECTS): Sign up here!
  • MOOC 5. Educational Support and Guidance Services in Finland: Agency through collaboration (1 ECTS): Sign up here!

MOOC 1. Educational Leadership: Supporting high-quality teaching in Finland (1 ECTS)

Why do we need educational leaders? What do early childhood education and care (ECEC) leaders and school leaders do? To understand educational leadership, you first need to understand the role of the head of ECEC and the school leader today. In this MOOC, you will focus on the nature of Finnish educational leadership and the role of education policy in Finnish society. Enhance your leadership skills and knowledge conveniently online.

  • Course open: 1.9.2023-31.8.2024
  • Registration open: 1.9.2023-15.8.2024
  • Study credits: 1 ECTS per MOOC
  • EQF level: 6
  • Study fee: free of charge
  • Prerequisites: No previous studies required

MOOC 1. Educational Leadership: Supporting high-quality teaching in Finland (1 ECTS)

SIGN UP FOR THE COURSE >>

The link above is only active during the registration period (1 September 2023 – 15 August 2024). 

Please note:
Registration for this course is binding. Registration requires a valid passport or an EU identity card. If you have a Finnish bank ID, you can register via the OMA service.
JYU Open cancellation policy

MOOC 2. Finnish Early Education and Pedagogy: Right to play, learn and participate (1 ECTS)

Child-centred, play-based, holistic: These are keywords to describe ECEC and pre-primary education in Finland. Educational principles strengthen social inclusion, support quality interaction, emphasise participation, and embrace joy of learning. Learn what these key principles of high-quality pedagogy mean in practice. We aim to provide the confidence and skills to support pedagogical activities throughout the whole day in various situations using the daily structure of Finnish ECEC as a model. In the course assignments, you can reflect on how you may apply the principles and practices of Finnish early education in your own community. Join us on a journey through the daily schedule and spend one day with us in Finnish ECEC!

  • Course open: 1.9.2023-31.8.2024
  • Registration open: 1.9.2023-15.8.2024
  • Study credits: 1 ECTS per MOOC
  • EQF level: 6
  • Study fee: free of charge
  • Prerequisites: No previous studies required

MOOC 2. Finnish Early Education and Pedagogy: Right to play, learn and participate (1 ECTS)

SIGN UP FOR THE COURSE >>

The link above is only active during the registration period (1 September 2023 – 15 August 2024).

Please note:
Registration for this course is binding. Registration requires a valid passport or an EU identity card. If you have a Finnish bank ID, you can register via the OMA service.
JYU Open cancellation policy

MOOC 3. Finnish Basic Education: Equal opportunities for all  (1 ECTS)

Rooted in tradition but always forward-thinking, Finnish basic education is famed for its emphasis on equality. On this MOOC, you will learn about the principles and structures of basic education, the Finnish way. How did basic education in Finland become the success story it has emerged as? How is teacher training changing? And what is phenomenon-based learning? 

  • Course open: 1.9.2023-31.8.2024
  • Registration open: 1.9.2023-15.8.2024
  • Study credits: 1 ECTS per MOOC
  • EQF level: 6
  • Study fee: free of charge
  • Prerequisites: No previous studies required

MOOC 3. Finnish Basic Education: Equal opportunities for all (1 ECTS)

SIGN UP FOR THE COURSE >>

The link above is only active during the registration period (1 September 2023 – 15 August 2024).


Please note: Registration for this course is binding. Registration requires a valid passport or an EU identity card. If you have a Finnish bank ID, you can register via the OMA service.
JYU Open cancellation policy

MOOC 4. Upper Secondary Education in Finland: No dead ends (1 ECTS)

At the upper secondary stage, students are on the brink of adulthood and looking towards their futures in both education and working life. In Finland, students choose between general upper secondary school, vocational education or a combination of the two in dual qualifications. This MOOC sheds light on the pedagogical practices, support services, and individual learning and competence plans of that ensure every student is always able to keep on studying and learning. 

  • Course open: 1.9.2023-31.8.2024
  • Registration open: 1.9.2023-15.8.2024
  • Study credits: 1 ECTS per MOOC
  • EQF level: 6
  • Study fee: free of charge
  • Prerequisites: No previous studies required

MOOC 4. Upper Secondary Education in Finland: No dead ends (1 ECTS)

SIGN UP FOR THE COURSE >>

The link above is only active during the registration period (1 September 2023 – 15 August 2024).


Please note: Registration for this course is binding. Registration requires a valid passport or an EU identity card. If you have a Finnish bank ID, you can register via the OMA service.
JYU Open cancellation policy

MOOC 5. Educational Support and Guidance Services in Finland: Agency through collaboration  (1 ECTS)

Educational support, guidance and counselling are built-in features of the Finnish education system. This MOOC delves into special education and the inclusive practices that colour education in Finland. 

  • Course open: 1.9.2023-31.8.2024
  • Registration open: 1.9.2023-15.8.2024
  • Study credits: 1 ECTS per MOOC
  • EQF level: 6
  • Study fee: free of charge
  • Prerequisites: No previous studies required

MOOC 5. Educational Support and Guidance Services in Finland: Agency through collaboration (1 ECTS)

SIGN UP FOR THE COURSE >>

The link above is only active during the registration period (1 September 2023 – 15 August 2024).


Please note: Registration for this course is binding. Registration requires a valid passport or an EU identity card. If you have a Finnish bank ID, you can register via the OMA service.
JYU Open cancellation policy

Education in Finland – Learning for Life

The online courses centre around the joy of learning and equal opportunities in education. The courses also discuss the way respect for students is a consistent element throughout Finnish education philosophy.

Gain research-based knowledge and insights from top experts in Finnish education on how to build high-quality teaching practices and learning experiences that build towards well-being and a successful society.

The courses are designed for anyone who is interested in education, teaching and leading pedagogical know-how. Get academic study credits from one of the leading multidisciplinary universities in Finland when you register for the courses. No prior studies are required.

EX16543MOOCS_OpenupEd_transp-8d55af53.pngResearch-based open university studies

High-quality, research-based learning is open for everyone all over the world through the University of Jyväskylä's MOOCs.

JYU is internationally known for its unique expertise and data sets in multidisciplinary research on learning, teaching and interaction combined with a broad range of widely acknowledged teacher education programmes and research.

The high-quality education and research of JYU is recognised by international rankings

  • Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE): 351–400
  • Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE) (research in education: 67
  • Shanghai Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (research in education): 40
  • QS World University Rankings by Subject (education): 78