University of Helsinki FACULTY OF BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES Department Of teacher Education STEP SUBJECT TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMME
2 Photography: Kaisa Hahl Paavo Peltonen Layout: Paavo Peltonen
3 APPLICATION GUIDE for the Subject Teacher Education Programme in English (STEP) in 2016 This application guide for the Subject Teacher Education Programme in English (STEP) includes general information on subject teacher education and teacher qualifications, instructions for application, the admission criteria, previous studies required to be qualified to apply, attachments for application, and the selection procedures as described in the two selection groups. Contents 1. Subject teacher education programme 4 1.1. Objectives of subject teacher education 4 2. Applicants 4 3. Admission requirements for the Subject Teacher Education Programme in English (STEP) 4 3.1. Intake quota and teaching subjects / Majors 4 3.2. Language requirements 5 3.3. Previous studies 5 4. Application period and submitting application 6 5. Selection procedures 7 5.1. In case of even points 7 6. Publishing of results and appeals procedure 7 7. Starting and completing studies 8 7.1. Starting of the studies 8 7.2. Study rights 8 7.3. Registering for studies 8 8. Teacher qualification requirements 8 8.1. Equivalency certificate for the studies in the teaching subject 9 8.2. Teachers language requirements 9 9. Contact information and study guidance 9 10. Student selection timetable 2016 10
4 1. Subject teacher education programme STEP - Subject Teacher Education Programme in English includes 60 ECTS credits of teachers pedagogical studies. The studies comprise 25 ECTS of basic studies and 35 ECTS of intermediate studies, and they are designed in such a way that the whole programme can be completed in one academic year. Thus, it is not a Master s programme but a minor. Students who will be admitted to the Subject Teacher Education Programme in English (STEP) are strongly encouraged to start their studies the same year that they apply and complete the programme in one year. 1.1. Objectives of subject teacher education The Pedagogical Studies for Teachers give general teacher qualifications to teach children, young people and adults in educational institutions offering general, vocational and adult education. During the programme, students combine content knowledge, knowledge related to education and different learners, subject didactic knowledge, i.e. knowledge of how to teach, study and learn the subject, and knowledge about school practices into their own pedagogical practical theory. The purpose of the programme is to help the future teacher to develop into a professional in the planning, implementation, evaluation, and development of teaching. After completing the pedagogical studies, the teacher will function in various work, teaching and studying environments while adhering to professional ethics. Values related to active citizenship, social equality, and intercultural understanding are emphasized in the programme. The Subject Teacher Education Programme in English has a strong international emphasis as the programme admits both Finnish and international students studying for a degree at the University of Helsinki, and Finnish and international students who have completed a Master s degree. 2. applicants: basic degree students and applicants in the separate selection quota 3. Admission requirements t0 the Subject Teacher Education Programme in English (STEP) 3.1. Intake quota AND TEACHING SUBJECTS / Majors Applicants to STEP are chosen from the following majors (teaching subjects or study programmes): Arts group Foreign languages (Faculty of Arts) English (Philology or Translation) French (Philology) German (Philology or Translation) Italian (Philology) Spanish (Philology) Swedish as a Second National Language (Scandinavian languages and translation studies in Swedish) Science group Chemistry (Faculty of Science) Mathematics (Faculty of Science) Physics (Faculty of Science) Arts and Science groups together 25 students: 17 basic degree students 8 applicants in separate selection quota Eight of the total 25 students will be accepted into the programme from the separate selection quota. If the quota within one group is not filled due to the lack of applicants who meet the set requirements, the quota of the other group can be enlarged. 1. Basic degree students at the University of Helsinki (studying for their Bachelor s and Master s degrees or studying in a Master s degree programme; NB! Doctoral students are not basic degree students) in the faculties of Arts and Science can apply to the Subject Teacher Education Programme in English (STEP). A degree student can apply to the Subject Teacher Education Programme although he or she would be applying to one of the other programmes for Pedagogical Studies for Teachers (e.g. the Finnish aineenopettajan koulutus). 2. Applicants who have already completed a Master s degree (at the University of Helsinki or another university) and have at least 60 credits of basic and intermediate studies of a teaching subject taught in basic or general upper secondary education and are such that are required of a subject teacher in Finland can apply to the Subject Teacher Education Programme in English (STEP) in a separate selection quota. An applicant in the separate selection quota can apply to the Pedagogical Studies for Teachers in only one selection group (and one subject).
5 3.2. Language requirements Applicants applying to the Subject Teacher Education Programme in English (STEP) must have a high level of English skills in order to study efficiently and be involved in group discussions and exercises. The University of Helsinki demands an indication of academic level language skills of all applicants. Statements by individual language teachers on an applicant s language skills are unacceptable, as they cannot be compared with standardized language tests. Students can prove their level of English skills by, for example, one of the following ways: completed English as a compulsory foreign language in a Finnish higher education degree (English Academic and Professional Skills, EAPS) The Faculty of Behavioural Sciences approves as adequate proof of proficiency in English an applicant s degree completed in a Finnish university or university of applied sciences which includes foreign language studies in English as defined by the Government Decree on University or Polytechnic Degrees study rights of English Philology or Translation of English at the Department of Modern Languages at the University of Helsinki University of Helsinki Language Services test, Average: skills level 5 http://www.helsinki.fi/kksc/language.services/english/ kielitestit_kv_hakijoille.html secondary school education in English in one of the Nordic Countries, Great Britain, Ireland, the U.S.A., Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. equivalency certificate for the studies in English as a teaching subject given by the Finnish National Board of Education or a Faculty of Arts at a Finnish university for the full list of acceptable ways of indicating English skill level, see: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/english-language-requirements NB! Admission into this programme does not guarantee necessary language skills to teach in an international or Finnish school as the matter is governed by the same decrees as for the general qualifications (Decree No. 986/1998, Decree No. 865/2005). 3.3. Previous studies Basic degree students Basic degree students must have completed the basic and intermediate studies in their teaching subject or an equivalent of them (not including Proseminar and Bachelor s thesis), and must have at least a total of 120 credits. This requirement is in place so that students are able to complete the whole Subject Teacher Education Programme in one year, including the practices (Basic, Applied, and Advanced). (Questions regarding studies of teaching subjects can be directed to the faculty office of the subject in question.) Students of Translation must have supplemented their studies so that they correspond to the studies of the language as a teaching subject. For Chemistry students, the previous studies must include 25 credits of basic studies and 40 credits of intermediate studies, including the following course Tutkimuksellinen kemian opetus I/ Inquiry-based chemistry teaching I. For Mathematics students, the previous studies must include 80 credits of basic and intermediate studies and 10 credits of advanced studies in Mathematics. For Physics students, the previous studies must include 71 credits of basic and intermediate studies and 10 credits of advanced studies in Physics, including the following course Opettajien pääainefysiikan laboratoriokurssi I / Experimentation in school laboratory for physics major I (or half of the course Opettajien syventävä laboratoriokurssi ). Applicants in the separate selection quota Applicants who have already completed a Master s degree can apply to the Subject Teacher Education Programme in English (STEP) in a separate selection quota. They must have completed either as part of their Master s degree or separately at least 60 credits of basic and intermediate studies in one of the teaching subjects listed in Section 3.1. Please see Section 8.1. for information on Equivalency certificate for the studies in the teaching subject.
6 4. Application period and submitting application Applications to STEP and attachments are submitted via an electronic E-application form. Links to the E-application form and the Background Information Form can be found on STEP Web once the application period begins. NB! The Background Information Form is a mandatory attachment. http://www.helsinki.fi/teachereducation/step/information/admissionrequirements/index.html The application period for the Subject Teacher Education Programme ends on Tuesday, 1 March 2016 at 15:00 o clock (3:00 p.m. GMT +2). Late applications cannot be processed. Applicants will receive an automatic confirmation email after they have submitted the E-application form. Attachments to the E-application form for basic degree students 1. Original Background Information Form (photo is mandatory) AND 2. Possible proof of language skills* AND For applicants who are studying in a Master s degree programme at the University of Helsinki but have not completed their Bachelor s degree at the UH also: 3. Proof or clarification from the applicant s own faculty that the studies in their Bachelor s degree (with which the applicant gained admission into the Master s programme) and the current Master s degree programme together include at least 60 credits (or 35 study weeks) in the teaching subject taught in basic or general upper secondary education.* An email confirmation or a similar kind of clarification from the Faculty (or Department) will be sufficient. Attachments to the E-application form for applicants in the separate selection quota 1. Original Background Information Form (photo is mandatory) AND 2. Possible proof of language skills* 3. Proof of a Master degree if not completed at the University of Helsinki, or, in case of non-finnish degrees, a decision on comparability of a higher university degree, given by the Finnish National Board of Education. (NB! The degree diploma must be for a Master s degree, not for a doctor or licenciate s degree) 4. Equivalency certificate for the basic and intermediate studies of at least 60 credits (or 35 study weeks) in the teaching subject taught in basic or general upper secondary education and are such that are required of a subject teacher in Finland (see Section 8.1.) * 5. Possible certificates of teaching experience, including position, hours and duration. NB! Teaching experience that will be considered must be full-time (at least 16 hours per week). *) Applicants can supplement their application with proof of language skills (see section 3.2.) and prior studies (see section 3.3.) until Friday, 22 April 2016. The attachments can also be sent to the Office for Study Affairs at the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences in paper form, address: Käyttäytymistieteellinen tiedekunta/opintoasiat, PL 9, 00014 Helsingin yliopisto (Office for Study Affairs/Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, P.O. Box 9, 00014 University of Helsinki). Please mark on the envelope Application to the Subject Teacher Education Programme. For more information about the attachments, see STEP FAQs. NB! If the attachments are sent in paper form, add two photocopies of the Background Information Form along with the original form.
7 5. Selection procedures The selection of students into the Subject Teacher Education Programme is based on an entrance exam that consists of a text-based interview. Applicants are given a text (related to teaching in general or the subject to be taught) to read about 20 minutes prior to the interview. The interview takes about 15 minutes, and it is based on the before-mentioned text and the information given by the applicant on the Background Information Form. Applicants are not, however, granted points on the information given on the form but it will be used as support during the entrance exam interview. The maximum number of students to be invited to an interview is about 38 (maximum 1.5 times the number of students to be admitted to the programme). If there are more than 38 applicants, the selection of the students to be invited to the interview is based on previous studies. More detailed information of the date, time and place of the entrance exam will be given in the invitation. The interview is assessed by one or two interviewers. The purpose of the interview is to evaluate the applicant s suitability to work as a teacher. The applicant s motivation and interaction skills and the feasibility of his/her plans are evaluated in the interview. The maximum number of points to be given in the interview is 10 (and the minimum required to be accepted is 4 points). 5.1. In case of Even points Degree students In case of even points, the order of applicants is determined in the following way: 1. Priority will be given to the applicant who is furthest in his/her studies in the major (first teaching subject), counted as credits of the mandatory studies that are part of the degree; 2. If the points are still even, priority will be given to the applicant who is furthest in his/her studies of the second teaching subject, counted as credits of the studies belonging to the degree requirements; 3. If the points are still even, priority will be given to the applicant who is furthest in his/her studies overall, counted as total credits. 6. Publishing of results and appeals procedure The names of all applicants admitted to the Subject Teacher Education Programme will be published on Tuesday, 31 May 2016. The accepted applicants will be sent a letter of acceptance that includes information about the start of the studies. All applicants who attended the entrance exam will be sent information of the entrance exam results. If an applicant is dissatisfied with the selection results or the entrance exam, he or she can submit a written appeal within 14 days of the publication of the results. Appeals against the assessment of the entrance exam will be decided by the Student Selection Board of the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences. Appeals for a rectification to the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences must be addressed to: Käyttäytymistieteellinen tiedekunta, PL 9, 00014 Helsingin yliopisto (Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, P.O. Box 9, 00014 University of Helsinki). If brought in person, the address is Siltavuorenpenger 5, K1 floor, room K141d. The appeals period for the decisions in the selection of applicants to the entrance exam (Phase I) in the application to the Subject Teacher Education Programme ends on Friday, 15 April 2016 at 15:00 o clock (3:00 p.m. GMT +2). The appeals period for the final decisions on the admitted applicants (Phase II) ends on Tuesday, 14 June 2016 at 15:00 o clock (3:00 p.m. GMT +2). The appeal against the assessment of the entrance exam must clearly state for what point and on what grounds a rectification is sought. See the Student Selection Timetable on page 10. Separate selection applicants In case of even points, the order of applicants is determined in the following way: 1. Priority will be given to the applicant who has the most teaching experience; 2. If the points are still even, priority will be given to the applicant who has another teaching subject; 3. If the points are still even, priority will be given to the applicant who has the most university studies overall, counted as total credits.
8 7. Starting and completing studies The Subject Teacher Education Programme in English (STEP) is organized by the Department of Teacher Education at the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences. The Subject Teacher Education Programme consists of 60 credits (the basic and intermediate studies of education) that are divided into four periods and can be completed in one academic year. More detailed information about the content and courses of the STEP are found in Flamma, the intranet pages of the University of Helsinki. The degree requirements and curricula are not published in print. 7.1. Starting of the studies Applicants admitted to the Subject Teacher Education Programme in English (STEP) are strongly encouraged to start their studies the same year that they apply. The requirements for prior studies are in place so that students are able to complete the whole Subject Teacher Education Programme in one year, including the practices (Basic, Applied, and Advanced). The studies include a great deal of contact teaching that requires attendance. Since the programme admits a total of only 25 students, the groups are small, and in case a student delays the start of his or her studies, place in the groups later cannot be guaranteed. The places in the groups are prioritized in such a way that the admitted students in the current year have priority. Also, since the number of admitted students is small, there are no set book examinations to replace the lectures and courses. 7.2. Study rights Basic degree students The study right for the Subject Teacher Education Programme is valid as long as an admitted applicant s study right for his/her basic degree studies (Bachelor s and Master s degrees or Master s degree programme) is valid. Separate applicants For a student admitted to the STEP in the separate selection quota, his/her study right is valid 1 August 2016 to 31 December 2017 (one and a half years). 7.3. Registering for studies Students need to register for the different courses of the Subject Teacher Education Programme. Sign-ups are done in WebOodi, www. helsinki.fi/weboodi, using the user ID issued by the University IT Department. Registrations for the autumn courses (Periods 1 and 2) are done in summer, and sign-ups for the spring courses (Periods 3 and 4) are done in autumn. 8. Teacher qualification requirements The Pedagogical Studies for Teachers give general teacher qualifications to teach children, young people and adults in educational institutions offering general, vocational and adult education (basic education, upper secondary school, vocational education, polytechnics, and adult education centres). The qualifications for subject teachers in Finland depend on the school level. To be a qualified subject teacher in the comprehensive school (Grades 1 to 9) in Finland, a person must have completed a higher University degree (a Master s degree) at least basic and intermediate or equivalent studies of 60 ECTS credits (35 study weeks) in a subject that is taught in comprehensive schools 60 ECTS of teachers pedagogical studies To be a qualified subject teacher in the upper secondary school in Finland, a person must have completed a higher University degree (a Master s degree) at least 120 ECTS credits in one teaching subject that is taught in the upper secondary school and at least 60 credits in other possible teaching subjects at least 60 ECTS of teachers pedagogical studies In order to be qualified to teach in a Finnish comprehensive school, teachers must also possess excellent competence of the teaching language of the school (usually Finnish or Swedish). In upper secondary schools the competency requirement for teachers is to master the teaching language. The regulations are stipulated in the same decrees as for the general qualifications (Decree 986/1998, Decree 865/2005).
9 For more information on teaching qualifications from other countries and on recognition of teacher education from other countries, please see: The Finnish National Board of Education 8.1. Equivalency certificate for the studies in the teaching subject If the pedagogical studies are completed as separate studies after a Master s degree, the qualification for the studies of the subjects taught in basic education or in the upper secondary school must be proved with an equivalency certificate given by the subject faculty. The equivalency certificate (the faculty dean s decision) is proof that the studies completed at the university for a certain subject correspond with the studies of that subject taught in basic/upper secondary education and are such that are required of a subject teacher in Finland (at least 60 credits of basic and intermediate studies). The equivalency certificate is needed at the time of applying for a teaching position in a comprehensive or upper secondary school if the Pedagogical Studies for Teachers or studies of a new teaching subject have been done separately. Equivalency certificates are awarded by the faculty at the university where the studies of the particular teaching subject have been completed if the university has Pedagogical Studies for Teachers. Otherwise, an equivalency certificate is awarded by a university where such a programme exists. It is recommended that the request to the appropriate Faculty for an equivalency certificate is done either by mail or email. The request needs to include at least: name of the person requesting, social security number or student number, phone number, email address, and postal address where the certificate can be mailed to. See the contact information on STEP Web. NB! The university may require the applicant to supplement his/ her studies with supplementary courses before he or she is awarded the equivalency certificate. If this is the case, the applicant will not be eligible to apply to STEP before he or she has supplemented his/ her studies with the missing courses and received the equivalency certificate. The applicant will have to apply separately for the supplementary/non-degree studies at the university in question. If some of the studies have been completed at a university other than the University of Helsinki and the studies do not show in the student registry at the UH, certified copies of original diplomas must be submitted. There is a fee of EUR 126 for an equivalency certificate. The fee is based on the Ministry of Education Decree 1082/2009 on Criteria for Charges Payable to Universities. The same fee is charged even if the request for an equivalency certificate is denied. Please allow sufficient time for applying for this document as it may take time to check the required studies. Equivalency certificates are not usually awarded during the summer between midsummer and the end of July. There might also be breaks in the processing of requests during Christmas time. 8.2. Teachers language requirements In order to be qualified to teach in a Finnish comprehensive school (age 7 to 15), teachers need to possess excellent competence of the teaching language of the school, usually Finnish or Swedish. (The decree regulating language skills in Finnish or Swedish in public administration is Decree No. 481/2003.) In upper secondary schools the competency requirement for teachers is to master the teaching language. (The regulations are stipulated in the same decrees as for the general qualifications (Decree No. 986/1998, Decree No. 865/2005). Students partaking in the Subject Teacher Education Programme in English need to possess a high level of English skills (see Section 3.2.) in order to study efficiently and be involved in group discussions and exercises. Admission into this programme, however, does not guarantee necessary language skills to teach in an international or Finnish school as the matter is governed by the above-mentioned decrees and/or international schools own policies. 9. Contact information and study guidance Information about the Subject Teacher Education Programme can be found on STEP Web: http://www.helsinki.fi/teachereducation/step/ Information about the application process can be obtained from: Office for Study Affairs at the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences kaytt-neuvonta (at) helsinki.fi Inquiries related to the Subject Teacher Education Programme and studying in the programme can be directed to: step-info (at) helsinki.fi
10 UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI Pedagogical Studies for Teachers Student Selection 2016 Faculty of Behavioural Sciences Subject Teacher Education Programme in English (STEP) Subject Teacher Education Programme in English (STEP) Basic degree students and applicants who have completed a Master s degree Application period ends I Phase Decisions on the selection of applicants to the entrance exam Appeals period for Phase I ends (selection of applicants to the entrance exam) Phase II** entrance exam (consists of a text-based interview) Publishing of results Appeals period for the final decisions on the admitted applicants ends Selection group Exam days Selection group: Arts Foreign languages English French German Italian Spanish Swedish (as a Second National Language) Tuesday, 1 March 2016 at 15:00 o clock* Friday, 1 April 2016 Friday, 15 April 2016 at 15:00 o clock Arts Wednesday, 11 May and Thursday, 12 May 2016 (an applicant partakes in the exam on only one day; more detailed information on the time and place will be given in the invitation) Tuesday, 31 May 2016 Tuesday, 14 June 2016 at 15:00 o clock Selection group: Science Chemistry Mathematics Physics Tuesday, 1 March 2016 at 15:00 o clock* Friday, 1 April 2016 Friday, 15 April 2016 at 15:00 o clock Science Wednesday, 11 May and Thursday, 12 May 2016 (an applicant partakes in the exam on only one day; more detailed information on the time and place will be given in the invitation) Tuesday, 31 May 2016 Tuesday, 14 June 2016 at 15:00 o clock *) Applicants can supplement their application with proof of language skills or prior studies until Friday, 22 April 2016. **) Interview invitations are sent out Friday, 1 April 2016.