The Bachelor Programme in Lifelong Learning and Sustainable Development provides students with the knowledge and skills to promote learning and education as essential constructors of sustainable development. The programme focuses on lifelong learning across the life course, exploring its role in fostering social and cultural sustainability. The programme gives an opportunity to learn, in a multicultural and diverse context, how sustainable development can be advanced locally and globally, using also innovative out-of-school learning spaces and methods typical for adult and lifelong learning (intergenerational or informal learning, nonformal education, learning in associations, workplaces, organisations, civic movements, etc.).
Some courses in the programme are based on project-based learning (PBL) or service-learning, in which studying takes place in co-operation with working-life organizations, including planning, implementing, and developing local, national and international activities or projects supporting sustainable development and lifelong learning.
Key information
- Level of degree: Bachelor's degree
- Programme duration: 3 years / 180 ECTS credits
- Language of instruction: English
- Programme start: September 2026
- Tuition fee: EU/EEA nationals no tuition fee, non-EU/EEA nationals 10 000 €/academic year.
- Tuition waivers are available for excellent students.
- Study campus: Joensuu
Why study with us?
- The programme gives you an opportunity to learn, in a multicultural and diverse context, how sustainable development can be advanced locally and globally, using innovative out-of-school learning spaces and methods typical of adult and lifelong learning (intergenerational or informal learning, nonformal education, associations, workplaces, organisations, civic movements, etc.).
Join our webinar 14 November
We warmly welcome you to our webinar, where you get to learn more our programme, the admission requirements and meet our staff and students.
Register hereStudies
Structure of studies
Basic studies in education 25 ECTS
- Introduction to education and lifelong learning 5 ECTS
- Lifelong Learning and lifecourse 5 ECTS
- Finnish education and society 5 ECTS
- Education policy and Education System 5 ECTS
- Active citizenship and non-formal education 5 ECTS
Intermediate studies in education 54 ECTS
Methodological studies 20 ECTS
- Introduction to statistical methods 5 ECTS
- Qualitative research methods for bachelor programmes 5 ECTS
- Bachelor thesis seminar (LLLSus) 3 ECTS
- Bachelor’s thesis (LLLSus) 6 ECTS
- Information skills in educational sciences, 1 ECTS
- Maturity test (LLLSus) 0 ECTS
Thematic studies 34 ECTS
- Globalization and education 5 ECTS
- Adult Education Promoting Sustainable Development 5 ECTS
- Classics of education and adult education 5 ECTS
- Current Trends in Education 4 ECTS
- Theory and practice of network and project work 5 ECTS
- Sociology of Education 5 ECTS
- Professional pathways for sustainability education experts 5 ECTS
Other studies e.g.
- Internship (LLLSus) 10 ECTS
Minor subject studies: Either a basic and intermediate study combination, or two sets of basic study combinations (50-60 ECTS)
Other studies: Any university studies or a study unit (20-30 ECTS)
During their studies, students will be able to create working-life skills and build their own working-life networks. The studies also provide methodological and theoretical skills to analyse and study education as a constructor of individuals and society. This makes it possible to continue studies in one of the university’s international Master's programmes.
The programme does not confer teacher qualifications. Instead the programme produces competencies that can be utilized in a wide variety of occupations. Students’ own interests, minor studies, and work experience guides future career opportunities.
Career opportunities aren’t limited to one specific profession!
Emphasis on:
- Education and adult education
- Educational planning
- Educational policy
- Development projects
- Development cooperation
After completing the bachelors degree you can continue your studies and apply for master's programme.
Bachelor's degree programme in Lifelong Learning and Sustainable Development offers basic studies in Lifelong Learning and Sustainable development in Open university. You can find more information in Open University's webpage.
How to apply?
In most cases, applicants who are eligible to pursue higher education in their home country are also eligible to apply for bachelor's level studies in Finland. To be eligible for admission to a bachelor's programme at the University of Eastern Finland, applicants must submit their application during the official admission period. The following documents must be uploaded as attachments during the application process:
· Certificate of completed upper secondary education (or higher education degree) ➤ Eligibility Based on Educational Background
· Proof of English language proficiency ➤ Language Requirements
Programme-specific requirements are listed below and on the Studyinfo application portal. Please review them carefully before applying.
General instructions about the application process are available on How to apply?
Admission group I – entrance examination using online interview
To be eligible to apply in this admission group I the applicants must meet the general
eligibility criteria defined earlier.
The admission to the programme in Admission group I is based on online interview.
Online link and guidelines will be sent to eligible applicants by February 16, 2026. The
online interview is organized between February 23rd and March 6th, 2026.
The purpose of the online interview in English is to check the applicant’s identity and find
out about the applicant’s motivation and interests in the field of education and
sustainability, and readiness for managing academic studies. The applicants must have
the technical tools to conduct the online interview: a computer or a mobile device with a
camera and microphone, a quiet private space and a stable internet connection. The
responsibility to organize these technical and physical facilities lies with the applicant.
In the online interview there will be five interview questions, and each answer is evaluated
using points on scale 0 to 5. The applicant must answer all questions and gain at least 1
point for each answer, and at least 10 total points out of 25 points from the interview. In
admission group I study places will be offered to top 20 eligible applicants ranked based
on the points of the online interview.
Admission group II – Open university route
To be eligible to apply in admission group II applicants must have completed basic
studies (25 ECTS) of Bachelor’s degree programme in Lifelong Learning and
Sustainable Development at the University of Eastern Finland Open University by 1 May
2026 with grade 3 or higher on scale 1-5.
Additionally, the applicant must meet the above-mentioned language requirements to be
eligible to apply in this admission group.
Applicants must submit their current open university study transcript of courses
completed so far by 28 January 2026 at 15:00 pm. All five courses must have been
completed by 31 March so they can be graded and the basic studies study unit (25 ECTS)
compiled by university administration 1 May 2026.
Applicants are ranked according to the weighted mean of grades of the five basic studies
courses, calculated to two decimal places. If applicants have the same weighted mean, they will be ranked according to the points received in book and lecture exams at the
course Introduction to education and lifelong learning (5 ECTS).
If some of the 5 study places in this Admission group II are not filled, remaining places will
be transferred to be filled in the Admission group I.
Applicants must upload high-quality scans of their 1) original educational documents, 2) proof of English language proficiency, and 3) any programme-specific attachments to their electronic application during the application period. Paper copies are not required at the first application stage. Instructions on Studyinfo must be followed, and all documents submitted by the given deadlines.
Students in the final semester of their studies are eligible to apply. Their admission will be conditional until graduation is confirmed. For details, see: Eligibility Based on Educational Background
Copy of passport or residence permit card
Applicants must upload a copy of their passport's ID page or their ID card, or upload copies of both sides of their residence permit card to the online application form.
General information on types of documents and how to submit them.
Document verification for accepted students
All applicants are conditionally admitted pending verification of their educational documents*. To finalize admission, students must submit verified copies of their degree certificates or diplomas by the specified deadlines. The university will assess the authenticity and eligibility of all submitted documents. Failure to verify documents will result in cancellation of the conditional admission.
*Degrees completed at a Finnish university or university of applied sciences, as well as the Finnish matriculation examination, are verified through the national database.
There are several ways to submit documents for verification:
1. Educational documents shared through electronic credential services
2. Electronically signed or verified educational documents
3. Educational documents sent by e-mail by the awarding institution
4. Educational paper documents sent by post
We recommend using electronic verification methods. For detailed instructions, deadlines and tips, please refer to verification of official documents.
The annual tuition fee for non-EU/EEA students is 10,000 EUR. There are no tuition fees for
students who are citizens of EU/EEA countries or Switzerland. Applicants subject to tuition fees can apply for tuition waivers and scholarships during the application process by completing the relevant section on the application form.
In the Bachelor’s degree programme in Lifelong Learning and Sustainable Development, the best 70 % of admitted applicants receive a scholarship covering 50 % of the tuition fee. In
addition, the highest ranked applicant will be completely exempted from paying the tuition
fee.
More information about the tuition fees and waivers.
Other National Fees: In addition to tuition fees, degree students are required to pay the Student Union membership fee and the Kela student healthcare fee. Please also note: a national application fee is collected from applicants from countries outside EU/EEA.
Application period 2026
Application period is 7.1.-21.1.2026. Attachments must be submitted by 28.1.2026, at 15:00 pm Finnish time.
Apply via Studyinfo
Studyinfo.fi is the official national admissions portal with all the up-to-date information about study programmes leading to a degree in Finland.
Lifelong Learning and Sustainable Development, Bachelor of Arts (Education)
Apply via Studyinfo
Sign up for newsletter
Interested in studying at UEF? Click here and subscibe to our newsletter.
Contact information
Please do not hesitate to contact us in case you have any questions about our programme.
Programme coordinator: Jenni Korhonen, [email protected]
