Admission to MDP in Teaching and Learning

General Academic and Programme-Specific Requirements

To be considered for admission into the international master’s program in Teaching and Learning (Tlearn), applicants must hold a nationally recognised three-year bachelor’s or master’s degree
specifically geared towards the field of Teacher Education (teacher’s qualification). A teaching practice will be completed as part of the studies and candidates must hold certification in primary education or as a qualified subject teacher in at least one of the following compulsory or upper secondary subject areas: English, Mathematics, History, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, Biology, French as a foreign language, German as a foreign language, or Physical Education. Economics and Psychology are also possible at an advanced upper-secondary level. General requirements: https://www.abo.fi/en/study/apply/international-master-programmes/

Language requirements
Applicants must meet the general English language requirements set by Åbo Åkademi University. https://www.abo.fi/en/study/apply/language-requirements/

Student Selection Process

Student selection is based on application documents (including a CV and motivation letter) and an interview. Approximately 50-70 top candidates will be selected for interviews. Selected students must fulfil the formal admission criteria. At the application stage, we require only scanned copies (in colour and pdf format) of the required documents.
In the endeavour to select the most qualified candidates, we consider the following factors:

• The applicant’s academic quality and the success and relevance of the applicant’s overall study record in the completed bachelor’s and other studies, judged primarily from the degree certificate and transcript of records provided.
• Motivation letter that specifically highlights one’s interest to study in this programme, pertinent
  
  experience in one of the above subject areas, as well as commitment to academic research in
  
  educational sciences.
• Relevant teaching experience and other merits and qualifications documented in the CV and
  
  supported by certificates.
• Interview scores

Scoring Scale:

• Motivation letter: A maximum of 25 points graded on personal interest in the program, suitable experience in an appropriate teaching subject area, and demonstrated commitment to academic research in educational sciences.
• Interest in the Programme and Future Goals(6 points): Detail your interest in this specific programme and how it aligns with your academic and career aspirations in educational sciences.
• Relevant Experience in Educational Sciences(6 points): Provide an overview of your pertinent experiences in educational sciences or related fields, illustrating how they have prepared you for this program.
• Teaching Philosophy and Its Application (4 points): Explanation of teaching philosophy, including how these beliefs about education and learning are applied in practice, and how they relate to interest in the programme.
• Personal Qualities, Values, and Motivation (4 points): Reflect on the personal qualities and values that drive commitment to educational sciences and how these will contribute to success in the programme and beyond.
• Commitment to Academic Research (5 points): Dedication to academic research, including any prior research experiences, projects, or aspirations related to educational sciences.
  
  Interview: A maximum of 25 points, consisting of questions regarding knowledge of the programme, suitability of the programme to professional/academic goals, teaching philosophy, teaching experience and research interests.
  
  NOTE: In fulfilment of the Finnish regulations for working with children, admitted students will have to show a Criminal record’s extract before conducting teaching practice in a Finnish school.