Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Lifelong Learning and Sustainable Development

About the course

A 3-year, 180 ECTS degree taught in English on lifelong learning and education as drivers of social and sustainable development, delivered by UEF’s School of Educational Sciences and Psychology in Joensuu.

Entry requirements for Irish students

• UEF accepts any comparable upper secondary qualification that gives eligibility for bachelor’s studies in the country where it was awarded. It does not mention the Irish Leaving Certificate specifically, so a completed Leaving Cert that meets Irish university matriculation rules should make you eligible. UEF publishes no minimum Leaving Cert grades (H1-H8, O1-O8), subject levels or points, and CAO points are not used. Confirm with UEF admissions.
• Leaving Cert holders are ranked by an online interview (Admission Group I), scored 0-25 with a minimum of 10 points; the top 18 eligible applicants get offers. The certificate-based group (Group III) uses Finnish matriculation exam scores. No SAT is needed for this programme.
• English: no test is needed if your upper secondary education in the EU/EEA (including Ireland) was taught and assessed in English, but the language of instruction must be clearly stated on your documents or confirmed officially by your school. The Leaving Cert does not state it, so get a school letter. Otherwise: IELTS Academic 6.0 (min 5.5 in each part), TOEFL iBT overall 4 on the new scale (78 on the old scale), PTE Academic 62 (min 61 writing), Cambridge C1 Advanced grade C or C2 Proficiency at C1 level.

How to apply

1. Apply on Studyinfo.fiSubmit your application in the joint application, 7-21 January 2027.
2. Upload documentsBy 28 January 2027 at 23:59 Finnish time: your latest school grades, passport copy and proof of English (a school letter confirming you were taught and assessed in English).
3. Online interviewTake the online interview between 15 and 21 February 2027. You need at least 10 of 25 points to be considered.
4. Accept and send final certificateOffers to applicants still in school are conditional. UEF asks for the final certificate by 30 July 2027, which is before Leaving Cert results are issued, so contact UEF admissions early about the timing.

Costs

• No tuition fee for EU/EEA citizens. Non-EU/EEA students pay 10,000 euro a year (with a 30% early-bird discount available to them).

At a glance