Wellbeing and the Futures of Youth and Community Work
Community Educator (Bachelor of Humanities)
Support, empower, create futures – Join us in shaping the well-being and future of youth and communities!
These studies focus on promoting well-being, inclusion, and sustainable change in youth and community work. You’ll learn to understand and support people’s growth, participation, and empowerment in the changing world. The programme combines experiential and activity-based pedagogy with future-oriented approaches to create meaningful impact in communities. During your studies, you have an opportunity to develop your Finnish language skills to a level that allows you to work confidently in Finnish working environments.
Who is this programme for?
Future Community Educators and Instructors
You’re interested in helping people grow, participate, and find their place in the community. You want to learn how to support young people and adults through education, guidance, and social inclusion. Our studies prepare you for professional roles in youth work, community development, and well-being services in Finland and abroad.
Study internationally in Finland
You want to study in English in an international and multicultural group while living in Finland. You’re curious about Finnish society, well-being structures, and sustainable education. During your studies, you have an opportunity to develop your Finnish language skills to a level that allows you to work confidently in Finnish working environments.
Change-makers for a sustainable future
You’re motivated by equality, participation, and the well-being of communities. You want to explore how youth and community work can respond to global and local challenges — from social inclusion to planetary well-being. Our studies give you tools to lead change and build more sustainable futures for people and communities.
Programme content
Learn through experience – in nature and in community! Adventure and Outdoor Education degree combines theory, practice, and adventurous elements in nature.
The degree consists of 210 ECTS credits and is usually completed in 3,5 years. The studies include common core studies, professional basics, specialization in adventure and outdoor education, optional studies, and supervised internships in Finland or abroad. Dialogue between theory and practice runs through the whole curriculum. You can graduate more quickly by gaining recognition of prior learning (RPL) and/or completing courses during the summer.
You’ll develop strong communication, teamwork, and project management skills and learn to work for a more equal and sustainable world. These studies also cover future-oriented thinking, research-based workplace development, and understanding of the Nordic welfare model.
You’ll explore how communities work and how social change happens. You’ll gain pedagogical skills for guiding individuals and groups and learn how equality, diversity, and participation can be supported in different educational and community settings.
In the specialization studies, theory meets practice. You’ll learn how to promote well-being, inclusion, and sustainability in communities through experiential and activity-based methods. The studies deepen your understanding of youth and community work, human growth and development, and the role of participation and equality in society. You’ll explore how global and local changes shape the field and how professionals can create positive futures through research-based and collaborative development work.
You’ll apply your knowledge in real working-life settings, e.g. in NGOs, youth centers, schools, or adventure-based companies. Training can be completed in Finland or abroad. Through internships, you’ll build professional networks and gain hands-on experience in the field. The networks and work experience from internships often play a key role in finding employment.
At Humak, the RPL, i.e. Recognition of Prior Learning process, means in practice that a student can make use of their prior expertise to advance their studies. This expertise can come from work experience, prior studies or, for example, hobbies and volunteer work, if they are related to the goals of the studies. Approved skills are entered into the study register, which can compensate for a course partially or entirely. Your personal coach is responsible for the RPL procedure.
We also offer you the opportunity to complete courses as summer studies
Who are the daytime studies suitable for?
Helsinki
Daytime studies are perfect for you, if…
You want to study on campus in a community
In the daytime studies, you study at the Helsinki campus in an active and international learning community.
You want to extend learning beyond campus
Your studies take place in authentic learning environments in the surrounding society. The studies include excursions, activities in nearby nature, and guided internship periods.
You want to focus on full-time studies
The studies are full-time contact teaching, including summer terms. Teaching on campus usually takes place between 9 am and 4 pm. The studies include four internship periods.
What skills will you have upon graduation?
We train professionals who promote well-being, inclusion, and sustainable development in youth and community work. As a Community Educator you have the courage to lead positive change in society.
Our goal is, that upon graduation, you know how to…
Support well-being and growth
You know how to create environments that support individuals’ and communities’ well-being, growth, and resilience.
Strengthen participation
You know how to strengthen people’s agency, inclusion, and ability to make a difference in their communities.
Collaborate across networks
You work effectively with multidisciplinary and diverse teams, building partnerships between organizations, schools, and public services.
Develop sustainable practices
You use research-based and ethical approaches to improve your own work and develop organizations, projects, and communities in a sustainable way.
Promote human rights and equality
You understand the principles of equality and human rights education and can apply them in diverse social and educational settings.
Lead change for the future
You have the skills and confidence to act as a change-maker in developing youth and community work to meet the needs of a changing world.
Community Educator graduates from the Well-being and Futures of Youth and Community Work program have versatile career paths in Finland and abroad
You can work in the fields of youth work, social inclusion, education, NGOs, and community development. The degree also prepares you for roles that focus on sustainable well-being, human rights, and social innovation.
Frequently asked questions
There is no tuition fee for EU/EEA or Swiss citizens. For students coming from outside these areas, the tuition fee is 14,000 € per academic year. All students should reserve a small budget for personal equipment, travel to study locations, and optional study trips.
The main study location is Humak’s Helsinki campus (Ilkantie 4, Helsinki, Finland). Some practical trainings and projects take place with local or international partners.
The degree is taught in English. However, students also study Finnish language during their degree to reach a level that allows them to work in Finnish-speaking environments after graduation.
Yes. You can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) if you already have relevant work experience or studies. Approved credits can shorten your study time and let you focus on developing new skills.
Further information
Degree information on StudyInfo
Read more about admission criteria and upcoming application rounds.
Want to know more about the degree?
Download our digital brochure to find out more about studying at Humak.
Have questions?
Contact our Admissions services via email: admissions(at)humak.fi
Or by phone Mon-Thu from 13 to 15:
+358 20 7621 234
Related degrees
Adventure and Outdoor Education
Daytime studies (in English)
Helsinki
NGO and Youth Work
Online studies (in Finnish)
Blended studies (in Finnish)
Helsinki, Jyväskylä, Kuopio, Tampere, Turku
