The Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Social Services is a 3.5-year, 210 ECTS programme which leads to a Bachelor of Social Services (UAS) degree. The skills and expertise gained through this programme meet the requirements of level 6 in the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

Social services is constantly growing service sector. In the future the lines between different service sectors will be blurred and the service production will be more client-oriented and based on contracts and cooperation between different service providers. Seamless service chains and networking service production assumes new skills and competence, coordination of activities, division of work and efficiency. Future experts in the social field are expected to have abilities to reform welfare services within the limits of existing resources, to adopt information and communication technology and to develop cooperative and inclusive forms of support for clients in various life situations.

A Bachelor of Social Services (UAS) can be employed by municipalities, private companies or third sector organisations and work as a specialist in social counselling and education. There will be new jobs available for experts in social services in local education and culture, in employment and economic services, in correctional services and in the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (KELA). In addition, some task areas in social work will be redefined and this is expected to increase the graduates’ possibilities to make use of their new kind of skills and expertise in practical work. After graduation the student will have abilities to renew welfare services and develop cooperative and inclusive work and support methods for clients in different life situations. A Bachelor of Social Services knows the social welfare and social security systems, early childhood education environments as well as the ways to produce social and health care services. A Bachelor of Social Services is able to forecast future changes and is prepared to participate in service production and development and work in digital environments.

The aim of the UAS education is to provide higher education based on research and science that prepares the student for specialist jobs and supports professional growth. Another aim is to carry out applied research, development and innovation activities to serve the UAS education and the needs of working life and to promote regional development. The aim of Savonia UAS is to serve the Northern Savo Region and the eastern Finland area where the regional vitality is influenced by the constantly changing and internationalising operational environment.

The degree title earned at UAS is Bachelor of Social Services (UAS) and, according to the Act on Qualification Requirements for Social Welfare Professionals (272/2005 § 6), the corresponding job title is social instructor. The professional skills of a Bachelor of Social Services can be described in both generic and specific competences of a Bachelor of Social Services (competence areas). The generic competences are common to all UAS degree programmes, but their special features and importance may vary in different professions and jobs. The generic competences provide a good basis for working life skills, collaboration and developing expertise. The student can develop desired skills and competences by content and pedagogical choices during the studies.

Licensing Social Welfare Professionals:
The National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) grants licensing, upon application and upon the announcement of the UAS, the right to act as a licensed social welfare professional. Completed social services studies, 210 ECTS, and their content according to the curriculum are the prerequisites for licensing. The UAS must verify that the graduating social welfare professional possesses the required skills and competences.

We reserve the right to make changes to the curriculum due to the need to update the content being studied.