Educational and Vocational Programmes

* Showdance Instructors Programme

The objective of the programme is to give students the tools they need in order to instruct dancing groups in e.g. gym and sports clubs. The syllabus includes contact lessons, producing, dance didactics and teaching training. In addition to the wide variety of showdance, the participants will also study the basics of other dancing techniques as well as body conditioning.

* Drama Programme

The aim of the studies is to unfold and develop students’ theatrical expression. The programme makes students familiar with devising theatre through courses such as stage work, theatre expression, theatrology and applied theatre. Two or three major performances are produced during the school year.

* Make-up Programme

Would you like to create living art?
You can make the world more interesting and more beautiful. Learn to create various make-ups like they do at the theatre, on film and at beauty contests. You will get to know more about fashion make-ups and hairdressing. Among other things, you will also study customer service, self-knowledge, body care and interaction.

* Folk Music Programme

The studies are based on music performances, both solo and in an ensemble. The participants meet old and new folk music, both domestic and from around the world. They get more experience thanks to the large number of different performances during the study year. The programme gives a solid basis for further musical studies. The courses are held not in Ilmajoki but in the premises of our affiliate institute, Ala-Könni-Opisto, in the town of Kaustinen.

* Rhythm Music Programme

The studies are based on music performances, both solo and in an ensemble. The participants meet old and new folk music, both domestic and from around the world. They get more experience thanks to the large number of different performances during the study year. The programme gives a solid basis for further musical studies. The courses are held not in Ilmajoki but in the premises of our affiliate institute, Ala-Könni-Opisto, in the town of Kaustinen.

* Ostrobothnia Writers’ School

The Writers’ School is designed for students who wish to improve their writing skills. Upon completion of the programme, students go on to work in administrative jobs, writing manuscripts and authoring books, among other things. Studies include the fundamentals of literary, theatrical and media-related writing. Students also have the opportunity to work at a local newspaper and study open university courses.

* Maakari Programme (Finnish language and Culture for Immigrants)

Target group is immigrants who wish to learn to communicate in Finnish in everyday situations. Finnish language teaching will start from the basics in the fall.

Broschure in English
Application to Maakari-programme

* Finnish Language Programme

This programme is especially designed for Finnish students whose mother tongue is Swedish. The aims of the programme include improvement of participants’ Finnish language skills in general and oral skills in particular as well as enhanced knowledge of Finnish culture and society.

* Educational Programme

This programme reinforces students’ professional orientation and their general knowledge of education science. Moreover, the studies include courses that support students’ personal development, self-knowledge and interaction skills. In the spring term, the programme focuses on preparation for university entrance examinations.

* Special Pedagogy Programme

This programme reinforces students’ professional orientation and their general knowledge of education science. Moreover, the studies include courses that support students’ personal development, self-knowledge and interaction skills. In the spring term, the programme focuses on preparation for university entrance examinations.

* Psychology Programme

This programme reinforces students’ professional orientation and their general knowledge of psychology. Moreover, the studies include courses that support students’ personal development, self-knowledge and interaction skills. In the spring term, the programme focuses on preparation for university entrance examinations.

* English Programme

The main aims of the programme are to continue the development of English already known by the student and introduce new languages that students may also be interested in learning. Open university courses in English form the core of the programme, but individual courses in Swedish, Finnish, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Estonian and Russian are also available. The courses prepare students for university and polytechnic entrance exams as well as provide language skills for one’s later professional life.

* Italian Programme

The principal objective of the programme is to enable the students to reach the European skill level B2 (ALTE Level Three) in Italian language, which will provide them with an excellent basis for further studies or working in Italy. On top of that, they will gain thorough knowledge of Italian history, the country’s colourful regions, its fascinating culture as well as get a concrete idea of what modern Italian society is like and how it works. The students will also spend an eight-week period of intensive studies at Lingua Più Language School in Perugia. To complement their study programme with other subjects, they can choose additional courses from the wide selection of South Ostrobothnia Folk High School educational provisions, including those from open university.

* Law Programme

The aim of this line is to prepare students for entrance into university programs to study Law. Students review the basics of Law and Society subjects and prepare for university entrance examinations. Language study is an important aspect of this line as it aids in the understanding of literature from the legal profession. Open university studies are also possible.

* Public Administration Programme

This program is totally new at our school, starting the autumn of 2010. The aim is that the student can take the Bachelor’s degree in Administrative Sciences in three years. Your major will be Public Management and the first minor is Administrative Expertise according to the study requirements of the University of Vaasa. As the second minor you will study law within the authority of the Open University of Helsinki. Having taken the Bachelor’s degree, you have possibility to continue with your studies towards the Master’s degree at the University of Vaasa.

* Communication Programme

Are you interested in becoming a journalist or a PR & press officer? Are you aiming at postgraduate studies on communications?
We can give you a good perspective to your future plans. You will take the Basic Studies of Organizational Communication and Public Relations (25 credits) during the study year. You can improve your communication skills and get a clear view of your future plans.

* Medical Science Programme

The Medical Science Programme prepares students for further studies in Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine. The curriculum is adapted annually to meet the requirements for university entrance. The aim is to develop skills and knowledge which is necessary for the field of medical science. Courses include, among others, psychology, anatomy, mathematics, physics, molecular biology, pharmacology, English, and Latin. It is also possible to take open university courses.

* Health Education Programme

The aim of these studies is to strengthen your vocational orientation and to enhance your possibilities to further studies. The core of your studies is based on Basic Studies of Health Education (25 credits) in Open University. Furthermore, you choose studies in connection with your possible future vocation as well as general studies. You can also pick out some optional courses along with Open University courses.

* Free Choice Programme

The school year starts with introductory studies, the aim of which is to improve your self-knowledge and well-being as well as your study and communication skills. Full-time studies require at least 47 credits during the autumn and spring terms, at least 25 contact hours per week. Besides introductory studies, you can quite free choose your other studies among our optional courses. Study counseling (including making of your individual study plan + follow-up) plays also a key role in finding your own field of study.

The Youth and Leisure Instructors Training is a 2- or 3-year, full-time, vocational education programme. For admission, completion of the nine-year comprehensive school is required. The course leads to professional qualifications in youth and community work. Instruction provides skills in interaction and communication, individual and group guidance, and counselling in various environments. Youth workers may be based in the local government services, centres, associations and organizations, in the private sector, or as entrepreneurs.