Continuous learning review 2025: Meeting new learning needs

The operating environment for higher education institutions, expert organisations and individuals with higher education is in constant change. The competence and learning needs necessitated by these changes are addressed by continuous learning at individual, community and organisational levels. During 2025, TAMK significantly increased its resources and strengthened its position as a regional, national and global provider of continuous learning. Along with quantitative growth, the objective has been to develop easily accessible learning and study opportunities. Consequently, we have increased high-quality online teaching across several fields of study.

The number of credits completed at the open university of applied sciences was consistent with previous years, totalling approximately 22,000 credits. Four specialisation study programmes commenced during 2025. Three of them were in the health care and social services sector, and the fourth one was a ‘Career counselling’ specialisation study programme carried out in collaboration with professional teacher education institutions.

There was significant interest in route studies. In particular, vocational upper secondary schools are looking to increase their cooperation with TAMK. Route studies at the open university of applied sciences involve taking courses towards a university of applied sciences degree, or preparatory programmes for higher education studies. Upon achieving the target number of credits, students can apply to become degree students through an open path application process. Route studies can also be undertaken as part of upper secondary education, either at a vocational institution or a general upper secondary school.

Preparatory education for immigrants is another form of continuous learning. In 2025, twenty-five students participated in the programme with the aim of advancing to higher education and enhancing their language proficiency. Of those who completed the preparatory education programme, 40% continued their studies as degree students at TAMK.

Shared practices, coordination, goal-orientation and peer support during the development phase have given structure to TAMK's continuous learning activities and helped steer them to a favourable direction. During 2025, a continuous learning manager started at each faculty. In another notable development, a continuous learning student counsellor started their work at TAMK. In a changing education and employment environment, it is important that previously graduated professionals can get guidance and explore new career opportunities.

Opin.fi – showcase for TAMK's open UAS

During 2025, the Opin.fi service became a mainstay as a key showcase for TAMK's open university of applied sciences study offering. Steps were taken to develop it further, which helped boost the development of TAMK's continuous learning provision as well as its internal processes.

Funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture and higher education institutions, Opin.fi is a shared portal for open studies offered by universities and universities of applied sciences. The service was launched nationwide on April 15, 2025.

TAMK offers open UAS studies through Opin.fi for students from a variety of different backgrounds. The idea is to provide low-threshold opportunities for exploring higher education to students in upper secondary education and to professionals considering a career change. Short courses of one or two credits, along with self-study materials, serve as effective routes into degree programmes and to continuing education, while professionals, managers, developers and entrepreneurs can utilise TAMK's more specialised offerings to improve their own competences. The self-study materials published in the Opin.fi service has increased the impact of TAMK's Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) activities: articles, books, videos and podcasts produced in the projects now reach a wider audience through the service.

During autumn 2025, the number of users for the service grew rapidly. TAMK also increased and diversified its open studies offering; by autumn, the service had 128 courses available from various fields of study as well as over 70 sets of materials for self-study. The offering continues to be developed, and new courses as well as pedagogical solutions designed for various groups of learners are actively planned. With the national ‘Opintoseteli’ study voucher pilot, offerings that help build the path from upper secondary education to higher education will have a key role in 2026.

New competences through business-oriented continuing education

During 2025, ‘TAMK Tree – Continuing Education’ services delivered over 30 continuing education offerings and approximately 40 commissioned education offerings, ranging from short, hour-based courses and scopes of 5–30 credits to extensive 60-credit modules. The offerings produced over 1,400 graduates. Feedback received was very good: students were satisfied with the content of the continuing education and would recommend it to their colleagues.

The educational offering provided in Finnish particularly focused on strengthening competences in the health care and social services sector, whereas the international education export offering focused on themes of business and bioeconomy. Starting its sixth year as TAMK's education partner, the Sospro Academy provides wide-ranging, multi-level continuing education for Sospro's child welfare personnel.