Theatre pedagogy, master
We combine critical thinking, artistic-pedagogical practices and exploration of the many meanings of art.
Why study here?
As a student of the Master’s Programme in Theatre Pedagogy, you will reflect on and develop the practices and pedagogy of performing arts within our open and conversational community. We will guide you towards critical, innovative thinking as well as multidisciplinary interaction, multi-artistic collaborations, and an experimental attitude. The foundation of the programme is your personal experiences and perceptions, which are brought into open dialogue with other students, teachers, and the academic field of art pedagogy.
Your study path will be shaped via interaction with other students, the group, the degree programme and the teachers. We offer you a safe context for exploratory learning. Graduates of the master’s programme work in diverse professions in the field of performing arts and pedagogy.
The Master’s Programme in Theatre Pedagogy admits new students every two years.
About the studies
We see art pedagogy as a form of artistic activity where pedagogical questions are ever-present. In the context of art pedagogy, we consider art, performance, and teaching as encounters where aesthetic, ethical and political phenomena are intertwined.
The programme consists of the following: advanced studies in the arts; studies in the theory and practices of art pedagogy; research studies; teaching practices; international interaction; and optional studies that support the development of the student’s identity as an art pedagogue.
The students are encouraged to take risks, make bold choices and seek new solutions within the framework of the programme’s curriculum. The goal of the master’s programme is to train open-minded art pedagogue professionals who have found their own voice, have cooperation skills and are aware of their responsibilities.
The mandatory study module in pedagogy (60 cr), is organised by Tampere University.
Values of the programme
Our core values aim at encouraging dialogue and critical thinking in order to form a comprehensive outlook.
Teaching methods
The studies are based on commitment, mandatory attendance and interaction. The programme uses diverse and ever-evolving teaching methods. The courses are organised in the form of workshops, group projects, lectures and seminars, as well as independent learning assignments. Most of the instruction takes place on weekdays between 9:00 and 17:00.
Collaborations
The master’s programmes in dance and theatre pedagogy collaborate closely. The teachers make decisions about the pedagogical guidelines together, and about half of the teaching is arranged collaboratively.
Our partner universities offer optional courses on various topics. The main partners organising the teaching are Uniarts Helsinki’s Department of Music Education and CERADA (Center for Educational Research and Academic Development in the Arts) and the Department of Art at Aalto University. Our international partners include Oslo National Academy of the Arts, Sami University of Applied Sciences, University of the Arts Utrecht, University of the Arts Berlin, and Kadir Has University Istanbul.
The teaching can be carried out as either Finnish or international collaboration.
Teachers
The teachers in the Master’s Programme in Theatre Pedagogy are experts in their artistic field as well as in art pedagogy. They have diverse professional backgrounds and a strong research-based orientation in art pedagogy. In addition to the permanent teaching staff, the programme welcomes experts as guest teachers on a regular basis.
Full-time teachers
- Irene Kajo, Lecturer in Theatre Pedagogy
- Riku Saastamoinen, University Lecturer in Theatre
- Taneli Tuovinen, Lecturer in Art Pedagogy
Guest teachers, artists and lecturers in the theatre and dance pedagogy programmes 2019–2020
Tomi Slotte Dufva, Gabriele Goria, Susanna Hast, Marja-Liisa Honkasalo, Tiina Jalkanen, Kristiina Junttila, Outi Järvinen, Heli Kauppila, Pauliina Kettunen, Pia Lindy, Kirsi Monni, Gesa Piper, Hanna Pohjola, Nicholas Rowe, Sami Santanen, Elina Saloranta, Mariana Siljamäki, Minna Suoniemi, Kenneth Siren, Francisco Trento, Isto Turpeinen.
Guest teachers, artists and lecturers in the theatre and dance pedagogy programmes 2018–2019
Anders Carlsson, Raisa Ekoluoma, Sanna From, Gabriele Goria, Sami Henrik Haapala, Sini Haapalinna, Marja-Leena Juntunen, Suvi Kajaus, Katri Kauppala, Heli Kauppila, Sanna Kivijärvi, Tuija Kokkonen, Alex Komlosi, Maiju Kopra, Helena Korpela, Maria Nurmela, Liisa Pentti, Gesa Piper, Hanna Pohjola, Pilvi Porkola, Camila Ribeiro, Liisa Risu, Leena Rouhiainen, Nicholas Rowe, Kenneth Siren, Timothy Smith, Yuko Takeda, Isto Turpeinen.
Doctoral studies
A master’s degree allows you to complete, for example, a Doctor of Arts (Theatre and Drama) degree as a third-cycle degree. Doctoral studies in theatre are offered by the Performing Arts Research Centre (Tutke).
Learn more about studying with us
Admissions guide
Application instructions for this programme haven't been published yet.
Target degree and length of study
Master of Arts (Theatre and Drama)
2 years
Application period
No admission in 2025. Next possible time to apply will be announced later.
Application languages
English, Finnish, Swedish
Read more about the language skill requirements
Tuition fee
From August 2025, the annual tuition fee is € 12,000 for students who are studying in English and come from outside the EU and EEA countries.
Supervising teacher
-
Riku Saastamoinen
University Lecturer, Master's degree Programme in Theatre Pedagogy, Theatre Academy+358400792037riku.saastamoinen@uniarts.fi
Unit
Theatre Academy
Ask about applying
teak.admissions@uniarts.fi
Why study here?
As a student of the Master’s Programme in Theatre Pedagogy, you will reflect on and develop the practices and pedagogy of performing arts within our open and conversational community. We will guide you towards critical, innovative thinking as well as multidisciplinary interaction, multi-artistic collaborations, and an experimental attitude. The foundation of the programme is your personal experiences and perceptions, which are brought into open dialogue with other students, teachers, and the academic field of art pedagogy.
Your study path will be shaped via interaction with other students, the group, the degree programme and the teachers. We offer you a safe context for exploratory learning. Graduates of the master’s programme work in diverse professions in the field of performing arts and pedagogy.
The Master’s Programme in Theatre Pedagogy admits new students every two years.
About the studies
We see art pedagogy as a form of artistic activity where pedagogical questions are ever-present. In the context of art pedagogy, we consider art, performance, and teaching as encounters where aesthetic, ethical and political phenomena are intertwined.
The programme consists of the following: advanced studies in the arts; studies in the theory and practices of art pedagogy; research studies; teaching practices; international interaction; and optional studies that support the development of the student’s identity as an art pedagogue.
The students are encouraged to take risks, make bold choices and seek new solutions within the framework of the programme’s curriculum. The goal of the master’s programme is to train open-minded art pedagogue professionals who have found their own voice, have cooperation skills and are aware of their responsibilities.
The mandatory study module in pedagogy (60 cr), is organised by Tampere University.
Values of the programme
Our core values aim at encouraging dialogue and critical thinking in order to form a comprehensive outlook.
Teaching methods
The studies are based on commitment, mandatory attendance and interaction. The programme uses diverse and ever-evolving teaching methods. The courses are organised in the form of workshops, group projects, lectures and seminars, as well as independent learning assignments. Most of the instruction takes place on weekdays between 9:00 and 17:00.
Collaborations
The master’s programmes in dance and theatre pedagogy collaborate closely. The teachers make decisions about the pedagogical guidelines together, and about half of the teaching is arranged collaboratively.
Our partner universities offer optional courses on various topics. The main partners organising the teaching are Uniarts Helsinki’s Department of Music Education and CERADA (Center for Educational Research and Academic Development in the Arts) and the Department of Art at Aalto University. Our international partners include Oslo National Academy of the Arts, Sami University of Applied Sciences, University of the Arts Utrecht, University of the Arts Berlin, and Kadir Has University Istanbul.
The teaching can be carried out as either Finnish or international collaboration.
Teachers
The teachers in the Master’s Programme in Theatre Pedagogy are experts in their artistic field as well as in art pedagogy. They have diverse professional backgrounds and a strong research-based orientation in art pedagogy. In addition to the permanent teaching staff, the programme welcomes experts as guest teachers on a regular basis.
Full-time teachers
- Irene Kajo, Lecturer in Theatre Pedagogy
- Riku Saastamoinen, University Lecturer in Theatre
- Taneli Tuovinen, Lecturer in Art Pedagogy
Guest teachers, artists and lecturers in the theatre and dance pedagogy programmes 2019–2020
Tomi Slotte Dufva, Gabriele Goria, Susanna Hast, Marja-Liisa Honkasalo, Tiina Jalkanen, Kristiina Junttila, Outi Järvinen, Heli Kauppila, Pauliina Kettunen, Pia Lindy, Kirsi Monni, Gesa Piper, Hanna Pohjola, Nicholas Rowe, Sami Santanen, Elina Saloranta, Mariana Siljamäki, Minna Suoniemi, Kenneth Siren, Francisco Trento, Isto Turpeinen.
Guest teachers, artists and lecturers in the theatre and dance pedagogy programmes 2018–2019
Anders Carlsson, Raisa Ekoluoma, Sanna From, Gabriele Goria, Sami Henrik Haapala, Sini Haapalinna, Marja-Leena Juntunen, Suvi Kajaus, Katri Kauppala, Heli Kauppila, Sanna Kivijärvi, Tuija Kokkonen, Alex Komlosi, Maiju Kopra, Helena Korpela, Maria Nurmela, Liisa Pentti, Gesa Piper, Hanna Pohjola, Pilvi Porkola, Camila Ribeiro, Liisa Risu, Leena Rouhiainen, Nicholas Rowe, Kenneth Siren, Timothy Smith, Yuko Takeda, Isto Turpeinen.
Doctoral studies
A master’s degree allows you to complete, for example, a Doctor of Arts (Theatre and Drama) degree as a third-cycle degree. Doctoral studies in theatre are offered by the Performing Arts Research Centre (Tutke).