You can study to become a professional dancer in various vocational schools and universities in Finland. The University of Arts Helsinki’s Theatre Academy is the only university-level institution offering dance education. Folk high schools also provide year-long or shorter specialised dance courses with different emphases. These courses are well-suited for further studies or intensive dance training.
Vocational education
Ammattiopisto Live ⚫ Helsinki
Dancer Training Program (180 ECTS). The education program focuses on contemporary dance and is intended for individuals with special needs, providing individual support, and guidance as part of the studies. https://www.livesaatio.fi/hakijalle/ammatilliset-perustutkinnot/tanssija
Finnish National Opera Ballet School ⚫ Helsinki
Dancer Training Program (120 credits). Focus: Classical ballet, contemporary ballet. The vocational degree in dance can also be completed through a competence-based examination. https://balettioppilaitos.fi/en/
Riveria – International Vocational school in North Karelia ⚫ Outokumpu
Dancer Training Program (180 ECTS) Focus: Contemporary dance and somatic methods. https://www.riveria.fi/koulutus/tanssija-nykytanssi/
Santasport Lapland Sports Institute ⚫ Rovaniemi
Vocational Degree in Dance, Dancer (180 ECTS) Diverse range of dance styles: Jazz dance, Folk dance, Street dance, Contemporary dance. https://santasport.fi/perustutkinnot/tanssialan-perustutkinto/
Tampere Conservatory ⚫ Tampere
Vocational Degree in Dance (120 credits)
Specialisations: Jazz and popular dance, Contemporary dance, Ballet. https://www.tampereenkonservatorio.fi/tanssija/
Higher education
Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki ⚫ Helsinki
Degree Programs:
Bachelor’s Program in Dance (BA, 180 ECTS)
Master’s Program in Dance (MA, 120 ECTS)
Master’s Program in Choreography (MA, 120 ECTS)
Master’s Program in Dance Pedagogy (MA, 120 ECTS)
Doctoral Studies in Artistic Research in Performing Arts (240 ECTS)
Pedagogical Studies for Dance and Theatre Teachers (60 ECTS)
Open Campus: Various courses and study modules (2-40 ECTS)
https://www.uniarts.fi/
University of Helsinki ⚫ Helsinki
The theatre studies department also offers studies in dance research. www.helsinki.fi/fi/humanistinen-tiedekunta/tutkimus/tieteenalat/filosofia-historia-ja-taiteiden-tutkimus/teatteritiede
Oulu University of Applied Sciences ⚫ Oulu
Degree Program: Dance Teacher (Bachelor of Culture and Arts, 240 ECTS)
Specialization Options: Show dance, Folk dance, Ballet, Partner dance.
https://www.oamk.fi/fi/koulutus/ammattikorkeakoulututkinnot/tanssinopettaja-amk
Savonia University of Applied Sciences ⚫ Kuopio
Degree Program: Dance Teacher (Bachelor of Culture and Arts, 240 ECTS)
Specialization Options: Ballet, Contemporary dance, Jazz dance.
Degree Program: Dance Teacher/Music Educator (Master of Culture and Arts), Art Pedagogy, Multimodal Studies.
www.savonia.fi/en/study-degree/find-your-field-of-study/music-and-dance
Turku University of Applied Sciences ⚫ Turku
Degree Program: Dance Teacher (Bachelor of Culture and Arts, 240 ECTS)
https://www.turkuamk.fi/fi/tutkinnot-ja-opiskelu/tutkinnot/tanssinopettaja-amk/
Other dance education
Borgå folkakademin – Porvoo Folk High School Akan ⚫ Porvoo
Dance program (1 year), emphasising street dance and contemporary dance. https://akan.fi/en/dance/
Laajasalo Institute ⚫ Helsinki
Dance programme, a one-year preparatory program for vocational studies, with emphasis on contemporary dance and couple and floor techniques. https://laajasalonopisto.fi/koulutus/tanssilinja/
Eino Roiha Institute ⚫ Jyväskylä
Offers training in dance and movement therapy, as well as various courses and study modules. https://www.roihainstituutti.fi/taideterapiakoulutukset/tanssi-liiketerapia/
Sports Institute of Eastern Finland (ISLO) ⚫ Joensuu
Offers two different programmes of degree-enhancing and complementary education: Somatic Movement Education (ISLO SME) and ISLO Somatic Movement Education & Art (ISLO SME ART). https://www.islo.fi/en/somatic-movement-education/
Keski-Pohjanmaan kansanopisto ⚫ Kälviä
Dance, a one-year intensive studies. https://www.kpedu.fi/hakijalle/kansanopisto
Länsi-Suomen opisto ⚫ Huittinen
Offers three-month training programs, such as couple dancing or music theatre, as well as short courses. https://www.lansisuomenopisto.fi/koulutukset
Kaustinen Folk Dance ⚫ Kaustinen
Full-time 1-year training program implemented by STEP Folk High School. https://step.fi/course/kaustisen-kansantanssilinja/
The Association of Dance Institutes in Finland STOPP ry ⚫ Finland
Provides dance education and dance schools across Finland. https://stopp.fi/the-association-of-dance-institutes-in-finland/