Educational Reform and Strategic Education Work at Åbo Akademi University – What does it mean and what is happening?

Work is currently underway at the departments in preparation for an educational reform. They have been tasked with evaluating the subject clusters and courses within their study programmes. The goal is to have fewer main subject specialisations per programme, fewer minor subjects, and a reduced number of elective courses within each subject cluster. For example, a main subject worth 60 credits should have a clearer structure showing which courses are included.

This work is based on Åbo Akademi University’s (ÅAU) new Strategy for 2025–2030, where one of the main goals is sustainable finances. The aim is to achieve a lower cost level, both within education and within the university’s overall operations.

The departments are currently reviewing how courses and subject clusters are perceived and what improvements can be made, in collaboration with the departmental councils and heads of subject. The departmental councils also include student representatives, but not all subjects have representation. The heads of subject are the professors with main responsibility for a subject. The head of department, who is the department’s chair and leader of the departmental council, carries significant responsibility for how the work is managed. After evaluating the subject structures and reviewing the course offerings, as well as identifying problematic courses, the departments will together develop proposals on how subjects and course clusters can be reorganised and reformed.

The time to influence the decisions is now!

It is now, while changes to study programmes and courses are being planned, that we students have the best opportunity to make a difference. Once decisions are made in spring 2026, it will be more difficult to introduce changes.

For students to understand what is happening and to be able to influence the process, we need access to information about what is being discussed. We at The Student Union of Åbo Akademi University (ÅAS) hope that ÅAU will include students throughout the entire process. Students should be able to submit questions or feedback regarding the work, and departments should include students directly, for example through surveys or question boxes. Students whose subjects are not represented in the departmental councils, as well as international students in English-language programmes, must also be considered.

The timeline is as follows

• In December 2025, the departments will present their proposals for revised study programmes.
• In February 2026, the Education Council will consider the proposals and take a position on ÅAU’s educational responsibilities.
• During March–April 2026, the ÅAU Board will make final decisions regarding the university’s educational responsibilities.
• From 2027 onwards, ÅAU plans to implement the new educational structures, but for now, preparatory work and situation reviews are underway at the departments.

To make it easier for students to provide input, ÅAS has created its own Question Box. Regardless of whether your department sends out its own survey or not, you can use ÅAS’ Question Box to submit feedback on courses, major subjects, minor subjects, or entire study programmes. You can also ask questions about the educational reform work in general. All feedback received will be forwarded to the departments.

It is important that we students make our voices heard about what we know best – our studies. We are the ones who know our study programmes best, as we are the ones following them and completing the courses. Therefore, it is essential that our perspective is placed at the centre and has an influence on the decisions being made.