The degree programme in Folk Music gives the student an insight into the styles of traditional playing and singing, a practical and comprehensive command of new folk music, and an insight into folk music research. Graduates will be qualified to work as teachers, instructors, folk musicians or in other positions requiring expertise in folk music. The degree programme qualifies the student for postgraduate studies. There are no further optional programmes within the department, but students can specialise to a certain extent in performance, folk music pedagogy or folk music research.
Studies concentrate on main instrument and ensemble playing.
Students will become familiar with Finnish instruments and folk song and with European folk music traditions and world music. The teaching emphasises the close relationship between the theory, research, and practice of folk music. Successful participation in the degree programme requires a sufficient command of Finnish or Swedish. The most important part of the entrance examination is the audition in the main instrument. The main instrument can be an instrument such as the kantele, violin, a wind instrument, accordion, mandolin, guitar, harmonica, double bass or percussion, voice, or in special cases a folk instrument from another country.