Basic Degree in Physical Education and Sports Counseling LPT - multi-modal
Train to become a sports professional under the guidance of top professionals!
The comprehensive basic degree in physical education guidance will start in Kuopio in autumn 2025!
The Basic Degree in Physical Education Guidance is a secondary vocational basic degree intended for anyone interested in physical education and its guidance.
The basic education in physical education guidance provides versatile skills for employment in practical physical education guidance tasks in the sports sector.
The degree also qualifies you to apply for postgraduate studies at a university of applied sciences or university.
The degree title is physical education counselor. Studying to become a physical education counselor and working as a physical education counselor are very practical.
Occupation: Sports counselor
Sports advisor
- Safely guide exercise for a variety of clients
- Utilizes various forms of exercise, sports and operating environments in physical education instruction
- Provides exercise advice and acts as a sports professional in various interaction situations
- Creates exercise programs for clients that promote health and physical function
- Organizes sports or competitive events.
A physical activity counselor's expertise can focus on health-related exercise, the provision of physical activity services, or coaching.
Physical education counselors work as physical education instructors, physical education counselors, group exercise instructors, gym instructors, swimming instructors, swimming supervisors, applied exercise instructors, occupational well-being promoters, coaches, afternoon activity instructors, instructors and producers of physical experience services, and personal trainers.
Typical work environments include, for example, municipal sports activities, fitness centers, swimming pools, sports clubs and organizations, sports institutes, companies, and other organizations that provide sports services.
A physical education counselor can also work as a self-employed professional.
Who is the training suitable for?
The training is suitable for anyone interested in the sports industry and, for example, for those changing fields who want basic training in the sports industry.
The training does not require previous knowledge of physical activity guidance, but previous experience is beneficial. The only important thing is that you are enthusiastic about physical activity and want to spread the good news about physical activity.
Blended learning is your option when you want to study flexibly. It combines the best of distance learning, face-to-face teaching and working-life learning, allowing you to study at your own pace and schedule, while still receiving personal guidance and support from a learning community.
This form of study is perfect for studying alongside work, for example.
Student experiences
Training content
The basic qualification in physical education guidance is worth 180 credits. The qualification consists of professional qualification components (145 credits) and common qualification components (35 credits).
Professional degree components 145 credits
Compulsory degree components 70 ECTS credits
- Physical education for children and young people 20 credits
- Adult Physical Education Instruction 20 credits
- Physical education 20 credits
- Organizing a sports event 10 credits
Elective degree components 1 30-60 ECTS credits
- Health Exercise Guidance 30 ECTS
- Coaching 30 credits
- Providing sports services 30 credits
Elective degree components 2 15-45 ECTS credits
- Group exercise supervision 15 credits
- Applied Physical Education Instruction 15 credits
- Working in an indoor swimming pool environment 15 credits
- Directing adventure sports 15 credits
- Directing volunteer and organizational activities 15 credits
- Climate-responsible operations 15 credits
- Working in an international work environment 15 credits
- Acting as a top expert 15 credits
- Business Planning 15 credits
- Working in a company 15 credits
- Training to become a workplace instructor 5 credits
- Part of the degree based on local professional skills requirements 5-15 ECTS credits
- Part of the degree from a basic vocational qualification, vocational qualification or specialist vocational qualification 5-15 ECTS credits
- Higher education studies 5-15 credits, including pathway studies Pathway studies for vocational students – Xamk
- Sub-areas of joint degree components, upper secondary school studies or other studies supporting postgraduate study readiness 1-25 ECTS credits
Common degree components 35 ECTS credits
- Communication and interaction skills
- Mathematical and scientific competence
- Social and working life skills
Read more detailed descriptions of the content of the degree about the basics of the degree.
Method and timing of studies
The training will begin on September 1.9.2025, XNUMX with remote orientation (Teams).
At the beginning of their studies, a personal competence development plan (HOKS) is drawn up for each student, which takes into account the student's previous competence. The studies last approximately 2-3 years, depending on previous studies and competence.
There are approximately 3 days of contact teaching periods per month. The contact teaching periods in the first year are carried out in Kuopio and in the following years, varying between Kuopio and Tanhuvaara, depending on the student's elective studies.
In addition, studies are carried out online and in practical work assignments with an apprenticeship or training contract. More information from the apprenticeship contract.
An apprenticeship or training contract position must be applied for before the start of the training, for example from municipal sports departments, sports organizations, sports or exercise clubs or private sports and fitness centers. The prerequisite is that the graduate can provide a wide range of sports instruction for both children and adults.
The skills acquired during the studies are demonstrated in demonstrations carried out in real working life situations.
Upcoming periods of education starting in autumn 2025 in Kuopio
FALL 2025
Orientation to studies
teams
Mon 1.9. from 14.30 to 16
HOKS
teams
Personal time (approx. 1 hour)
Physical education for children and young people Lesson 1
The coming days in Kuopio
Mon 8.9. from 10 to 16
Tue 9.9. from 8:16 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m
Wed 10.9. from 8 a.m. to 14:XNUMX p.m
Physical education for children and young people Lesson 2
teams
Mon 6.10. from 9 to 16
The coming days in Kuopio
Tue 7.10. from 10:16 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m
Wed 8.10. from 8 a.m. to 14:XNUMX p.m
Physical education for children and young people Lesson 3
teams
Mon 3.11. from 9 to 16
The coming days in Kuopio
Tue 4.11. from 10:16 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m
Wed 5.11. from 8 a.m. to 14:XNUMX p.m
Organizing a sports event Lesson 4
teams
Thu 11.12. from 9:16 to XNUMX:XNUMX
Friday 12.12. from 8:15 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m
SPRING 2026
Instructing adult physical activity Lesson 5
The coming days in Kuopio
Wed 7.1. from 10 a.m. to 16:XNUMX p.m
Thu 8.1. from 8:16 to XNUMX:XNUMX
Friday 9.1. from 8:14 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m
Instructing adult physical activity Lesson 6
teams
Mon 9.2. from 9 to 16
The coming days in Kuopio
Tue 10.2. from 10:16 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m
Wed 11.2. from 8 a.m. to 14:XNUMX p.m
Instructing adult physical activity Lesson 7
The coming days in Kuopio
Mon 16.3 10 am–16 pm
Tue 17.3. from 8:16 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m
Wed 18.3. from 8 a.m. to 14:XNUMX p.m
Physical education advice Teaching period 8
teams
Mon 20.4. from 9:16 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m
The coming days in Kuopio
Tue 21.4. from 10:16 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m
Wed 22.4. from 8 a.m. to 14:XNUMX p.m
Physical education advice Teaching period 9
teams
Mon 11.5. from 9 to 16
The coming days in Kuopio
Tue 12.5. from 10:16 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m
Wed 13.5. from 8 a.m. to 14:XNUMX p.m
HOKS
teams
Personal time (approx. 1 hour)
The training includes online teaching and in-person teaching days.
- Self-study materials and assignments
- On-the-job learning in different physical activity environments
- Displays that verify competence
Education costs and student benefits
Teaching and supervision for the basic qualification in physical education guidance is free of charge for the student. The student may incur costs for purchasing materials.
Full-time undergraduate students receive one free meal or meal allowance during school days.
During the short-term courses at Tanhuvaara, it is possible to stay and eat at the college at the student price.
Full-time students have the opportunity to apply for Kela study benefits.
Search information
Selection criteria
Suitability and motivation for the field
The applicant's suitability and motivation for the field will be assessed based on the application and interview.
The interview will be held at a separately agreed time after the application is received.
All applicants will be interviewed.
Secondary education and academic success
The applicant must attach certificates of previous studies to the application (pdf, image).
If you wish, you can share your academic transcripts with the application using a link provided in the My Study Guide service. In this case, you do not need to attach a separate transcript and diploma to your application.
Health requirements
Degree-specific health and functional capacity requirements
The Basic Degree in Physical Education Guidance and the Professional Degree in Physical Education and Coaching are degrees covered by the SORA (Solutions for Unsuitability for Study) regulations.
In SORA degrees, the education provider may request information about the student's health and functional capacity when applying for studies or if these change during the studies.
The education provider will request a criminal record extract from those selected for the education if the education essentially involves working with minors. In Sora degrees, a student's right to study may be revoked if they repeatedly or seriously endanger the health and safety of another person.
Health and functional capacity requirements:
A circumstance related to the health or functional capacity of an applicant may not be an obstacle to admission. However, a student may not be admitted if his/her health or functional capacity does not allow him/her to perform practical tasks related to education in an educational institution, workplace or other learning environment, if the safety requirements related to the qualifications referred to in Section 531 of the Vocational Education and Training Act (2017/81) so require and if the obstacle cannot be removed by reasonable measures. With regard to the person's health or functional capacity, the limitations caused by possible illnesses and the individual treatment situation for the illnesses must be assessed. Read more Health requirements in the sports industry
Obstacles to admission may include:
- an illness or injury that limits physical health and ability to function
- an illness or disability that prevents communication and sign language
- drug addiction or problem or abuse
- a mental health disorder or psychological illness that is not under treatment
- substance dependence or problem or abuse
- a functional impairment that makes interaction difficult
The student has the obligation to inform the educational institution of any of the above-mentioned matters that may affect their studies or work in the field of physical education.
Other conditions
The applicant must have sufficient study skills for online learning and independent study.
Students are also required to have their own computer.
Application for training
The training has begun.
The next possible start of education is autumn 2027 at the earliest.
Follow the announcement here or on Tanhuvaara's social media.
Additional information
Questions about training - please contact us
Training manager
Arja Laine
+358 50 572 7348
arja.laine@tanhuvaara.fi
Education Secretary
Satu Kosonen
+ 358447150407
satu.kosonen@tanhuvaara.fi
