Virtual Sessions:
Academic year 2026-2027
Credits:
3 ECTS
BIP Type:
Transversal / Social Sciences
Fields of Study:
Social Sciences — Community Education, Social Care, Community Development, Youth Work, School Community Development, Well-being in Education
Level of Experience:
Bachelor
Sending partners:
MTU(+ other INGENIUM Universities)
Available Places: 25 total
Max 6 per partner university
BIP Coordinator
Katri Schadewitz (Academic Coordinator), katri.schadewitz@xamk.fi
Mirka Lähdeniemi (Academic Coordinator)
BIP School Community Development and Youth Work Approaches
About the programme
This BIP, School Community Development and Youth Work Approaches, is built around lectures, workshops and workplace visits. During the BIP, students become familiar with various practical exercises and meet local school youth workers. Students work in multicultural and multiprofessional teams.
Main themes covered:
- Good school community — theory, action, practices
- School-based youth work — theory, action, practices
- Peer and group relationships — theory, action, practices
- School satisfaction — theory, action, practices
- Case Saimaanportti: exploring the well-being work and the promotion of community spirit at comprehensive school (classes 1 to 9)
- Case Esedu: well-being work at vocational college
- Work in multicultural and multiprofessional student teams
The BIP has a transversal focus and is not embedded in a curriculum. It targets Community Educator students, Social Care students, and Community Development students.
How you will learn
- Lectures (theory on school community development, youth work, peer relationships, school satisfaction)
- Practical workshops (action and practice components for each theme)
- Workplace visits and meetings with local school youth workers
- Case study analysis (Saimaanportti and Esedu)
- Multicultural and multiprofessional team work
- Experiential and place-based learning in Finnish educational and community settings
Competences you will develope
- School community development and community spirit promotion
- School-based and community youth work theory and practice
- Peer and group relationship dynamics in educational settings
- Well-being in school and vocational college environments
- Multicultural and multiprofessional collaborative teamwork
- Experiential learning through workplace visits and meeting local practitioners
- Intercultural competence across Community Education, Social Care and Community Development disciplines
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the BIP, students will be able to:
- LO1. Explain and apply theories, approaches and practical methods of school community development and school-based youth work in diverse educational contexts
- LO2. Analyse peer and group relationship dynamics and school satisfaction, connecting theory with practical action in school community settings
- LO3. Evaluate real-world well-being and community development practices through case study analysis (Saimaanportti and Esedu) and workplace visits with local practitioners
- LO4. Collaborate effectively in multicultural and multiprofessional international student teams, drawing on complementary expertise from community education, social care and community development
- LO5. Reflect critically on different European approaches to school community development and youth work, connecting learning from the BIP with their own professional and academic background
BIP's Programme
Virtual component (online activities)
Period: During academic year 2026-2027
Schedule / Contents:
As part of the blended format, pre- and/or post-mobility online activities are expected to be defined by Xamk for this BIP.
Students must complete at least one Micro-Credential (three × 2 ECTS options available from the host institution) before joining the BIP intensive week.
Physical component (on-site at Xamk, Finland)
Period: 10-14 May 2027
Programme / Contents:
- Lectures on school community development, youth work, peer and group relationships, and school satisfaction
- Workshops: practical exercises on all main themes (theory, action, practices)
- Workplace visits: students meet local school youth workers in authentic professional settings
- Case study — Saimaanportti: well-being work and promotion of community spirit at a comprehensive school (classes 1–9)
- Case study — Esedu: well-being work at a vocational college
- Multicultural and multiprofessional team work throughout the week
Application requirements
To apply for this BIP you must:
- Be enrolled at one of the INGENIUM partner universities at the time of the programme.
- Apply through your home (sending) institution.
- Have a sufficient level of English (typically B2 or equivalent).
- Be available to participate in both the virtual and physical components of the BIP.
- Meet any specific academic or eligibility requirements indicated for this programme.
Students must complete at least one Micro-Credential (three × 2 ECTS options available from the host institution) before joining the BIP intensive week.
How to apply
Applications for this BIP are managed by each INGENIUM partner university.
To apply, please select your home university from the list below and follow the application process indicated on their page. Each institution has its own application platform and procedure.
Related Events
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
