Adult Education and Adult Educators in Transition

Adult education plays a central role in shaping the future of adult education in Europe. The new European Agenda for Adult Learning outlines a vision of how adult learning should develop in Europe by 2030. Nevertheless, the social, cultural, civic, and educational mission of adult education remains unchanged

The need for critical and creative thinking, adaptability, and the capacity to lead change, as well as the need to upgrade and broaden skills, is constantly growing.

The International Online Microdegree Programme "Adult Education and Adult Educators in Transition" offers space for thoughtful exploration and mutual learning within a diverse international learning community.

The curriculum is registered in the Estonian Education Information System (curriculum code 259689) and meets the requirements of the current Continuing Education Standard and the Adult Education Act.

This programme is grounded in two key foundations:

1. The impact of ongoing global changes and crises on adult education and educators.
2. The need to critically understand and respond to shifts and challenges, while developing innovative, learner-centered practices that can be shared and shaped within an international context.

Together, we aim to co-create knowledge, foster resilience, and inspire new approaches to adult education in a rapidly changing world.

What does the programme offer?

This microdegree programme offers a dynamic learning experience in an academic setting that is explorative, interactive, creative, and collaborative. Through a variety of learning practices and processes, participants are invited to:

• extend and deepen understanding of adult education developments and supporting adults in different learning settings;
• reflect and refine their professional identity;
• engage in meaningful exchange with fellow adult educators across contexts.
• The programme encourages critical reflection on developments of adult education and personal and professional identy, and supports participants in their development through individual and group activities.

Virtual Study Visits

As part of the programme, participants will join virtual study visits, where they will:

• Meet and engage with leading experts in the field of adult education.
• Hear real-life stories and experiences from adult education practitioners.
• Explore the development of national professional and assessment standards for adult educators.
• Learn about Estonia's high rate of participation in lifelong learning, amond the highest in Europe.
• Gain insight into Estonia's qualification framework for adult educators.
• Be introduced to the latest results of the PIAAC study in Estonia.

These visits will provide valuable context, inspiration, and opportunities for dialogue with peers and professionals.

Who are we looking for?

This microdegree programme is for:

• adult education professionals,
• adult educators,
• prospective adult educators,
• adult learning specialists,
• community leaders,
• learning facilitators,
• staff from organisations working in adult education outside the traditional and formal education,
• students, including PhD students,
• educators and leaders of the adult education community centres,
• representatives of non-govermental organisatsion and local communities.

Apply Now!

Why study with us?

Tallinn University is one of the new universities in the world where adult education and andragogy are taught at both bachelor's and master's levels. This programme is a unique international microdegree programme that is based on maste-level degree study courses.

The programme consists of three modules (13 ECTS):

• International Developments in Adult Education (6 ECTS)
• Adult Educators as Learning Professionals and Leaders of Change (6 ECTS)
• Reflection of Adult Educator (1 ECTS)

Partners and experts from partner organisations will be involved in the programme to enrich the international content of the programme and bring critical views on the main themes of the modules.

The programme creates opportunities fro an explorative, interactive, creative and collaborative learning process involving a variety of practices and processes through which participants can reflect on, refine, extend their professional practice, deepen their personal experience and build their inner collaborative networks.

Programme design

This programme takes place using Zoom and the web-based learning environment Moodle. Studying includes:

• seminars,
• interactive sessions,
• critical and moderated discussions,
• creative and reflective practices,
• virtual study visits,
• meetings with international experts and professionals from the field of adult education.

Between the sessions, independent learning will take place in peer gropus and study circles. Through the study circles, we support the possibility of experiencing learning in an international learning group.

The virtual study visits will include different adult educational institutions. In Estonia, for instance, the Estonian Association of Adult Educators ANDRAS. Experts from the field of adult education (ESREA network Adult Educators, Trainers and their Professional Development, Estonian Association of Andragogues) and academic partners from partner universities will be involved in providing seminars or virtual study visits.

Admission requirements

• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree or an equivalent from an accredited institution.
• A minimum B2 level of English language profieciency.

Application deadlines

Save the date: November 11, 2025 16.00 17.00 CET, webinar about the microdegree programme.

We look forward to learning and reflecting alongside you, as both educator and a changemaker.

This application process is an opportunity for us to get to know you better: your motivation, your journey, and what drives you to apply to the programme.

November 17, 2025, submission of an application form.

The application form consists of the following:

• basic information on Google Form;
• creative task that includes sharing your story as an adult educator and reflecting on questions related to your motivation, current questions and personal development.

The application form is evaluated by the following criteria:

1. Clarity of Motivation and Purpose
   We are looking for applicants who can clearly express their motivation for joining the programme, along with their goals, challenges, and areas for growth. Strong applications will demonstrate clear articulation of why this programme matters at thi point in time and bring out any insights into how participantion will support both personal and professional development.
2. Relevant Experience
   Applicants should bring out relevant work and life experiences that connect meaningfully with the focus of the microdegree programme.
3. Presentation and Readability
   We value applications that are clear, well-structured, and thoughtfully presented. Strong submissions will demonstrate clarity of language and expression of ideas, attention to presentation quality, including formatting and readability.

Admission deadline

• December 8, 2025, selection of the participants and feedback to the candidates.

• December 15, 2025, confirmation of your attendance.

Study sessions in 2026

• January 22, 15.00 - 18.00 CET time
• February 19, 15.00 - 18.00 CET time
• March 11, 15.00 - 18.00 CET time
• March 12, 15.00 - 18.00 CET time
• April 8, 15.00 - 18.00 CET time
• April 9, 15.00 - 18.00 CET time
• May 14, 15.00 - 18.00 CET time
• June 10, 15.00 - 18.00 CET time
• June 11, 15.00 - 18.00 CET time
• August 27, 15.00 - 18.00 CET time
• September 17, 15.00 - 18.00 CET time
• October 1, 15.00 - 18.00 CET time
• October 14, 15.00 - 18.00 CET time
• October 15, 15.00 - 18.00 CET time
• November 4, 15.00 - 18.00 CET time
• November 5, 15.00 - 18.00 CET time

Apply Now!

Academic Staff

Contact information