The spring 2026 course selection includes about 860 courses across five subject areas: theoretical subjects, health promotion, arts, handicrafts, and languages.
As usual, Finnish language day classes and refresher and reading courses top the list, with a total of 78 students waiting for a spot. In physical activity, ballet fitness is the favorite, with 13 people on the waiting list.
Among handicrafts, beginner ceramics and the Lovely Birch Bark Crafts course are the most sought-after. Most ceramics courses started in the autumn, which explains why the spring waiting list is quieter than in the fall, when about 100 people were waiting for a spot.
Lovely Birch Bark Crafts is a spring favorite, already attracting 10 participants to the waiting list. In this course, the participants create small items such as birch bark baskets, storage boxes, jewelry, and cases using straight and diagonal weaving as well as sheet techniques.
Other courses with waiting lists include creative bookbinding, basics of singing, body care in March, PhysioPilates, an improvisation weekend, and summer clothing sewing.
– The most popular courses show that people long for creativity, movement, hands-on activities, and a sense of community. The popularity of Finnish language courses reflects the growing number of non-native speakers in Tampere, says Anna-Katariina Maksimoff, communications specialist at The Adult Education Centre of the Tampere Region.
Although the most in-demand topics have waiting lists, there is still room in nearly 700 courses.
– It’s always worth registering for the waiting list as well. Our customer service will contact you personally if a spot becomes available, Maksimoff adds.
The courses are in Finnish, but The Adult Education Centre of the Tampere Region also offers courses taught in English.
The spring term 2026 begins in the second week of January, but courses of varying lengths will start throughout the season and continue until late May and early June. Registration for courses is open until they begin, and for many courses, it is possible to join even after classes have started.
The Adult Education Centre also offers general lectures starting in early January. Spring topics include the history of the Tampere region, genealogy and DNA, historical photographs, the European Union, Kalle Kaihari, and spine and artery health. The lectures are taught in Finnish.
