including advanced studies about the horse
Academic year 2023-2024
August 22nd, 2023 – May 24 th, 2024
Application period
Application for the academic year
2023-2024 is closed
The study programme for you who are an enthusiastic animal-lover. For you who have a deep interest in animals, animal well-being and responsible animal care.
Are you planning a career as an animal professional, or do you envision yourself as an entrepreneur in the sector? Are animals part of your daily life or is it your future dream? Are you a passionate horse-lover?
The study programme at Akan gives you the opportunity to learn more and deepen your knowledge about animals. It is a relevant study programme for you who dream about a professional career and studies in the sector, as well as for you who dream about an entrepreneurship. Likewise, the study programme is a noteworthy alternative for you who want to take a year off and involve yourself deeply in inspiring studies in your favourite sector. You will find both joy and new motivation during the year!

The study content consists of courses about the horse, animal husbandry, animal in agritourism, birds and poultry, beekeeping, exotic species and zoo animals. You will deepen your knowledge and specialize in studies about the horse itself and the equine sector. If you rather wish to deepen your knowledge about the dog, we can offer this too in cooperation with Akan’s Dog consultant programme. Read more here.
Please, contact the responsible teacher if you are interested in knowing more about the study content. Below you will find the curriculum (in Swedish) läroplan.
Due to scientific studies, people nowadays look differently on animal keeping, care and health. Focus is on animal welfare, on their basic needs and on correct treatment and handling of animals.
We will use different learning environments and learning methods and the studies include a workplace-training period of two weeks. The studies are considered full-time studies with contact teaching 25h /week. The studies run from 22.8.2023 until 24.5.2024. The language of instruction and study is Swedish, but you can return assignments etc. in English as well as Finnish.
Please note, that you can apply to the programme also if you are younger than eighteen. Everyone who applies for the study programme will be asked to attend an interview. The interview will be an informal discussion with the co-ordinator of the study programme in order to get to know you.
Contact and further information:

Programme coordinator:
Maria Ingman | Phone: +358 (0)44 9143612 | maria.ingman@akan.fi
Place:
Borgå folkakademi, Runebergsgatan 16-18, Borgå
Language of instruction:
The majority of classes are taught in Swedish.
Study fees:
400 €/month including teaching, lunch and coffee.
Accomodation:
If you need accommodation you can board in the school’s dormitory connected to the school.
Cost 200 €/month in a shared double room or 260 €/month for a single room, including breakfast Monday-Friday and supper Monday-Thursday.
Further information about accommodation and costs can be found here.
Application periods and entrance exam:
Application period: 1.2-11.8.2023 (entrance exam is arranged in June and in the beginning of August)
Note the following:
- The education is mainly aimed at persons 18 or more, but younger than 18 can apply.
- Everyone who applies for the course will be asked to attend an entrance exam. The sole point of the entrance exam is for us to get to know you better, as a person, so that we can edit the study content according to the needs of our new students.
The studies
Curriculum for Animal and animal keeping (in Swedish)
Subjects:
(25 h / week – daily lessons)
- Animal species and breeds incl. our native breeds
- Anatomy and physiology
- Ethology
- Genetics
- Ethics, legislation and animal welfare
- Nutrition and feeding
- Health care, well-being and rehabilitation
- Animal health, first aid and medication of animals
- Breeding
- Business enterprise
- Photography
- Customer service, blogging and communication
Advanced studies about the horse
- Basic equine management
- The horse’s daily care
- Learning, schooling and training
- Exercise, equestrian sports and horse hobbies
- Breeding
- The Finnish horse (part of the short course selection)
We withhold the right to change the contents and offers in our courses and educational programmes.