Purpose – This paper aims to explore the perceptions of teacher students regarding entrepreneurship education and how they understand entrepreneurship as part of their future pedagogical work.

Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected in 2010, 2011, and 2012 from the essays of 257 teacher students. The data were then analysed through a phenomenological approach.

Findings – On the basis of the results, we categorise teacher students into three types: sceptics, followers, and innovators.

Research limitations/implications – The study was limited to teacher students at the Department of Teacher Education at Rauma. The data were collected during an Entrepreneurship and Citizenship course under the Teacher Education programme.

Practical implications – The most important and necessary requirement for developing entrepreneurship education for future teachers is to clearly define the aforementioned concept. A learning environment should enable teacher students to approach the topic in an informal manner, allowing them to comfortably compare different critical views. Further maximising the benefits of such an environment necessitates fostering a relaxed and encouraging learning atmosphere, as well as multi-professional cooperation. The “leading extract” of entrepreneurship education must be based on education and pedagogy, instead of on market forces.

Originality/value – Early entrepreneurship research concentrates on what entrepreneurship means and includes, how it should be realised, and what the responses are to related educational initiatives. The current work focuses on the conclusions teacher students draw about entrepreneurship/enterprise education and what kind of entrepreneurship/enterprise education is presently a part of teacher education.