The University of Helsinki offers 36 multidisciplinary Master’s programmes with English as the language of instruction. Get to know the programmes and find out how to apply. The next application period is between 1 Dec 2021 and 5 Jan 2022.
Get to know our programmes
In the International Master’s Programmes, the language of instruction is English. However, in many of the programmes you can also complete studies partly or fully in Finnish and/or Swedish. Always check the language information on the programme website.
The scope of our Master’s Programmes is 120 ECTS credits to be completed with two years of full-time study. You learn from the best in their field and get a solid foundation for doctoral studies.
Application dates
The applications for studies starting in autumn 2021 closed on 15 Jan 2021. The admission results have been sent to the applicants by e-mail and can also be found by logging into your My Studyinfo –service.
The next application period for studies starting in autumn 2022 is from 1 Dec 2021 to 5 Jan 2022. Please note that our International Master’s Programmes only have one intake per academic year. You can only submit your application during the application period.
International Master’s Programmes
How to develop sustainable food and energy production? How to use automation and robotics in agriculture in the future?
In the Master’s Programme in Agricultural Sciences, you can pursue studies in agrotechnology, animal science, environmental soil science or plant production sciences. The University of Helsinki is the only university in Finland to offer academic education in this field.
Master’s Programme in Agricultural Sciences website.
Agricultural, Environmental and Resource Economics (AGERE)
How to solve issues related to agriculture, biodiversity, food and forests? How are oceans restored as oceans?
In the Master’s Programme in Agricultural, Environmental and Resource Economics (AGERE), economics and natural sciences are combined. You will become a professional in applied economics in agricultural, environmental and resource-focused fields and well versed in topics such as climate policy, sustainable agriculture and food security.
Master’s Programme in Agricultural, Environmental and Resource Economics website.
How to prevent hurricane disasters? How is climate changing? How do ecosystems interact with the atmosphere/hydrosphere/lithosphere?
In the Master’s Programme in Atmospheric Sciences, you study aerosol physics, geophysics of the hydrosphere, meteorology, biogeochemical cycles, remote sensing or atmospheric chemistry and analysis. You learn to work with environmental issues and deal with matters like air pollution, climate change, deforestation, extreme weather and water resources.
Master’s Programme in Atmospheric Sciences website.
How to lead the future of learning?
In the Master’s Programme in Changing Education, you get an understanding of education as a dynamic and transformable construct from the individual neural level to global policies. You also gain the knowledge and skills to analyse, develop and influence the practices and structures of education systems, institutions, teaching and pedagogical issues.
Master’s Programme in Changing Education website.
Chemistry and Molecular Sciences
How to detect illnesses from breath? Can spent nuclear fuel be safely contained in bedrock? How does chemistry benefit bioeconomy?
In the Master’s Programme in Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, you learn experimental research methods in many fields of chemistry, like analytical and synthetic chemistry, radiochemistry, molecular research, and spectroscopy.
Master’s Programme in Chemistry and Molecular Sciences website.
How can programming change the world? What are all the things that could be automated?
In the Master’s Programme in Computer Science, you get skills that can lead you to create new network solutions, build the future digital society, develop secure digital services, or be involved in a ground-breaking software project.
More information on the Master’s Programme in Computer Science website.
How to deal with complex, increasingly diverse and rapidly changing issues of contemporary societies? How to use data for social good?
In the Master’s Programme in Contemporary Societies, you choose from six major subjects: Global Development Studies, Social and Cultural Anthropology, Social and Public Policy, Social Data Science, Social Psychology, or Sociology. You also study themes like Data and Society, Ethnic Relations and Migration, Mind and Society, Socio-Cultural Shifts and Sources of Inequalities.
Master’s Programme in Contemporary Societies website.
How to prevent shipwrecks with the help of big data? How to construct solutions to complex data analysis problems?
In the Master’s Programme in Data Science, elements from computer science and mathematical sciences are combined. You gain a solid knowledge of the central concepts, theories, and research methods of data science as well as applied skills. You acquire skills in topics such as machine learning, distributed systems and statistical methods.
Master’s Programme in Data Science website.
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Which species are able to adapt to environmental change? Why are some species able to invade new habitats?
In the Master’s Programme in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, you get a perspective on biology from the level of genes to communities of species by studying ecology, evolutionary biology and conservation biology. The field courses range from the northern subarctic region to tropical rainforests.
Master’s Programme in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology website.
How to decide how many mobile phone operators to have? What is the best way to alleviate climate change?
In the Master’s Programme in Economics, you focus on the key elements of economic analysis and methods. You take courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. In addition, you choose courses in subfields of economics, for example, economic theory, industrial organisation, international economics, labour economics, public economics or development economics. The programme is part of the Helsinki Graduate School of Economics, an academic initiative of three Finnish universities – Aalto University, Hanken School of Economics and the University of Helsinki.
Master’s Programme in Economics website.
How did English become a world language? How is sociocultural change and language change related?
In the Master’s Programme in English Studies at the University of Helsinki, you develop your expertise in areas that are often separated in other programmes: English language and linguistics, literature in English and the teaching of English. You can also combine modules from other programmes to your degree, for example, Digital Humanities and Literary Studies.
Master’s Programme in English Studies website.
Environmental Change and Global Sustainability
How to solve problems of socio-ecological sustainability?
In the Master’s Programme in Environmental Change and Global Sustainability (ECGS), you learn to tackle global environmental and sustainability challenges by integrating both natural and social sciences perspectives. You can also study topics like food and sustainability, climate studies, indigenous studies, urban studies, global land use or Baltic sea studies.
Master’s Programme in Environmental Change and Global Sustainability (ECGS) website.
Why does Europe matter? How to understand populism in Europe? What is the significance of regional cooperation in the Nordic context?
In the Master’s Programme in European and Nordic Studies, you get an understanding of European society, politics and culture today and in history. You benefit from the strengths of Nordic research on Europe with its strong focus on regional cooperation, diversity, identities, institutions, culture and politics of history and memory. You learn to know the Nordic countries through a European perspective and Europe from a Nordic perspective.
Master’s Programme in European and Nordic Studies website.
What will people eat in the future? What is behind the good taste of food?
In the Master’s Programme in Food Sciences, your studies cover the whole food production chain from primary production via food processing to consumers. You explore innovations in food and how to improve the healthiness, safety, ecology and ethics of food and food processing. You also learn laboratory working skills and increase your knowledge of food composition, processing, structure and legislation.
Master’s Programme in Food Sciences website.
How can forests help in fighting climate change? How to grow trees in a sustainable and efficient manner?
In the Master’s Programme in Forest Sciences, you get a broad and versatile perspective on forests and their use. Your study and apply knowledge in biology, biogeochemistry, business economics, environmental sciences, logistics, geoinformatics and IT. You become a professional in forest ecology, the management and use of forest resources and forest bioeconomy business and policy.
Master’s Programme in Forest Sciences website.
Genetics and Molecular Biosciences
How are the building blocks of life arranged? How do genes regulate the development of cells, tissues and organisms? How do molecules, cells and tissues function and communicate with each other?
In the Master’s programme in Genetics and Molecular Biosciences, you get in-depth knowledge and skills in modern genetics and molecular biosciences. You can specialise in Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology, Genetics and Genomics or Molecular Analytical Health Biosciences.
Master’s Programme in Genetics and Molecular Biosciences website.
How to understand geographical development and differentiation of our planet?
In the Master’s Programme in Geography, you study (1) physical geography, (2) geoinformatics or (3) urban and human geography and spatial planning. You get an understanding of current social and environmental issues in a top-ranked programme based on high-quality research groups.
Master’s Programme in Geography website.
How will we react to the changes of the planet? How to sustain a growing population on our dynamic planet?
In the Master’s Programme in Geology and Geophysics, you are trained to address pressing questions concerning our home planet’s evolution, its role as the source of raw materials needed by modern civilisation, and environmental issues. You can study Petrology and Economic Geology, Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Palaeontology and Global Change and Solid Earth Geophysics.
Master’s Programme in Geology and Geophysics website.
How to deal with the challenges of globalising law?
In the Master’s Programme in Global Governance Law (GGL), you develop the skills to understand and deal with the challenges of globalising law. You study public international law, European Union law, global administrative law, advanced human rights law and examine for example international institutions, decision-making and governance in the EU. You can also specialise in Russian or Chinese law.
Master’s Programme in Global Governance Law website.
Global Politics and Communication
How can knowledge help us prevent confrontation? What is the role of the media in the transformation of contemporary democracies?
In the Master’s Programme in Global Politics and Communication, you combine political science, communication studies and global political economy. You apply ideas, concepts and methodologies to key societal and political issues and develop your critical reasoning and argumentation skills.
Master’s Programme in Global Politics and Communication website.
Human Nutrition and Food-Related Behaviour
How does nutrition maintain our health? How does culture influence our food choices? How is food discussed in the media?
In the Master’s Programme in Human Nutrition and Food-Related Behaviour (HNFB), you focus on human nutrition and food-related behaviour from the perspective of public health nutrition, nutritional physiology and social sciences. You gain an understanding of the significance of nutrition to human physiology and health, learn to analyse the physiological, psychological, social and cultural aspects linked to food choices and recognise the diversity of food and nutritional issues and ways to influence them.
Master’s Programme in Human Nutrition and Food-Related Behaviour (HNFB) website.
How can plants help us cope with global challenges? How do plants maintain ecosystems and thus life?
In the Master’s Programme in Integrative Plant Sciences (previously Master’s Programme in Plant Biology), you study the diversity of wild and cultivated plants from the Arctic to the Tropics, as well as plant functions from the molecular to the ecosystem level. You can choose courses in topics like plant biotechnology and breeding, molecular biology and genetics, plant ecology and evolutionary biology, diversity and systematics of plants and fungi and regulation of growth, reproduction and differentiation of tissues.
Master’s Programme in Integrative Plant Sciences website.
How to promote mutual understanding with cultural diversity? How to be more competent in intercultural communication?
In the Master’s Programme in Intercultural Encounters, you focus on questions of cultural diversity and mutual understanding and get insight into the diversified world from different perspectives such as religion, conflicts, human interaction, living traditions and transnationalism. You learn to deal with issues of intercultural interaction, diversity, internationalisation, cultural management, the media and power.
Master’s Programme in Intercultural Encounters website.
International Business Law
How to understand the fine print on a global scale?
In the Master’s Programme in International Business Law (IBL), you increase and deepen your knowledge and understanding of business law, including contract law, company law, intellectual property law, competition law and commercial dispute resolution. You can also study more rarely taught topics like Chinese Law. In addition, you further develop your analytical, legal argumentation and communications skills.
Master’s Programme in International Business Law website.
How can mathematics and informatics help you understand nature?
In the Master’s Programme in Life Science Informatics, you combine the world of biodata and the expertise to utilise it. You can study algorithmic bioinformatics, applied bioinformatics, biomathematics, biostatistics and bioinformatics, eco-evolutionary informatics and systems biology and medicine.
Master’s Programme in Life Science Informatics website.
Linguistic Diversity and Digital Humanities
What is special about the human mind that makes language possible? Why are there so many different languages and are some more complex than others? Why do computers struggle with translating? Does your mobile device really understand what you are saying? Is it more difficult to learn for AI to communicate in natural speech than drive a car? Why doesn’t computer-synthesised speech sound human?
In the Master’s Programme in Linguistic Diversity and Digital Humanities (previously the Master’s Programme in Linguistic Diversity in Digital Age), you deepen your understanding of the nature and diversity of human language and the theoretical and digital tools for working with language and speech. You may also focus on digital methods in other fields within humanities or on human cognition and artificial intelligence. You can specialise in Cognitive Science, Digital Humanities, General Linguistics, Language Technology or Phonetics.*
Master’s Programme Linguistic Diversity and Digital Humanities website.
How to solve the energy problem? How to develop technology with new materials?
In the Master’s Programme in Materials Research (MATRES), you focus on the fundamental physical and chemical problems in synthesising and characterising materials, developing new materials and improving existing ones. You can study experimental materials physics, computational materials physics, medical physics and biophysics, polymer materials chemistry, inorganic materials chemistry and electronics and industrial applications.
Master’s Programme in Materials Research website.
How to calculate yourself into the center of the Earth?
In the Master’s Programme in Mathematics and Statistics, you get a solid basis for mathematics and statistics applications. You can study topics like geometry, algebra, topology, mathematical logic, mathematical physics, applied analysis, mathematical modelling, the mathematics of imaging, stochastics, insurance, financial mathematics, probabilistic modelling, statistics and social statistics.
Master’s Programme in Mathematics and Statistics website.
Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology
How to avoid microbial spoilage of food?
In the Master’s Programme in Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, you learn about microbes and the biotechnological applications as well as what research techniques are used to study viruses, bacteria and other microbes. Your studies include topics like the application of microbiological knowledge, biotechnology and bioinformatics, functional principles of microbial cells and communities, research methods in microbiology and solving microbiological problems.
Master’s Programme in Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology website.
How are our brains making us conscious, sense, feel and act? What are the neurobiological bases of behaviour?
In the Master’s Programme in Neuroscience, you study Neuroscience or Cell and Systems Physiology and learn to understand of the diverse functions of the brain and the nervous system, and the complexity of life from molecules to functional organisms.
Master’s Programme in Neuroscience website.
Particle Physics and Astrophysical Sciences
How did we get here from the big bang? How to understand space?
In the Master’s Programme in Particle Physics and Astrophysical Sciences, you get an extensive understanding of particle physics and cosmology and/or astrophysical sciences. You gain expertise in basic research and acquire proficiency in the use of mathematical methods, IT tools, experimental equipment, as well as strong problem-solving and logical deduction skills.
Master’s Programme in Particle Physics and Astrophysical Sciences website.
Pharmaceutical Research, Development and Safety
How to create effective, safe and sustainable drug treatments of the future?
In the Master’s Programme in Pharmaceutical Research, Development and Safety, you obtain a comprehensive overview of the life cycle of drugs and their use. You can specialise in 1) drug discovery and pharmacology, 2) drug development and 3) medication safety and effectiveness. The perspective of Green and Sustainable Pharmacy, essential for managing the global sustainability challenge, is integrated into the curriculum.
Master’s Programme in Pharmaceutical Research, Development and Safety website.
How does knowing Russia help you think globally? How to understand Russia’s response to global challenges?
In the Master’s Programme in Russian Studies, you acquire in-depth knowledge of Russia’s past and present benefiting from the world-class research conducted at the Aleksanteri Institute, Europe’s largest research institute of Russian studies. You develop Russia-related expertise on themes such as security and power; environment and climate; inequality and resilience; culture and identity.
Master’s Programme in Russian Studies website.
Theoretical and Computational Methods
How to create mathematical models of natural phenomena? How to generalise information on scientific phenomena?
In the Master’s Programme in Theoretical and Computational Methods, you get a strong basis in the theoretical methods, modelling, and mathematical and numerical analysis within physics, mathematics, chemistry and/or computer science.
Master’s Programme in Theoretical and Computational Methods website.
Translational Medicine (TRANSMED)
How to make scientific discoveries benefit the patients? How to improve future diagnostics?
In the Master’s Programme in Translational Medicine (TRANSMED), you learn to facilitate new therapies and medical procedures by implementing research findings in patient care, and by applying clinical data in research. This requires understanding both science and medicine. You also interact directly with researchers and clinicians to adopt and practice interdisciplinary communication skills.
Master’s Programme in Translational Medicine website.
How to deal with complex urban environments?
In the Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning, you become a professional capable of understanding and addressing complex urban development challenges. You can specialise in Urban Planning and Design, Urban Ecologies and Systems or Urban Life, Economy and Cultures.
Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning website.
Information about applying
The information behind the links helps you with your application process to an International Master’s Programme at the University of Helsinki. Please note that these instructions apply to the application round for the autumn 2021 intake that closed on 15 Jan 2021.
How to apply
Get a general overview of the application process to the International Master’s Programmes.
Required application attachments
Check out the attachments that you need to provide together with your application and how to submit them.
Country-specific instructions for educational documents
Academic qualifications awarded in certain countries have special document requirements. See if they apply to you and what to do.
Proving your language skills
All applicants need to prove their language skills. Read how to indicate yours with previous education or by a standardised language test.
COVID-19: advice for master’s applicants
Coronavirus related questions and answers connected to the application round on 1 Dec 2020 – 15 Jan 2021.
Login to your application
You can access your already submitted application from the Master’s applications login page.
Tuition fees and scholarship programme
The scholarships are intended for excellent students liable to pay tuition fees.
Statistics about admissions
Do you want to know the numbers of applicants and admitted students in the past? Check out the admission statistics.
Admission Services
If you have questions about the application process, contact the Admission Services for guidance and support.
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