Master's Programme in Area and Cultural Studies, Master of Arts

The Master’s Programme in Area and Cultural Studies at the University of Helsinki brings together area studies, cultural studies, and other humanities and social sciences. You study the cultures and societies of major world regions from historical and contemporary viewpoints, and you develop expertise for work in an internationally connected world.

The programme takes two years and is taught in English as contact teaching. The degree is built from joint studies, thesis studies, study track studies, and optional studies. The master’s thesis is the centrepiece of the degree and is completed with support from a dedicated supervisor.

The programme offers six study tracks: Asian Studies, European Cultural Studies, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, North American Studies, and Transcultural Studies.

Modules

• Joint studies
• Thesis studies
• Study track studies
• Optional studies

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the humanities, social sciences or a closely related field.
• Prior knowledge in at least one of the fields of the programme.
• Students completing the Bachelor’s Programme in Cultural Studies (Global Areas and Cultures study track) at the University of Helsinki have a direct pathway to this programme without separate admission.

• demanding expert and research positions
• analysing cultural and policy work
• coordinating international projects
• providing expert advice in national and international organisations
• doctoral studies