Master's Programme in European and Nordic Studies, Master of Social Sciences/Master of Arts

The Master’s Programme in European and Nordic Studies at the University of Helsinki offers an interdisciplinary perspective on the European Union, European politics and societies, and the Nordic region. You can specialise in EU studies, European political history, or Nordic societies. The programme leads to either a Master of Arts or a Master of Social Sciences degree, depending on your study track.

The programme is a two-year, 120 ECTS degree with contact teaching and mainly on-site attendance. It includes joint courses, research methods, thematic studies, a master’s thesis and seminars, Career Skills, and optional studies. Career Skills can include an internship, a working life project, voluntary work, or holding elected positions. The master’s thesis is written independently in the second year and discussed in a thesis seminar.

The programme has two study tracks. The Humanities track leads to a Master of Arts and focuses on Nordic societies and cultures, or Eastern, Central and Southeast European studies. The Social Sciences track leads to a Master of Social Sciences and focuses on EU studies or European history and politics.

Modules

• Joint courses
• Research methods
• Thematic studies
• Master’s thesis and seminars
• Career Skills
• Optional studies

You can apply if you have completed, or will complete during the application period, a bachelor’s degree from a higher education institution in Finland or abroad. You must have at least 35 ECTS of studies applicable to the programme and the study track you are applying for. For the Humanities track, applicable studies include history, regional studies, cultural studies, and related fields. For the Social Sciences track, applicable studies include EU/European studies, political science, global politics, political history, international relations, and related fields. You must indicate your preferred track when applying and cannot change it after submitting your application. Students at the University of Helsinki who have completed a Bachelor’s degree in European Studies, Political Science, or Nordic Studies may be eligible for direct admission.

• policy analysts
• EU affairs officers
• diplomats
• researchers
• communications professionals
• expert roles in EU institutions
• expert roles in ministries
• expert roles in embassies
• expert roles in international organisations
• expert roles in NGOs
• expert roles in the media sector
• expert roles in the business sector
• European Commission
• European Parliament
• Committee of the Regions
• Nordic Council of Ministers
• College of Europe