Career

The Master's Programme in English Studies prepares for a variety of jobs and our graduates have been successful in finding employment. English is used globally as the language of science, culture, business and tourism, and experts in English are required in all of these fields. If combined with mandatory pedagogical studies, the degree qualifies to be a language teacher. You can also apply for doctoral studies.
Career opportunities for graduates

 Upon graduating from the Master's Programme in English Studies, you have:

  • developed your expertise in linguistic or literary studies.
  • strengthened your understanding of theoretical approaches and research methods within English Studies.
  • developed work-life skills, such as language and writing skills, skills in presentation, independent and group work and project management.  

English Studies prepares you for different types of careers in business and culture, as well as in public administration and education.

  • With a careful selection of supporting studies, you can find employment in government, the media, libraries and other cultural institutions, national and international organisations, or tourism.
  • If you complete 60 credits of pedagogical studies in conjunction with English studies, you will be qualified to teach English in Finnish schools as well as in adult education in Finland.
  • After completing your Master’s degree, you can also apply to continue your studies as a doctoral student and later build a career as a university researcher or teacher.

If combined with mandatory pedagogical studies, the Master’s degree in English Studies qualifies you to be a language teacher. You will also be eligible to apply for doctoral studies. 

The University of Helsinki has the most comprehensive selection of disciplines in Finland, making it easier for you to plan your specialisation and supporting studies to benefit your future career.
My studies also helped to develop universally transferable skills, like writing, critical thinking and empathy.
Qual­i­fic­a­tions to be­come a language teacher

Combined with mandatory pedagogical studies, a Master’s degree in English Studies gives you the qualifications required to become a language teacher.

To qualify as an English teacher in Finland, you must complete: 

  • basic, intermediate and advanced studies in English (120 credits)
  • studies in another discipline taught in schools, such as another language (60 credits, not mandatory but recommended)
  • pedagogical studies (60 credits; separate selection procedure)
  • a Master’s degree.

Please note that you will not be able to apply for a study right in pedagogical studies during your Master's degree. However, you can apply for a study right after you have completed the Master's degree (so-called "non-degree studies").
Doc­toral stud­ies

After completing your Master of Arts degree, you can apply for a doctoral programme at the University of Helsinki or other universities. 

Suitable doctoral programmes at the University of Helsinki's Faculty o Arts include:

The Faculty of Arts at the University of Helsinki is Finland’s leading centre of research in the humanities. The Faculty has a strong research orientation, and its research represents the top level in many fields, both in Europe and globally.
Career services

Studies are part of your career. The Career Services at the University of Helsinki, in cooperation with degree programmes, supports the growth of your expert identity as part of your studies and with separate services. From the start of your studies until one year after the completion of your degree, Career Services supports your career path and

  • gives career counselling and job seeking support, 
  • arranges info sessions, workshops and events, 
  • provides suitable job and traineeship offers for students,
  • shares university’s subsidy for traineeships and  
  • facilitates group mentoring programmes.
Group mentoring programme: UNITalent

Do you want to build a career in Finland? Get valuable insight into Finnish working life and build your professional networks by applying to our group mentoring programme. 

In the HelsinkiUNI International Talent Programme (UNITalent), a group of international talents is hosted by a local company or organisation. 

Successful applicants will get to:

  • learn about expert work first-hand from a local organisation.
  • hear about different kinds of career paths in a specific sector in Finland.
  • start building their professional network in Finland.
  • support the host in gaining an international perspective by sharing their perspective. 
  • learn career management skills. 

International master’s degree students at the University of Helsinki can apply as well as Finnish students who have completed their degree abroad.
Improve your career options with Finnish

Although international students can get by with English in the Helsinki region, learning Finnish will significantly improve your career options after graduation.

The University of Helsinki offers free Finnish language courses for enrolled international degree students. The beginners and intermediate level courses are not only a way to learn the language, but you also learn more about Finnish culture and get to network with other international students across the fields.
Where students work after graduation?

The University of Helsinki conducts career monitoring surveys to collect information on graduate employment and the skills needs of employers. Career monitoring aims to determine how well a university education can meet the requirements of professional life. The data collected are used, among other things, for developing the career skills of current students.

According to the surveys, general skills gained from the studies include :

  • the ability to describe their skills (this had been the most important factor for their employment)
  • the ability to learn and adopt new things as well as self-direction/initiative
  • cooperation skills
  • problem-solving skills and stress tolerance.
International experience, organisational work or hobbies, and social media activity have been important or highly important for the employment of some respondents, even though these factors don’t stand out at the University level"
Alumni of the Uni­versity of Helsinki

After graduation, the world is wide open and full of possibilities. How can you venture forward to make the career path you want? What kind of work would you like to do? What kind of life should you lead? The Helsinki alumni community is there to support you as you transition from the University to the world of work.

All previous University of Helsinki degree and exchange students, as well as staff, are our alumni. As a member of the University of Helsinki alumni network, Finland’s largest network of experts, you get valuable support, knowledge and contacts for your working life.
More about the programme