Studying

In the Master's Programme in European and Nordic Studies (ENS), you gain a rich and multidisciplinary understanding of European society, politics and culture today and in history. All along the way, the programme draws 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.

Studying the ways in which Europeans cooperate, how European states and societies are interconnected, and how they are governed, forms an important part of the programme. Besides looking at the processes of integration and the evolution and functioning of the European Union, the programme highlights the significance of regional cooperation in the Nordic context, the EU’s relations with its neighbours and its place in the global system.

This is a unique programme in the Nordic countries where you can specialise in Nordic Studies in English.

At the end of your studies you have:

• a broad understanding of European issues and in-depth proficiency in your chosen thematic specialization;
• gained advanced research and critical analysis skills as well as skills to do independent and creative projects
• earned a Master of Arts degree (M.A.) or a Master of Social Sciences degree (M. Soc. Sc.) depending on your chosen study track
• received high-quality research training enabling you to pursue a career in academic research
• the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue a career in higher education, local and national administrations, the media, the European Union, Nordic regional and international institutions, non-governmental organisations, and the business sector.

The scope of the Master's Programme in European and Nordic Studies (ENS) is 120 credits (ECTS) to be completed in two academic years. The programme consists of joint courses and specialisation studies that introduce you to various aspects of Europe, the Nordic countries and the Baltic Sea Region.

One of the available options is to specialise in Nordic Studies. ENS is a unique Nordic Studies programme taught in English in the Nordic countries.

The programme has two study tracks:

• Humanities track emphases regional and cultural studies, and history. Thematic modules specific to this track include: Nordic Studies; European Legal History and Traditions; and ECEBB (East Central European, Balkan and Baltic Studies).
• Social Sciences track is oriented towards political history, politics, civil society and public life. Thematic modules specific to this track include: EU Studies; History and Memory in Europe; Politics and Communication; and Migration and Minorities.

The language of instruction is English. Upon completion of the programme, you will receive either the Master of Arts degree or Master of Social Sciences degree depending on your study track.

More information about the structure, content and study tracks of the programme.

The ENS programme involves substantial interaction between you and your teachers. You will complete several writing assignments and research papers along the way, culminating in a Master’s thesis in your second year. Some courses use active learning or flipped classroom pedagogy.

The multidisciplinary selection of courses introduces you to various aspects of Europe, the Nordic countries, and the Baltic Sea Region. The topics include, for example:

• Contemporary European politics
• Nordic societies and cultures
• Institutions, ideologies and identities in Europe
• Nations and nationalism
• Populism
• Human rights and civil society activism
• Migration and minorities
• (Nordic) welfare models
• European Union and Nordic cooperation
• European legal traditions
• Politics of memory

Read more about the courses.

The Master's thesis is an integral part of your degree. During the thesis project, you are expected to:

• demonstrate that you can formulate relevant and interesting research questions
• create a coherent research design
• analyse and produce data
• write a scientific research report

Although the project is extensive independent research work, you will have a supervisor acting as your advisor. You will also regularly present the progress of your project in a joint seminar with your fellow students.

After completing your thesis, you have gained a broad understanding of European issues and in-depth proficiency on your more specific thesis topic as well as acquired advanced research skills. You have also learned how to conduct a large independent research project and how to report your research results.