Studying

The scope of the Master of Arts degree is 120 credits (ECTS), to be completed in two years of full-time studies. The language of instruction in the LingDig programme is English and it contains the following studies:

• Studies common to all students in the programme (30 credits); this includes a 10-credit introductory course and 20 credits chosen from a common list of courses.
• Advanced studies in your study track (30 credits)
• Elective studies (30 credits)
• MA thesis (30 credits)

As a student in the programme you choose amongst five study tracks: (1) Cognitive Science, (2) Digital Humanities, (3) General Linguistics, (4) Language Technology and (5) Phonetics.

Your elective studies may include modules offered either by the other study tracks within this Master's programme or by other programmes within the University of Helsinki. Examples of modules offered by other programmes include Indigenous studies and computer science. Courses offered by other universities can also be included here.

The studies in your own study track, as well as the other studies, can include study abroad (e.g. student exchange) and work practice or other working life oriented study units. Working life and career development perspectives are integrated into many of the courses.

More information about the structure, content and study tracks.

At the beginning of your Master’s studies, you will prepare your first personal study plan (PSP), with support from the staff of the Master's programme. You will also receive guidance from the Faculty.

The courses offer you in-depth training in your chosen study track: (1) General Linguistics, (2) Phonetics, (3) Language Technology, (4) Cognitive Science and (5) Digital Humanities. These five study tracks interact at all levels, starting with an introductory course common to all students, bringing together the perspectives of all five study tracks. Taking courses across study tracks is made easy.

In the context of humanities, the programme has the closest relationship to natural sciences, and many subfields of the programme involve methods directly linked to laboratory sciences, including digital technology and neurosciences. The teaching in the programme includes lectures and seminars, practical exercise sessions, reading circles, fieldwork excursions, as well as work practice (internship). The broad spectrum of teaching methods guarantees optimal support for your learning processes. 

Check out the courses and their descriptions in Weboodi, the University of Helsinki online course catalogue.

Every spring, the programme organises a student conference. Information about previous years' conferences.

Your studies culminate in writing your Master’s thesis, an independent scientific study with the scope of 30 credits. You will be guided through the writing process in a thesis seminar during your second year of studies.

The aim of the Master’s thesis is to develop your basic skills for conducting research. The most important of them include the ability to seek information independently, analyse and assess existing information critically, and produce and apply information independently. In addition, writing your Master’s thesis develops your project management skills and your mastery of an extensive body of knowledge. Upon completing your Master’s thesis, you will:

• Be ready to work in a systematic way and able to understand large conceptual wholes
• Have the ability to define and discuss your chosen research problem
• Have mastered the theories and research methods required in your work
• Have demonstrated familiarity with your thesis topic and the literature in the field
• Be able to analyse material and communicate your results scientifically

As a rule, you will write your thesis in English, though students with Finnish or Swedish as their administrational language can write their thesis in these languages.

After completing the Master of Arts degree, you are eligible to apply to study for the Doctor of Philosophy degree, a postgraduate research degree. The LingDig MA programme gives you a strong and competitive background for pursuing doctoral studies within the focus areas of the five study tracks.

Within the University of Helsinki, for those working on language(s), the relevant programme is the Doctoral Programme in Language studies. Students graduating from Cognitive Science and Digital Humanities may choose other programmes from the Doctoral School in Humanities and Social Sciences.

The Faculty of Arts at the University of Helsinki is Finland’s leading centre for 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. 

More information about doctoral studies at the University of Helsinki. 

The LingDig programme has a high international profile. Its international character shows in many ways, for example, the teachers are internationally widely connected, the programme functions in English accepting students from a variety of linguistic and cultural backgrounds around the world, the opportunities for international exchange are enouraged and much more. 

Find out more about the international scope of the programme.

Student life and especially the student organisation culture is exceptionally rich and diverse in Finland. Also within the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY), there are over 250 student organisations operating. They range from faculty and subject organisations to political and societal organisations, and from choirs and orchestras to sports and game clubs. The activities include anniversary celebrations, academic dinner parties, cultural events, get-togethers and excursions.

As a student and member of the Student Union (HYY), you are entitled to many benefits and services. For example, affordable student housing, basic healthcare services, sports facilities and student-priced meals. You also get numerous discounts, for example on public transport fees across the country.  

Read more about the life and benefits as a student at the University of Helsinki.