Some of the best mathematicians and statisticians in the world will be your instructors. Studies in the Master’s Programme in Mathematics and Statistics will lead you into the fascinating world of modern science, giving you a solid basis for mathematics and statistics applications. Graduates from this programme find employment as researchers, teachers, and in demanding expert posts in the public and private sector in Finland and abroad.
The programme consists of courses in mathematics, applied mathematics, and statistics. The courses include group and lecture instruction, exercises and exams, projects and workshops. If you wish, you can also complete many courses independently by taking literature-based exams.
The Master’s Programme in Mathematics and Statistics is based on top research. The teaching at the University of Helsinki follows a high standard and is highly valued, not just within Finnish academia but in global university rankings. Some of the best mathematicians and statisticians in the world will be your instructors.
Studies in this programme will give you a solid basis for mathematics and statistics applications. Upon graduating, you will:
Graduates find employment as researchers, teachers, and in demanding expert posts in the public and private sectors in Finland and abroad.
A Master's Degree in the Master's Programme in Mathematics and Statistics (120-135 ECTS credits total) can be completed in two years. The degree consists of:
You can find a more detailed structure and additional details in the Studies Service page Degree structure.
You may also find additional details about the scope and structure of the degree in Instructions for Students article Scope and Structure of the Degree.
The programme offers three study tracks: Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Statistics. You will select your study track and specialization at the start of your studies, and you may change it during your studies. From academic year 2023-2024 onwards, the study tracks have the following specializations:
Mathematics:
Applied mathematics:
Statistics:
To read more about each specialization, please click on the links above or in the sidebar.
All teaching is given in English. Exams can also be taken in Finnish or Swedish, and the Master’s thesis can be written in Finnish, Swedish or English.
The Master’s programme consists of courses in mathematics, applied mathematics and statistics. The courses include group and lecture instruction, exercises, literature, and workshops. Most courses also include exams or project assignments. In addition, you can complete some courses independently, by taking literature-based exams.
The instructors in this programme have received prizes for their high standard of teaching. The teaching methods used in the subjects in this Master's programme have been widely recognised in the media.
Below you can find resources to browse the current course selection. Please note that the course selection varies slightly each year.
List of courses available in the academic year sorted by semester and specialization
Studies Service page Courses Offered by Degree Programme
Studies Service search engine Courses
Finnish courses for international students
You can find model study plans for each study track in Instructions for students article about Study planning and guidance.
The Master’s thesis (30 credits) is based on a topic selected from your own subject. The purpose of the thesis is to advance your knowledge of your chosen topic. Further, it develops your aptitude for working independently and requires you to understand the scientific literature in your field. The topics will often be related to on-going research projects. If you are interested in research, your thesis work can often be the first stage towards your doctoral dissertation.
In mathematics, the MSc thesis is usually written under the supervision of a professor or instructor of the department, but sometimes it can be written outside the department. In statistics, the MSc thesis is usually written outside the department, for example in a government research institute or within research groups on the university campuses. The supervision of a thesis written outside the department is usually done in cooperation between experts in the research group and a professor or teacher from the department.
You can find completed theses in the thesis database University of Helsinki E-thesis Service.
Suggestions for Master's thesis topics and possible supervisors can be found on Overleaf. The list is not exhaustive and you do not have to choose a topic from the list: instead, you can agree on something different with your supervisor. If you are interested in doing your Master's thesis on one of the suggested topics, please contact the supervisor responsible for the topic. The list is continuously updated and topics takes are replaced with new suggestions.
You can read more about thesis and maturity test in the programme in Instructions for students article Thesis in Master's and Licentiate's Programmes.
When studying in the Master's Programme in Mathematics and Statistics, you will have an academic mentor (a personally assigned teacher) to support you with building your own personal study plan at the beginning of your studies. Once you have proceeded in your studies and wish to start writing your Master's thesis, your academic mentor will help you with finding a thesis supervisor.
Read more about what to do when you start your studies, progress to the Master's thesis stage and finally graduate on the Faculty of Science website.
Read more about study planning in Instructions for students article about Study planning and guidance.
The international nature of the programme is implemented in many ways:
The programme works in close collaboration with other programmes at the University of Helsinki relating to mathematics and statistics, such as:
Within the JOO programme, it is possible to take courses at e.g. Aalto University and Hanken School of Economics, as well as other Finnish universities. There is also collaboration with many corporate partners for various projects.
After graduating from the Master’s programme, you can apply for a doctoral programme either at the University of Helsinki or other international universities.
Suitable doctoral programmes at the University of Helsinki are, for example:
Other doctoral programmes where mathematics and statistics are used, such as:
More information about doctoral education at the University of Helsinki.
Student life and especially the student organisation culture is exceptionally rich and diverse in Finland. Also at the University of Helsinki, more than 250 student organisations operate within the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY), ranging from faculty and subject organisations to political and societal organisations, and from choirs and orchestras to sports and game clubs. Their 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, low-cost sports services and student-priced meals. You also get numerous discounts, for example on public transport fees across the country.
Read more about student life, services and benefits when studying at the University of Helsinki.
Do you have questions about studies or student life? You can get answers to your questions by chatting directly with University of Helsinki students. Chat with our students!
Struggling with some of the vocabulary? Download the Finnish-English mathematical vocabulary for students of mathematics by Jussi Väisälä.