Ukrainian studies are organised jointly by the Aleksanteri Institute (Master’s Programme in Russian, Eurasian and Eastern European Studies) and the Department of Languages. You can take two 15-credit study modules, Ukrainian studies 1 and Ukrainian studies 2. Courses are organised under two categories: “Ukrainian language, literature and culture” and “Ukraine in Europe: history, politics and society”.
The Elementary course in Ukrainian language is mandatory in Ukrainian studies 1 module, but otherwise you can freely choose courses from both “Ukrainian language, literature and culture” and “Ukraine in Europe: history, politics and society” categories.
Ukrainian studies teaching is designed to equip students with the knowledge and analytical tools to understand Ukraine’s complex past and its pivotal role in contemporary European and Global politics. By completing the study modules students will:
These modules are ideal for students interested in Eastern European studies, international relations, political science, cultural history and Slavic languages. They offer valuable perspectives for careers in diplomacy, policy, journalism and academia — especially in a time when Ukraine’s future is closely tied to the future of Europe itself.
The Ukrainian studies modules 1 and 2 are open for all degree and exchange students of the University of Helsinki. Students of the Aleksanteri Institute Expertise in Russian and Eastern European Studies (
Please note that the teaching programme might be subject to changes and additions, so it is advisable to check course-specific information before the start of the course. You can find course descriptions and registration links at the course pages. For course pages please check the
Starting from 1.8.2026 the Ukrainian studies study modules (KIK-UK510, 15 cr and KIK-UK520, 15 cr ) are organised jointly by the Master´s Programme in Russian, Eurasian and Eastern European Studies (MAREEES) and the Bachelor's Programme in Languages. REE-551, -2 and -3 study units can be taken as a part of the new Ukrainian studies 1 and 2 study modules. You can find the study module structures at the Studies service degree structure website:
The Ukrainian Studies module (REE-550, 15 cr) was organised within the Master´s Programme in Russian, Eurasian and Eastern European Studies (MAREEES). The transition period of the 2023-2026 curriculum is two years and ends on July 31, 2028. After that is it no longer possible to complete studies according to this curriculum. You can see the equivalencies of the 2020-2023 and the 2023-2026 curricula in the table below.
| Curriculum 2020-2023 | Curriculum 2023-2026 | |||||
| Code | Module or study unit | Cr | Code | Module or study unit | Cr | Responsible teacher |
| KUKA-UK500 | Ukrainian Studies | 15 | REE-550 | Ukrainian Studies | 15 | Jouni Järvinen |
| KUKA-UK501 | Ukrainian culture and history | 5 | REE-551 | Ukrainian culture and history | 5 | |
| KUKA-UK502 | Ukrainian society and politics | 5 | REE-552 | Ukrainian society and politics | 5 | |
| KUKA-UK503 | Ukraine in the world | 5 | REE-553 | Ukraine in the world | 5 |
The Ukrainian Studies module (KUKA-UK500 Ukrainian Studies, 15 cr) was carried out in cooperation with the Bachelor's Programme in Cultural studies and the Aleksanteri Institute in 2020-2023.
KUKA-UK500 Ukrainian Studies (15 cr) consisted of three compulsory study units:
University of Helsinki has a bilateral exchange agreement to Ukraine, where the partner university is National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy” in Kyiv. However, please note that for the time being students are not sent to Ukraine for the exchange studies.
For further information please see:
The Ukrainian Studies mailing list is an information channel for the study module and the students. Information and comments on new publications, seminars, education possibilities, funding options etc, relating to Ukraine are welcome on the list.
The messages aimed for the study mailing list should be sent to
ukrainian-studies [at] helsinki.fi.
Please use the same address from which you subscribed to the mailing list.
You will receive an automatic reply confirming that your request has been received and forwarded to the administrator of the ukrainian-studies list. When you have been added to the list you will receive confirmation of this and instructions for unsubscribing the list. It is advisable to save this message for future reference.
NB: Please do not use Yahoo or Hotmail addresses. Messages from such addresses will be regarded as junk mail.
Professor: