Please note that our International Master's Programmes only have one intake per academic year. You can only submit your application during the application period.
The applications for studies starting in autumn 2025 closed on 16 Jan 2025. Thanks to all our applicants!
As of 1 Jan 2025, non-EU/EEA citizens must pay an application fee when applying to programmes leading to a degree in higher education in Finland (excl. doctoral degrees and Erasmus Mundus programmes).
The fee is a one-time national fee of 100 euros that covers all applications to studies beginning in the same academic term.
The fee is not collected from applicants who have:
The Finnish National Agency of Education will collect the application fee in connection with filling out the application form at the Finnish national education portal Studyinfo. The fee must be paid or you must upload a document proving the exempted category. Otherwise your application will not be processed.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to get an application fee waiver.
The application fee does not guarantee that you will be offered admission to studies.
The Master’s Programme in Contemporary Societies is for students who want to understand the complex issues associated with contemporary societies.
You are eligible to apply if you:
The programme has six discipline-based study tracks: Global Development Studies, Social and Cultural Anthropology, Social and Public Policy, Social Data Science, Social Psychology and Sociology. Applicable studies include these disciplines or cognate fields. You should apply for the study track that is closest to your previous studies. The applicability and sufficient scope of studies are assessed after applying. No preliminary assessments are made.
You must indicate your prospective study track when applying and this selection cannot be changed after submitting your application.
The full admission criteria can be found at the Finnish national education portal Studyinfo.fi.
As societies become increasingly diverse, change rapidly, and are confronted with expanding inequalities, datafication, and digitalization, there is a growing need for professionals trained and educated in the analysis of these dynamics.
In the multidisciplinary and research-based Master's Programme in Contemporary Societies (COS), you become an expert in the analysis of contemporary societies. During your studies, you will:
As a graduate, you will be qualified to work in both the public and private sectors, governmental administration, or various types of organisations. You will also have excellent qualifications to continue with an academic career and PhD studies.
This video gives a general overview of the application process for the International Master's Programmes at the University of Helsinki when applying from 2 to 16 Jan 2025.
Start preparing your application well in advance, make sure that you meet the admission criteria and language requirements, and always read the full instructions on our website.
If you have any questions about admissions at the University of Helsinki, please contact our admission advisers for guidance. You can also check out some statistics on student admissions.
Who knows better than our own students what it is like to study in the Master's Programme in Contemporary Societies?
Meet some of our students and graduates to learn about their experiences with studies, life in Helsinki, career prospects and working life after graduation.
When choosing a university, it is important to get the location right too. What has Helsinki and Finland to offer when it comes to education and a way of life? What's the cost of living? Is it easy to find housing?
Did you know that students in Finland are entitled to lots of benefits, discounts 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.
University of Helsinki, the oldest and largest institution of academic education in Finland, has since 1640 played a major role in the development of the Finnish cultural life and welfare state. Today, we seek solutions to problems that affect everyone.
As one of the world's top 1% research universities, we believe that the power of knowledge can change attitudes, people and society – for a better world.