Is your goal to understand the complex issues associated with contemporary societies? 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 Master's Programme in Contemporary Societies (COS), 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.
The entire course programme is taught in English.
The scope of the Master's programme is 120 credits (ECTS), to be completed in two academic years. It is designed in a way that allows you to build your portfolio and pick your courses according to your interests and career plans, and consists of:
During your first year in the programme, you will study in your study track and take COS thematic and research skills courses. You will also begin your work towards your Master’s thesis. The second year consists of further thematic studies, attending thesis seminars and writing your thesis.
In the COS programme, you can choose from six discipline-based study tracks which determine the studies you will be required to complete. All of the participating disciplines are ranked among the best 100 subjects in the QS World University Ranking by Subject.
To apply you must have a Bachelor’s degree including studies in one of these disciplines or cognate fields. You should apply for the study track that is closest to your previous studies.
Global Development Studies examines processes of development, underdevelopment, and alternative development, questions of mass poverty, long-term inequalities and social, spatial, political, cultural, economic and environmental changes, especially in the so-called Global South. Research and teaching also focus on global power relations in historical and contemporary times and especially how such hierarchies of power persist over time. This track is multidisciplinary and emphasises a wide range of actors, time, and scales, but it is usually global in outlook.
Social and Cultural Anthropology examines the diversity of social relations and cultures around the world. It looks at the political, mental, economic, material, moral, scientific and environmental conditions of human life. Topics range from structures of power and inequality; to questions of what it means to live a good life in different parts of the world; and to new perspectives on human coexistence with other living and non-living beings at the time of environmental crisis and rapid technological transformation. Anthropology produces new knowledge by making ethnographic observations about concrete life forms and analysing them from a global, comparative perspective.
Social and Public Policy is an applied social science that explores the structure and functioning of welfare states from the perspective of social risks, such as unemployment, illness, disability, the birth of children or old age. Social and public policy delves into issues of welfare distribution and social inequality. Research focus areas include poverty and inequality, sustainable welfare, unemployment and obstacles to employment, health differences, ageing, digitalisation and the use of digital public services, social scientific disability research as well as comparative and international social policy. The discipline also investigates the utilisation of research-based knowledge, particularly in transformations related to environmental policy, and aims for significant societal impact through scientific research.
Social Data Science supports evidence-based decision making for the government, organizations and private companies. Applications range from pensions and health care to finance and social media. Statistical analysis is used to explore various topics, such as questions of inequality between and within genders, regions or generations. Dynamic probabilistic modelling is a primary tool in analyses involving forecasting and risk management. Machine learning methods can be used on quantitative data, but also on textual, audio and visual materials. We examine various data sources: surveys, interviews, register data, open governmental and business data, big data and digital trace data. However, the essential focus in Social Data Science is to ground the data analysis in social science through its theories and concepts.
Social Psychology examines the interaction between individuals and groups. The main subjects of research include social identities, social cognition, attitudes, group processes, social communication, persuasion, social representations and discourses. Social psychological phenomena are examined through both quantitative (such as surveys, experimental research and interventions) and qualitative (interview research, narrative, discursive, visual and multimodal approaches) methods. The current research in the discipline focuses on intergroup relations (e.g., ethnic identities, immigration, inequalities, intersectionality), societal and political psychology (e.g., nationalism, polarization, hate speech, collective action), and social psychology of health, well-being and working life.
Sociology is a wide-ranging, flexible and open-minded discipline that coheres around core theoretical and methodological orientations. Thematic areas range from macro-level forces, structures, and institutions, to micro-level social relationships. Studies in sociology focus on societal transformations of various types, in Finland, the Nordic countries, Europe, and the wider world. Sociology embraces multiple different methods, both qualitative and quantitative, to study these matters, drawing upon diverse types of theory in creative ways. Sociology provides critical and unconventional ways of researching and conceptualising contemporary societies while being part of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary fields of study too.
In addition to a study track, students need to complete advanced thematic studies on the following themes:
The advanced thematic studies highlight the strengths of research at the University of Helsinki and its methodological expertise. Students will familiarise themselves with the different research traditions and approaches of their chosen thematic studies, as well as their solutions to related challenges. As a student, you can include courses from all themes in your studies.
In the Studies service, you can explore the degree structure, content and learning outcomes from the level of the degree programme to individual courses.
The unique context offered by the COS programme helps you to develop versatile expertise. The programme is designed in a way that allows you to build your portfolio and pick your courses according to your interests and career plans.
The teaching in the COS programme is organised so that you can acquire expertise and skills relevant to working life as well as qualifications for doctoral studies.
The international teaching staff are research leaders in their fields and have longstanding experience in teaching multicultural student groups. Each student has a personal teacher tutor. Since each tutor has only a group of 10-20 students, highly personalized guidance and supervision is offered.
The entire course programme is taught in English. You can check out courses in the online course catalogue for University of Helsinki students. Finnish courses are offered for international students.
The master’s degree in the COS programme includes a written thesis (30 cr). You will already start orienting towards your Master's thesis during the first year of studies, although you will write your thesis on a topic that relates to your study track and the relevant thematic pathway mainly during the second year.
You practice thesis writing in thesis seminars, where teachers and fellow students provide feedback on your work. You will also be assigned a thesis supervisor, who will mentor you and provide feedback as you write your thesis.
Completing the thesis requires the ability to formulate research questions, write scientific text and employ research methods. It teaches you to acquire and produce information as well as to conduct independent research. It may even inspire you to choose a research career as either a doctoral candidate or a researcher outside academia.
What's it like to study at the University of Helsinki? What are the future possibilities offered by a degree in social sciences?
The best way to know more about the COS programme is through our students and graduates. In the testimonials, they share their insights about student life in Helsinki and aspirations for the future
Student life and especially the student organisation culture is exceptionally rich and diverse in Finland. At the University of Helsinki, more than 240 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.
Kannunvalajat is the student organisation for all the students in the Faculty of Social Sciences. CISSI, the Organisation of International Social Scientists, is focused specifically on the needs of international students.
The home of the COS programme is the Faculty of Social Sciences in the heart of Helsinki and the City Centre Campus. The City Centre Campus, with 21,000 students, is situated near many potential workplaces: ministries, important public institutions, NGO headquarters and the Faculties of Education, Law, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, and Theology.
Finland in general, and the University of Helsinki, in particular, offer an exceptionally rich setting for interdisciplinary studies focusing on contemporary societies. The international teaching staff are research leaders in their fields and have longstanding experience in teaching multicultural student groups. All of the participating disciplines are ranked among the best 100 subjects in the QS World University Ranking by Subject. Moreover, the COS programme invests in building an alumni network and gives you support for both international mobility and work experience.