The Master’s Programme in English Studies offers you the opportunity to learn about topics at the very forefront of linguistics and literary studies. Our courses are organized in four modules: Language and Society; Discourse and Digital Interaction; Literature and Society; and Literature and the Mind.
All of our courses are taught by active researchers and they foster a highly collaborative environment. Support from both faculty members and peers helps you develop your skills in academic writing, analysis, critical thinking, presentation and intercultural communication. You can practice research design and project management skills during individual and group projects and will apply these skills and your expertise of English when writing your Master’s thesis in our thesis seminar.
Graduates from the English Studies programme have found success in a variety of careers. After graduating you may apply for doctoral studies or for additional pedagogical studies to qualify for being a language teacher, go into fields like media, publishing or business, or work in international organisations. English is used as the language of science, culture, business and tourism globally, and experts in English are required in all of these fields.
The language of instruction and the language of assignments is English.
The best way to know more about the Master's Programme in English Studies is through our students and graduates! In their testimonials, they share their aspirations and future goals as well as their insights about the programme, about studies and about student life in Helsinki. They also talk about their experiences of writing their Master’s thesis.
The scope of the Master’s degree is 120 credits (ECTS). With full-time studies, you will complete the Master’s degree in two years. The degree contains the following studies:
During your Master’s studies you establish and develop your own specialisations, expanding your knowledge through coursework and writing your Master’s thesis. We encourage our students to include elective subjects and supporting studies from other programmes in their degree.
To help you complete your studies systematically, you prepare a personal study plan (PSP) at the beginning of your studies, with support from the programme staff and the Student Services.
You can also complete some of your studies abroad by taking part in a
In the Studies service, you can explore the degree structure, content and learning outcomes from the level of the degree programme to individual courses.
To gain the formal qualification of an English subject teacher in Finland you need to complete not only your English studies, but also pedagogical training. For that training you need to apply separately.
If you have gained a study right at the University of Helsinki for both a BA and an MA degree, you may apply for pedagogical studies during your BA degree and then complete those studies as part of your MA degree.
If you have a gained a study right only for an MA degree, you can apply for a free-of-charge non-degree study right for pedagogical studies during your MA, but you can only complete those studies separately after completing your MA.
The teaching in the Master’s Programme in English Studies is organized into four modules covering English linguistics and literary studies.
• Language and Society
• Discourse and Digital Interaction
• Literature and Society
• Literature and the Mind
The courses in these modules familiarise you with topics at the forefront of studies in language and literature, and they allow you to practice cutting-edge research methodologies. Each course takes a multifaceted approach to its topic, encouraging you to grasp the core of the linguistic or literary phenomenon in question while critically engaging with its social and cultural context.
Interdisciplinary methods are utilised often, with some courses being organized in collaboration with other degree programmes. We encourage our students to explore their own perspectives, interests and prior knowledge in their coursework, and you can draw on such elements also in the research seminars and courses on research design which support you in writing your Master’s thesis.
As a student you attend lectures and collaborate with other students, both in-person and in digital learning environments. We use a variety of methods to assess your learning, including examinations, essays, learning diaries and group projects. You will practice speaking and presentation skills throughout your studies.
You can also combine English studies with modules from other programmes in the Faculty of Arts, for example:
You can check out courses in the online course catalogue for University of Helsinki students. Finnish courses are offered for international students.
The programme culminates in writing your Master’s thesis, an independent scientific study. It aims to develop in you the skills required for conducting research. The most important of these are the ability to draw on earlier research, define relevant research problems, and analyse and report independently acquired data (linguistics) or conduct in-depth analysis of your chosen literary works (literary studies). The Master’s thesis process develops skills in the following areas:
Given its scope and complexity, completing the Master’s thesis will also develop your research and project management skills, and these will be useful in a variety of professions.
We support your development in these areas through courses dedicated to appropriate research methodologies and research design. You will also attend a thesis seminar that offers frequent feedback from your supervisor and your peers, building a supportive and collaborative learning environment. Your thesis will be written in English.
Student life and especially the culture of the student organisations is exceptionally rich and diverse in Finland. 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. The MA Programme also engages students in planning and decision making, and you can apply to HYY to become a student representative in the Programme Board.
English students have their own subject organisation which you might want to check out –
Students in Finland 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.
The Faculty of Arts operates on the multidisciplinary City Centre Campus, located right in the heart of Helsinki with excellent public transport connections. As the largest campus it offers a bustling atmosphere and a wide variety of services for students. The English Studies programme is based in Metsätalo, but you will likely have classes in other buildings as well.
The Master’s Programme in English Studies has a truly international scope: our teaching staff are internationally recognised experts in their fields, and the students come to us from all around the world. You can also engage in the international activities organised by the University of Helsinki, for example, by serving as a peer tutor for international students.
It is also possible to include an exchange period in your degree and complete part of your studies at a university abroad. A well-planned and well-timed student exchange offers you the opportunity to make your degree more diverse and enables you to discover further new perspectives.
You can pursue a visit either independently or through an exchange programme. All exchange programmes include a scholarship or a grant; the amount depends on the programme, the duration of the exchange visit and the target country. If you have arranged an exchange visit independently, you can apply for a travel grant.