Admissions

Are you interested in applying to the Master's Programme in Food Sciences? Find out more about the programme to see if it is right for you, how to apply and other useful information for applicants.
Basic information
  • Degree level: Master of Food Sciences
     
  • Scope of studies and planned duration: 120 ECTS credits, 2 years
     
  • Language: Teaching is in English, but you can also complete the programme in Finnish or Swedish.
     
  • Tuition fee per year (only for non-EU/EEA citizens): 15 000 EUR
Application date

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:

  • a Finnish or EU citizenship,
  • a residence card for a family member of an EU citizen in Finland,
  • a European Union Blue Card,
  • a continuous residence permit in Finland granted on grounds other than studies,
  • a permanent Finnish residence permit, or
  • a long-term resident’s EU residence permit.

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.

Who can apply

The Master’s Programme in Food Sciences is for students interested in studying natural sciences with a concrete application and who want to delve deep into the production chain of food.

You are eligible to apply if you:

  1. have completed a first-cycle (bachelor's or equivalentdegree, or will do so by the given deadline.
  2. meet the degree language requirements. Find out more about proving your English language proficiency.
  3. have completed a sufficient amount of applicable studies. See the admission criteria at Studyinfo.fi for more details.

The applicability and sufficient scope of studies are assessed after applying. No preliminary assessments are made.

The full admission criteria can be found at the Finnish national education portal Studyinfo.fi.

Why apply

Food Sciences is an internationally appreciated field of education and food research at the University of Helsinki has been highly ranked. The food industry is the 4th most important employer in Finland and internationally and is constantly looking for experts to solve new problems.

The Master's Programme in Food Sciences covers the whole food production chain from primary production via food processing to consumers. You gain skills that will enable you to help the food industry develop and renew itself since you will possess know-how on:

  • Raw materials and processes, including their theoretical basics
  • Different food constituents and their impact on food quality
  • Factors that ensure good quality and food safety

You can affect the sort of expertise you would like to gain and tailor your Master’s degree based on your interests. 

Upon graduation, you can embark on a career in the food industry; in a food, agricultural or environmental control laboratory; as a teacher, researcher, or self-employed entrepreneur; or as an expert in government ministries or other expert organisations.

How to apply

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.

Contact Admission Services

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.

Alumni and student testimonials

Who knows better than our own students what it is like to study in the Master's Programme in Food Sciences?

Meet some of our students and graduates to learn about their experiences with studies, life in Helsinki, career prospects and working life after graduation.

Practicalities of student life in Helsinki

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.

About the University of Helsinki

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.

Our core values
More about the programme