Our students have been very successful in the job market after completing the programme working as experts in their field, both independently and as members of multi-professional teams. After completing the Master’s degree, it is also possible to continue with postgraduate studies.
Our former students keep in touch! Read the alumna story and check out the University of Helsinki geography alumni on Facebook!
Studies are part of your career. At the University of Helsinki, all degrees include career planning. The Career Services at the University of Helsinki, in cooperation with degree programmes, supports the growth of your expert identity as part of your studies and with separate services.
From the start of your studies until one year after the completion of your degree, the Career Services supports your career path.
Career Services
Check out the Career Services on the Instructions for students “Work and Career” and “Traineeships”.
The Master’s Programme in Geography provides you with excellent abilities to work in research or as specialists. Our graduates have found good employment in the public and private sectors, in Finland and abroad. Their postings include:
Although it is easy for international students to get by with English in the Helsinki region, learning Finnish will significantly improve your career options after graduation.
The University of Helsinki offers free Finnish language courses for enrolled international degree students. The beginners and intermediate level courses are not only a way to learn the language, but you also learn more about Finnish culture and get to network with other international students across the fields.
Information about the Finnish courses for international students in the Instructions for students.
After completing the Master’s degree, you can apply for a PhD programme, either at the University of Helsinki or another international university. Suitable doctoral programmes at the University of Helsinki include:
More information about doctoral education at the University of Helsinki.
Heidi Mod
Physical geography 2006-2016
Post doc researcher, University of Lausanne
Studying geography gives excellent skills to study environment and changes therein. Ten years in the Department of Geosciences and Geography has built up my methodological know-how, analytical thinking, and understanding of spatial patterns, structures and causality. These all are the skills needed to examine the phenomena occurring on our planet.
Studying physical geography included thus lots of methodological and field courses (the best way to learn, I think!), as well as more theoretical studies. Also other departments provided many courses to combine with physical geography. I got especially interested in arctic vegetation and spatial modelling. This combination was also the topic for my master’s and PhD theses and took me all the way to northern Fennoscandia to do fieldwork with a great research team of Prof. Luoto!
Studying geography, with emphasis on vegetation made me also to land in the University of Lausanne, where I currently work as a researcher. I continue with vegetation and modelling, but this time surrounded by ecologists (and the Alps!). The new research environment has taught a lot of new things, yet it has also revealed the strengths of geographers: spatial and comprehensive way of thinking.
Read more from research pages: BioGeoClimate Modelling Lab
After graduation, the world is wide open and full of possibilities. How can you venture forward to make the career path you want? What kind of work would you like to do? What kind of life should you lead? The Helsinki alumni community is there to support you as you transition from the University to the world of work.
All previous University of Helsinki degree and exchange students, as well as staff, are our alumni. As a member of the University of Helsinki alumni network, Finland’s largest network of experts, you get valuable support, knowledge and contacts for your working life.
More information about the Helsinki alumni community and its activities.