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 application period for studies starting in autumn 2025 is open and closes on 16 Jan 2025 at 15:00 (UTC+2). Check the application instructions carefully before applying via the banner link at the top of the page.
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 Intercultural Encounters is designed for students who wish to acquire expertise in various aspects of intercultural interaction.
You are eligible to apply if you:
have completed a first-cycle (bachelor's or equivalent) degree, or will do so by the given deadline.
meet the degree language requirements. Find out more about proving your English language proficiency.
have completed a sufficient amount of applicable studies. See the admission criteria at Studyinfo.fi for more details.
Suitable background studies include, but are not limited to, basic and intermediate studies in area and cultural studies, anthropology, social sciences, sociology, international relations, media studies and communication, study of religions, or theology.
The full admission criteria can be found at the Finnish national education portal Studyinfo.fi.
The Master’s Programme in Intercultural Encounters (ICE) enhances your thinking and develops your expertise in cultural understanding.
It provides you with:
Upon completing the ICE programme, you will be able to act and grow in multidisciplinary and multicultural groups. You will also be prepared to navigate issues of intercultural interaction, diversity, internationalization, media and power.
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 Intercultural Encounters?
Meet ICE students and graduates and 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.
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