Career

The ICE programme takes professionalism and preparation for future work life seriously and has a strong emphasis on enhancing students' career prospects. ICE's aim is to work as much as possible with real-life situations and case studies. In the courses, students integrate academic knowledge and research with on-site visits and guest lecturers from professional life.

Part of ICE's compulsory studies focuses on developing skills and working methods that you will need in your future career. The ICE programme includes a minimum of 10 credits in Professional Contexts. The optional traineeship and project work modules allow you to gain hands-on work experience that will develop your skills and strengthen your professional identity.

There is a wide range of employment opportunities for ICE programme graduates. Opportunities span from cultural and public management to international projects in private companies. Potential employees include the EU, the UN and other national and international organisations; ministries; universities; the municipal sector; non-governmental organisations; and the media.

Career services

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

gives career counselling and job seeking support,
arranges info sessions, workshops and events,
provides suitable job and traineeship offers for students,
shares university’s subsidy for traineeships and
facilitates group mentoring programmes.

Check out the Career Services on the Instructions for students “Work and Career” and “Traineeships”.

HelsinkiUNI International Talent Programme (HITP)

Would you like to build a career in Finland? Do you want to build professional networks during your studies and get valuable insight into Finnish working life? Then you should apply for the HelsinkiUNI International Talent Programme (HITP).

HITP is a group mentoring programme where Finnish companies and international students are brought together to share ideas and to learn from each other.

What will you gain from HITP?

Successful applicants are placed in a group and assigned a mentor from a Finnish company or organization. When applying you can choose which of the participating companies interest you the most.
You will receive support in growing your network among both professionals and fellow students. During the programme your group will meet 4–5 times on the company premises. Themes for the meet-ups include a company introduction and an overview on current competency requirements in that specific field. You will also get to present your own skills to the company.
When the HITP has been completed, the goal is that cooperation can continue between the student and the company if both parties wish to do so.

More information about the HelsinkiUNI International Talent Programme.

Improve your career options with Finnish

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.

Doctoral education

If you are interested in an academic career, the ICE programme provides you will high-quality research training and a solid foundation for doctoral studies. Upon completion of your Master's degree you will be elible to apply for doctoral studies at the University of Helsinki and other leading international research institutions.

Depending on your thematic specialisations, these doctoral programmes within the University of Helsinki, may be of interest:

Doctoral Programme in Political, Societal and Regional Change
Doctoral Programme in History and Cultural Heritage
Doctoral Programme in Theology and Religious Studies
Doctoral Programme in Gender, Culture and Society

More information about doctoral studies at the University of Helsinki.

ICE alumni testimonials

Are you interested in the experiences of our alumni studying topics in intercultural encounters, how they obtained their current work and how their Master's studies apply to professional life?

Check out the ICE alumni testimonials.

Alumni of the University of Helsinki

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.

Find alumni of the University of Helsinki on Linkedin.