Structure and Content

The Master’s Programme in Intercultural Encounters offers insights into multidisciplinary approaches to intercultural issues, drawing from perspectives offered by Communication, Indigenous Studies, the Study of Religions, Theology, and Area and Cultural Studies.

The programme provides students with regional, cultural, historical and socio-political knowledge grounded in latest academic research. Issues examined include, for instance, intercultural communication and training, diversity, globalisation, decolonisation, media, as well as constructions and negotiations of value systems and power. 

The scope of the ICE programme is 120 ECTS credits to be completed in two academic years.
The scope of the ICE programme

Joint Stud­ies (55 ECTS credits)

Joint Studies are compulsory to all ICE students. Courses in Joint Studies are:

  • INTRODUCTORY COURSE: Key concepts and themes in intercultural encounters & interdisciplinarity (5 ECTS credits)
  • INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION: Analysis of cultural and intercultural communication & intercultural competence (5 ECTS credits)
  • TWO COURSES IN RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (5 + 5 ECTS credits)
  • THESIS SEMINAR (5 ECTS credits)
  • MASTER'S THESIS (30 ECTS credits)

Pro­fes­sional Con­texts (10 ECTS credits)

You will get tools and contacts for worklife in our studies too. Becoming a professional in Intercultural Encounters is our main goal in Professional Contexts (10 ECTS credits). You have the option to complete practical projects, career-related courses or to do an internship. 

Them­atic Modules (30 ECTS credits)

You choose your target degree when you apply to the programme and depending on your choice, the ICE programme leads to a Master of Arts (Humanities) degree or a Master of Theology degree. Depending on your target degree, you will specialise in one or two thematic modules. The theology students will specialize in the thematic module Religion and Diversity (30 ECTS credits). The humanities students will choose two thematic modules of 15 ECTS from the following: Religion and Diversity; Knowledge, Decolonisation, and Change; Communication and Media; Global Transfers. Read more about the Thematic modules.

Op­tional Stud­ies (25 ECTS credits)

For your optional studies, you can choose other relevant studies to support your degree in Intercultural Encounters. Optional Studies may include an additional thematic module offered by the ICE programme. Other alternatives are, for example, language studies, studies abroad, or individual courses in other degree programmes at the University of Helsinki.

For course selection at the University of Helsinki visit the courses page.