The Master’s Programme in Mathematics and Statistics is based on top research. The teaching at the University of Helsinki follows a high standard and is highly valued in the Finnish academia and global university rankings. Your instructors will be some of the best mathematicians and statisticians in the world.
Upon graduating you have gained a solid basis for mathematics and statistics applications. You will:
Graduates find employment as researchers, teachers, and in demanding expert posts in the public and private sectors in Finland and abroad.
All teaching is given in English. Exams can also be taken in Finnish or Swedish, and the Master’s thesis can be written in Finnish, Swedish or English.
A Master's Degree in the Master's Programme in Mathematics and Statistics (120-135 ECTS credits total) can be completed in two years. It consists of:
In the Studies service, you can explore the degree structure, content and learning outcomes from the level of the degree programme to individual courses.
The programme offers three study tracks: Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Statistics. You will select your study track and specialization at the start of your studies, and you may change it during your studies.
From the academic year 2023-2024 onwards, the study tracks have the following specializations:
Mathematics:
Applied mathematics:
Statistics:
The Master’s Programme in Mathematics and Statistics consists of courses in mathematics, applied mathematics and statistics. The courses include group and lecture instruction, exercises, literature, and workshops. Most courses also include exams or project assignments. In addition, you can complete some courses independently, by taking literature-based exams.
The instructors in this programme have received prizes for their high standard of teaching. The teaching methods used in the subjects in this programme have been widely recognised in the media.
Below you can find resources to browse the current course selection. Please note that the course selection varies slightly each year.
List of courses available in the academic year sorted by semester and specialization
Courses offered by the Degree Programme in the Studies service
Online Course Catalogue in the Studies service
Finnish courses for international students
You can find model study plans for each study track in Study Planning and Guidance in the Studies service.
When studying in the Master's Programme in Mathematics and Statistics, you will have an academic mentor (a personally assigned teacher) to support you with building your own personal study plan at the beginning of your studies.
Once you have proceeded in your studies and wish to start writing your Master's thesis, your academic mentor will help you with finding a thesis supervisor.
The Master’s thesis (30 credits) is based on a topic selected from your own subject. The purpose of the thesis is to advance your knowledge of your chosen topic. Further, it develops your aptitude for working independently and requires you to understand the scientific literature in your field. The topics will often be related to ongoing research projects. If you are interested in research, your thesis work can often be the first stage towards your doctoral dissertation.
In mathematics, the MSc thesis is usually written under the supervision of a professor or instructor of the department, but sometimes it can be written outside the department. In statistics, the MSc thesis is usually written outside the department, for example in a government research institute or within research groups on the university campuses. The supervision of a thesis written outside the department is usually done in cooperation between experts in the research group and a professor or teacher from the department.
Suggestions for Master's thesis topics and possible supervisors can be found on Overleaf. The list is not exhaustive and you do not have to choose a topic from the list: instead, you can agree on something different with your supervisor. If you are interested in doing your Master's thesis on one of the suggested topics, contact the supervisor responsible for the topic. The list is continuously updated and topics taken are replaced with new suggestions.
The international nature of the programme is implemented in many ways:
The programme works in close collaboration with other programmes at the University of Helsinki relating to mathematics and statistics, such as:
Within the JOO programme, it is possible to take courses at e.g. Aalto University and Hanken School of Economics, as well as other Finnish universities. There is also collaboration with many corporate partners for various projects.
Are you struggling with some of the vocabulary? Download the Finnish-English mathematical vocabulary for students of mathematics by Jussi Väisälä.
Student life and especially the student organisation culture is exceptionally rich and diverse in Finland.
At the University of Helsinki, more than 240 student organisations operate within the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY), ranging from faculty and subject organisations to political and societal organisations, and from choirs and orchestras to sports and game clubs. Their activities include anniversary celebrations, academic dinner parties, cultural events, get-togethers and excursions.
Students in Finland are also entitled to many benefits 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.
As a student, you will spend most of your time at the Kumpula Campus, the home of the Faculty of Science and one of the four campuses at the University of Helsinki.
Kumpula Campus, dedicated to research and teaching in the exact natural sciences, comprises one of the largest clusters of scientific competence in the Nordic countries. The broad nature of the disciplines and vibrant international connections offer a motivating atmosphere, a firm basis for interdisciplinary cooperation and an active and creative scientific community of researchers and students.