Learn how conflicts can be transformed through peaceful political processes. Understand how political choices, public discourses and threat perceptions shape security responses. Examine how inequality and information disorders affect societal resilience, institutional trust and democratic systems.
The Master’s Programme in Societal Security is for students who want to explore security at the global, regional and local levels. The programme is grounded in the social sciences and draws on interdisciplinary security studies.
In times of crisis and disruption, the ability to analyse emerging societal risks and trends is growing in demand across academia, the public sector, businesses, and NGOs. You will gain analytical tools to critically assess debates and responses related to security challenges, crises and conflicts.
The programme is part of the Societal Security Hub at the University of Helsinki, giving students access to current research, events and a network of researchers, experts and organisations in Finland and abroad.
The scope of studies is 120 ECTS, completed in two academic years.
The programme includes joint courses on key theories and themes in security studies, track-specific advanced courses and electives, methodological courses, the master’s thesis seminar, career studies (including a traineeship and project courses with partner organisations), and freely chosen elective courses.
The detailed programme structure and full curriculum will be published in autumn 2026.
The primary language of teaching is English. You can complete your degree in English, Finnish or Swedish. Exams, written assignments and the master’s thesis may be completed in your chosen degree language. If you choose an English-language degree, at least 75 % of your studies must be completed in English and the master’s thesis must be written in English.
The core courses of the programme are delivered through contact teaching. Some courses may include hybrid or distance teaching, and the field course may take place outside the Helsinki area.
As part of your studies, you will:
After completing the programme, you will possess:
Teaching in the programme is based on research. The programme is closely linked to the Societal Security Hub and its research network, studying societal security from the perspectives of environment, economy, technology, inequality and human well-being.
Research themes include:
This programme prepares you for roles that require an in-depth understanding of the societal dimensions of security and the analytical skills to examine global change and emerging risks.
The studies provide a strong foundation for pursuing an academic career, working as a policy expert, and for professional roles related to peace-building and conflict resolution, as well as analysing organisations’ societal risks and operating environments. Typical roles could include Researcher, Security Specialist, Risk Analyst, Policy Adviser, Peacebuilding Expert or Conflict Resolution Expert.
The degree awarded is Master of Social Sciences (MSocSc).
Career Services at the University of Helsinki offers career counselling, workshops and access to career portals. Finnish language courses are available for international students, as local language skills open up further career options.
You will choose one of the three study tracks at the time of application.
In the 'Democracy, Inequality, and Societal Resilience' study track, you will explore how the internal and external processes of societies produce and reproduce security, and how core functions can be tied to the perceived security needs of communities, states and global organisations. You will learn how social structures such as inequality and welfare are connected to trust in institutions and the democratic system. You will also examine how information environments shape security perceptions and responses to crises.
In the 'Economic Structures, Technological Change, and Crises' study track, you will focus on the historical and contemporary economic foundations of the global political system and the societal effects of technological change in times of war and peace. You will examine what kinds of crises threaten a society’s functioning, as well as their root causes, impacts and aftermath.
In the 'Global Conflicts, Development, and Peace Processes' study track, you will analyse the causes, nature and impact of conflicts and how conflicts shape and are shaped by developmental processes and global governance. You will build a deep theoretical understanding of the structures behind conflicts and crises and of how conflict transformations can unfold.
The Master's Programme in Societal Security is particularly suited for students with an interest in global, regional, and local security issues and a background in the social sciences or humanities. The full admission criteria will be available at the Finnish national education portal Studyinfo.fi soon.
Please note that the programme only has one intake per academic year. You can only submit your application during the application period.
The application period for studies starting in autumn 2027 is from 5 to 19 Jan 2027.
You are eligible to apply if you:
The detailed programme-specific admission criteria can be found at the Studyinfo.fi.
All our students must fund their own studies and living costs. Make sure you have sufficient funds to cover the entire duration of your studies.
A tuition fee applies if you are not a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, and do not hold permanent residence in Finland. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens are exempt.
The University of Helsinki does not offer fully-funded scholarships. For Master's programmes, a limited number of tuition fee waivers (50% or 100%, mostly 50%) are available for high-achieving tuition-fee-liable applicants. Even with a waiver, you will need to cover your own living and other costs. You apply for a waiver at the same time as you apply to the programme.
If you have any questions about applying to the University of Helsinki, contact our admission advisers for guidance.
Conflicts, pandemics, the climate crisis, social inequality and technological change are among the most pressing challenges facing societies today. These disruptions intertwine and reinforce one another, creating widespread uncertainty. Societal security refers to societies’ ability to sustain the well-being of their citizens, build trust, and remain functional amid crises and change.
Security debates today tend to become one-dimensional, dominated by questions of “hard security”. However, these represent only a part of the challenges we face today. Building a sustainable future for people, communities and the planet requires that we do not focus only on addressing the immediate challenges and crises. We must also consider slower and less visible trends that can challenge societal security.
As our student you will join a unique academic and professional community. The programme is part of the newly established Societal Security Hub at the University of Helsinki, which brings together a university-wide research network and partners in Finland and internationally. Through the Hub, you will gain insight into current research, participate in events, and connect with experts and organisations working in the field.
The Master's Programme in Societal Security is suitable for students with a bachelor’s degree in social sciences or humanities (e.g. political science, global politics, social and public policy, development studies, history) or an equivalent academic background.
Previous studies related to the themes of your chosen societal security study track will be considered an asset in the admissions process. Relevant background also provides a strong foundation for success in the programme.
You choose one of the three study tracks at the time of application. The study track cannot be changed later, but you may take advanced courses from the other tracks as part of your studies.
The three thematic study tracks are:
Yes. Each study track includes a basket of security- and resilience-related courses offered by other programmes and faculties. You may explore themes such as regional security, the rule of law and food security.
You can pursue a traineeship as part of the career studies included in the curriculum. The Societal Security Hub’s close network of partner organisations supports you in finding traineeships.
The Faculty of Social Sciences, responsible for the Master's programme in Societal Security, is located on the multidisciplinary City Centre Campus in the heart of Helsinki.
Field courses, courses organised with partner organisations, and courses offered by other faculties may take place elsewhere.
The housing situation in Helsinki is better than in many European capitals, and as a student, you have the right to apply for reasonably priced student housing. That said, it is always important to start your search early.
Universities in Finland do not provide accommodation. Instead, non-profit organisations offer student housing, with HOAS being the main provider in the Helsinki capital region.
Student apartments in Finland are well-maintained and centrally heated, keeping you warm through the winter. The most affordable type of housing is a room in a shared apartment, but studios and two-room apartments are also available, both furnished and unfurnished.
The University of Helsinki, one of the world's top 1% research universities, is a place where both personal and scholarly breakthroughs happen. Studying here means gaining skills, knowledge and experiences that go beyond a degree, and student life is an important part of that.