The special feature of this programme is that you can combine the above disciplines into a comprehensive syllabus by tailoring a suitable combination according to your plans and existing knowledge in cooperation with the programme professors. However, this requires also a genuine commitment from you to develop your own skills and plan your degree.
The strong scientific emphasis of the programme makes it a natural gateway to further studies in physics, mathematics, chemistry, and computer science.
The Master’s Programme in Theoretical and Computational Methods has an exceptionally great scope. The programme consists of several course packages in physics, mathematics, chemistry, and computer science.
Upon completing the Master’s Programme in Theoretical and Computational Methods, you will:
As a graduate of this Master’s programme, you can work as an expert in many kinds of scientific jobs across the private and the public sectors. The employment rate in this field is good.
The programme’s particular scientific emphasis makes it a natural gateway to further studies in physics, mathematics, chemistry, and computer science. This will usually take place within one of the research groups working on the Kumpula campus.
The scope of the programme is 120 credits (ECTS), and it is possible to complete the degree in two academic years. The degree includes:
You can find the detailed degree structure in the Studies service.
The programme consists of several course packages in physics, mathematics, chemistry, and computer science. Your studies are based on a personal study plan, which is made together with your academic mentor and which helps you in future career planning. In addition, the other studies could include a traineeship, complementary courses in the field of your studies or in a completely new subject.
Studying in this programme requires a genuine commitment from you to develop your own skills and plan your degree. You can tailor your studies according to your existing knowledge and interests in cooperation with an academic mentor who is one of the programme professors. Your personal study plan will ensure that your courses form a functional and coherent combination. See examples of possible study paths.
The programme is multi-lingual. Instruction is given in English, but the courses and assignments can also be done in Finnish or Swedish.
The special feature of this programme is its great scope; it consists of several course packages in physics, mathematics, chemistry, computer science and data science:
See the detailed degree structure in the Studies service.
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 exams.
Instruction is given in English, but the courses and assignments can also be done in Finnish or Swedish.
Check out courses in the University of Helsinki online course catalogue for students in the Studies service. Please note, that some courses will not be lectured every academic year.
The preliminary syllabus for the academic year 2025-2026 will be published in the Studies service in the spring 2025. Make sure that the correct programme is selected on the drop-down menu. The final syllabus will be published in Sisu.
The University of Helsinki also offers Finnish courses for international students.
The degree contains a Master’s thesis that will demonstrate your:
The scope of the Master’s thesis is 30 credits. It is often written in one of the research groups of the Faculty, so you will become familiar with top research during your Master’s studies. Thesis projects are a natural gateway to postgraduate studies.
As a Master’s degree student, you can select studies both from your own faculty and from the other faculties at the university. Thanks to the contracts for cross-institutional studies, you can also take certain courses at other universities in Finland, so it will be easy to tailor your degree to your own interests and career goals.
The Master’s Programme in Theoretical and Computational Methods has special educational collaboration with Aalto University in the field of Quantum Science and Technology. Both universities offer a comprehensive list of quantum-related courses available to the students of the other institution, and in the Master’s Programme in Theoretical and Computational Methods, it is possible to flexibly combine the Aalto courses in your degree. This gives you a unique possibility to combine studies in theoretical quantum sciences with courses in quantum technologies. Some of the programme courses are also organised in cooperation with Aalto University.
You can also participate in research projects in your field while you are studying. Writing your Master’s thesis in cooperation with a corporation or research organisation is also a good way to improve your working-life skills or get first-hand experience of working in an international research project. The programme has close collaboration with the Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP), Helsinki Institute for Information Technology (HIIT), Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), and Institute for atmospheric and earth system research (INAR).
The programme maintains contacts with its alumni within the corporate sector. You can develop your own business concepts at the university’s entrepreneurship courses and at Think Company, which is a new kind of communal meeting point for students and researchers interested in starting their own business, as well as for entrepreneurs in different fields.
The Master’s degree (Master of Science) provides general eligibility for postgraduate studies and a solid foundation for doctoral studies.
After completing an upper university degree, you can apply for doctoral programmes both at the University of Helsinki and at other top international universities. Some of the suitable doctoral programmes at the University of Helsinki are:
More information on doctoral education at the University of Helsinki.
Student life and especially the student organisation culture is exceptionally rich and diverse in Finland. Also at the University of Helsinki, more than 250 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.
As a student and member of the Student Union (HYY), you are 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.
Read more about student life, services and benefits when studying at the University of Helsinki.
Do you have questions about studies or student life? You can get answers to your questions by chatting directly with University of Helsinki students. Chat with our students!