Welcome to study Theoretical and computational methods

Dear new student!

You are about to join to a unique degree programme where many specific topics and phenomena intertwine. To address their modelling the emphasis of the programme is on developing suitable analytical and numerical tools. Such methods are the gateway to qualitative understanding of phenomena ranging from the smallest scales of elementary particles to the multitude of complex macroscopic systems and to the vast dimensions of the observable universe.    

The Faculty of Science at the University of Helsinki has a tradition of strong and innovative teaching. The Master’s Programme in Theoretical and Computational Methods (TCM) combines these with the most flexible and broadly applicable selection of courses. The interdisciplinary nature of the programme facilitates study paths that combine different topics. For example, you can combine AI courses with material science or quantum computing. 

Based on your personal study plan, you will learn to develop methods of modelling by abstracting and searching for common universal characteristics and apply these for quantitative understanding of different phenomena.  

The interdisciplinarity of the programme is also a major asset after obtaining your degree: the doors will be open to different research groups, where doctoral degree can be pursued, as well as to careers in private sector companies.   

To kick off your journey with us, we are organizing an online event exclusively for new TCM students like you. This Zoom event will take place on May 6 at 14:00-15:00 Finnish time, and you will receive a zoom link to it by email.

Welcome to the programme! We're looking forward to meeting you soon!

On behalf of the programme,

Esko Keski-Vakkuri
Programme Director

The degree structure is very flexible allowing you to tailor a suitable combination of studies. This also means that studying in this programme requires a strong commitment from you to develop your skills and reflect on your progress in line with your personal study plan.

To help focus your goals and steer your studies, you will be assigned an academic mentor in the beginning of your studies. The academic mentor is a senior member of the programme staff and together you will finalise your initial and monitor progress during your studies. 

Check out the  and . Note that the examples are intended to only provide guidance when discovering your own unique path! You can already start to plan your studies. Please read also how to .

Do you wonder what it is like to study at the University of Helsinki? How is student life or housing in the City of Helsinki?

You can chat directly with  on our chat platform. However, note that for questions related to admissions you should contact the Admission Services.

Check out our  to find out why some of our students chose the Theoretical and Computational Methods programme, and their experiences while studying.

The  are also a great way to get an overview of student life in Helsinki.

The teaching officially starts on 31 August 2026, but you should participate in the orientation activities for the new students already before classes begin (Orientation week 24-28 August 2026). You will be assigned to a tutor group led by a senior student, or student tutor. You will learn more about studying in our programme and get support with administrative matters. This will make it easier for you to start your studies and life in Helsinki.

The detailed information concerning the will be published in the Instructions for students. Remember to select your programme in the dropdown menu to access the information relevant to your degree programme.

You should also get in contact with your academic mentor and make the initial during the orientation week.

As a student in this programme, the Kumpula campus will be your home base.It is dedicated to research and teaching in the exact natural sciences and one of the largest clusters of scientific competence in the Nordic countries.

You can visit the Kumpula Campus comfortably from your own sofa. The  take you through the campus facilities and some laboratories.

Find out how the  the collaborative nature of degree programmes and the atmosphere at the campus.

 brings together students, researchers and people interested in entrepreneurship. They also have a workspace at the Kumpula campus and offer free co-working spaces, boot camps, idea accelerator programmes, hackathons, mentoring and a community of like-minded individuals.

The international students in the Master's Programme in Theoretical and computational methods can apply to the UNITalent Programme. It is designed to support international students in building professional networks in Finland and to gain insight into field specific working life. Students take part by attending monthly group meetings with hosting organisation for a period of three months. During the programme, the University Career Services also provides training in career management skills. The continuation of the programme will be decided in spring 2026.