The University of Helsinki is undergoing a significant education reform. In future, applicants will apply to broad-based Bachelor’s programmes. There are no distinct major and minor subjects. While the number of application options is being cut to less than half, the number of available student places will remain the same. There will be 32 Bachelor’s and 60 Master’s programmes.
The content of both Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes will change in autumn 2017. Most degrees will be multidisciplinary. Students need not commit to a single discipline at the Bachelor stage, as the specialisation is selected later, as the studies progress. It will be possible to apply to several Master’s programmes flexibly from a single Bachelor’s programme. This will enable a higher level of personalisation for study paths.
As Vice-Rector Sari Lindblom (@SariLindblom) notes, “It will be possible to change fields within the Bachelor’s programme without submitting a new application. In the best case, this will speed up graduation, as it cuts out the gap year students would previously take to decide on a specialisation as well as a second round of applications”.
Better career skills
The goal of the education reform is to support the development of students into experts. Skills which are useful for employment have been added to the programme content. For example, the studies feature traineeships, research projects and the opportunity for international exchange.
“Through the reform, we want to provide students with the best possible opportunities to succeed in the world of work in the future. One way to do this is to start building career networks during studies, and this is something the University wants to support,” says Director of Development Susanna Niinistö-Sivuranta (@NiinistoS).
A significant part of Master’s programmes is directed at international applicants. Approximately half of all Master’s programmes have English as the language of instruction. Since 2017, students from outside the EU and EEA will be required to pay a tuition fee. Applicants with exceptional academic merit may qualify for grants to fund their studies.
The reform has a three-year transitional period during which students who began their studies before autumn 2017 will be able to complete their degree according to the old requirements.
The application period for the Bachelor’s programmes and the Finnish- and Swedish-language Master’s programmes is 15 March – 5 April 2017 as part of the joint application procedure. The application period for the international Master’s programmes ended on 12 January 2017.
For further information, please contact:
Sari Lindblom, Vice-Rector, sari.lindblom@helsinki.fi
Susanna Niinistö-Sivuranta, Director of Development, Teaching and Learning Services, susanna.niinisto-sivuranta@helsinki.fi