Degree structure and scope of the degree

The instruction belongs to the following themes

By selecting a degree programme you are able to see the general content as well as the possible degree programme-specific content. You do not have to select a degree programme to see the Open University's instructions.

University students complete a first-cycle higher education degree (Bachelor’s) before completing a second-cycle higher education degree (Master’s). Master’s degree holders may apply for doctoral studies. These instructions explain the structures of the undergraduate degrees, or first- and second-cycle higher education degrees, at the University of Helsinki.

Scope of the degree
What studies are included in my degree?
Structure of your degree programme

Scope of the degree

The scope of the degree is measured in (ECTS) credits. Courses yield credits according to the workload required. One credit represents approximately 27 hours of work.

The degrees are designed so that students will complete approximately 60 credits during one academic year. This means 1,600 hours of work per year, indicating full-time studies. The amount of effort is equivalent to approximately nine months of full-time work.

The first-cycle degree is 180 credits in scope, and the second-cycle degree, 120 credits. The maximum scope of the degree is 200 credits and the second-cycle degree 135 credits.

What studies are included in my degree?

From the degree structure of your degree programme, you can see what studies you need to complete for your degree. You can view the degree structure at the end of this page by selecting your degree programme from the menu above. You will also see the structure of your degree and information on the modules and courses after you have completed the study plan in Sisu. You can view the entire curriculum of your degree programme on the Curriculum and equivalence between curriculums page.

All Bachelor’s degrees completed at the University of Helsinki include:

  • a minimum of 60 credits of studies in the field of the degree programme: the minimum scope of basic studies is 25 credits and the minimum scope of basic and intermediate studies in total is 60 credits. Intermediate studies include a thesis (6 cr) and a maturity test.
  • language and communication studies, minimum 10 credits
  • IT and data management studies, minimum 3 credits
  • a career skills component, components preparing the student for expert positions, minimum 10 credits
  • personal study plan in Sisu
  • national Bachelor’s graduate feedback
  • University of Helsinki student feedback
  • optional studies in the student’s own degree programme or other degree programmes.

All Master’s degrees completed at the University of Helsinki include:

  • advanced studies in the field of the degree programme (min. 60 credits) including a thesis (30 credits) and maturity test. Exception: for medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine, the scope of the thesis is 20 credits
  • other studies, which can be studies in the field of the degree from the student’s own degree programme or other degree programmes to meet the minimum scope of the degree
  • personal study plan in Sisu
  • University of Helsinki student feedback

Degrees also include career orientation and expert identity studies and career planning.