Una Europa Bachelor of European Studies at the University of Helsinki

• Nearly 90% of the international students at the University of Helsinki recommend their studies in Finland. Find out what studying in Finland has to offer and read more about cost of living, housing, public transport and health care in Helsinki.
• On our city centre campus, you can enjoy our world-renowned Kaisa library, learning centres and brush up your language skills in our Language Centre. UniCafes and UniSport will keep you refreshed for your studies After lectures you are already at the heart of Helsinki with a vibrant student life and plenty of cultural offer for students.
• Liked it? Find out how to apply to the University of Helsinki as an exchange student.

The unique combination of courses we offer reflects our position as one of the leading universities in the Nordic world. You can learn more about the Nordic countries, as well as Eastern Europe and Russia. You can study the famous Finnish school education system, widely regarded as one of the best in the world. And you can investigate cutting-edge issues to do with sustainability and consumption.

At the University of Helsinki, you can complete the following minor specialisations starting from the academic year 2023-2024.

• Minor in Consumption in Society (20 ECTS)
• Minor in Economics (20 ECTS)
• Minor in Finnish Education (20 ECTS)
• Minor in Nordic Studies (20 ECTS)
• Minor in Russian, Eastern European and Eurasian Studies (20 ECTS)

Course details are available in the preliminary teaching programme. Please note that the final teaching programme will published yearly by July before the next academic year in our student information system Sisu and minor changes in the course offer are possible.

Preliminary course offer for Minor in Consumer Society. Please check the final teaching programme published in Sisu yearly by July.

Preliminary course offer for Minor in Economy. Please check the final teaching programme published in Sisu yearly by July.

Preliminary course offer for Minor in Finnish Education. Please check the final teaching programme published in Sisu yearly by July.

Preliminary course offer for Minor in Nordic Studies. Please check the final teaching programme published in Sisu yearly by July.

Preliminary course offer for Minor in Russian, Eurasian and Eastern European Studies. Please check the final teaching programme published in Sisu yearly by July.

When do the minor courses start?

The BAES courses at the University of Helsinki are organized during two periods, the 3rd period starting in January (12 January in 2026) and the 4th starting in March (9 March in 2026). All of the minors have courses that are taught during the 3rd period, and it means that the lectures most likely start in the week beginning on the 12 January. Please see the full academic calendar to check the duration of the periods.

When do the exams take place?

If the course has an exam as the assessment method, it will be organized at the end of the teaching period. For the 3rd period in 2026, the exam week will take place on 2 March – 8 March and for the 4th period on 4 – 10 May. 

What if I miss the first lectures of the courses because I still have exams at my previous university?

This will most likely be the case for the most BAES students arriving and we already have experience of this situation from the previous year. There are different solutions for this situation:

• We will agree with your previous university to organize the exams earlier so you can arrive for the courses here on time (this is not possible with all the universities).
• You can do your exams here at the University of Helsinki, but this must be agreed with the university where you are doing your major (again, may not be possible with all the universities).
• You will do your exams as originally planned and arrive here once you are done with the exams. In this case, our teachers can offer you some compensatory tasks

When will I have information about my grades from the courses?

Teachers assess and grade completed studies before the next opportunity to complete or register for them, but no later than within one month from the date of completion. Teachers record your grades in the student information system.

Where should I try to get my apartment, where are the courses organized?

All the minor courses are organized at the city centre campus. However, the further you live from the center of Helsinki, the cheaper the rent and the greater the choice of apartments. Also, the public transport network is vast and connections are frequent and punctual, so living further away is not a problem! You can check the public transport connections from your apartment to the campus from the HSL Journey Planner.

The Bachelor in European Studies provides you with many possible trajectories for continuing your studies at the master's level. Depending on your major and minor specialisations within your bachelor degree, one of the University of Helsinki master's programmes below can be the one for you!

Remember to check updated eligibility requirements and applicable studies on each programme's website.

English-language programmes:

• Master's Programme in Changing Education
• Master's Programme in Contemporary Societies
• Master's Programme in European and Nordic Studies
• Master's Programme in Global Politics and Communication
• Master's Programme in Intercultural Encounters
• Master's Programme in Linguistic Diversity and Digital Humanities
• Master's Programme in Russian Studies

Finnish-language programmes:

• Alue- ja kulttuurintutkimuksen maisteriohjelma
• Historian maisteriohjelma
• Politiikan ja viestinnän maisteriohjelma
• Sosiaalitieteiden maisteriohjelma
• Teologian ja uskonnontutkimuksen maisteriohjelma
• Yhteiskunnallisen muutoksen maisteriohjelma

Swedish-language programmes:

• Magisterprogrammet i samhällsvetenskaper