Master's programme options

Each student who has been granted, through an admissions process, the right to complete a second-cycle degree has at least one direct master’s programme option, i.e., a master’s programme in which they can continue their studies without having to register separately after completing their bachelor’s degree. If students select their study track in the bachelor’s programme, the direct master’s programme option is usually the equivalent master’s programme study track.

If you wish to continue your studies in your direct master’s programme option after completing a bachelor’s degree, no action is required on your part. You will confirm your direct master’s programme option in Sisu when applying for graduation as a bachelor’s degree holder. 

In some cases, you can apply to a master’s programme or study track that is not your direct master’s programme option. This depends on your bachelor’s programme and the studies you have completed. 

You can continue your studies in some master’s programmes without registering separately as long as you have completed the studies required for the master’s programme as part of your bachelor’s degree. In such cases, you can indicate your chosen option in Sisu when graduating as a bachelor’s degree holder. The official processing your graduation application will verify that you have completed the required studies and confirm your option in Sisu.  

You may also be able to apply for the right to continue to study in certain master’s programmes and study tracks through a separate registration procedure. These options admit only a certain number of students. You can register for such options while completing the bachelor’s degree, usually towards the end of the bachelor’s studies. 

There are two registration periods: in the autumn between 1 and 31 October and in the spring between 1 and 30 April. The registration periods vary by master’s programme, so please find out in advance which registration period is used in the master’s programme that you are interested in. Registration takes place using the electronic forms below. The forms are open only during the programme registration periods. 

You can register after you have completed the studies defined in the relevant criteria. You can find the criteria in the degree programme-specific section. You can register no more than twice during your studies. The master’s programme in which you register will verify that you meet the criteria and, if necessary, rank those registered in accordance with predetermined criteria. 

The registration results will be announced by email no later than one month after the registration deadline. The results cannot be appealed. When you graduate from a bachelor’s programme, you will indicate the master’s programme in which you will continue your studies. The official processing your graduation application will verify your master programme options and confirm your choice in Sisu. 

Master’s programmes accepting registrations in the spring (1–30 April) 

• Master's Programme in Philosophy, registration form (in Finnish)
• Master's Programme in Social Science (in Swedish), registration form (in Swedish)
• Master’s Programme in Politics, Media and Communication, registration form (in Finnish)
• Master’s Programme in Social and Health Research, registration form (in Finnish)
• Master's Programme in Social Research, registration form (in Finnish)
• Master's Programme in Economics, registration form (in Finnish)
• Master 's Programme in Society and Change, registration form (in Finnish)
• Master´s Programme in Translation and Interpreting, registration form (in Finnish)
• Master´s Programme in Agricultural Sciences, registration form
• Master´s Programme in Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, registration form
• Master´s Programme in Food Economy and Consumption, registration form
• Master´s Programme in Agricultural, Environmental and Resource Economics, registration form
• Master´s Programme in Forest Sciences, registration form
• Master’s Programme in Technologies for Sustainable Use of Renewable Resources, registration form
• Master´s Programme in Genetics and Molecular Biosciences, registration form
• Master´s Programme in Environmental Change and Global Sustainability, registration form
• Master’s Programme in Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity conservation, registration form
• Master´s Programme in Neuroscience, registration form
• Master's Programme in Social Sciences, registration form
• Master's Programme in Contemporary Societies, registration form

Master’s programmes accepting registrations in the autumn (1–31 October) 

• Master's Programme in Philosophy, registration form (in Finnish)
• Master's Programme in Social Science (in Swedish), registration form (in Swedish)
• Master’s Programme in Politics, Media and Communication, registration form (in Finnish)
• Master’s Programme in Social and Health Research, registration form (in Finnish)
• Master's Programme in Social Research, registration form (in Finnish)
• Master's Programme in Economics, registration form (in Finnish)
• Master 's Programme in Society and Change, registration form (in Finnish)
• Master´s Programme in Translation and Interpreting, registration form (in Finnish)
• Master´s Programme in Agricultural Sciences, registration form
• Master´s Programme in Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, registration form
• Master´s Programme in Food Economy and Consumption, registration form
• Master´s Programme in Agricultural, Environmental and Resource Economics, registration form
• Master´s Programme in Forest Sciences, registration form
• Master’s Programme in Technologies for Sustainable Use of Renewable Resources, registration form
• Master´s Programme in Genetics and Molecular Biosciences, registration form
• Master´s Programme in Environmental Change and Global Sustainability, registration form
• Master’s Programme in Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity conservation, registration form
• Master´s Programme in Neuroscience, registration form

If you wish to continue your studies in a master’s programme that is not listed as an option for your bachelor’s programme, you can apply separately to it through an admissions process. The University of Helsinki offers several international master’s programmes that accept applications each January. Some of these programmes are included in the master’s programme options that have a separate registration period. For further information on international master’s programmes, please see the University's external website.  

Before submitting a graduation request concerning your bachelor’s degree, add the master’s programme option of your choice to your study plan. See the technical instructions for doing so in Sisu. When you graduate as a bachelor's degree holder, indicate in your graduation request the master’s programme and study track, if any, in which you wish to continue your studies.  

If the master’s programme of your choice has a separate registration procedure, register in accordance with the instructions above before graduating as a bachelor’s degree holder. You cannot indicate that you will continue your studies in a master’s programme which is not one of the options available to you. Time your graduation as a bachelor’s degree holder appropriately so that you have first received information about the options available to you.  

If you are offered options other than a direct master’s programme option, the other options will become void when you confirm the option of your choice in connection with graduating as a bachelor’s degree holder.  

Some master’s programmes offer several study tracks in which students can complete their degree. Depending on the programme, students must select their study track at different points of their master’s studies. You can see the relevant instructions by logging in or selecting your BA programme at the top of the page. The degrees completed in different study tracks differ in content to a varying extent.

Master´s Programme in Geology and Geophysics (no mandatory studies)

Master´s Programme in Atmospheric Sciences (no previous mandatory studies)

To see recommended prerequisite studies, please change the language of the page to Finnish.

Master´s Programme in Cultural Heritage (in Finnish Kulttuuriperinnön maisteriohjelma)

Study track: archaeology. Requirements in BSc degree; 20 cp Basic and Intermediate studies in Archaeology (grade 4) including coursest: Arkeologian perusteet KUMA-AR110, Kenttätyömenetelmien perusteet KUKA-AR219, Suomen ja lähialueiden arkeologia KUKA-AR212, Arkeologian analyysimenetelmät KUKA-AR214.

Master´s Programme in En­vir­on­mental Change and Global Sustainability

Study track: Environmental Change. Registration (level of grades used as selection criteria)

Master's Programme in Data Science

Curriculum 2023-2026

• either  

• MAT11001 Introduction to University Mathematics
• MAT11009 Basics of mathematics in machine learning I or [ MAT11002 Linear algebra and matrices I (equivalent to BSMA1001) and MAT21001 Linear algebra and matrices II (equivalent to BSMA2001) and MAT22011 Linear algebra and matrices III]
• MAT11015 Basics of mathematics in machine learning II or [ MAT11006 Calculus IA: Limits and differentiation (equivalent to BSMA1002)] or [MAT11003 Limits and MAT11004 Differential Calculus]  

• or  

• FYS1010 Mathematics for Physicists I
• FYS1011 Mathematics for Physicists II
• FYS1012 Mathematics for Physicists III  

• MAT12003 Probability I (equivalent to BSMA1006) or FYS1014 Statistical Analysis of Observations  

• TKT10002 Introduction to Programming or FYS1013 Scientific Computing I  

• TKT10003 Advanced Course in Programming or FYS2085 Scientific Computing II  

• TKT200011 Data Structures and Algorithms I  

The prerequisite courses listed above can also be replaced by their Sisu equivalents.

Curriculum 2026-2030

• either  

• MAT11001 Introduction to University Mathematics
• MAT11009 Mathematics for computer science I or [ MAT11002 Linear algebra and matrices I (equivalent to BSMA1001) and MAT21001 Linear algebra and matrices II (equivalent to BSMA2001) and MAT22011 Linear algebra and matrices III]
• MAT11015 Mathematics for computer science II or [ MAT11006 Calculus IA: Limits and differentiation (equivalent to BSMA1002)] or [MAT11003 Analysis I: limits and MAT11004 Analysis II: continuity and derivative]  

• or  

• FYS1010 Mathematics for Physicists I
• FYS1011 Mathematics for Physicists II
• FYS1012 Mathematics for Physicists III  

• MAT12003 Probability I (equivalent to BSMA1006) or FYS1014 Statistical Analysis of Observations  

• TKT10002 Introduction to Programming or FYS1013 Scientific Computing I  

• TKT10003 Advanced Course in Programming or FYS2085 Scientific Computing II  

• TKT200011 Data Structures and Algorithms I  

The prerequisite courses listed above can also be replaced by their Sisu equivalents.

Master's Programme in Social Research, study track in Demography

Students may register twice a year, either in the spring or in the autumn. The spring term is the recommended time for registration.

Annual quotas

• Demography 3-7

Criteria

Students of the Bachelor's Programme in Social Research will be given priority.

• Students in the Bachelor’s Programme in Social Research can register directly for the Study Track in Demography when their study track has been determined in the bachelor’s programme. Students must register during the general registration period in the spring or autumn.
• Students in the bachelor’s programmes of the Faculty of Social Sciences (except the Bachelor’s Programme in Social Research): Basic and intermediate studies (35 cr) in the student’s own bachelor’s programme and applicable methodology studies (15 cr), including, for example, courses in methodology, demography or statistics
• Students must indicate on the registration form which completed studies they wish to put forward for consideration in the application process.
• Students of the Bachelor’s Programme in Social Research will be given priority. The primary criterion in the admission process will be applicable studies, and the secondary criterion will be performance in studies.

Faculty of Science’s master’s program’s introductions for bachelor students can be found at the Unitube. Kumpula Campus offers a great selection of interesting and versatile master’s programmes. The programmes introduce themselves by telling of their field of science and studies in the programme. The introductions are an excellent opportunity to get to know the diverse possibilities at the faculty.

Master’s Programme in Meteorology, Atmospheric and Climate-System Sciences, a slide show (pdf)

Nordic Master in Environmental Changes at Higher Latitudes

Master’s Programme in Chemistry 

Master’s Programme in Computer Science

Master’s Programme in Data Science

Master's Programme in Geology and Geophysics  

Master’s Programme in Geography 

Master's Programme in Life Science Informatics

• Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine

Master’s Programme in Materials Research 

Master's Programme in Mathematics and Statistic

Master’s Programme in Particle Physics and Astrophysical Sciences, a slide show (pdf)

Master's Programme in Theoretical and Computational Methods, a slide show (pdf)

Master’s Programme in Urban Studies and Planning 

Master's Viikki information session will be held on 1.4.2026 at 14.00 - 16.00 in Viikki.
Please, change the language to Finnish or Swedish for more details of the programme.

Quotas have been defined for the study tracks of the master’s Programme in Environmental Change and Global Sustainability. Approximately 80% of the quotas are filled in the spring option registration round, and approximately 20% in the autumn.

Each bachelor’s programme belongs to one quota. The quotas have places as follows.

Environmental Change study track:

• Quota 1: Bachelor’s Programme in Physical Sciences and Bachelor’s Programme in Science (BSc), physics study track. Total of 1 student per year.
• Quota 2: Bachelor’s Programme in Biology. Total of 2 students per year.
• Quota 3: Bachelor’s Programme in Agricultural Sciences and Bachelor’s Programme in Forest Sciences. Total of 3 students per year.
• Quota 4: Bachelor’s Programme in Geography and Bachelor’s Programme in Geosciences. Total of 2 students per year.

Global Sustainability study track:

• Quota 1: Bachelor’s Programme in Environmental Sciences. Total of 13 students per year.
• Quota 2: Bachelor’s Programme in Agricultural Sciences, Bachelor’s Programme in Forest Sciences and Bachelor’s Programme in Environmental and Food Economics. Total of 10 students per year.
• Quota 3: Bachelor’s Programme in Politics, Media and Communication, Bachelor’s Programme in Social Research, Bachelor’s Programme in Economics, Bachelor’s Programme in Society and Change and Bachelor’s Programme in Social Sciences at Svenska Social och Kommunalhögskolan. Total of 11 students per year.
• Quota 4: Bachelor’s programme in Education. Total of 1 student per year.
• Quota 5: Bachelor’s Programme in Geography. Total of 1 student per year.

There is no time limit for the validity of the granted option.

These instructions are in Finnish only. To view the contents, please change the page language to Finnish.