Want to stand out in the job market? Explore cooperative studies!

Cooperatives play a surprisingly significant role in the Finnish economy, and understanding them can open an entirely new perspective on the business world. Many well‑known companies—such as Metsä Group, LähiTapiola, and Valio—operate according to the cooperative model, in which ownership is based on membership and the primary goal is the wellbeing of members and the vitality of the community. For this reason, cooperative business offers an interesting and responsible alternative to traditional corporate models—and expertise that is increasingly valued in the job market.

Co‑op Network Studies (CNS) gives you the opportunity to explore this form of economy flexibly online. The studies are open to students and are free of charge at higher education institutions that belong to the CNS network, including the University of Helsinki. The courses bring together current research and real‑world business topics, showing how cooperatives operate in practice across both traditional and emerging sectors.

You can register easily through your university’s cross‑study system. There are eight courses available, offered in Finnish and English, and the courses are well suited for students from different fields who are interested in the economy, community‑based business models, and sustainable enterprise. Through CNS studies, you’ll gain new insights into the economy and skills for which there is growing demand.

The teaching offered by the network is developed, produced, and coordinated by the University of Helsinki’s Ruralia Institute in collaboration with other network universities. Founded in 2005, the university network provides multidisciplinary elective courses in cooperative business and the community economy, delivered online.

Photo: Ruralia Institute