Reasons to study at the Faculty of Arts, University of Helsinki

If you yearn to study overseas but feel a little more than baffled at the scale of the decision, it is worth noting that Finland has been ranked the 14th-best country in the world by US News and World Report. Also landing a top five spot in terms of Best Countries for Women, Best Countries to Raise Kids, Transparency and Green Living, Finland has really got some game when it comes to quality of life.

For all those seeking a unique and unforgettable global study venture, the University of Helsinki is the perfect place to start. As a diverse, quality-conscious and community-enriched institution, this university celebrates international students and globalisation, representing a world-class study centre that is northern in location yet inherently global in outlook.

Helsinki’s Faculty of Arts is the institution’s most diverse with respect to organisation and programme portfolio. So why should you study at the Faculty of Arts, University of Helsinki?

Innovative Programmes

At the Faculty of Arts, first-cycle BA studies are worth 180 credits, while second-cycle MA studies hold a value of 120 credits. Courses are cross-disciplinary. There are five MA programmes that are delivered in English, giving graduates impact and influence on the global stage. Programmes are industry-centred and research-informed, ensuring content is high-quality and relevant to the modern world. From Intercultural Encounters to European and Nordic Studies, Urban Studies and Planning to English Studies, and Linguistic Diversity in the Digital Age; the Faculty of Arts breaks the mould of classroom tradition.

The two-year MA programme in Russian Studies is one of the university’s unique programme offerings. Delivered at the Aleksanteri Institute, the programme offers courses in both the social sciences and humanities.

Aleksanteri is Europe’s largest research institute dedicated to the Russian discipline. Faculty are respected and experienced, forming an active, international community that hosts a Visiting Fellow Programme, organises an annual Aleksanteri Conference, research seminars and workshops, and also accommodates warm, friendly, social gatherings. Students reap the rewards of abundant research opportunities, also taking advantage of a global network of experts in the field.

One of this programme’s major strengths is its multidisciplinary, distinctive curriculum. Looking at Russia from a global perspective, it focuses on themes such as inequality and social resilience; security and power; environment and climate; culture and identity. You will delve into a breadth and depth of social and cultural phenomena, identifying their significance for Russia and the world at large. Here, also have the option to learn the Russian language, greatly benefitting from short-term excursions and periods of study within the country itself.

On top of this, MA Russian Studies instils graduates with expertise in Russian affairs and critical thinking, preparing them to face challenges in diverse professional fields. Empowered by the sought-after skillset this curriculum imbues, students go on to find employment within the public sector, as well as academia, education, journalism, business and non-governmental organisations.

Study at a Top 100 World University

As the only Finnish university to consistently rank among the Top 100 universities, the University of Helsinki is better than 99.5 percent of higher education providers worldwide. In 2017, the institution was ranked 56th in the Shanghai Ranking, 90th in the Times Higher Education World Rankings and 81st in the Taiwan (NTU) league table.

It is clear that the University of Helsinki’s reputation precedes itself, and with CIMO – an organisation that offers services on international mobility and co-operation – stating that the number of international students seeking higher education in Finland has steadily increased in recent years, it has also shined a light on promising prospects for graduates in the region. Since almost 50 percent of Finland’s foreign graduates find employment in the country, you would be hard-pushed to find a better place to be.

Live in a stunning location in the heart of Europe

The university’s mainland setting grants students the option of a European exploration venture. With convenient transport links and connections nearby, your journey can extend far beyond the borders of Helsinki. But that doesn’t mean this city won’t defy your expectations…

If you are keen for the Great Outdoors, why not take stroll along one of Helsinki’s scenic nature trails? Aside from that, you could spend the day visiting the city’s most iconic buildings, including the Think Corner, the National Library, the Helsinki Observatory, the Finnish Museum of Natural History, the Botanic Gardens, and the new, award-winning City Centre Campus Library.

Providing the perfect blend of natural and urban landscapes, Helsinki and Finland at large are perfect for students who seek best of both rural and urban life. There is so much to see in this bustling metropolis.

“I still remember my first thoughts during the journey by bus from the airport to my new house,” says Nadia Zullo, former exchange student at Helsinki’s Faculty of Arts. “I loved Helsinki at first sight, I thought there were many parks and green areas and this made me very happy, I just couldn’t wait to visit the whole city!

“During my fabulous year in Helsinki, I really didn’t miss anything from my home country apart from my family and close friends, and, perhaps, Italian pizza,” the graduate concludes. “But right now, I’m just missing everything about Helsinki. Yes, even the winter temperatures, too.”

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