University of Helsinki

International Master's Degree Programmes

Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry offers seven international Master's Degree Programmes. Programmes are multidisciplinary international two-year programmes with instruction in English.

Master’s Degree Programme in Biotechnology (MBIOT)
Master's Degree Programme in Environment and Natural Resources (MENVI)
Master's Degree Programme in Food Sciences (MScFood)
Master's Degree Programme in Food of Life – the Science of Animal-Derived Foods
Master’s Degree Programme in Forest Sciences and Business (MScFB)
Master’s Degree Programme (CBU) in Forestry and Environmental Engineering
Master’s Degree Programme in Plant Production Science (MScPPS)

How to apply ?
Eligibility and Application Deadline
Language Requirements
Selection Criteria
Results

Master’s Degree Programme in Biotechnology (MBIOT)
The international and interdisciplinary Master’s Degree Programme in Biotechnology (MBIOT) at the University of Helsinki was initiated in 2005. The state-of-the-art scientific research conducted at the Faculty of Biosciences and at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, together with the excellent research institutes, the Institute of Biotechnology and the Neuroscience Center, offer exceptional opportunities to pursue studies in modern facilities in an inspiring research-orientated atmosphere.

The programme provides students with the knowledge and skills they need for modern biotechnology research and employment in the industry. Topics of instruction range from the latest developments in recombinant DNA technology to non-technical issues such as business and bioethics.
Master’s Degree Programme in Biotechnology (MBIOT)

Master's Degree Programme in Environment and Natural Resources (MENVI)
The programme provides students with a holistic understanding of environmental issues together with a solid foundation of the chosen major subject. The programme combines aspects of the natural and social sciences and equips the student with skills necessary in implementing the results of scientific research in the environmental decision-making process. The MENVI programme provides you with an excellent basis for a career in environmental authorities, international development organisations, industries, consultancy groups, non-governmental organisations, and in research.
Master's Degree Programme in Environment and Natural Resources (MENVI)

Master's Degree Programme in Food Sciences (MScFood)
The international and interdisciplinary Master´s Degree Programme in Food Sciences (MscFood) with two elective tracks of Food Safety and Food Bioprosessing aims to educate experts with outstanding scientific skills for research and development in the multidiscliplinary area of food science. The programme is organised jointly by three departments constituting Viikki Food Science at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry at the University of Helsinki.

Food research at the University of Helsinki has been on the very top of its field over the past decade according to Science Watch Magazine that monitors research trends and indicators. The research based education provides the student with an excellent basis for a career in food industry and trade, food safety authorities, as well as in research.
Master's Degree Programme in Food Sciences (MScFood)

Master’s Degree Programme in Forest Sciences and Business ( MScFB)
Programme aims to promote the sustainable use of forest resources and human well-being through education based on scientific research. The two-year programme emphasizes an international and multidisciplinary perspective on the forest sector.
Master’s Degree Programme in Forest Sciences and Business (MScFB)

Master’s Degree Programme (CBU) in Forestry and Environmental Engineering
The Master’s degree programme (CBU) in Forestry and Environmental Engineering is based on bilateral and international collaboration in the fields of forest sciences and environmental engineering with aims to promote the ecologically and socially sustainable use of nature resources. As well as teaching based on high level scientific research the aim of this programme is to develop student’s cross-cultural understanding and knowledge of different working environments. The programme creates competence to act in the field both in Finland and in Russia.
Master’s Degree Programme (CBU) in Forestry and Environmental Engineering

Master’s Degree Programme in Plant Production Science (MScPPS)
The programme provides students with an advanced understanding of the principles of sustainable plant production and the knowledge necessary to develop plant production to satisfy the challenges which rapidly changing operational environment of agriculture poses. The perspective of studies range from molecular biology to production systems developing interdisciplinary knowledge and skills needed in careers in plant related research and industry, extension and education.
Master's Degree Programme in Plant Production Science (MScPPS)

 

How to apply ?

 

Eligibility and Application Deadlines

The Master’s Degree Programmes are open to applicants who have completed a suitable Bachelor's degree or an equivalent degree in Finland or abroad. Also eligible are applicants who will have completed a suitable Bachelor's degree or an equivalent degree, so that by the time they enrol (no later than August 3, 2010) at the University, they will be able to present their diploma.

The application period begins on November 16, 2009 and closes on February 1, 2010 (16:15/4:15 p.m. GMT +2). Late applications cannot be considered. The online applicant e-registration together with the information on general requirements is available at How to Apply homepage of the University of Helsinki.

The right to pursue a degree will be granted on the basis of application documents. Applicants must enclose with their application form the following English-language documents:

• Diploma and transcript of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent basic university degree. The documents submitted must be officially certified photocopies of both the documents in the original language as well as their translations. The transcript must indicate the grading scale used in the assessment of the degree.
• Certificate of English language skills
• A motivation letter as part of the online applicant e-registration. The applicants should describe their academic, professional and personal competencies and write a preliminary study plan, including a plan for the topic of the Master’s thesis
• Applicant’s CV (optional)
• Letter of recommendation (optional)

At its discretion, the Faculty may ask for further clarification of the documents submitted by the applicant. Applicants may be asked to provide further information.

Applicants can submit an application for a maximum of two Master's degree programmes in the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry during one academic year. The applicants must place the two programmes they are applying for in order of preference. Applicants may be admitted to only one of the two programmes they have indicated.

Language Requirements

All applicants need to submit a certification of their English language skills. Table of required language test scores and ways to prove the language skills can be found here (PDF). At the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry the required score level is the academic level (communication level score only in the MScPPS). More information about language requirements can be found here.

Information about the Language Centre tests for the applicants living in Finland can be found here.

Applicants who have taken their Bachelor's degree in Finland please check the English language requirements with the Faculty Office. Proficiency in English will be considered adequate if the applicant’s degree completed in a Finnish institution of higher education includes foreign language studies in English as defined by the Government Decree on University Degrees.

Selection Criteria

Student selection will primarily be based on previous study performance, the relevance of previously completed studies, the study plan and motivation letter drafted by the applicant. Applicants are required to have good English skills. Consideration will also be given to proficiency in other languages, professional experience relevant to the programme, applicant’s CV as well as letter of recommendation. 

Special consideration will be given to the fact that the applicant’s previous studies must provide a solid foundation for studies in the programme. Admitted students may be required to complete some supplementary studies. These studies cannot be incorporated into the Master’s degree.

Results

The results of the student selection will be available in April 2010. The results will be posted to all applicants.

A student admitted into a Master’s degree programme may not later on apply to change his or her major subject in another Master’s programme in the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry.

Accepted applicants are required to inform the Academic Affairs Office of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry of whether they accept the student place granted to them no later than August 3, 2010 at 16.15 (4:15 p.m. GMT +2). Those who fail to confirm their acceptance of their student place and to submit the required documents by the deadline will lose their right to pursue studies at the Faculty.