Master in Global Politics and Communication
Helsinki, Finland
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
EUR 18,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for non-EU/EEA countries
Key Summary
How Can Knowledge Help Us Prevent Confrontation?
How do global transformations affect democratic politics? What is the role of the media in the transformation of contemporary democracies? Why do economic activities result in global and national financial crises and inequality instead of stability and democratisation? How does governance affect organisations and communication, and how do governance and organisations structure communication and political and economic activity?
In the Master's Programme in Global Politics and Communication, you study a cutting-edge combination of political science, communication studies and global political economy. You apply ideas, concepts and methodologies to key societal and political issues and develop your critical reasoning and argumentation skills.
The Master's degree program has three study tracks: Governance, Organisations and Communication; Media and Democracy; and Global Political Economy.
Studying
The Master's Programme in Global Politics and Communication offers a cutting-edge combination of political science, communication studies and global political economy.
You will apply ideas, concepts and methodologies to key societal and political issues such as the changing character of democracy, the role of organisations and governance in the globalising world, and the regulation of global finance and trade. The programme emphasises developing your critical thinking, a necessary skill in many careers.
Students Life and Associations
Student life and especially the student organisation culture is exceptionally rich and diverse in Finland. Also at the University of Helsinki, the student community is very active. More than 250 student organisations operate within the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY), ranging from faculty and subject organisations to political and societal organisations, and from choirs and orchestras to sports and game clubs. Their activities include anniversary celebrations, academic dinner parties, cultural events, get-togethers and excursions.
One of the organisations is CISSI, the Organization of International Social Scientists at the University of Helsinki, which arranges various events such as social gatherings, discussions, visits and excursions as well as co-operates with other organizations.
As a student and member of the Student Union (HYY), you are entitled to many benefits and services. For example, affordable student housing, basic healthcare services, sports facilities and student-priced meals. You also get numerous discounts, for example on public transport fees across the country.
The Master's Programme in Global Politics and Communication is a full-time, two-year programme. The scope of the degree is 120 credits (ECTS) consisting of advanced studies in politics and communication, as well as other elective and compulsory studies. The programme consists of core courses as well as thematic courses.
During the first year of your studies, you will study theoretical and methodological courses, and you will specialise in one of the three study tracks of the programme: Global Political Economy, Media and Democracy or Governance, Organisations and Communication. In the second year, you will deepen your knowledge of your selected study track by participating in thematic courses.
Master’s Degree Programme in Global Politics and Communication: 120 credits (ECTS)
- Joint Studies 20 cr
Theories of Politics and Communication 5 cr
Globalizations: Politics, Economy and Communication 5 cr
Methodology courses 10 cr - Study Track -specific Studies 30 cr
Global Political Economy 30 cr
Governance, Organisations and Communication 30 cr
Media and Democracy 30 cr - Master's Thesis seminar 5 cr + 5 cr
- Master's Thesis 30 cr
- Career Skills 5 - 15 cr
Traineeship, Working life projects etc. - Elective Studies 0-25 cr
Voluntary traineeship, language studies, thesis-related studies etc.
Courses and Teaching
During the first year, you will study general theoretical and methodological courses and take part in thematic courses offered by the programme’s study tracks.
In the second year, you will deepen your knowledge of your selected study track or study tracks by participating in thematic specialisation courses. You will also attend the Master’s seminar and write your Master’s thesis.
The language of the Master's Programme in Global Politics and Communication is English. The degree can include up to 30 credits (ECTS) of studies in other languages, such as Finnish or Swedish, or courses completed during an international exchange or an exchange at another university in Finland. The Diploma Supplement given upon graduation states that the degree has been completed in English.
Master's Thesis
You will select the topic of your Master's Thesis under the guidance of your supervisor. The usual length of a Master’s thesis is about 50-70 pages.
When writing your thesis, you will need to acquire advanced knowledge in your chosen field and develop analytical and critical thinking skills. You will learn to formulate research questions, plan and design your research, conduct it and report your results with an understanding of the key concepts, debates and perspectives concerning your chosen topic. In addition, the thesis may inspire you to continue your studies as a doctoral candidate.
Thegraduates of the Global Politics and Communication programme (Master of Social Sciences, MSocSc) indeed fulfil the requirements to apply for doctoral studies at the University of Helsinki and other top universities around the world.
Doctoral education
As a graduate of the Master's Programme in Global Politics and Communication, you will be awarded a Master of Social Sciences degree. This degree qualifies you to apply for PhD studies at the University of Helsinki and other top universities around the world.
International Scope and Cooperation
TheMaster's Programme in Global Politics and Communication is an international programme with a student intake from around the world. Furthermore, we receive many visiting and exchange students and scholars from Europe and further afield. In addition to providing our students with a unique international learning atmosphere, it may also be possible for students to participate in exchange programmes for a short-term study period in top universities around the world. Our students are also provided with the opportunity to do a voluntary internship abroad.
One of the advantages of studying at the Faculty of Social Sciences is the possibility to study elective courses in other Master’s programmes.
Academic freedom is a strong part of the studying experience at the University of Helsinki. This gives you the possibility to study different elective studies within the university and the other universities in the Helsinki metropolitan area through Flexible Study Right (JOO) agreements. You can also conduct your master’s research in a company where you are working.
Why Global Politics and Communication?
Global Politics and Communication is an interdisciplinary and innovative Master’s degree programme that addresses the key challenges of globalisation from the perspective of media and communication studies, organisation research and global political economy. The programme emphasises developing your critical thinking, a necessary skill in many careers.
The specific objectives of the programme include:
- Providing you with advanced knowledge of global political economy, relationships between the media and the development of democracy, and linkages between governance, organisations and communication
- Empowering you to assess how politics and the media are linked to the forces of globalisation
- Equipping you with conceptual understanding and the theoretical and methodological skills needed to carry out original and relevant research on key societal issues
- Preparing you to engage in public discussions and develop critical reasoning and argumentation skills that are equally important in academia, public organisations and the private sector.
Our scholarship program is for students who are applying to the University of Helsinki. These scholarships are intended for excellent students from outside the EU/EEA, who wish to complete a Master's program at the University of Helsinki. Grants can be applied while applying to the University of Helsinki’s Master’s programs.
For more information about scholarships, please visit the university website.
Studying in the Master's Programme in Global Politics and Communication develops your competencies for critical thinking, necessary for all tasks and positions that require expertise. The programme further prepares you to responsibly engage in public discussions and develop critical reasoning and argumentation skills that are equally central to academia, public organisations and the private sector.
Graduates of the programme are working in a range of jobs as experts and consultants in Finland and internationally. The programme also provides graduates with excellent qualifications for postgraduate studies to pursue an academic career.