University of the Arts Helsinki
Master of Music in Folk Music
Helsinki, Finland
Master degree
DURATION
30 months
LANGUAGES
English, Finnish, Swedish
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Applications are open 7-21 January 2026
Key Summary
About: The Master of Music in Folk Music at Uniarts Helsinki is a leading, student-centered programme in traditional and contemporary folk music. You focus on instrument studies, singing, pedagogy or artistic research through individualized study plans, close teacher guidance and joint studies across academies. Permanent staff and regular international guests teach the programme. Graduates gain a profound understanding of playing and singing styles and of folk music history, aesthetics and research methods.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can work as musicians, composers, pedagogues, researchers, community musicians, entrepreneurs, or arts experts and developers in socially engaged, educational or multi-artistic production and performance roles.
Why study here?
Our Degree Programme in Folk Music is the leading education provider in its field when it comes to student volumes, frequency of activities, international reputation, selection of degree opportunities, and the fame of the graduated artists. The programme offers you a range of different paths to becoming a professional in folk music.
About the studies
Integral to the studies are the student’s aspirations regarding their study plan, the relationships that develop between the teachers and the students, and individual guidance.
Our learning environment promotes a genuine dialogue and each student’s growth into an independent expert and artist.
As a master’s student, you can direct your focus to instrument studies, pedagogy or research. After completing a master’s degree, you will have a profound understanding of the playing and singing styles in old and contemporary folk music and know how to apply concepts that are central to the history, aesthetics, and research of folk music.
You can also choose courses organized by the other two academies of the University and complete so-called joint studies that are available for all students.
Teachers
Our teachers are some of the best experts in their respective fields. In addition to the permanent teaching staff, the programme welcomes international top professionals as guests on a regular basis.
A student who has completed a Master’s degree is expected to be profoundly conversant with both historical and new instrumental and vocal styles in folk music and know how to use the essential concepts in the history, aesthetics, and research of folk music related to them; have excellent skills in comprehending music by ear and have improved improvisation skills; be capable of systematic, independent work and have the capability for critical thinking, information searching, and argumentation; be able to formulate an artistic vision, to reflect on it and to share it orally and in writing.
- 50 % discount on the tuition fee for the first year (awarded for all new students who apply).
- After that 50 % or 100 % discount is awarded to selected students based on the students’ academic success.
- No grants to cover living costs.
After graduating, you will have a wide range of career options and can work as a musician, composer, pedagogue, researcher, community musician, and entrepreneur, or an expert and developer duties in different organizations or socially engaged contexts and in various roles in multi-artistic productions. Depending on your interests, you can specialize in creative musicianship, pedagogy, or research.