Turku, Finland
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
21 Jan 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 12,000 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* application period: January 2026
** free for citizens of EU/EEA countries or Switzerland, for citizens of non-EU/EEA countries €12,000/academic year
Key Summary
Introduction
Discover all degree programmes of the University of Turku
Become a master of digital security with a Master’s degree in Cryptography
The Master’s Degree Programme in Information and Communication Technology provides versatile and high-quality ICT education in selected fields of ICT, with an established reputation in innovative interdisciplinary and international education.
The Cryptography specialisation track focuses on cryptography research. Its goal is to educate future experts with a strong and broad knowledge of mathematical aspects of cryptography and data security in the field of research and the ICT sector. In this programme, you will study modern symmetric and asymmetric cryptography algorithms and protocols and analyse them from a mathematical point of view.
The theoretical studies on mathematics are complemented by courses on the security of networked systems and security management. Hence, when you graduate, you will be able to carry on a successful career, for example, as a security expert in the information and communication technology industry.
In addition to a career in industry, you will also acquire the required abilities to further proceed with your academic career in post-graduate studies and achieve a Ph.D. degree.
Academic Excellence & Experience
The Cryptography major subject offers a solid background on classical and modern aspects of mathematical cryptography. A deep understanding is developed of modern symmetric and asymmetric cryptosystems. Students are provided with strong academic education to proceed in their post-graduate studies as well as to work as cybersecurity experts in the IT sector.
Specialisation Tracks
The specialisation in Cryptography has an international double-degree collaboration with the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). In addition to Cryptography, the programme offers four other specialisation tracks:
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Admissions
Curriculum
Program Structure
The program consists of the following sections:
- Advanced-level studies in the major subject, 50 ECTS
- Cryptology and Security of Networked Systems with Security Management
- Thematic module or minor subject, 20-25 ECTS
- Elective studies, 15-20 ECTS
- Master of Science in Technology Thesis, 30 ECTS
Master's Thesis & Topics
The master's thesis in the Cryptography specialisation track focuses on the mathematical aspects of cryptosystems and cyber security in general. In what follows, some possible topics for the master's thesis are listed:
- public-key cryptosystems,
- homomorphic encryption,
- blockchains in cryptography,
- quantum cryptography.
Program Outcome
In the Cryptography specialization track, you will learn to assess the strengths and weaknesses of cryptographic solutions based on a deep understanding of the underlying theory. You will also gain the ability to pursue applying cryptographic algorithms and protocols for real-life environments.
After completing the program, you will have:
- good command of the mathematical foundations of cryptography;
- knowledge, understanding, and application skills of modern cryptography in the digital world, including symmetric and asymmetric cryptosystems, cryptographic hash functions and digital signatures;
- advanced understanding and expertise of the various mathematical structures that make modern and future cryptography possible;
- ability to assess the strengths and weaknesses of cryptographic solutions based on a deep understanding of the underlying theory;
- ability to pursue the application of cryptographic algorithms and protocols for real-life environments;
- understanding of the importance of information security in a wider setting such as a major corporation or a large university, the basic knowledge needed in working in such environments as an information security manager;
- an individual information security expertise profile based on the major subject and strengthened further by individually planned optional studies (minor subject). The resulting expertise profile can be for example cryptography engineer, network security engineer, software safety and security engineer, online gaming security specialist, or information security manager/consultant.
In addition to technical content, the degree content also pays attention to other working life skills needed for example in a career as an expert, an entrepreneur, or a researcher. Special attention is given to the following skills and abilities:
- ability to identify different potential solutions and choose the one that seems most feasible based on the available information;
- development of own expertise (life-long learning), ability to consider the field from a broad perspective;
- ability to control the different sub-parts of a project, ability to take a responsible role in project work as a group member in an international multi-cultural setting;
- good communication skills including oral communication and oral presentation skills, written reports, and written presentation, all taking into account the target audience in question and their ability to understand the communication from their technological and cultural background;
- ability to comprehensively and widely obtain information while taking a critical attitude towards the information sources and the discovered information;
- people-networking skills for building functional working life networks.
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarship Opportunities
The University of Turku supports merited and motivated students with generous scholarships. The university offers these scholarships to students pursuing Master's level studies who are subject to tuition fees.
Scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, and you can apply for a scholarship by simply answering “yes” to the corresponding question in the online application form when you apply for the programme.
One type of scholarship covers whole tuition fees for two years for Master’s degree programmes. In addition to that, there is a scholarship for the best applicants that covers tuition fees and includes an additional grant of €5,000.
Approximately 30 % of the admitted students are awarded a scholarship by the University of Turku.
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Career Opportunities
Job Options
The employment percentage of those holding an MSc (Tech.) degree is high in Finland. The degree from the Cryptography track provides a solid background in mathematical cryptography and covers different topical areas of information security. While studying, you will have an opportunity to co-operate with local companies; especially through an optional Capstone project. Based on the personally planned expertise profile, you can achieve a successful career in the IT sector as an information security expert in the Turku area as well as other regions in Finland and abroad.
The information-intensive industry has become the most important business sector in Finland. Securing this business sector and its products is vital in the modern era. In Europe, ICT has a critical role in improving the profitability of the industry and responding to the needs of society.
A personal study plan made for each student yields an individual information security expertise profile. As a graduate of this specialization track, you will benefit from the strong technological, theoretical, and practical understanding and skills you will have obtained in the program.
Examples of relevant job titles:
- Network Security Specialist,
- Information Security Specialist,
- Cryptography Engineer,
- Security Manager,
- Chief Information Officer,
- Head of Information Security,
- Head of Corporate IT.
Career in Research
Master's degree (Technology) provides eligibility for scientific postgraduate degree studies. Postgraduate degrees are doctoral and licentiate degrees. Degrees can be completed within the University of Turku Graduate School UTUGS and Doctoral Programmes.