Finland · Bachelor's
University of Helsinki
Bachelor's Programme in Social Sciences
University of Helsinki
Course Overview
University of Helsinki's Bachelor's Programme in Social Sciences is delivered through the Faculty of Social Sciences at the City Centre Campus — central Helsinki. Founded in 1640, the University of Helsinki is Finland's oldest and largest research university and consistently ranked top-100 globally. The 3-year programme is interdisciplinary, allowing students to combine modules from political science, sociology, social and public policy, economic and social history, social psychology, and global development studies. Years 1-2 cover broad disciplinary foundations; Year 3 focuses on a chosen specialisation and a Bachelor's thesis.
Sri Lankan A-Level / IB applicants from Arts, Commerce, or Social Sciences streams who want a research-oriented Nordic social-sciences education choose Helsinki. Finland's 2-year post-study job-search residence permit (one of the longest in the EU) keeps employment options open while graduates seek Master's-level study or entry-level policy / NGO / consulting roles. Returnees route into the Sri Lanka Foreign Service via the Foreign Service Examination, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, multilateral roles at UNDP / UNICEF / UNFPA / IOM / UNHCR Sri Lanka, policy think tanks (Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute, Centre for Policy Alternatives, Verité Research, ICES), and international NGOs.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Sri Lankan Cambridge / Edexcel A-Levels: 3 A-Levels at grade C or above plus 5 O-Level / GCSE passes including English.
- check_circle Sri Lankan GCE A/L: 3 passes (Arts / Commerce / Mathematics stream).
- check_circle IB Diploma: 28-34 points.
- check_circle SAT or ACT may be requested.
- check_circle Motivation letter, CV, writing sample. Possible entrance examination component.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (minimum 5.5 in each section).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 92 Overall.
- check_circle Cambridge English: C1 Advanced.
- check_circle Finnish language not required — this BA track is 100% in English.
- check_circle Waived if your school qualification was taught and assessed entirely in English (most Sri Lankan A-Level / IB applicants qualify with an MOI letter).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (€) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year, non-EU/EEA) | €14,000 | Rs. 4,830,000 |
| Living Expenses in Helsinki (12 months) | €12,000 | Rs. 4,140,000 |
| Health Insurance, Visa & Residence Permit | €800 | Rs. 276,000 |
| Books, Conference Travel & Materials | €800 | Rs. 276,000 |
| Total Year 1 Investment | €27,600 | Rs. 9,522,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
University of Helsinki Bachelor of Social Sciences graduates qualify for Finland's 2-year post-study job-search residence permit. The Bachelor's alone is typically a step toward a Master's; entry-level Finnish employment options include research-assistant roles at the University of Helsinki, EU-funded research consortia, NGOs working on migration / human rights policy, and the Finnish public sector via Master's-level career routes. Sri Lankan returnees route into the Sri Lanka Foreign Service via the Foreign Service Examination, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, multilateral roles at UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, IOM, UNHCR, OCHA, policy think tanks (Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute, Centre for Policy Alternatives, Verité Research, ICES), and international NGOs.
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