Finland · Master's
University of Helsinki
MSc Contemporary Societies (Social Sciences)
University of Helsinki
Course Overview
The University of Helsinki is Finland's largest and highest-ranked university (global top 100), and its English-taught Master's in Contemporary Societies is a multidisciplinary social-science degree within the Faculty of Social Sciences. Students choose a track — such as Social and Public Policy, Sociology, or Global Development Studies — and build advanced theory plus strong empirical research-methods training, anchored in the Nordic tradition of welfare-state, inequality, and governance research. Finland's universities are known for small cohorts, accessible faculty, and an emphasis on independent critical work, and Helsinki's links to Nordic research institutes and international organisations support competitive internships.
Sri Lankan applicants with a Bachelor's in Sociology, Political Science, Development Studies, Economics, or related social sciences fit well, and English-medium Sri Lankan degrees can waive the IELTS requirement via an MOI letter. Finland charges non-EU tuition but offers generous scholarships that frequently cover most or all of it. Graduates may apply to extend their residence permit for up to two years to seek work — among the most generous post-study windows in Europe — opening careers in policy, research, development, and the social sector.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Bachelor's degree (SLQF Level 6) in Sociology, Political Science, Development Studies, Social Policy, Economics, or a related social science, with good standing.
- check_circle Motivation letter linking your background to the chosen track.
- check_circle CV and academic transcript.
- check_circle A writing sample or relevant research/fieldwork experience strengthens the application.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (no band below 5.5).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 92 Overall.
- check_circle Waived if your Bachelor's was taught and assessed entirely in English at a recognised institution — most Sri Lankan English-medium degrees qualify with an MOI letter.
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (€) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year) | €18,000 | Rs. 6,210,000 |
| Accommodation in Helsinki (per year) | €6,600 | Rs. 2,277,000 |
| Living Expenses & Food (per year) | €7,200 | Rs. 2,484,000 |
| Residence Permit, Insurance & Books | €1,500 | Rs. 517,000 |
| Estimated Annual Cost | €33,300 | Rs. 11,488,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Finland lets graduates apply to extend their residence permit for up to two years to seek work after studies. Helsinki Contemporary Societies alumni move into social-research, policy-analysis, and evaluation roles at Finnish public agencies, EU institutions, the UN system, and international NGOs, plus funded PhD positions across the Nordic universities. Sri Lankan returnees take research and policy roles at LIRNEasia, the Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA), the Department of Census and Statistics, UN agencies in Colombo, INGOs, and university social-science faculties.
Related Programs
MA Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research
Tampere University
MSc in Global Politics and Communication
University of Helsinki
MA Anthropology of Travel, Tourism and Pilgrimage
SOAS University of London
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Our counsellors have helped hundreds of Sri Lankan students secure placements in Finland. We handle everything from applications to visa processing.
ඔබට සුදුසු විශ්වවිද්යාලයක් තේරීම, අයදුම්පත් යොමු කිරීම, SOP සකස් කිරීම සහ වීසා ලබා ගැනීම ඇතුළු සෑම පියවරකදීම, ඔබ වෙනුවෙන් සියලුම වගකීම් විශ්වාසවන්තව අප භාර ගනිමු.