The Master’s Programme in English Studies offers a wide range of courses in English linguistics, literatures in English and the teaching of English.

You can take courses in all three areas or just focus on one of them. During your Master’s studies, you can:

• Develop your expertise in linguistic or literary studies
• Strengthen your understanding of theoretical approaches and research methods within English Studies
• Strengthen your language skills, academic writing skills and presentation skills
• Participate in research projects
• Participate in the Master’s thesis seminar, during which you will write your thesis

Why English Studies?

The Master’s Programme in English Studies helps you develop your expertise in areas that are often separated in other programmes:

• English language and linguistics
• literature in English and
• the teaching of English. 

By working in a stimulating environment with accomplished researchers and teachers, you also develop work life skills, such as skills in presentation, independent and group work and project management.  

An MA in English Studies prepares you for a variety of jobs, and our graduates have been successful in finding employment. If combined with mandatory pedagogical studies, the Master’s degree in English Studies qualifies you to be a language teacher. Alternatively, you can find employment in media or publishing, business or international organisations. English is used globally as the language of science, culture, business and tourism, and experts in English are required in all of these fields.

In­ter­na­tional scope and co­oper­a­tion:

During your studies, you can engage in international activities in many ways, including an exchange period at another university. If you have not been on an international student exchange during your BA studies, you can do so while studying for your Master’s degree.

During the exchange, you will complete part of your studies at a foreign university. A well-planned and well-timed student exchange offers you the opportunity to make the degree more diverse and enables you to discover new perspectives on your own studies.

You can pursue an exchange visit either through an exchange programme or independently. All exchange programmes include a scholarship or a grant; the amount depends on the programme, the duration of the exchange visit and the target country. If you have arranged an exchange visit independently, you can apply for a travel grant. 

You can also engage in international activities at the University of Helsinki. For instance, you can serve as a peer tutor for exchange students. The Faculty of Arts and the Department of Languages have many teaching and research staff members who have an international background and who thus bring an international perspective to your studies.