Career

A degree from the Master's Programme in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology gives you the capability to embark on a wide range of careers or continue with postgraduate studies in different areas of biology. The studies include career orientation, expert identity studies and career planning. Transferable skills are obtained during the regular coursework.
Career opportunities for graduates

Upon graduating from the Master's Programme in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, you will:

  • master the main theories and methods in ecology and evolutionary biology and can apply them to practical problems
  • be able to plan and carry out scientific research projects and work as an expert in your field
  • have gained transferable skills that can be utilized in a wide variety of future careers

Graduates are prepared for a wide range of career options, for instance:

  • Academic research and teaching
  • Other research tasks at universities, research institutes and centres
  • Expert positions in the administration both internationally (e.g., UN, EU) and nationally (e.g. ministries), as well as in provincial and local administration.
  • Expert positions in the private sector and the media.
  • Expert positions in international and national organisations.
  • Teaching in secondary school and high school, and other institutes of higher education

In addition, the degree makes you eligible to apply for postgraduate studies in different areas of biology at the University of Helsinki or other universities in Finland and abroad.

For Finnish and Swedish speaking students who have been accepted to subject teacher studies during their bachelor's degree, the programme also provides an opportunity to study towards a biology teacher qualification.
The skills I have learned will benefit me for the rest of my life.
Career services

Studies are part of your career. The Career Services at the University of Helsinki, in cooperation with degree programmes, supports the growth of your expert identity as part of your studies and with separate services. From the start of your studies until one year after the completion of your degree, Career Services supports your career path and

  • gives career counselling and job seeking support, 
  • arranges info sessions, workshops and events, 
  • provides suitable job and traineeship offers for students,
  • shares university’s subsidy for traineeships and  
  • facilitates group mentoring programmes.
Group mentoring programme: UNITalent

Do you want to build a career in Finland? Get valuable insight into Finnish working life and build your professional networks by applying to our group mentoring programme. 

In the HelsinkiUNI International Talent Programme (UNITalent), a group of international talents is hosted by a local company or organisation. 

Successful applicants will get to:

  • learn about expert work first-hand from a local organisation.
  • hear about different kinds of career paths in a specific sector in Finland.
  • start building their professional network in Finland.
  • support the host in gaining an international perspective by sharing their perspective. 
  • learn career management skills. 

International master’s degree students at the University of Helsinki can apply as well as Finnish students who have completed their degree abroad.
Improve your career options with Finnish

Although international students can get by with English in the Helsinki region, learning Finnish will significantly improve your career options after graduation.

The University of Helsinki offers free Finnish language courses for enrolled international degree students. The beginners and intermediate level courses are not only a way to learn the language, but you also learn more about Finnish culture and get to network with other international students across the fields.
Doctoral education

As a graduate of the Master's Programme in Eco­logy and Evol­u­tion­ary Bio­logy, you can apply for a doctoral programme at the University of Helsinki or other universities. Usually, studies include 40 credits of coursework and a PhD dissertation.

Suitable doctoral programmes at the University of Helsinki include:

A majority of graduating students in ecology and evolutionary biology continue their studies in the Doctoral Programme in Wildlife Biology Research (LUOVA).
Where students work after graduation?

The University of Helsinki conducts career monitoring surveys to collect information on graduate employment and the skills needs of employers. The aim of career monitoring is to determine how well university education is able to meet the requirements of professional life. The data collected are used, among other things, for developing the career skills of current students.

According to the surveys, general skills gained from the studies include :

  • the ability to describe their skills (this had been the most important factor for their employment)
  • the ability to learn and adopt new things as well as self-direction/initiative
  • cooperation skills
  • problem-solving skills and stress tolerance.
International experience, organisational work or hobbies, and social media activity have been important or highly important for the employment of some respondents, even though these factors don’t stand out at the University level"
Alumni of the Uni­versity of Helsinki

After graduation, the world is wide open and full of possibilities. How can you venture forward to make the career path you want? What kind of work would you like to do? What kind of life should you lead? The Helsinki alumni community is there to support you as you transition from the University to the world of work.

All previous University of Helsinki degree and exchange students, as well as staff, are our alumni. As a member of the University of Helsinki alumni network, Finland’s largest network of experts, you get valuable support, knowledge and contacts for your working life.
More about the programme