In particular, economists find employment in government, financial institutions, central banks, national and international organisations, and business. If you are interested in postgraduate studies, the research track is an excellent path to doctoral education in economics.
Studies are part of your career. At the University of Helsinki, all degrees include career planning. 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, the Career Services supports your career path.
Career Services
Check out the Career Services on the Instructions for students “Work and Career” and “Traineeships”.
The Master's Programme in Economics at the University of Helsinki prepares you for a career as an economist in business and the public sector. Economists are employed in administrative, planning and development duties requiring economic expertise in various national and international organisations. Examples include:
It is advisable to select the field courses and the topic for your Master's thesis in view of your interests and career goals. The career orientation module included in the programme is a good chance to acquire work experience in your area of interest. The Research track prepares you for particularly demanding careers and is also an excellent path to doctoral studies in economics.
Analytical skills and knowledge of quantitative methods will be of central importance in your work as an economist. In particular, economists find employment in government, financial institutions, central banks, national and international organisations, and business.
Although it is easy for international students to 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.
Information about the Finnish courses for international students in the Instructions for students.
After completing your Master of Social Sciences degree, you get eligibility to apply for doctoral programmes in economics at the University of Helsinki and other universities in Finland and abroad.
If your ultimate goal is a doctoral degree in economics, the Research track is recommended. It already contains the majority of the core courses of the doctoral degree requirements and enables you to complete the doctoral degree at an accelerated pace.
When selecting students for the Doctoral Programme in Economics (DPE) at the University of Helsinki, precedence is given to graduates from the Research track.
More information about doctoral education at 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 information about the Helsinki alumni community and its activities.