How to apply to ExpREES?

Are you enrolled in a Finnish university? Would you like to specialise in Eastern Europe (incl. Ukraine, countries in Eastern Central Europe and South-Eastern Europe, the Baltic countries), Russia, Central Asia or the Southern Caucasus in your master’s?

The Aleksanteri Institute at the University of Helsinki coordinates a network of 12 Finnish universities which offer a multidisciplinary study programme known as ExpREES (Expertise in Russian and Eastern European Studies). This programme is suitable for students from various disciplines including humanities, social sciences, business and technology. ExpREES studies offer numerous advantages for students pursuing diverse careers in academia, public administration, or business. Contact teaching, online courses, summer schools and excursions help students discover their strengths, develop their careers, and completing their master’s thesis. Despite changes in world politics, including Finnish–Russian relations, due to Russia’s war in Ukraine, the need for expertise on Russia has not disappeared. There is also a growing need for expertise regarding Eastern Europe (in particular, Ukraine) and Central Asia.

Please check that you meet the following application criteria:

• You plan to enrol as a master’s degree student in one of the universities in the ExpREES network (and will have the right to pursue master’s studies in one of the network universities).
• You have completed or will complete your Bachelor's degree (180 credits) by the end of the year during which you are applying.
• You plan to write your master’s thesis on a topic related to Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asia or the South Caucasus.
• You have a strong motivation to pursue studies in the ExpREES programme.
• You have achieved good grades in your bachelor's degree.

Please note that the ExpREES compulsory courses are offered in Finnish. However, we will find courses offered in English which can be used to compensate for the compulsory courses. Approximately half of the ExpREES optional courses are offered in English.

Please submit your application via the online form by 18 April 2024.

The application consists of an online form including three attachments:

1. Official and recent transcript of records (from University register)
2. Curriculum Vitae of max 2 pages
3. A motivation letter of max 1 page

Approval for recognising ExpREES studies (DL 24 April 2024): In addition, applicants to ExpREES should have approval from their degree programme/home university, e.g. from a PSP supervisor, a bachelor's or master’s thesis supervisor, head of the degree programme because their ExpREES studies and master’s thesis related to Russian or Eastern European studies will be recognised as part of their degree awarded by the home university. Please, ask your supervisor to fill the e-form.

The results will be announced by 23 May 2024.

For further information, please contact (weekdays at 9–16) Sirke Mäkinen, University Lecturer and Head of the ExpREES programme at sirke.makinen@helsinki.fi or 050 4767293, or Hanna Peltonen, ExpREES Coordinator, at hanna.o.peltonen@helsinki.fi 02941 23681. The best way to reach us is by email.