The degree programme will educate international multidisciplinary experts, leaving room for students' personal interests.
"The Bachelor's Programme in Liberal Arts and Sciences is the first multidisciplinary English-language bachelor's programme both in Finland and at the University of Helsinki," says Professor of Digital Humanities Eetu Mäkelä , head of the programme's planning group.
Starting at the beginning of 2023, the degree programme has been developed by a group representing six faculties: the Faculty of Arts, which coordinates the programme, the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry and the Faculty of Educational Sciences.
Focus on multidisciplinarity
The degree programme is characterised by flexibility and adaptation to students' interests.
"Students don't need to know exactly what they want to specialise in when they embark on their studies. With several disciplinary modules suited to serve as specialisation options, the programme makes it possible to try out different things and find your specific topic of interest. At the same time, the programme framework ensures that all graduates will have a clear expert profile," Mäkelä says.
The programme relies on the University of Helsinki's strength as a multidisciplinary university.
"It's great that students can include in their studies content from both the natural sciences and the humanities. This provides them with a good opportunity to continue to master's studies to advance their skills," says Dean Pirjo Hiidenmaa of the Faculty of Arts.
"What makes the programme pedagogically unique are new courses tailored according to common learning outcomes as well as constructively aligned support for the three-year duration of the programme," says Doctoral Researcher Tomi Kiviluoma from the Faculty of Educational Sciences.
"We wish to illustrate the diversity of disciplines in a meaningful way. By specialising, students will be able to apply the thinking skills provided by the core studies in the programme to develop new kinds of viewpoints and solutions."
Skills valued in the labour market
The multidisciplinary nature of the degree programme also relates to societal needs. According to Professor Mäkelä, society and businesses need people who understand different perspectives, have the capacity for critical thinking and operate successfully in various environments.
"For students, the programme provides both the skills valued in the labour market and the opportunity to continue studying in a wide range of master's programmes."
According to Tomi Kiviluoma, the programme's common learning outcomes emphasise the identification of interdisciplinary connections in terms of both theory and methods, as well as the ability to contribute to a democratic and sustainable future.
Professor of Computer Science Hannu Toivonen also highlights multidisciplinarity.
"As artificial intelligence and data science are becoming increasingly dominant, we need multidisciplinary specialists who understand both their functioning and application. For instance, something that is key to developing AI-powered apps is considering their impact on users and even society. The new degree programme offers an excellent opportunity in this regard."
Investments have also been made to support the retention of international students in Finland by designing programme structures that promote integration, including the opportunity to study the Finnish language as part of the degree.
Annual intake of 100 students
The first students for the degree programme will be sought in early 2026. Applications will be accepted from holders of general upper secondary school certificates accepted in Finland. Alternatively, SAT or ACT test results can be used as application grounds.
"The programme will have two application periods, a winter call for international applicants and a separate call organised simultaneously with the spring joint application procedure," says Education Coordinator Jenny Sandström .
With 50 places available in both calls, the programme's annual intake will be 100 students.
