Studies & Degrees in Finnish, Language and Literature (in Universities)
Finnish language and literature is the university study of Finnish: how the language is built and used, how it varies and changes, and the literature and culture written in it. Finnish is one of the two official languages of Finland, together with Swedish. Outside Finland the subject is usually taught in a Scandinavian or Nordic studies department, where students build up the language over several years. In Finland it is a degree for people who already use Finnish at a high level and want to work with language professionally.
Students study grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation, read Finnish literature and learn about Finnish society and culture. At the University of Washington, for example, the courses include a survey of Finnish literary and cultural history and specialised courses on topics such as the Kalevala and Finnish pop culture.
Qualifications and levels
In Finland, universities award bachelor's and master's degrees and postgraduate degrees, and one full year of study corresponds to 60 credits, according to the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. At the University of Jyväskylä, Finnish is one of the language tracks of the language specialist programme (Kieliasiantuntijan kandidaatti- ja maisteriohjelma). The programme has 300 credits and a planned duration of five years:
- a Bachelor of Arts (humanististen tieteiden kandidaatti) of at least 180 credits, with a target time of three years
- a Master of Arts (filosofian maisteri) of at least 120 credits, with a target time of two years
In the United States, the Department of Scandinavian Studies at the University of Washington offers an undergraduate major (B.A. in Finnish) and a minor in Finnish. Graduate students can continue with Finnish while working towards the M.A. and the Ph.D. in Scandinavian Studies. The M.A. has two tracks, Scandinavian Languages and Literature and Scandinavian Area Studies, and both require mastery of one target Nordic language, which can be Finnish.
Outside degree programmes, adults can certify their level with the National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) of the Finnish National Agency for Education. The YKI test is offered at basic, intermediate and advanced level and has four subtests: listening comprehension, speaking, reading comprehension and writing. Grading takes around two months.
Where to study it
SpainExchange lists two active schools for this subject, one in Finland and one in the United States.
The University of Jyväskylä, in Central Finland, teaches Finnish in its Department of Language and Communication Studies, next to English, Finnish Sign Language, German, Romance philology, Russian and Swedish. The language of instruction of the programme is Finnish; the common courses are taught mainly in Finnish and partly in English. Applicants admitted on the basis of their school-leaving certificate need a high grade in Finnish as a mother tongue or in Finnish as a second language, so this route suits students who already master the language.
The University of Washington, in Seattle, teaches Finnish to students who build their skills through a multi-year programme in language and literature, with study abroad opportunities.
Applications to Finnish universities go through Studyinfo.fi, the official application portal. Applicants from outside the EU/EEA usually pay an application fee and need a student residence permit. Study in Finland, the official guide of the Finnish National Agency for Education, points out that students can complete an entire degree in English in Finland, and recommends learning Finnish from the start of the stay.
Careers
The University of Jyväskylä lists communications officer, planner, producer, journalist and entrepreneur as typical job titles for graduates of its language specialist programme. Students can also apply for the teacher's pedagogical studies during the degree, which is the route into language teaching. The University of Washington states that its Scandinavian Studies graduates work in business and nonprofit organisations, law, academia and STEM; its sample alumni job titles include teacher, professor, instructional designer and technical writer.
Finnish is also a practical asset in Finland. According to Study in Finland, learning the local language can improve the chances of finding a job. A YKI certificate can be used when applying for a job or a study place, and a Finnish or Swedish certificate at intermediate level 3 or higher is enough to prove language skills in an application for Finnish citizenship.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to speak Finnish before starting a degree in Finnish?
In Finland, yes: the Finnish track at the University of Jyväskylä is taught in Finnish and asks for a high school-leaving grade in Finnish. Abroad, departments such as Scandinavian Studies at the University of Washington teach the language as part of the degree.
How long does a degree in Finnish take in Finland?
At the University of Jyväskylä the bachelor's degree has at least 180 credits and a target time of three years, and the master's degree at least 120 credits and two years.
Which exam certifies my level of Finnish?
The National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) tests listening, speaking, reading and writing at basic, intermediate or advanced level. Results take around two months.
Can I study in Finland without knowing Finnish?
Yes. According to Study in Finland, students can complete an entire degree in English, although learning Finnish helps with daily life and with finding work.