Eligibility
Selection methods
Eligibility requirements
You can apply to the Master’s Programme in Particle Physics and Astrophysical Sciences if you meet the following criteria:
You have completed an applicable first-cycle (bachelor’s) degree at a higher education institution in Finland or abroad, or will do so by the deadline.
You have sufficient skills in Finnish, Swedish or English.
You have completed a sufficient amount of studies applicable to the master’s programme
Admission
If you do not meet these criteria, you cannot apply through this application procedure.
1. You have completed a higher education degree providing eligibility for master’s studies
To apply in master's admissions, you must have completed, by the deadline, a higher education degree providing eligibility for master’s studies.
If the degree providing eligibility has been completed in Finland, the deadline is 31 July 2027.
If the degree providing eligibility has been completed outside Finland, the deadline is 31 August 2027.
Therefore, you can apply even if your degree will not be completed during the application period.
The Master’s Programme in Particle Physics and Astrophysical Sciences:
You can be admitted to the Master’s Programme if you have completed or will complete by the deadline a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent at a university or an institution of higher education in physics or astronomy or another applicable degree.
You can only be admitted if the degree you would be eligible to complete with the right to pursue studies you are applying for is sufficiently different in terms of its contents from the degree you have already completed.
2. Sufficient skills in Finnish, Swedish or English
You must demonstrate sufficient skills in Finnish, Swedish or English at the application stage. For the methods of demonstrating your language skills, please see the University website.
3. Studies serving as grounds for application
You can be admitted to the Master's Programme in Particle Physics and Astrophysical Sciences if you have completed or will complete by the application deadline at least 60 credits of field-specific studies of an equal level to studies for a first-cycle degree in physics, including
basic studies in physics or or equivalent studies and basic studies in mathematical and computational methods.
depending on the study track, the first-cycle degree must include at least 20 credits from studies focusing on the basics of modern physics and the structure of matter, or equivalent studies in quantum physics, or the basics of astronomy and astrophysics.
Studies completed after the application deadline will not be taken into account in the assessment of your application.
The studies applicable to the master’s programme include
physics
quantum physics
mathematical and computational methods
modern physics
the structure of matter
astronomy
astrophysics
The applicability and sufficient scope of studies will be assessed after you submit your application. The University of Helsinki does not make preliminary assessments of the applicability of studies.
Selection of study track and language
Selecting the study track
You must indicate your prospective study track on the application form. You cannot change this selection after submitting your application.
The Master’s Programme in Particle Physics and Astrophysical Sciences offers two study tracks:
Elementary Particle Physics and Cosmology
Astrophysical Sciences
The study track you have indicated will be taken into consideration when assessing the applicability of previous studies and the motivation letter. If you are admitted, you will be granted the right to pursue a degree in either of the available study tracks.
Selecting the language of the degree
In the Master’s Programme in Particle Physics and Astrophysical Sciences, you can select Finnish, Swedish or English as the language of your degree. You will select the language on the application form. This selection is binding, and you must demonstrate your skills in the selected language.
In multilingual master’s programmes, teaching is provided mostly in English, but you can answer examination questions, complete any written coursework and write your master’s thesis in the language of your degree
What are the laws of nature governing the universe from elementary particles to the development of the solar system, stars, and galaxies? In the Master’s Programme in Particle Physics and Astrophysical Sciences, you will focus on gaining a quantitative understanding of these phenomena. With the expertise in basic research that you will gain in the programme, you might pursue a career in research. You will also acquire proficiency in the use of mathematical methods, IT tools and/or experimental equipment, as well as strong problem-solving and logical deduction skills. These will qualify you for a wide range of positions in the private sector.