Bachelor and Master of Social Sciences in Socially Sustainable Societies
Tampere, Finland
DURATION
5 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
22 Jan 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 10,000 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* The application period for bachelor studies starting in autumn 2025 begins on 8 January 2025 and ends on 22 January 2025
** per academic year for non-EU/EEA students for bachelor’s programme | €12000 per academic year for non-EU/EEA students for master’s programme
Introduction
Are you interested in building fair and just societies of the future?
During studies we will focus on the topical and pressing challenge of how to build socially sustainable societies. This future-oriented, programme offers you a unique deep dive into both social sciences and health sciences. If you are interested in policies and institutions that generate health, and wellbeing for all – this could be just the right choice for you!
Ideas and building blocks for wellbeing and health — from the past and present — are examined from the perspective of designing and building socially sustainable societies of the future. We define social sustainability as the social dimension of sustainability and in terms of how societies function with an emphasis on resilience, equality, and inclusion. A key focus of the programme is to introduce the Nordic perspective to social sustainability, welfare states and intersectoral action.
A unique combination of social and health sciences
In this programme you will tackle topical questions related to socially sustainable societies:
- How to ensure that sustainability is achieved through socially sustainable policies?
- What is the role of welfare states for sustainability?
- What does social sustainability imply to social and health protection and security?
- How to promote universal access to health and social protection as part of public policies?
- How to address different types of social inequalities such as those related to economic status, gender and ethnicity?
- What are the social determinants of health in national and global contexts?
Studies are structured around topical research
The courses and teaching are built upon the topical research conducted by the faculty. You can also choose free-choice studies from other degree programmes and thus enjoy added opportunities to learn about crossover themes from several study programmes.
The programme prepares students to continue their studies in master’s programmes. All accepted students are automatically given the right to continue their studies in the Master’s Programme in Social Science Research. The programme offers various specialisations, such as:
- Global and Transnational Sociology,
- Public Policy Analysis,
- Comparative Social Policy and Welfare,
- Gender Studies.
Tampere University also offers several other suitable English language master’s programmes in social and health sciences, as well as multidisciplinary programmes such as Sustainable Digital Life.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Tampere University Tuition Fee Scholarships
Tampere University tuition fee scholarship is an exclusive opportunity awarded to a limited number of the best-performing applicants in each programme.
Tampere University tuition fee scholarships awarded at admission cover 50% of the tuition fees for the programme duration.
Early bird offer
While Tampere University scholarships are available to a limited number of applicants, the early bird offer is available at admission to all fee-paying students. The early bird offer gives a 1500 € reduction on the programme tuition fee during the first year of studies.
Curriculum
Study contents
The scope of the Bachelor's Programme is 180 ECTS. It consists of the following elements:
- Joint Studies 30 ECTS; such as language and communication studies, statistics and digital skills, introduction to Finnish society and culture
- Basic Studies 25 ECTS; such as introductions to sustainable societies and social research, scientific writing, empirical social research
- Intermediate Studies 90 ECTS: such as perspectives on social sustainability; theories, ideas, and practices of Social Sciences; research methods, career skills, and the Bachelor’s Thesis
- Free Choice Studies 35 ECTS: you can select freely from the offerings of the Tampere University community.
Program Outcome
After completing the Bachelor’s Programme in Socially Sustainable Societies graduates will have gained:
- Competence to critically assess and compare different models of welfare states and social and health protection options
- Understanding of the means to reduce social and health inequality in the context of sustainability
methods of assessing social and health impacts and intersectoral action - Understanding of historical roots and wider politics of social and health protection and security
solid knowledge base and the necessary methodological skills for designing and building socially sustainable societies - Skills in both qualitative and quantitative methods in health and social sciences, as well as a strong grasp of empirical research and academic writing.
In addition, students will also be familiar with key theories, concepts, and research areas in social and health sciences. After completing the program you are eligible to continue studies for the Master of Social Sciences Degree. You will automatically have the right to continue studies in the Master’s Programme in Social Science Research.
The program includes a wide array of Finnish language studies guaranteeing at least an A2-level competency for all students, while also facilitating further Finnish language studies for the students.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
The bachelor’s studies train generalists and prepare students for positions e.g. in the public sector as civil servants, in companies, as well as in civil society in NGOs and INGOs. Whether you are interested in building your career on local, regional, national, international or global level, this programme equips you with the necessary knowledge and skills to begin your journey.
The Master’s Programme in Social Science Research aims at improving students’ academic credentials and in enhancing their career prospects as highly qualified analysts and applied researchers. The students will acquire the skills needed for possible doctoral studies.