The objective of the Master’s Degree Programme in Urban Studies is to train multidisciplinary experts in urban studies who will be able to utilise the latest research-generated knowledge in urban ecology and social policy in their work, and also to be able to participate in discussion over sector borders. The programme addresses questions connected with sustainable development: how to create multidimensional, sustainable urban policy and planning. The objectives are to be reached by a customised training programme created by means of separate funding (European Social Fund and the State Provincial Office of Southern Finland).

The project is realised in cooperation by the University of Helsinki Faculty of Biosciences, the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Palmenia Centre for Continuing Education. The programme includes two lines of specialisation: urban studies from the viewpoint of environmental ecology and from that of social policy. Through the programme, the students will have the opportunity to take either the degree of Master of Philosophy or the degree of Master of Social Sciences as well as be eligible for further studies either in environmental ecology or in social policy.

The programme is meant to be carried out while working; the education requires independent studying and participation in contact teaching during evenings and weekends. 

Master’s Degree Programme in Urban Studies is a part of the versatile higher education supply in the Lahti region. The students are separately chosen adults, who live and work in the Helsinki metropolitan area, especially in the Lahti region. When selecting the students, attention was paid to previous studies, work experience and interviews. The teaching is offered free of charge to the students. The city of Lahti also participates in financing the project.

Based on a statute of the Ministry of Education the Master’s Degree Programme in Urban Studies is one of the permanent Master’s degree programmes of the University of Helsinki. The programme is planned to be enlarged to an international programme with also environmental technology included. 

A total of 24 students were selected to attend the programme via a separate application process during the year 2005. The environmental ecology line started with 14 students and the social policy line with 10 students in the beginning of October 2005. The objective of the students is to achieve a Master’s degree in two and a half years (the programme totalling at 120 credit units).

In addition to professors in urban studies, the students are guided by two university lecturers in urban studies. The programme strives to create a model of an educational unity producing versatile expertise, the ability to communicate across sector borders. The student’s personal study plans support graduation in schedule.

An extensive e-learning environment has been created to support the studies. It is a closed environment for students as well as the teaching and administration personnel of the programme. The e-learning environment excellently supports the working adult students in their striving to keep up with the objectives.

Regional impact is achieved by regional cooperation and by the different studying projects of the students concerning regionally important themes. 

The beneficiaries of the programme are the students and their working organisations, the city of Lahti and the Lahti region. The educational organisations in the Helsinki metropolitan area and in the Lahti region benefit of the created model (cooperation, multidisciplinary studies etc.).  The field of urban studies in Finland benefits also of the master’s thesis of the students. 

The resources used are both financial and human. The separate funding has offered two whole-time university lecturers for the students of the programme, and also administrative personnel and other experts in different fields (researchers etc.). An important resource is also cooperation with the city of Lahti and educational and other organisations in the area, as well as the support from the network for Urban Studies (see links below).

The first Master’s Degree Programme in Urban Studies is realised with the assistance of the Master’s Degree Programme project of 2004–2007. The project is partly financed by the European Social Fund.

University of Helsinki, Palmenia Centre for Continuing Education
Saimaankatu 11
15140 Lahti
Finland
http://www.helsinki.fi/palmenia/english
Ms. Marja Mesimäki (Project coordinator), tel. +358 3 892 20514

01/08/2004

31/12/2007

case

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Education

Higher education