Studies

Studies in General Linguistics offer a wide range of theoretical and methodological perspectives to language structure and language in use. Special emphasis is put on linguistic diversity including language typology in a global perspective as well as the documentation and description of endangered and previously undocumented and under-documented forms of speech. Our view encompasses all aspects of linguistic diversity in time and space, including historical linguistics as well as the extralinguistic context of languages: ethnicities, cultures and environ­ments.

On the BA level, General Linguistics is taught in the Language Sciences study track of the BA programme for Languages and on the MA level it forms a study track of its own in the MA programme Linguistic Diversity and Digital Humanities (LingDig). Doctoral studies in General Linguistics belong to the doctoral programme in Language Studies (HELSLANG).

Follow these links to see the curriculum structure and course listings:

For further information and links to detailed course descriptions see the scope and structure of the degree page in the instructions for students. For details on teaching times and locations, please visit the course pages and search for individual courses or for all courses offered by a study track/degree programme.

List of all MA theses completed in General Linguistics at the University of Helsinki since the 1960’s can be found here.

After graduation, students find employment in a wide variety of positions in which special knowledge of language is required. One path prepares you for a research career; many graduates work as researchers in Finland and abroad. You can also work in the political, diplomatic, and educational sectors, as well as research administration. You might find other potential employers in publishing, the media and journalism, public relations, IT companies, business communications, and public administration, as well as NGOs. For work-life-related information, see also the career pages of the MA programme.