Are you interested in your environment? The Master's Degree Programme in Biology of Environmental Change (BEC) is a research-oriented programme that aims to increase student's knowledge of biological and biogeochemical aspects of the state of the environment.
The 2-year education offers advanced knowledge in environmental science, biology, biogeochemistry, hydrobiology, ecotoxicology, environmental policy and law, and environmentally oriented forestry.
Who can apply? An eligible applicant should have at least a lower university degree (BSc) in environmental or biological sciences, obtained at an internationally recognized and accredited university or higher education institution. The degree should entitle the applicant to apply to Master's studies in the country where the degree has been awarded.
This study program is suitable for students who wish to pursue a career in environmental change research, consulting or in environmental institutes and for those who are interested in pursuing doctoral studies in environmental sciences.
In the BEC programme you will choose your main subject from two options: (1) Environmental science in Kuopio campus or (2) Biology in Joensuu campus.
The curriculum consists of 120 ECTS credit points, which includes general skills studies, advanced level courses in the main subject plus master's thesis, as well as alternative studies in other disciplines e.g. environmental law and policy, statistics, or sustainable development.
For instructions on how to apply and a direct link to the application form on Studyinfo, please scroll down. The application period is open until 18 January 2023.
Key information
- Level of degree: Master's degree
- Programme duration: 2 years / 120 ECTS credits
- Language of instruction: English
- Application period: 4.1.2023 - 18.1.2023
- Programme start: September 2023
- Tuition fee: EU/EEA nationals no tuition fee; non-EU/EEA nationals 8,000 €/academic year
- Tuition waivers available for everyone
- Study campus: Kuopio (environmental science) or Joensuu (biology)
Why study with us?
- This programme of 120 ECTS credits gives you a solid foundation of knowledge in environmental science, biology, biogeochemistry, hydrobiology, ecotoxicology, environmental policy and law, and environmentally oriented forestry.
- As a graduated student you can create a career in many different fields, according to your interest: environmental change research, consulting or in environmental institutes and for those who are interested in pursuing doctoral studies in environmental sciences.
Studies
Studies in biology of environmental change will provide the student with advanced knowledge on the effects of environmental change on ecosystems and their bioprocesses, especially the interactions between atmosphere and ecosystems.
The studies are divided into the following study modules:
Biogeochemistry module focuses on studying effects of climate change and land use change on the biogeochemical cycles and on dynamics of gases important in the atmosphere. The conducted research spans various scales from molecules to ecosystems to landscape.
Environmental ecology study module focuses on studying environmental ecophysiology, chemical and microbial ecology, and applied ecosystem ecology.
Genetics and physiology study module concentrates on the ecophysiological, cellular and molecular biological effects associated with environmental change as well as understanding of the interaction mechanisms at cellular level.
Advanced studies provide a good understanding for the research activities on biological impacts of environmental change at universities and research institutes and to act as a leading expert in environmental monitoring.
MSc studies in BEC programme, a total of 120 Cp (ECTS), include the following:
- Advanced studies in Environmental science or Biology 80 Cp
- Personal study plan 1 Cp
- Alternative studies 33 Cp
- Language and communication studies 6 Cp
The curriculum of the BEC programme consists of 120 credit points (Cp, ECTS), which includes general skills studies, advanced level courses in biology or environmental science plus master's thesis (40 Cp), as well as alternative studies of biology, environmental science, environmental law and policy, statistics, or sustainable development.
The programme consists of lectures, exercises, book exams and hands-on training in research groups. Students will achieve comprehensive knowledge in at least one specialized area of research (e.g. aquatic research, biogeochemistry, environmental ecology, or plant biology), generic core competencies for scientific research, and skills to apply field-specific methods in the laboratory.
The Master's thesis includes an experimental element. The aim is to improve the student's skills in data collection, data analysis and to evaluate the student's ability to report and discuss the observed results scientifically in relation to existing data and knowledge.
In the beginning of the studies, a personal study plan (PSP) shall be prepared for each student with the assistance of the teacher tutors. In order to facilitate the preparation of the PSP, the courses are organised in modules based on their subject and level (basic/advanced).
Practical training in research institutes or other relevant work places (max 10 Cp) can be included in the degree.
How to apply?
An eligible applicant should have at least a lower university degree (BSc) in environmental or biological sciences, obtained at an internationally recognized and accredited university or higher education institution. The degree should entitle the applicant to apply to Master's studies in the country where the degree has been awarded.
In case, the applicant has not yet received a Bachelor's degree certificate by the admission deadline, he/she is required to submit an officially certified copy of his/her latest transcript of records during the application period. If the applicant receives the degree certificate and the final transcript of records during the application period it is recommended to submit them as soon as possible.
Applicants are ranked according to the selection criteria. 10 best applicants for both campus cities (10 for Kuopio and 10 Joensuu) are accepted and the rest are rejected. There is no waiting list.
Language requirements
Applicants must demonstrate excellent skills of English language. English language proficiency can be proven with official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Cambridge Advanced/Proficiency Examination (C1, C2) or Pearson Test of English (PTE) test score report.
Minimum requirements:
- TOEFL (iBT): 92
- IELTS (academic), also IELTS Indicator: 6.5
- PTE (academic): 62
- C1 Advanced (former CAE): C
- C2 Proficiency (former CPE): Level C1
- National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI): level 5 in the reading comprehension, writing, and speaking sections
Students will be exempt from submitting the official language proficiency test if they have:
- English as part of Finnish matriculation examination
- International Baccalaureate with English as A language
- Studies as exchange student at the University of Eastern Finland
- Secondary education conducted in one of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway or Sweden)
- Secondary education, Bachelor's, Master's or higher degree conducted in English language in an EU or EEA country, in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Switzerland or United States
More information about submitting the language test reports here.
Required enclosures to the application form
- A certified copy of Bachelor's degree certificate or temporary degree certificate and translation of it, or a statement concerning the expected date of graduation
- The official course transcript (not needed if submitted electronically)
- Letter of motivation
- Certificate or proof of English language skills
- Curriculum vitae (CV) of the applicant
- A copy of passport's information page or a copy of an official ID card
- Optional but recommended: Abstract of BSc thesis in English
Online application form is required to be submitted by 18.1.2023 (studyinfo.fi). Incomplete or delayed applications will not be considered.
UEF Admission verifies applicants' language skills according to the programme-specific requirements, and processes applicants' educational certificates. This includes verifying the authenticity of the educational documents as well as credential evaluation.
The application period starts 4.1.2023 and ends 18.1.2023 at 15:00 (GMT+2). For more information about application prosedure, please visit UEF Admission pages.
Admission process
The admission processes aim at fair selection of highly motivated and skillful applicants. Student selection will be based on the application documents and evaluation how the applicant's skills and competences gained by the previous academic studies correspond to the Master's studies applied. Also the success in earlier studies and the motivation letter will be taken into account in the selection process. Meeting the minimum application requirements does not guarantee acceptance to the programme.
For country-specific requirements see the Admissions web page.
Applications will be graded based on the applicant's
- suitability and content of the previous studies (0-5)
- success in previous studies of the suitable field of science (0-5)
- motivation to apply for studies (0-5)
If the applicant scores 0 p in any of the components, the application will not be processed further.
Announcement of the student selection results
The decision will be announced 31.3.2023 at the latest and the applicants will be notified of their acceptance / rejection after that. The students who have been accepted are required to formally accept their study place by 14.7.2023. The Notification of admission is sent to the applicants only by email to the address given in the application form. Rejected applicants will be informed by email.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees will be collected from citizens outside the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, starting their studies in Master's degree programmes conducted in English.
You will not need to pay the fee if you are:
- EU/EEA citizen or their family member (spouse/child)
- equivalent to EU/EEA citizens (i.e. citizen of Switzerland)
- already reside in Finland or some other EU country on a permanent basis (continuous (A) or permanent (P/P-EU) residence permit type), or have an EU Blue Card
- are enrolled in Doctoral/PhD level studies and research
- exchange student, regardless of the citizenship
- have started your Master's degree studies before autumn 2017
The tuition fees in this programme is 8 000 euros. For students, the tuition fee will remain the same throughout the entire time of completing their degrees.
The tuition fee covers the studies included in the degree (personal study plan), studies-related supervision and counselling, and studies-related supporting services offered by the university. In addition, students are entitled to the services of the Finnish Student Health Service by paying the membership fee of the Student Union. The university assists students in finding accommodation.
Tuition waivers
Tuition waivers are awarded for two academic years to all selected applicants who are responsible to pay tuition fee. The tuition fee waiver covers the tuition fee partially (70 %).
General information about the waivers is available at the university webpage.
Application period 2023
Our application period is open from 4 January 2023 to 18 January 2023. The application is completed and submitted online.
Apply via Studyinfo
Studyinfo.fi is the official national admissions portal with all the up-to-date information about study programmes leading to a degree in Finland.
Finland Scholarship
Finland Scholarship
UEF will grant a Finland Scholarship for the best two applicants in each Master's degree programme. The scholarship includes a 100% tuition waiver and a € 5 000 relocation grant.
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