Folk music, master
Grow into a versatile folk music expert in an internationally leading folk music degree programme.
Why study here?
Our degree programme in folk music is the leading education provider in its field when it comes to student volumes, frequency of activities, international reputation, selection of degree opportunities and the fame of the graduated artists. The programme offers you a range of different paths to becoming a professional in folk music.
About the studies
In our studies, you must choose one of the three orientation options: creative musicianship, pedagogy or research. At the core of the studies are your personally tailored study plan, the relationships that develop between you and the teachers and individual guidance.
Our learning environment promotes genuine dialogue and your growth into an independent expert and artist.
Pedagogical orientation for folk music
The pedagogical study profile of folk music promotes students’ wide-ranging understanding of the educational, societal and communal dimensions of pedagogy. Our graduates will have the hands-on skills needed to work as experts, teachers, instructors and artist-pedagogues in various professional contexts.
In our curriculum, pedagogy is understood as a wide-ranging activity, in which musicianship facilitates the interaction between individuals, communities and society. A research orientation serves as the starting point for practically oriented studies. We offer courses focusing on specific aspects of folk music pedagogy, guided artistic and educational teacher training in different operating environments, pedagogical-artistic studies and courses on philosophy of educational thinking. We also delve into societal topics, such as equality, social justice and cultural diversity and reflect on them from the perspective of pedagogical thinking and activities. The studies provide the student with a general pedagogical competence.
Research orientation
The researcher orientation is suitable for students who are particularly interested in conducting research on folk music. The thesis project for students with a research orientation is a master’s thesis. Students gain the necessary skills and capabilities for conducting research and drafting an extensive written thesis through various studies. While grounded in folk music themes, research can also be linked to societal issues and other art forms.
There are courses available in music history, philosophy and different research methods. Students can choose topics that are central to their individual thesis project. During their studies, students will also acquire the competence needed for pursuing doctoral studies.
Artistic orientation
The artistic orientation prepares the student to work primarily as a folk musician who performs, composes and arranges. The occupational description of a professional folk musician can be very diverse: ensemble, theatre, dance art, multiart projects and teaching are all included in the occupational description. Our graduates will have a comprehensive knowledge of the playing tradition and history of folk music and will be able to apply their skills to produce new music for different contexts.
The artistic orientation includes a lot of instrument studies, playing and singing in a group, improvisation studies, composition and arrangement studies, learning about traditional music and creating new music based on it. Studies also entail knowledge-based discussions and writing about phenomena in the field.
Versatile career opportunities in music
After graduating, you will have various career options, ranging from musician and composer to pedagogue, researcher, community musician and entrepreneur. You can also work in expert and developer duties in different organisations or socially engaged contexts and take various roles in multiartistic productions. Depending on your interests, you can specialise in creative musicianship, pedagogy or research.
Teachers
Our teachers are some of the best experts in their respective fields. In addition to the permanent teaching staff, the programme welcomes top international professionals as guests on a regular basis.
Professor
-
Kristiina Ilmonen
- Professor, folk music, Folk music, Sibelius Academy
- +358505262020
- kristiina.ilmonen@uniarts.fi
Doctoral studies
You can complete a licentiate and a doctoral degree at Uniarts Helsinki as a third-cycle degree. After graduating with a master’s degree, you can apply for doctoral studies in music and specialise in research-oriented, artistic or applied doctoral studies.
Find out more
Besides instrument studies, ensemble playing is also integral to the programme. The largest ensemble is the Sibelius Academy Folk Big Band (FBB) that consists of 30–40 folk music students and teachers. As a student, you will have the opportunity to join the band’s activities.
The Master’s Programme in Folk Music regularly releases recordings, study materials and theses that can be browsed online on the Etno.net page.
Target degree and length of study
Master of Music (MMus)
2,5 years
Application period
Next possible time to apply is in January 2027. Studies begin in August 2027.
Degree language
English, Finnish, Swedish
Read more about the language skill requirements
Tuition fee
From August 2026, the annual tuition fee is € 28,000 for students who are studying in English and come from outside the EU and EEA countries.
Supervising teacher
-
Sirpa Lahti
Part-time teacher, Folk music, Sibelius Academysirpa.lahti@uniarts.fi
Unit
Sibelius Academy
Ask about applying
Why study here?
Our degree programme in folk music is the leading education provider in its field when it comes to student volumes, frequency of activities, international reputation, selection of degree opportunities and the fame of the graduated artists. The programme offers you a range of different paths to becoming a professional in folk music.
About the studies
In our studies, you must choose one of the three orientation options: creative musicianship, pedagogy or research. At the core of the studies are your personally tailored study plan, the relationships that develop between you and the teachers and individual guidance.
Our learning environment promotes genuine dialogue and your growth into an independent expert and artist.
Pedagogical orientation for folk music
The pedagogical study profile of folk music promotes students’ wide-ranging understanding of the educational, societal and communal dimensions of pedagogy. Our graduates will have the hands-on skills needed to work as experts, teachers, instructors and artist-pedagogues in various professional contexts.
In our curriculum, pedagogy is understood as a wide-ranging activity, in which musicianship facilitates the interaction between individuals, communities and society. A research orientation serves as the starting point for practically oriented studies. We offer courses focusing on specific aspects of folk music pedagogy, guided artistic and educational teacher training in different operating environments, pedagogical-artistic studies and courses on philosophy of educational thinking. We also delve into societal topics, such as equality, social justice and cultural diversity and reflect on them from the perspective of pedagogical thinking and activities. The studies provide the student with a general pedagogical competence.
Research orientation
The researcher orientation is suitable for students who are particularly interested in conducting research on folk music. The thesis project for students with a research orientation is a master’s thesis. Students gain the necessary skills and capabilities for conducting research and drafting an extensive written thesis through various studies. While grounded in folk music themes, research can also be linked to societal issues and other art forms.
There are courses available in music history, philosophy and different research methods. Students can choose topics that are central to their individual thesis project. During their studies, students will also acquire the competence needed for pursuing doctoral studies.
Artistic orientation
The artistic orientation prepares the student to work primarily as a folk musician who performs, composes and arranges. The occupational description of a professional folk musician can be very diverse: ensemble, theatre, dance art, multiart projects and teaching are all included in the occupational description. Our graduates will have a comprehensive knowledge of the playing tradition and history of folk music and will be able to apply their skills to produce new music for different contexts.
The artistic orientation includes a lot of instrument studies, playing and singing in a group, improvisation studies, composition and arrangement studies, learning about traditional music and creating new music based on it. Studies also entail knowledge-based discussions and writing about phenomena in the field.
Versatile career opportunities in music
After graduating, you will have various career options, ranging from musician and composer to pedagogue, researcher, community musician and entrepreneur. You can also work in expert and developer duties in different organisations or socially engaged contexts and take various roles in multiartistic productions. Depending on your interests, you can specialise in creative musicianship, pedagogy or research.
Teachers
Our teachers are some of the best experts in their respective fields. In addition to the permanent teaching staff, the programme welcomes top international professionals as guests on a regular basis.
Professor
-
Kristiina Ilmonen
- Professor, folk music, Folk music, Sibelius Academy
- +358505262020
- kristiina.ilmonen@uniarts.fi
Doctoral studies
You can complete a licentiate and a doctoral degree at Uniarts Helsinki as a third-cycle degree. After graduating with a master’s degree, you can apply for doctoral studies in music and specialise in research-oriented, artistic or applied doctoral studies.
Find out more
Besides instrument studies, ensemble playing is also integral to the programme. The largest ensemble is the Sibelius Academy Folk Big Band (FBB) that consists of 30–40 folk music students and teachers. As a student, you will have the opportunity to join the band’s activities.
The Master’s Programme in Folk Music regularly releases recordings, study materials and theses that can be browsed online on the Etno.net page.