Writing, master

Why study here?

We offer a unique programme leading to a Master of Arts degree. The concept of writing is explored from various perspectives and via interaction with the fields of fine arts, performing arts, music and artistic research. You will gain an understanding on the vast possibilities of writing and get to focus on your own writing project under the guidance of top professionals. 

About the studies

Multi-artistic study environment 

You will study writing in interaction with the fields of fine arts, performing arts, music and artistic research. You will learn more about traditional writing methods and new, experimental methods based on multimediality. Besides carrying out your personal project, you will focus on examining the relationship between writing and other fields of art and the surrounding society.

We understand writing not only as a stand-alone field of art, but as a multi-faceted and practice-oriented art form that aims at achieving a large-scale impact.

The programme is funded by the Otava Book Foundation and Otava Publishing Company. We engage in international cooperation with other writing programmes. The programme cooperates closely with Aalto University.

Personal project, three focus areas 

We have built the studies in the Master’s Programme in Writing around your personal writing project.

Your writing project can be linked to one of the programme’s following three focus areas:

• writing in traditional genres, e.g. prose and lyric poetry
• writing about art
• media-sensitive writing

We encourage you to approach writing with a broad mindset. Media-sensitive writing refers to writing where the writing platform is an important aspect of the work. Media-sensitive writing often entails writing on digital platforms, but the finished work may also be created as a collaboration between various fields of art.

New curriculum to be launched

Our curriculum is currently being updated. Teaching according to the new curriculum will start in autumn 2024. Please keep this in mind when browsing the current curriculum.

Teachers

Currently, the programme has four part-time visiting professors: writers Riikka Pelo, Mikael Brygger, Antti Salminen and Jussi Valtonen. Writer and dramaturge Jusa Peltoniemi is the head of the degree programme.

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.

Applying

Our University is one of the most sought-after places to study in Finland. Browse the applicant statistics from previous years.

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 theatre and drama and specialise in research-oriented, artistic or applied doctoral studies.

Projects