NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

Appendix II
Description of a degree programme in
comparative literature at the University
of Helsinki
Sources: Humanistisen tiedekunnan opinto-opas A, Yleisiä määräyksiä, Tutkintovaatimukset 1995-97; University of Helsinki,
Department of Comparative Literature, ECTS information package 1995-1996.
General structure of kandidaatti and maisteri degrees in the humanities (home students)
Humanististen tieteiden kandidaatti/Kandidat i humanistiska vetenskaper (Bachelor of Arts) consists of 120 credits (one
credit, corresponds to approximately 40 hours of work), subdivided as follows:
language and communication studies, 10 credits, i.e. studies in the native language (two credits), in the other official
language (i.e. Swedish for Finnish-speakers, Finnish for Swedish-speakers, two credits), and in two foreign languages
(six credits);
basic (20 credits) and intermediate (20 credits) studies in the major subject, including the Bachelor’s thesis;
three modules, a total of 60 credits, in one to four minor subjects. One of the modules may be replaced by advanced
studies (20 credits) in the major and in place of one full module (20 credits), students may complete two half-modules (10
credits each);
elective studies, 10 credits;
a written ‘maturity test’, an essay.
Filosofian maisteri/Filosofie magister (Master of Arts) consists of 160 credits; i.e. in addition to the humanististen tieteiden
kandidaatti syllabus, students complete 40 credits as follows:
a 20-credit advanced module in the major subject. However, if a student has already included this module in the
kandidaatti curriculum, he/she must complete a module in some other subject;
a Master’s thesis, 20 credits, also called pro gradu thesis. The ‘maturity test’ need not be taken if the student has already
passed it for the Bachelor’s degree.
General course structure and contents in comparative literature
(major subject studies)
Studies in comparative literature comprise basic, intermediate and advanced studies. As a rule, students are free to decide the
order in which they take the courses. However, the basic course in literary criticism has to be taken at first. The requirement
for attending a seminar in intermediate studies is to have completed basic studies and two intermediate units: history of
literary criticism and literary theory (one of its units). To be able to start the seminar of advanced studies, students must have
completed the basic and intermediate studies.
Study units usually consist of an optional lecture course ending in an examination and/or a final examination based on set
literature. Courses may also include, or they can be replaced by, written assignments on reading material set by the examiner.
In the advanced seminar, the
student has to defend his/her seminar paper and act as an opponent
of a paper prepared by some other participant.
A grading scale from three (the highest) to one is used in examinations and courses. The completed basic, intermediate and
advanced studies, are graded excellent, good or satisfactory.
The basic studies (20 credits) acquaint the student with the field of literature, i.e. literary history and literary genres; a general
introduction to critical theory and practice is also included. Studies consist of the following units: