Arctic Studies Program ASP (30 - 60 ECTS cr.)

Programme Overview

The Arctic Studies Program (ASP) offers a unique opportunity to specialize in Arctic issues. The approach of the ASP is truly multidisciplinary and it provides comprehensive knowledge of the physical, environmental, social and cultural aspects of the Arctic. The University of Lapland has offered students an experience to study the Arctic by being on the Arctic Circle, in Rovaniemi Finland, since 1992.

The ASP is organized and coordinated by the University of Lapland’s Arctic Centre and Faculty of Social Sciences. The programme is connected to the Arctic Centre’s Research Department and the courses in the programme are taught by senior scientists and other researchers at the Arctic Centre and the Faculty of Social Sciences. The Arctic Centre’s researchers, who represent various nationalities and disciplines, use an interdisciplinary approach to study northern questions. The research sheds light in many ways on opportunities in and threats to Arctic areas.

After completion of the programme the student is able to:
- describe the geographic, environmental, political, social, juridical and economic features of the Arctic
- apply and use the knowledge of the Arctic provided by natural, social and political sciences, economics and law
- locate the Arctic and Arctic issues in the context of broader discussions on environmental, socio-economic, political, cultural and legal questions

Please note that the Arctic Studies Program ASP does not award a degree!

Students and Studies

The ASP is designed for Finnish and foreign degree students, exchange students, and special groups. The courses are taught in English. ASP studies are subject-level studies, and it is therefore not recommended that students take them as part of their first-year program. ASP courses will be taught during the whole academic year 2012 - 2013 (periods 1 - 4), from the beginning of September to mid-May.

The studies can be completed by either taking individual courses or taking part in the more extensive 30 - 60 ECTS credit modules. Students are required to register for all individual courses in advance by using WebOodi system. Those exchange students who plan to complete the whole programme (60 ECTS cr.) are required to send a separate application to University of Lapland. The application deadline for studies in full academic year 2012 - 2013 and autumn semester 2012 is May 15, 2012. More information on application procedure is available on the Admissions pages.

More information on structure of studies and courses is available in WebOodi.

The ASP has no tuition fee. However, during excursions and trips students must be prepared to meet all expenses from private funds or from scholarships obtained in their own country. The University of Lapland does not have any funds available to support students in need of financial assistance.

Coordination and Contacts

The International Studies Coordinator is responsible for the practical implementation of the programme as well as practical matters such as disseminating information about the programme, study counselling and the scheduling of courses in close cooperation with the researchers and academics from the Arctic Centre and the Faculty of Social Sciences.

International Studies Coordinator
University of Lapland
Faculty of Social Sciences
Tel. +358 (0)40 484 4195
Fax +358 (0)16 362 937
E-mail: isc(at)ulapland.fi