Circumpolar Studies Program (BCS)

Programme Overview

The Circumpolar Studies program (BCS) is an exciting way for students attending University of the Arctic (UArctic) member institutions to learn about the Circumpolar North, with courses held in the classroom, on line, outdoors and around the world.

The UArctic undergraduate BCS program provides a solid understanding of issues relevant to the Arctic and opportunities to further study unique and diverse research subjects. Consisting of two required components: BCS Core Courses and an Advanced Emphasis; you can choose Circumpolar Studies as your main study subject (‘major’) or combine it with other degree programmes at your home institution. The BCS program gives you the opportunity to learn about the lands, peoples and issues of the Circumpolar North and prepares you for advanced study or professional employment in fields as diverse as sustainable resource management, self-government, Arctic engineering and tourism.

The University of the Arctic (UArctic) is a cooperative network of universities, colleges, and other organizations committed to higher education and research in the North.

Students and Studies

Since 2002 the University of Lapland has offered BCS courses (42 ECTS cr.) and Advanced Emphasis studies in Arctic Governance (30 ECTS cr.) onsite, in classrooms and through outdoor field courses. However, since our own Arctic Studies Program (ASP) is currently being restructured to address current criteria for international education and student mobility, the University of Lapland will not offer BCS studies during the academic year 2011-2012. Our aim is to offer BCS studies with an improved Advanced Emphasis module in 2012-2013.

Please note that all Circumpolar Studies BCS courses continue to be offered online during the autumn and spring semesters each academic year. Interested degree and exchange students at the University of Lapland are invited to sign up to study northern topics in online global classrooms with fellow students from Russia, Greenland, Denmark, Canada, Alaska, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland!

Visit the UArctic program web-site for further details.

Coordination and Contacts

The Circumpolar Studies Program is coordinated by the UArctic Office of Undergraduate Studies, while at the University of Lapland our International Studies Coordinator is the BCS Site Coordinator. Contact either for more information about the program, study counselling and scheduling:

UArctic Office of Undergraduate Studies
234 Kirk Hall, 117 Science Place
Saskatoon SK, S7N 5C8, CANADA
Tel. +1 306 966-1665
Fax +1 306 966-1220
E-mail: bcs(at)uarctic.org

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