Social Exclusion

Social Exclusion at Abo Akademi University offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary program dedicated to understanding the complex phenomena of social exclusion and devising effective strategies to promote social inclusion. The program equips students with a thorough understanding of the social, economic, political, and cultural factors that contribute to marginalization and exclusion within modern societies. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical application, students explore issues such as inequality, discrimination, social integration, and community development. The curriculum covers various disciplines, including sociology, social policy, psychology, and human rights, ensuring a broad perspective on the challenges faced by disadvantaged groups. Emphasizing research, critical thinking, and participatory approaches, the program prepares students to work in diverse fields such as social work, policy analysis, non-governmental organizations, and international development. Students will analyze case studies from different regions and communities, gaining insights into successful intervention methods and policy frameworks aimed at reducing social disparities. The program also fosters intercultural competence and ethical awareness, essential qualities for professionals aiming to address social exclusion on local, national, and global levels. Practical engagement through internships, community projects, and collaborative research forms a core part of the learning experience, enabling students to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts. Graduates will be well-equipped to contribute to the development and implementation of inclusive policies, advocate for rights and social justice, and participate actively in efforts to build equitable societies. With a focus on evidence-based strategies and sustainable solutions, the program aims to nurture socially responsible professionals committed to fostering social cohesion and empowerment of marginalized populations.

With all of this in mind, this programme sets out to educate its students about the principles of coexistence and offers tools for analysing social exclusion from a multidisciplinary and global perspective. It teaches students to evaluate strategies that promote better social awareness and inclusion; and looks in-depth at the conditions that lead to social exclusion, its negative effects on society and to what degree different cultures are affected.

Students who engage fully with this programme will be able to critically reflect on social and cultural states from a larger perspective based in the humanities, and anchored in subjects such as history, ethics, philosophy, gender studies, theology and minority studies. Belief systems, trends, values, ideologies, power and social practices within society will also be given particular focus throughout the duration of this programme, allowing students to closely examine the factors that contribute to societal problems and how it might be possible to overcome these shortcomings.

Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates will be awarded with either a Master of Theology or Master of Arts, depending on their previous studies and the area of specialization chosen upon commencement of the programme.

Who can apply?

You are an eligible applicant for Master’s-level studies if

• you have a nationally recognized bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution of higher education,
• you meet the language requirements
• your degree is in a relevant field for the Master’s degree programme that you’re applying to

Academic requirements

Applicants to the International Master’s Programmes taught in English must have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field that is equivalent to a Finnish university Bachelor’s degree (kandidatexamen).

Applying students must provide a relevant BA in Comparative Religion, Gender Studies, History, Philosophy, Theology or an equivalent degree. As a rule of thumb the applicant should have the equivalence of 60 ECTS credits in the major subject. In addition, previous studies, relevant work and organisation experience, as well as other merits and qualifications can be taken into account. Student selection is made on the basis of application documents; there is no entrance examination.

If the applicant is formally eligible for studies, the degree certificates and transcripts of records are always assessed individually by the academic board of the programme in order to determine whether the profile of the previous studies matches the academic requirements.

Students with a BA in Theology will be eligible for a Master’s degree in Theology, whereas students with BA’s in other subject will be awarded the degree Master of Arts.

Language requirements

All applicants must always prove their level of English language proficiency, in most cases by submitting one of the following English-language test scores to their application (the minimum requirements are listed below):

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System): Scores in the Academic test with an average of 6.5, with no individual scores below 5.5. Even if an applicant has the minimum score required in the different sections, the applicant is not eligible if the required total score is not achieved. The results are valid for two years.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): Total scores of at least 575 points in the paper-based test, or 90 in the Internet-based test (iBT). The Test of Written English (TWE) is required for those taking the paper-based TOEFL test. The results are valid for two years.

PTE Academic (Pearson’s test of English): Total score of at least 62 points. The results are valid for two years.

No other English proficiency test is accepted.

Fee-paying students can apply for a scholarship to cover a part or the whole tuition fee.

There are three scholarship categories:

1. Full Scholarship, covering the tuition fee and includes a annual scholarship to cover the student’s living expenses (6 720 €), awarded for 2 years (second year conditional)
2. Tuition Fee Scholarship, covering 100 % of the tuition fee, awarded for 2 years (second year conditional)
3. Tuition Fee Scholarship, covering 50 % of the tuition fee, awarded for 2 years (second year conditional)

The decision to grant a scholarship is based on

• the academic performance of the student in his/her previous studies,
• how well the applicant meets the programme requirements
• the answers the applicants have given in the application form

When applying to Åbo Akademi University, applicants can indicate on the application form their wish to apply for a scholarship. In the application form the applicants are asked to answer a set of questions related to motivation and future goals. The answers to the questions will be assessed by the scholarship committee who makes the decision on granting the scholarships. In the assessment the following is evaluated: communicative skills, academic goals and general interest in the field.

The decision on the granted scholarship is given to the applicants together with the admission letter. In order to accept the scholarship the applicant must have accepted the study entitlement offered (binding acceptance).

The Social Exclusion program at Abo Akademi University offers a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted phenomenon of social exclusion, addressing its roots, manifestations, and remedies within contemporary society. This program is designed to equip students with a deep understanding of the social, economic, cultural, and political factors that contribute to marginalized groups feeling excluded from mainstream society. The curriculum integrates theoretical frameworks from sociology, political science, and anthropology, providing students with analytical tools to critically examine issues such as discrimination, inequality, social cohesion, and institutional barriers.

Students in this program engage with a diverse range of topics including poverty, unemployment, racial and ethnic discrimination, ageism, gender inequality, and disability. They explore how social policies, community development, and grassroots movements can serve as effective strategies to combat social exclusion and promote inclusion. The program also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches, combining quantitative research methods with qualitative analyses to assess the effectiveness of different interventions aimed at reducing social disparities.

The program emphasizes practical experience alongside academic learning. Students are encouraged to participate in community projects, internships, and partnerships with non-governmental organizations, enabling them to gain real-world insights and develop skills in advocacy, project management, and policy analysis. Graduates of the program are well-equipped for careers in public administration, social work, non-profit organizations, policy research, and international development agencies.

Moreover, the program fosters a multidimensional understanding of social exclusion, recognizing its complex interactions with factors such as migration, urbanization, and technological change. It aims to develop empathetic and socially responsible professionals dedicated to fostering equitable societies. The diverse faculty members bring expertise from various disciplines, enhancing the richness of the learning experience. The program ultimately seeks to create change-makers who can analyze social exclusion critically and implement inclusive strategies at local, national, and international levels.