The Department of Political Science is one of the largest departments in the Faculty of Social Sciences. It employs some 50 teachers and researchers and has more than 2,000 students, including postgraduate and minor subject students. Research fields cover politics, international relations, administration, organisation, and leadership and management in Finland, Europe and at the global level. The Department has an open atmosphere, and it encourages discussion and debate both in instruction and in research projects. The staff and students cooperate with each other closely and in a straightforward manner. The Finnish Ministry of Education has designated the Department as a national centre of excellence in education from 2004 to 2006 and 2007-2009.
 
In Helsinki University the studies of political science are divided into three subprogrammes: (1) politics, (2) world politics and (3) administration and organisations. The first centers on different political cultures, systems and comparative political science. The second is divided into three fields of specialization - foreign policy and diplomacy, peace and conflict research, and global governance and economy. Students of the third subprogramme study questions such as different types of management and the efficiency and restructuring of administration. Each subprogramme offers interesting and illuminating courses concerning different aspects of political science. The basic courses such as political philosophy are the same for all students regardless of their choice of specialization. The quality of teaching is good and the studies offer extensive knowledge of political science. They also stimulate the students’ ability to apply knowledge independently.
 
The officer of studies of the VOO is constantly in touch with the department in order to ensure that the students’s comments and suggestions about the teaching reach the personnel. Thus also the students’ opinions are taken into consideration when planning courses. If you have something in your mind concerning studies that you would like to pass forward, you can always contact your tutor or the officer of studies of the VOO board!