Arctic Indigenous Cinema, Master of Arts

Arctic Indigenous Cinema (120 ECTS) Master’s Degree Study Structure:

• Orientation Studies 8 ECTS cr.
• Advanced Studies in Arctic Indigenous Cinema 82 ECTS cr.
• Compulsory Minor Studies 20 ECTS cr.
• Elective Studies 10 ECTS cr.

View studyguide.

The learning outcomes of this master’s programme are:

• expertise in the cinema expression and moving image genres
• competence in film scriptwriting, developing and directing moving image projects
• advanced skills in Indigenous cinema and media content creation
• research and evaluation skills in Indigenous cinema and media
• academic skills at master’s degree level.

To be eligible you must have:

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in media, visual arts, drama, theatre or journalism OR another relevant field. The relevance and eligibility of a degree from another field will be determined by the admission committee.
• A good command of the English language for academic purposes (demonstrating language proficiency).
• The Faculty of Art and Design may, under special circumstances, approve an alternative way of demonstrating eligibility criteria beyond those listed above.
• An applicant who has completed a first-cycle degree in a relevant field of study from an institution of higher education, entitling her/him to apply for master’s degree studies in her/his home country, may apply for master’s degree studies.

Career options open to graduates include, for example:

• Working in the film and media industry
• Working as an independent creative consultant and expert in Indigenous Cinema in different institutions and companies
• Academic research, researcher or development project management.

As a student at the University of Lapland, you can gain international experience for example by going on an exchange or doing an internship abroad, participating on a short mobility, becoming a My Global Diary Ambassador or an international tutor! In addition to language and cultural knowledge, international experience gives you many acquirements for your future career. Our goal is that each student earns a degree which gives them acquirements for internationality and strengths in international labour markets. The goals of international competencies will be discussed with your teacher tutor and will be planned as part of your personal study plan. Student exchange is always planned carefully in such a way that all credits completed abroad can be transferred to your degree. You can complete a minor subject abroad, individual courses that are a part of your degree, an internship or specialisation studies that are not offered at the University of Lapland.

Get to know the international possibilities and find the right choice for you to gain international experience!
Go international at University of Lapland.

The studies give eligibility for postgraduate studies.

The Arctic Indigenous Cinema programme contributes to arctic Indigenous storytelling in the field of audiovisual media by providing high-level education and supporting the development of Indigenous-led creative culture. The program focuses on moving image as the medium of storytelling, by encouraging the students to cultivate their own cinematic thinking and artistic voice, and by nurturing the understanding of film as the form of indigenous storytelling. Indigenous identity and perspectives form the foundation for both artistic practice and academic research within the programme.

In the studies, the students will engage critically with dramaturgy, narrative form, and production processes, gaining both artistic and research-based competence to contribute to the evolving field of Artistic Indigenous Cinema. This programme centers on Northern stories. It encourages the students to experiment with new forms of media, thereby enabling them to shape their own approaches and understanding on indigenous storytelling.

In this two-year master`s degree programme, students engage in studies that intersect theory, practice and a strong working-life orientation. The student’s commitment to the process of creating and gradually developing their storytelling skills is central to the programme, supported by a diverse range of academic content from multiple perspectives. The studies combine practical screenwriting, production-based project work, variations in film studies, and academic research.

The Arctic Indigenous Cinema programme is also planned to build close relationships with the professional field, including production companies and distribution channels, so that students can receive valuable, up-to-date feedback, practices, and networks from the industry and experienced professionals.

Through this master’s program, the University of Lapland initiates the construction of a solid theoretical foundation, enabling students to expand their academic and creative thinking on Indigenous storytelling. The master’s thesis can be based on various research interests, leaning either towards artistic research tradition, or towards more traditional academic research approaches.

The language of teaching is English. The teaching is delivered partly through distance and hybrid learning, with scheduled intensive on-site sessions in Rovaniemi, Finland. During the first autumn semester, studies are conducted online, while the first spring semester is spent on-site in Rovaniemi. The autumn semester of the second year consists of an intensive study period in Rovaniemi, and the rest of the second-year studies are completed online. Compulsory studies are usually scheduled from Wednesday to Friday, while elective studies may also take place on other weekdays. In addition to compulsory studies, students have the opportunity to deepen their expertise through elective studies, which are in most cases delivered at the University of Lapland as contact teaching.

Arctic Indigenous Cinema and Indigenous issues in a northern context.

The master’s thesis is a scientific thesis, which can also include an artistic production part. The student becomes skilled in independent data acquisition, creative problem solving, scientific thinking and in managing appropriate research methods. In the seminar, the students utilise their research process to get acquainted with the literature and research methods related to their field. The scientific thesis must demonstrate a good command of the principles, theme, methods of applied cinema/moving image/media/visual art or other relevant topics in scientific communication and the ability to generate new knowledge. The cinema production or another artistic work that is part of the thesis must demonstrate high-quality and creative skills in applied cinema/moving image/media/visual art activity and in producing a related analysis (scientific part).

While mingling with our friendly teachers and students from all over the world and making your own academic path, you will have achieved your goals before you even know it. The extraordinary aurora borealis, amazing blue moment – kaamos, delightful midnight sun in summertime, mystical polar nights in wintertime and many other natural wonders make Rovaniemi one of the most unique places to study in the world.

All applications via Studyinfo. For more information on applying, start here. Read the admission guidelines in Studyinfo: Admissions criteria and student selection for 2026. 

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It’s always a good idea to check the information on the application process. And of course Admissions Services are here to help you! The best way to reach us is by email.

Admissions services:

admission@ulapland.fi

Admission services (Finnish applicants):

hakijapalvelut@ulapland.fi