Arctic Indigenous Cinema, Master of Arts

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

• Orientation Studies 5 ECTS cr.
• Mandatory Studies Arctic Indigenous Cinema 90 ECTS cr.
• Elective Studies 25 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 central aim of the programme is to create a platform for northern stories and future creators who can transform traditional Indigenous storytelling methods into contemporary audiovisual media, distribution channels and platforms. In this two-year master’s degree programme, students engage in studies that intersect theory, practice and a strong working-life orientation in the field of cinema and moving images. 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 designed 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.

The University of Lapland’s expertise in scientific research provides a solid theoretical foundation for academic skills, and it supports the student’s in deepening their thinking on issues of Indigenous storytelling. In their master’s thesis work, students may focus on research questions based on their interests, and they can choose whether their thesis leans towards a theoretical or artistic research tradition.

The language of instruction and teaching is English. The teaching is delivered partly through distance and hybrid learning, with scheduled intensive on-site sessions in Rovaniemi, Finland. These on-site periods range from a few weeks up to a maximum of three months during the semester. The first year of studies is more intense with longer on-site learning periods, while the second year allows more distance learning possibilities, including the master’s thesis and the project. When possible, on-site periods are scheduled during the times of lower tourist seasons for reasonable accommodation expenses.

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