kandidaattimaisteri

kandidaattimaisteri is a Finnish academic degree, specifically a master's degree. The term combines two parts: "kandidaatti" and "maisteri". Historically, "kandidaatti" referred to a bachelor's degree, and "maisteri" to a master's degree. However, in the modern Finnish higher education system, the structure has largely aligned with the Bologna Process.

Following the Bologna Process reforms, the typical academic structure in Finland consists of a bachelor's degree (kandidaatin tutkinto) and a master's degree (maisterin tutkinto). A kandidaattimaisteri degree is essentially a master's degree, typically requiring around five years of full-time study after matriculation. It is the standard second-cycle degree awarded in universities.

The specific curriculum and requirements for a kandidaattimaisteri degree vary depending on the field of study and the university. It generally involves a significant amount of specialized coursework, a thesis (opinnäytetyö or pro gradu -tutkielma), and sometimes practical training or an internship. Upon completion, graduates are qualified for professional roles requiring advanced knowledge and skills in their respective fields, and it also serves as a prerequisite for doctoral studies (tohtorin tutkinto). While the term "kandidaattimaisteri" might still be encountered, the official and more common designation for the master's degree is simply "maisterin tutkinto" or "diplomi-insinöörin tutkinto" in engineering fields.