Department of regional studies is nationally and internationally recognized for its inter-disciplinary academic expertise in the fields of environmental policy, urban and regional development, local governance and political geography. DRS is widely acclaimed for its capacity in education. The Ministry of Education has nominated it three times as a national centre for educational excellence. The latest nomination was for years 2007-2009.
DRS provides students with opportunities to explore both the profound knowledge and contemporary issues in the three major subjects of the department; environmental policy, local government studies and regional studies. In addition students can study community engineering as a minor subject. All degree programmes are taught in Finnish, but there are annually some courses organized in English. See teaching in English for further information. Environmental policy can be studied in English up to 60 ECTS credits by taking literature examinations. Environmental policy can also be taken as a minor subject in bachelor's degree programme Europe in the world. See International School For Social Sciences (ISSS) for further information.
