The University of Helsinki is the oldest and largest institution of academic education in Finland, an international scientific community of 40,000 students and researchers. In international university rankings, the University of Helsinki typically ranks among the top 100. The University of Helsinki seeks solutions for global challenges and creates new ways of thinking for the best of humanity.
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Top reasons to study here
- The University of Helsinki is the only Finnish university to consistently rank in the top 100 of international university rankings.
- The University’s core duties are research, teaching and their support through community relations.
- The University of Helsinki is a responsible social force, an advocate of science and scholarship, and a valued partner.
Short Courses
Education & Training (8)
- Helsinki Summer School
- Helsinki Summer School
- Helsinki Summer School
- Helsinki Summer School
- Short Course Intensive Finnish CourseHelsinki Summer School
- Helsinki Summer School
- Short Course Populism in Europe and BeyondHelsinki Summer School
- Helsinki Summer School
Social Sciences (8)
- Helsinki Summer School
- Helsinki Summer School
- Short Course Global Poverty, Human Rights and DevelopmentHelsinki Summer School
- Helsinki Summer School
- Short Course Political Humour in the Hybrid Media SystemHelsinki Summer School
- Short Course Populism in Europe and BeyondHelsinki Summer School
- Short Course Problems of Democracy in the Eastern EU CountriesHelsinki Summer School
- Helsinki Summer School
Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences (5)
- Short Course Air Quality in ChinaHelsinki Summer School
- Short Course Cooperative Law for Sustainable DevelopmentHelsinki Summer School
- Helsinki Summer School
- Short Course Gentrification and The Welfare CityHelsinki Summer School
- Short Course Managing Sustainable Forest LandscapesHelsinki Summer School
Humanities (4)
- Helsinki Summer School
- Helsinki Summer School
- Helsinki Summer School
- Short Course Introduction to Conceptual HistoryHelsinki Summer School
Agriculture & Forestry (1)
- Short Course Managing Sustainable Forest LandscapesHelsinki Summer School
Arts, Design & Architecture (1)
- Helsinki Summer School
Engineering & Technology (1)
- Short Course Gentrification and The Welfare CityHelsinki Summer School
Journalism & Media (1)
- Short Course 21st – Century Digital StorytellingHelsinki Summer School
Law (1)
- Short Course Cooperative Law for Sustainable DevelopmentHelsinki Summer School
About
History
The University of Helsinki was established in Turku in 1640, and the University continues to celebrate its anniversary on the date of the establishment of the Royal Academy of Turku, 26 March. The University moved to Helsinki during Finland’s Russian rule in 1828, and when Finland gained its independence, it was renamed the University of Helsinki.
Education
In the future, education will be open to all, communal and centred on students. At the University of Helsinki, the future of education is already becoming a reality. The competence of the University’s pedagogical experts is based on knowledge, research and practical teaching. The teachers are offering a new way of thinking for the entire educational sector, furthering Finland’s success in the Programme for International Student Assessment PISA.
Research
The University of Helsinki aims to produce research of a high international standard in all fields. Research provides the University’s scholars with solid expertise to participate in the development of society and the business sector in various national and regional cooperation projects. The University of Helsinki is a member of more than half of all national and Nordic centres of excellence in research.
The University allocates funding to research based on competition and evaluation. Special emphasis is placed on multidisciplinary initiatives within basic research.
Career
Building your own career path begins already during your studies, and Career Services will guide and support you from the very start of your studies during your first year at the University of Helsinki until one year after the completion of your degree. Career Services provide career guidance, career counselling, courses, and information on the opportunities offered by the labour market.
Career Services also cooperates with faculties in offering mentoring and courses in professional orientation and project work. During 2014 Career Services published over 3,000 job advertisements and internship or thesis placement offers.
University Ranking
Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2018
57 -1
2017
56
2016
56
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2018
81
2017
-
2016
-
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2019
99 -9
2018
90 1
2017
91
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2019
110 -8
2018
102 -11
2017
91
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
Services
Student services
The student service points provide services for all students at the University of Helsinki.
Each student service point is specialized in one or more faculties, but they all offer you the following services:
- Processing annual registrations as well as changes in address and name.
- Printing official transcripts and certificates of student status as well as giving certificates for student travel discounts. Also handing out information on student benefits.
- Giving general advice on scholarships awarded by the University of Helsinki Funds.
- Offering information about study rights and enrollment to the university.
Housing services
As in many capital cities, there is a great demand for housing in Helsinki and it might be hard to find something affordable. But as a student, you have the right to apply for reasonable-priced high-quality student housing. HOAS is the main non-profit organisation providing student housing in the Helsinki Region.
Student apartments in Helsinki are of high quality, well maintained, usually furnished and with central heating to keep you warm in the cold winter months. The shared option is usually a private bedroom for a single person sharing the kitchen and bathroom with 2-3 other students. There are separate shared apartments for male and female students.
Library services
Helsinki University Main Library contains the printed and electronic data collections of the City Centre Campus Faculties of Arts, Law, Theology, Behavioural and Social Science. The American Resource Center and WELL Kaisa-talo operate on the second floor of the Main library.
The Main Library is located on Fabianinkatu in Kaisaniemi in the building known as Kaisa House.
ICT services
As a student at the University of Helsinki you have access to comprehensive ICT services to support your studies and make them go smoothly. On the IT Centre freshman page you can find information on how to obtain a username to the university's network as well as information on the Centre's other services, e.g. computer facilities.
Medical services
The Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) is an expert in student healthcare and provides basic healthcare services for all degree students based on their student union membership.
Most of the basic healthcare services offered by FSHS are free of charge, for example, the first dental examination visit and dentist appointments of max. 10 min, basic vaccinations and speech therapy.
Student Life
Campus life
- City Centre Campus: The multidisciplinary City Centre Campus in the very heart of the capital city is the largest campus of the University of Helsinki.
- Viikki Campus: This campus surrounded by green fields is a hub of teaching and research in the fields of biosciences, agriculture and forestry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine.
- Kumpula Campus: Dedicated to research and teaching in the exact natural sciences, the Kumpula Campus is perched on a verdant hill only four kilometres from the centre of Helsinki.
- Meilahti Campus: This campus is also known as the Academic Medical Center Helsinki (AMCH). It is one of the best medical campuses in Europe bringing together top research, teaching and medical care every day.
Sports facilities
Make sure that life isn’t all about studies but remember to exercise as well. UniSport is an exercise centre for students with several locations where experiences are more important than performance. They offer a wide variety of sports from body combat to pilates and floorball to hot yoga. With the affordable membership card (12/4/1 months) you can attend the group exercise classes and use their gyms and open ball game shifts on all campuses.
UniSport also offers diverse training courses in various sports, as well as personal training, massage and testing services. If you put together your own team, you can participate in the ball games series organised by UniSport.
Student clubs
The core of any university is their students, and the University of Helsinki is no different. All the students are members of the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY), which gives them the possibility to choose between multiple student organisations to find one that suits their vision of ideal student life!
The Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY) is the largest and oldest student union in Finland and the roof organisation of all student activity at the University of Helsinki. All degree students are members of the Student Union.
The main purpose of the Student Union is to promote the interests of its 26 000 members both at the university and in society.
The Global Study Awards
Together with the ISIC Association and British Council IELTS, StudyPortals offers you the chance to receive up to £10000 to expand your horizon and study abroad. We want to ultimately encourage you to study abroad in order to experience and explore new countries, cultures and languages.
