The University of Helsinki (Helsingin yliopisto in Finnish, abbreviated UH) is a public research university in Helsinki, Finland.

The University of Helsinki was established in Finland in 1829 AD, but it was founded in the city of Turku in 1640 AD as the Royal Academy of Abo, which was part of the Swedish Empire at the time. It is Finland's oldest and biggest university, offering the most diverse range of specialties.

Around 31,600 students were enrolled in the university's degree programs in 2020, split among 11 faculties and 11 research institutions. As of August 1, 2005, the university adheres to the unified framework of the Bologna Process throughout Europe and provides bachelor, master, licentiate, and doctorate degrees.

The University of Helsinki is multilingual, with legal classes in Finnish and Swedish. English is taught extensively at the master's, licentiate, and doctorate levels across the institution, making it a de facto third language of instruction. Because Swedish, while being an official language of Finland, is a minority language, Finnish is by far the most often spoken language at the institution.

The University of Helsinki strongly emphasizes top-tier international teaching and research. It is a founding member of the League of European Research Universities and a member of several notable international university networks, including Europaeum, UNICA, and the Utrecht Network. The institution has also obtained international financial assistance for global welfare; for example, the US Department of Defense awarded the university with about four million euros in financing for treating MYC genes and breast cancer in September 2021.

The University of Helsinki is divided into eleven faculties. Faculty of Theology, Law, Medicine, Arts, Science, Pharmacy, Biological and Environmental Sciences, Educational Sciences, Social Sciences, Agriculture and Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine are the eleven faculties of the university. 

The university also maintains several separate institutes, such as research centers and libraries, the most renowned of which are the National Library of Finland and the Helsinki University Library. The Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies is another separate organization inside the University of Helsinki, an Institute for Advanced Study styled after the Princeton Institute for Advanced Study. 

Why the University of Helsinki?

• Work, study, and discover with a flexible mix of in-person and online classes.
• Students can complete their degrees on campus and apply for a post-study work visa after graduation.
• The University of Helsinki is Finland's oldest and biggest academic institution.
• The University of Helsinki is an accredited and globally recognized university to advance the career with a European degree.
• Create an international network by connecting with other students and exceptional companies.

University Highlights 

University Type	Public Institution
Established Year	1640 AD
Ranking	99
Number of Courses	11 faculties
Tuition Fees	13,000, 15,000, or 18,000 euros per academic year
Intakes	October and April

Main Intakes

University of Helsinki of Munich takes place in October for the winter semester and in April for the summer semester.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for outstanding students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland who wish to pursue a Master's degree at the University of Helsinki.

The scholarship will last two years. To fulfill the scholarship requirements, students must study full-time (at least 55 ECTS per year) throughout the award. After the first the of study, your academic progress will be evaluated, and the scholarship will be renewed based on the student's performance. Scholarships covering 50% or 100% of the tuition charge are available for each degree program.

To be eligible for a scholarship, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Eligible for the University of Helsinki's Master's program.
• Tuition costs apply to citizens of non-EU/EEA countries who do not have permanent resident status in the EU/EEA region.
• Students must have received exceptional grades in their prior studies and be able to demonstrate this in their application.

Application Process

Preparation phase

• Investigate program possibilities and choose a course of study.
• Examine the program's admission requirements.
• Original papers and certified translations must be submitted online.
• Visa processing is necessary for international students.

Application for a first semester

• Develops a university assistance application for the University of Helsinki.
• Open the selection list, answer all mandatory questions, and submit all application forms to uni-assist before the deadline.
• Pay the processing fee and provide payment evidence to the online application.

After Applying

• If the application is complete and the credential is appropriate for the program of choice, the uni-assist will electronically transfer the documents to the University of Helsinki.
• The University of Helsinki administration handles the admissions process.
• Students' registration documents are stated in their acceptance letters.

Arrive in Finland

• Students must sign a leasing agreement, create a bank account, receive health insurance, and register their addresses.
• The classes began at the university.

Documents required:

• Requirements for educational documents
• De­gree cer­ti­fic­ate
• Tran­script of re­cords
• Trans­la­tions of edu­ca­tional doc­u­ments
• Educational History Form.
• Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT/ACT) are accepted.
• Motivation Statement, Recommendation letter (optional/upon request).
• Curriculum Vitae/Resume.
• English Language Proficiency (TOEFL-IBT or IELTS).

• Visa (for international students).

FAQs

Where is the University of Helsinki?

The University of Helsinki is located in Yliopistonkatu 4, 00100 Helsinki, Finland.

Is the University of Helsinki a public or private institution?

The University of Helsinki is one of Finland's leading public universities.