The University of Helsinki is Finland’s oldest and most respected university, and it combines high-quality teaching, advanced research facilities, a safe and active environment, and student life that stays comfortable without being expensive. Whatever the subject, from engineering through humanities, management, law and the natural sciences, applicants across every discipline can compete for a place at the University of Helsinki.
This guide introduces the university, explains what it takes to be admitted, and ends with the steps involved in getting a Finland student visa. If your aim is to study in Europe at a high standard and at a reasonable cost, read on: this is a step-by-step reference.
About the University of Helsinki
The University of Helsinki is based in the Finnish capital and is one of Europe’s leading higher-education institutions. It has four main campuses:
- The City Centre campus
- The Kumpula campus for the natural sciences
- The Meilahti campus for medicine
- The Viikki campus for agriculture and environmental sciences
Founded in 1640, it currently sits at around 117th in the world rankings. It is Finland’s largest and oldest university, with a community of around 40,000 students and staff, Finnish and international. Every master’s and doctoral programme can be studied in English; for bachelor’s programmes, Finnish is usually required.
University of Helsinki website: https://www.helsinki.fi/en
Faculties and subjects at the University of Helsinki
The University of Helsinki has 11 faculties and is one of the largest higher-education institutions in northern Europe. The faculties of the University of Helsinki cover:
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Arts
- Biological and Environmental Sciences
- Educational Sciences
- Law
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Science
- Social Sciences
- Theology
- Veterinary Medicine
There is also a Swedish School of Social Science. Each faculty runs a broad range of teaching and research programmes, with courses in both Finnish and English. Applicants can apply to any of the programmes and specialisations within these faculties and study in either language.
Computer and data science, biosciences, international law, environmental science and climate change, medicine and pharmacy, social sciences and behavioural sciences are among the most popular subjects. They have a strong European job market behind them and attract more scholarship funding, which also makes competition for places and funding in these fields particularly hard.
Read more: the best universities in Finland
Facilities at the University of Helsinki
So what does the University of Helsinki actually provide for its students?
It is more than a teaching institution. Every campus and faculty is set up as a full environment for professional, academic and personal development. Students have access to modern, well-stocked libraries, advanced research laboratories, computing centres, group study spaces, sports facilities, a varied cultural events programme and reasonably priced student accommodation.
On top of that, the university offers academic and careers advice, internship programmes and partnership networks with companies and international institutions. Through talent programmes such as HelsinkiUNI International Talent, it helps international students get to know the Finnish labour market and start building a professional network while they are still studying.
Admission requirements at the University of Helsinki
What does it take to be admitted? The first step is the offer itself. Go to the admissions section of the university website, find the application deadline and the required documents for your subject and faculty, and open contact with the admissions office.
Some programmes accept previous qualifications and a language certificate on their own. Others require an online interview, an entrance test or recognition of your qualifications. The same pages set out tuition fees and the conditions for funding, and the university confirms all of it again after you submit. In broad terms, you can apply to study at the University of Helsinki if you have:
- A recognised qualification from your previous level of study
- A certificate in English or Finnish
- A statement of purpose
- A recommendation letter
- A full CV covering your academic and work history
- Proof of funds for living costs and tuition, or a funding letter, covering the monthly amount Migri currently requires
- Payment of the application handling fee where one applies, in the amount published on the university’s admissions pages (non-refundable)
To apply, create an account on the university’s application portal and enter your details exactly as they appear in your passport. Upload your documents and pay the application fee through that account before the deadline. Results are published in the same account or sent by email. Note that the application fee is not refunded if you are not admitted.
Read more: what student living costs in Finland come to
Documents for admission to the University of Helsinki
The table below lists the documents you need for admission. Depending on the programme, the faculty or a specific supervisor, you may be asked for more. The university emails you about any additional documents.
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Completed application form | Submitted through the application portal |
| Previous degree certificate | Original and translation |
| Official transcripts | Original and translation |
| English or Finnish language certificate | At or above the minimum accepted score |
| Motivation letter | Reasons for choosing the programme and university, study goals |
| CV | Academic, research and work history, skills |
| Letter of recommendation | From previous professors, describing the applicant's skills |
| Portfolio or entrance exam | For certain programmes |
| Application fee receipt | Set by the institution; check its admissions page |
Notable University of Helsinki alumni
As one of the oldest universities in northern Europe, the University of Helsinki has educated many of the political and historical figures who shaped Finnish politics, science and culture.
The best known graduate is Tarja Halonen, the first female President of Finland. Others include:
- Ragnar Granit, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
- Frans Eemil Sillanpää, writer and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature
- Linus Torvalds, creator of the Linux operating system
Read more: the best fields of study in Finland
University of Helsinki tuition fees
Students from outside the EU and EEA pay tuition at every level and in every subject. The university sets its fees programme by programme and publishes them on its own admissions pages, so check the figure for your programme before you budget. The university confirms that students resident in the European Union are exempt from tuition fees.
University of Helsinki scholarships
Students from outside the EU who meet the university’s criteria can apply for a scholarship or funding. These awards cover tuition and living costs and go only to the strongest applicants.
University of Helsinki scholarships are competitive and are awarded to students with high marks and a strong academic record. Applicants must submit the scholarship request at the same time as the admission application. Awards are normally decided on the basis of the CV, academic merit, past performance, grade progression and similar criteria.
University of Helsinki student accommodation
The University of Helsinki does not run dedicated halls of residence for international students on its campuses, but students can arrange housing through partner organisations.
To keep costs down, start with HOAS, which runs the largest student housing stock in Helsinki. Students can rent a furnished room, a furnished flat or a shared flat at reasonable rates, typically paying between EUR 350 and EUR 700 a month. If budget is less of a concern, smaller private flats are available in the city centre and other districts.
Getting to the University of Helsinki
The university’s four main campuses are spread across the city and all are reachable by public transport. Students travel by metro, tram, bus and local train, or use the extensive network of safe cycle routes, which is normal practice in Finnish cities.
Students can also buy HSL tickets at a student discount, which cuts monthly transport costs considerably. Public transport in Finland is extensive and well run, and reaches the whole country at reasonable fares.
Read more: bachelor’s study in Finland
Applying for a Finland student visa with Aval Visa
If you want to study in Finland and see what life in one of Europe’s best-run countries is like, the University of Helsinki is a strong choice. It is one of the oldest universities in Europe, it admits students across every discipline, its academic standards are high, and its range of funding and scholarships opens a genuine route for students from outside the EU.
Prepare your CV and academic documents for the coming academic year and talk to our advisers. Aval Visa handles the whole process, from the university application through to the Finland student residence permit.
Frequently asked questions
- What language score does the University of Helsinki require? It depends on the programme, but master’s applicants generally need at least IELTS Academic 6.5 and doctoral applicants 7.
- Can students work while studying in Finland? Yes, within the limit Migri sets for students. That limit has been revised, so check the current figure on migri.fi.
- What are average monthly living costs for a student? That depends on lifestyle, but the total rarely exceeds EUR 1,500 a month, and the minimum is around EUR 900 to EUR 1,000.
