Quick Summary
University of Helsinki is a public founded in 1640, located in Helsinki, Finland. Ranked #102 globally by QS World University Rankings 2026, it enrolls 31200 students including 8% from outside Finland. Known for strengths in Education, Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Philosophy, it maintains an acceptance rate of 15%.
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Institutional Profile
Who they are
Ranked among the top 1% of research universities globally, offering high quality of life in one of the world's safest cities with no tuition fees for EU/EEA students.
Subject Strengths
EducationPharmacy & PharmacologyPhilosophyLife SciencesAtmospheric ScienceLinguistics
Founded1640
TypePublic
Total Students31200
Intl Students8%
Faculty Ratio14
CampusUrban
Campus SizeCity-wide
Affiliated HospitalsHelsinki University Hospital (HUS)
AccreditationFinnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC)
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Global Standing
Three independent ranking systems
QS World 2026
#102
Quacquarelli Symonds
Times Higher Ed
#121
THE World University
ARWU Shanghai
#101
Academic Ranking
03
Academics & Research
What you can study
Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
Programs
Available
PhD Programs
Available (MOOCs and specialized hybrid courses)
Online Programs
HiLIFE, FIMM, Aleksanteri Institute, Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland
Research Centers
Very High
Research Output
Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC)
Accreditation
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Admissions Brief
What it takes to get in
Entry Requirements
Acceptance Rate15%
IELTS6.5
TOEFL92
Min GPANot Available
GRENot required
GMATNot required
SATRequired for some English-language Bachelor's programs
ACTNot Available
Key Dates
FALLApplication Deadline · Mid-January
MAR-APRDecisions Released
Required Documents
TranscriptsSOPEnglish ScoresLORsPassport
Insider Tip
Focus heavily on the academic quality of the Bachelor's degree for Master's admissions; the motivation letter must align specifically with the research focus of the program.
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Cost Ledger
Amounts in Euro
UG Tuition
€13,000/yr
per year · EUR
Living Cost
€10,000/yr
per year · EUR
PG Tuition
€15,000/yr
per year · EUR
Application Fee
$109
one time · USD
Total Estimated Annual Cost
€25,100/yr
tuition + living + essentials · EUR
Scholarships AvailableAvailable
Avg Scholarship$12,000
Financial AidAvailable (KELA for eligible residents, University Scholarships for internationals)
Work-StudyAvailable
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Featured & Popular Programs
A sample from Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral programs total
| Program | Level | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric Sciences | BACHELOR | 3-4 YRS |
| Data Science | MASTER | 1-2 YRS |
| European and Nordic Studies | PHD | 3-5 YRS |
| Microbiology | MBA | 12-24 MO |
| Global Governance Law | BACHELOR | 3-4 YRS |
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Career Outcomes
Where graduates land
$52,000
Average Salary After Graduation
88%
Employment Rate
Internship PlacementStrong career services support and internship grants available
Industry Connections
Deep ties with Nordic tech companiesgovernment ministriesand the EU commission
Notable Alumni
Linus Torvalds, Martti Ahtisaari, Jean Sibelius, Tarja Halonen
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Campus & Student Life
Life beyond lectures
Housing
Yes (via HOAS and Unihome)
Sports Facilities
UniSport (Gyms, group exercise, ball sports across multiple campuses)
Student Clubs
Over 250 student organizations under HYY (Student Union)
Library Resources
National Library of Finland and Helsinki University Library (Kaisa House)
Exchange Programs
Erasmus+, Nordplus, ISEP, and Bilateral Agreements
Summer Programs
Helsinki Summer School