One of the indicators used to measure the performance of Finnish universities is the number of degrees and publications. These figures are used to determine the amount of government funding allocated to each university. In addition to core funding, the University of Helsinki acquires external funding from a range of sources. With the funding it receives and acquires, the University carries out its core duties of research, teaching and public engagement.
Long-term and predictable funding provides stability
- Our share of the funding awarded by the Ministry of Education and Culture to Finnish universities is about 23%.
- About 60% of operations are funded with core funding from the Ministry of Education and Culture.
- More than €265 million in competitive research funding each year, of which the share of international funding is 28%.
- The University’s investment assets have generated a return of 11.7% per year on average (2019–2025).
- The return on donations is used to fund more than 100 endowed positions, including professorships.
Far-reaching financial and societal impact
Below are some examples of what we are doing with our funding.
Our diverse and high-quality educational offerings reach more than 90,000 people
- Each year, we have roughly 32,000 degree students as well as some, 61 000 students completing open university courses, continuing education and studies that supplement degrees.
- Of our master’s and doctoral graduates, approximately 93% find employment.
- 84% of master’s and 92% of doctoral graduates are satisfied with their degree in terms of their career.
In Finland, we train, among others, the following:
- 24% of early childhood education and class teachers
- 21% of doctors and dentists
- 42% of legal experts
- 46% of bachelor’s and master’s degree holders in pharmacy
- 100% of veterinarians
International top-level research
- Our researchers produce more than 12,000 publications every year, of which approximately 75% are refereed and 45% the result of international cooperation.
- We coordinate 9 of the 22 Centres of Excellence of the Research Council of Finland.
- We are participating in seven of the 14 Research Council of Finland Flagships.
- More than 30% of the funding awarded by the Academy of Finland goes to the University of Helsinki.
- University of Helsinki researchers have received more than 130 European Research Council main grants, along with several Proof of Concept grants. Of all Finnish ERC-funded projects, the University has hosted more than 40%.
- We have eight research stations and farms from Kilpisjärvi to Kenya.
- There are 19 researchers from Finland on the Highly Cited Researchers list, about quarter of them are from the University of Helsinki
A societal educator and driver of sustainable growth
Our researchers support law drafting and actively contribute to public discussion. The University of Helsinki receives roughly 17,600 international and 13,500 domestic media hits per year.
We invest in the commercialisation of research.
- Every year, more than 100 invention disclosures are submitted at the University.
- In total, we have about 60 patent families.
- More than 30 research-based startups have been established at the University of Helsinki. This amounts to about €400 million in value generated and more than 300 jobs created.
- Our incubator operations have created some 110 businesses, while 140 volunteer mentors have supported roughly 750 teams in incubation. More than 1000 individuals have gained entrepreneurial skills and competencies.
- The value of our business collaboration is more than €23 million.
Special duties of the University of Helsinki
- We are responsible for the operations of the and the .
- is open at all hours, as part of education and research.
- manufactures rare drugs. The University Pharmacy’s returns are used for education and research.
Find out more about our finances