Welcome new 2025 Master students

You are about to start a new exciting phase in your life, an International Master's Programme at the University of Helsinki, one of the top 1% research universities in the world. Begin your journey by reading this page with the Rector's greetings and other useful information for starting your studies in autumn 2025.

The admission results (application round 2-16 Jan 2025) are sent to the applicants no later than 30 Apr 2025 by email. The results can also be found in the My Studyinfo -service.

Greetings from Rector Sari Lindblom

Congratulations! You have made an excellent decision in choosing the University of Helsinki. I am delighted and honoured to welcome you to our academic community.

In recent years, we have witnessed significant worldwide social disruptions. At critical junctures in world politics, it is evident that global power structures, economic systems and political ideologies are in a state of flux. Big and rapid change can provide fertile ground for uncertainty and even fear if we do not know the causes of events and are unable to anticipate their consequences. International transformations resonate in the conversations taking place at universities and in research contexts. Universities hold a key role in evoking hope and seeking solutions with long-term research and expertise that aim to solve global challenges. 

At the University of Helsinki, one of the world’s top 1% research universities, we educate experts for an unknown future. In our multidisciplinary Master’s Programmes, your education is based on high-quality research. You learn from and interact with top scholars while becoming a specialist in your field. You develop skills in analytical and critical thinking, problem-solving, and the capability to understand broad interdisciplinary topics and perceive causalities. As sustainability expertise is a basic skill for future professionals, we also offer a multidisciplinary sustainability course for all our students. 

However, your education should not be limited to book learning. Bildung, one of our four values, steers us in the right direction, serves as our moral conscience and cultivates open-mindedness. Currently, this means our commitment to fostering positive change in Finland and the world. It is about behaving with human decency and using knowledge for good. As the only renewable resource entirely in our hands, we should nurture it with determination. Together we will accomplish far-reaching breakthroughs that reshape not only the state of the world, but the lives of individuals too.

I also want to emphasize the importance to take care of your health and wellbeing. If you feel overwhelmed, ask for help. Support is available for our students.

In addition, I strongly encourage to get involved with our numerous student organisations. Extracurricular activities are an integral part of your study experience providing friends, social networks and boosting competences needed in life: curiosity, social skills, and grit. The University of Helsinki is a place for discovering your own thing, challenging yourself and forging life-long friendships – a place for many personal breakthroughs in life.

The University and our community have been a strong force for societal change for 385 years. Let’s continue to work together for the world – with the power of knowledge. 

Welcome to the University of Helsinki!

Kind regards,

Sari Lindblom
Rector of the University of Helsinki
 

At the University of Helsinki, we educate experts for an unknown future.
Your first steps as a new student

Start your journey at the University of Helsinki by ensuring your study place and making sure that you take all the necessary steps to make the start of your studies as smooth as possible. 

Start your journey at the University of Helsinki and ensure your student place by taking the following steps:

  • Start looking for housing already now!
  • Get a good health insurance (non-EU/EEA students), a European Health Insurance Card (citizens of EU/EEA) or a UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK Citizens). More information about health insurances.
  • Apply for a residence permit (non-EU/EEA students) as soon as possible. The process can take several months, even half a year.
  • Attend the Webinar for new international students on 8 May at 14.00–15.00 (UTC +3). A personal invitation link will be sent to all admitted international students by email. A recording will be available afterwards.
  • Make sure you have adequate funding for the entire period of your studies. Attend the Financing Your Studies -webinar on 15 May at 14.00–15.00 (UTC +3).  A personal invitation link will be sent to all admitted international students by email. A recording will be available afterwards. Check also our website for information about cost of living and financial matters
  • Attend Student life in Helsinki -webinar by the Student Union HYY on 22 May at 14.00–15.00 (UTC +3). A personal invitation link will be sent to all admitted international students by email. The recording will be available afterwards.
  • Complete the Pre-arrival course online for a smooth transition to your studies at UH. 
  • Attend Pre-arrival -webinar in August (date to be confirmed). A personal invitation link will be sent to all admitted non-Finnish students by email. The recording will be available afterwards.
  • Join our Finnish courses for international students:
    • Survival Finnish with three online meetings in August.
  • Moving to Finland with children? Our directory of useful guides and websites on the Studies Service can help you with the information you might need.
Sup­port when your stud­ies start

Academic freedom is highly valued and a capability to study independently is required at the University of Helsinki. However, you will not be left alone. Many helping hands and events will guide you through the start of your studies.

  • Your student tutor will contact you in August and will meet you when the orientation activities begin. You can also meet some tutors in the Goin’ Connect app!
  • The orientation activities take place during the week commencing on 25 Aug 2025. They will help you with starting your studies and life in Helsinki. You get support with administrative matters and learn more about the university campuses, facilities and studies in your programme. A detailed programme for orientation and tutoring will be published later in the summer.
  • The teaching for the academic year 2025-26 starts officially on 1 Sept 2025. During the first week of your studies, the pink ASK ME! -logo will guide you with any questions you have!
  • The Student Union (HYY) organises an event in September to introduce freshers to their activities and student organisations. Other student organisations will have their events too.
  • The Student Service Points give you guidance and support all year round.
  • According to our students, professors and teachers are easily approachable when you need help or consultation.
Studies service

In the Studies service, you will find practical information for the University of Helsinki students in one place. Remember to always select your programme in the dropdown menu. You will find:

  • Bulletins and current topics regarding your studies. 
  • Instructions for students, e.g. a section for new degree students and tools to plan your studies.
  • Degree structure where you can explore not only the degree structure but also content and learning outcomes from the level of the degree programme to individual courses. 
  • Course search where you can filter and look for available courses.
Get to know our stu­dents and stu­dent life

Would you like to know what our students think about studying at the University of Helsinki? Or how is student life or housing in Helsinki? 

Check out some student stories. Meet your future friends, peers, teammates and collaborators. Our students and alumni share their experiences and insights about studies and student life, and how they've gotten support with their aspirations and goals.

Chat directly with our students to get answers to your questions (but please note that for questions related to admissions, you should contact the Admission Services).

The blog posts on the chat platform are also a great way to get an overview of student life in Helsinki.

You can easily connect with the teachers. You don’t just have to sit down and listen. Instead, you can have real conversations.
"There’s a lot of freedom at the University of Helsinki, which can be good or bad — you’re able to tailor your studies much more personally, but there’s also more room for self-doubt and procrastination."
Our active community of students

The Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY), advocates students’ interests both at the university and in society. They organise benefits, services and events so that you as a student can focus on the most important part: studying and student life.

Extracurricular opportunities are an important part of your study experience. Luckily, more than 200 student organisations operate within the Student Union (HYY). Whatever your interests are, you are likely to find like-minded people and the right activities for you.

My favourite memories come with some sort of interaction with the Student Union.
University of Helsinki in brief

The oldest and largest institution of academic education in Finland, the University of Helsinki, has since 1640 played a major role in the development of the Finnish cultural life and welfare state. Today, we seek solutions to problems that affect everyone.

As one of the world's top 1% research universities, we believe that the power of knowledge can change attitudes, people and society – for a better world.

Our core values

For international students

How is the city of Helsinki for students? What's special about studying in Finland and what are the quick facts about the country? What do you need to take into consideration when planning a budget for your studies in Finland? Check out the information for international students on our website.

Con­tact and useful links

Do you have questions? You can contact the Admission Services at the University of Helsinki. We are there to support you.