Admissions

Are you interested in applying to the Bachelor's Programme in Science? Find out more about the programme to see if it is right for you, how to apply and other useful information for applicants.
Basic information
  • Degree level:  Bachelor of Science
     
  • Language: All teaching is in English. You can also take courses offered in Finnish or Swedish, but a minimum of 75% of the credits, incl. the Bachelor's thesis, must be completed in English.  
     
  • Scope of studies and length: 180 ECTS credits, 3 years
     
  • Tuition fee per year (only non-EU/EEA citizens): 13 000 EUR
Who can apply

The Bachelor’s Programme in Science is for students interested in natural sciences, offering an interdisciplinary education in mathematics and statistics, physics, chemistry and computer/data science.

You can apply if you: 

Please note that if you apply through the Open University Route, you do not need to have completed any other studies that provide general eligibility for higher education. 

When and how to apply

The Bachelor's Programme in Science has two separate admission processes with different application periods. 

For studies starting in autumn 2025, the application periods are 2–16 Jan 2025 (Admission group 1) OR 11–25 March 2025 (Admission group 2). The correct application period is determined by your previous education. 

Please note that you cannot select a preferred application period nor can you apply during both application periods.

Have you completed, or will complete by summer 2025, one of the following diplomas?

  • Finnish matriculation examination
  • International Baccalaureate diploma
  • European Baccalaureate diploma
  • Reifeprüfung or Deutsches Internationales Abitur examination in Finland

If your answer is no (you have NOT completed one of the above mentioned diplomas), you are in Admission Group 1. 

You must submit your application during the application period from 2 to 16 Jan 2025 (the application period closes at 15.00 UTC+2). The admission is based on the scores of your SAT or ACT tests. 

Check out the admission criteria (Admission Group 1) for the 2025 intake at the Finnish national education portal Studyinfo.fi.

If your answer is yes (you have completed one of the above mentioned diplomas), you are in admission group 2

The admission is based on your matriculation examination or equivalent. You must submit your application during the application period from 11 to 25 March 2025 (the application period closes at 15.00 UTC+2). 

Check out the admission criteria (Admission Group 2) for the 2025 intake at the Finnish national education portal Studyinfo.fi.

It is very important to know which admission group you belong to and follow the instructions for your group. 

Start preparing your application well in advance, make sure that you meet the admission criteria and language requirements, and always read the full instructions on our website.

Applying based on Open University studies

It is possible to apply to the Bachelor's Programme in Science based on studies completed at the Open University. Then you do not need to have completed any other studies that provide general eligibility for higher education. 

Note that you cannot complete all required courses online as some mandatory courses include contact teaching. 

When applying based on Open University studies, you must apply in Admission Group 2. Students are selected based on academic performance. The general language requirements also apply.  

Please note that Open university studies carry fees and the liability to pay tuition fees remains.

Financing your studies

There is a tuition fee for students who are not citizens of a European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland OR do not have permanent residence status in Finland. EU/EEA citizens or citizens of Switzerland are not liable to pay tuition fees.

The University of Helsinki does not offer scholarships for applicants to the Bachelor's Programme in Science. However, if you graduate by the target duration of your degree with the required GPA, you will be awarded a 100 % (minimum GPA 3,8/5) or 50 % (minimum GPA 3,4-3,7/5) tuition fee waiver for your master’s degree. The waiver also covers the second study year of your Master's degree if you complete at least 55 credits during the first year.

Planning a budget for your studies is important as all the students at the University of Helsinki must fund their studies and living expenses themselves. Ensure that you have adequate funding and enough financial means for the entire period of your studies.

Why apply?

As a student in the Bachelor's Programme in Science, you will: 

  • be able to focus on one field of science or combine studies across two or three different fields for a truly multidisciplinary education. 
  • receive a foundation in university-level math and basic programming skills during the first half-year, and then based on your own interest specialise in math and statistics, computer/data science, physics or chemistry, or a combination of these. 
  • learn analytical, data collection and problem-solving skills, teamwork and project skills, communication and presentation skills, research skills, computational and data-processing skills, and be able to interpret and evaluate information.
  • study at the Kumpula campus, the largest centre in the Nordic countries for research in exact natural sciences. 
  • have the right, without a separate application, to continue in one of the nine MSc programmes of the Faculty of Science after completing your BSc degree.

Graduates have a bright employment outlook in various research institutes or industries, e.g., IT companies, nanoscience and chemical industries. Continuing with an MSc degree opens up expert tasks in industry, research institutes and the finance sector.

Contact Admission Services

If you have any questions about admissions at the University of Helsinki, please contact our admission advisers for guidance. You can also check out some statistics on student admissions.

Student testimonials

Who knows better than our students and graduates what it is like to study in the Bachelor's Programme in Science?

Meet some of them to learn about their experiences with studies and life in Helsinki.

Studying at the University of Helsinki is more like an adventure. Sure, learning is a big part of it, but other experiences will stay with me for life.
Practicalities of student life in Helsinki

When choosing a university, it is important to get the location right too. What has Helsinki and Finland to offer when it comes to education and a way of life? What's the cost of living? Is it easy to find housing?

Did you know that students in Finland are entitled to lots of benefits, discounts and services? For example, affordable student housing, low-cost sports services, and student-priced meals. You also get numerous discounts, for example on public transport fees across the country.

About the University of Helsinki

University of Helsinki, the oldest and largest institution of academic education in Finland, 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
More about the programme