Studying
Bachelor's Programme in Science at the Faculty of Science is taught fully in English.

The programme is open for applications for anybody with a high school diploma including advanced math and physics or chemistry studies. The programme offers an interdisciplinary education. During the first half year, all students receive a foundation in university-level math and basic programming skills. After this, they can choose a specialization study track, with second- and third-year university-level courses offered in math and statistics, computer/data science, physics and chemistry. It is possible to either deepen the studies in one of these study tracks or to combine studies of two or three tracks to get a truly multidisciplinary education.

The Bachelor's Programme in Science offers an interdisciplinary education that will enable you to work on the cutting edge of exciting basic research and application development in

  • math and statistics
  • physics
  • chemistry and
  • computer/data science.

Kumpula campus, one of the four campuses at the University of Helsinki, is the largest centre in the Nordic countries for research in exact natural sciences. It is a dynamic study environment with a good sense of community. We put efforts into using a wide variety of teaching methods and developing these continuously. As a student, you get easily involved in research groups and active student organisations.

Why Bachelor's Programme in Science?

Our understanding of the universe and all modern technology is based on advances made in scientific research over approximately the last 100 years. The operation of computers and mobile phones relies fully on quantum mechanical principles, and the nature of matter in the universe has been unveiled by studies in particle physics, astronomy and cosmology. New exciting discoveries are constantly made and will affect our future. For instance, studies on quantum information combined with the development of new materials are just about to open up the doors for quantum computing, and the analysis by artificial intelligence of big data will lead to new ways to cure disease.

The Bachelor's Programme in Science offers an interdisciplinary education that will enable you to work on the cutting edge of exciting basic research and application development in

  • math and statistics
  • physics
  • chemistry and
  • computer/data science.
Get acquainted with the Bachelor's Programme in Science

Watch the video to see what our lecturers and students have to tell about the study fields and themes that are available in the Bachelor’s Programme in Science. You will also find out what kind of competence and work opportunities you gain by studying in the programme.

Bachelor's Programme in Science webinar

In this webinar video, students of the Bachelor’s Programme in Science talk about why they chose to apply to the programme and what they consider to be the best things in their studies.

Structure and content

The Bachelor's Programme in Science comprises 180 credits, which can be completed in three years, in accordance with an approved personal study plan. The degree includes:

  • 15-30 credits of mandatory common studies in basic math, basic computer science and statistics
  • 15 credits of transferable skills courses that help in orienting yourself towards working life, and a group work course introducing modern science topics studied at the Faculty
  • 10 credits of language studies, comprising 4 credits of academic English and 6 credits of basic courses in Finnish or Swedish (for students with a matriculation exam from a high school with teaching in Finnish or Swedish, 3 credits of Finnish and 3 credits of Swedish at an advanced level)
  • 60-105 credits of basic and intermediate courses
  • 10 credits of a final seminar (4 cr) and bachelor's thesis (6 cr)
  • 35-50 credits of other courses according to your study track and personal study plan

The programme includes on the BSc level a thesis of 6 credits. BSc thesis is a short (about 15–20 pages) literature study on a timely subject written following scientific standards and referencing practice.

Detailed degree structure and course descriptions can be found in the Instructions for Students

Language of instruction

Instruction in the Bachelor's Programme in Science is given fully in English. Students who know Finnish or Swedish can also attend courses at the Faculty given in these languages and include these in their degree if the courses are included or mentioned in their personal study plan. However, at least 75% of the studies, including the bachelor's thesis, must be completed in English.

Study tracks and courses

Bachelor's Programme in Science has four study tracks: chemistry, computer and data science, mathematics and statistics and physics. You can select any of these study tracks according to your preferences at the beginning of your studies. The track determines which courses you should take. The preliminary teaching programme for the next academic year will be published in the Instructions for Students by the end of March.

Chemistry

In the chemistry study track, you get an education about the fundamental concepts and modern experimental methods of chemistry, related to an understanding of the nature and the role of science and new technologies in society in the future. Bioeconomics, circular economy, novel energy sources, food production, clean water and air, as well as health care set challenges that require a strong knowledge of chemistry.

After the common basic and subject studies (60 cr), you can choose courses that start to direct your studies towards one of the optional chemistry-related master's programmes: 

By combining chemistry with mathematics, physics or computer science you can also direct yourself to the master’s programmes of those disciplines. After completing the BSc degree, you can also apply to master’s programmes in other universities in Finland or abroad.

Com­puter and data science

The students in the study track of computer and data science acquire the skills to build modern software both by doing hands-on exercises and projects and by studying the fundamental ideas underlying how computers work and how they can be used efficiently. They also get an introduction to the new possibilities created by artificial intelligence and the analysis of large masses of data.

Studies in mathematics are a necessary foundation for the more advanced concepts in computer science, in particular going beyond the bachelor's level. Students graduating from the study track of computer and data science can continue in

Mathematics and statistics

The mathematics and statistics study track emphasises mathematics as a science of its own and its importance in statistics. It offers an introduction both to the key concepts and methods of modern mathematics as well as a wider view on the exact world of mathematics, studying exactly defined concepts and the properties and relationships that emerge among these. In addition, the elective module offers an introduction to basics of statistical modelling, inference and computation. The study track offers a solid ground for continuing higher level studies in mathematics and statistics. Depending on the optional studies chosen, the track directs the students towards either

  • the world of pure mathematics or mathematical statistics, with research questions arising from within theoretical settings, or towards
  • applied mathematics or statistics where mathematical and statistical tools are used to solve questions arising in other areas such as the physical world around us.

The study track gives the required prerequisites for continuing studies in

Including studies in computer science also makes the student eligible to continue in

Including courses in physics or chemistry allows for studies in

Phys­ics

In the physics study track, you get

  • an education about the classical and quantum mechanical foundations of modern physics
  • a view on how this knowledge relates to the modern understanding of the nature of the universe and new technologies.

After the common basic and subject studies (60 cr), you can choose courses that start to direct the studies towards one of the master's programmes in which you can continue:

By combining physics and mathematics studies, you can also direct your studies towards

By combining physics and chemistry towards the Master’s Programme in Physical Chemistry. 

By combining physics and computer science studies towards

Master’s Programme in Linguistic Diversity and Digital Humanities (LingDig)

Students of the Bachelor’s Programme in Science can continue to the LingDig MA Programme and its study track in Cognitive Science, if their previous studies fulfill the following criteria: at least one of the following study modules completed with a grade average 3 of 5: Cog100/Cog100b Kognitiotieteen perusopinnot (25 cr, curricula 2020-2026), KIK-KK100 Kommunikaatio ja kognitio (30 cr), KIK-KK100 Kognitiotiede (30 cr) or LDA-C500 Cognitive Science (30 cr). 

Students of the Bachelor’s Programme in Science can continue to the LingDig MA Programme and its study track in Digital Humanities, if their previous studies fulfill the following criteria: one of the following study modules in Digital Humanities completed: LDA-H500 Digital Humanities (30 cr) or LDA-HB500 (30 cr), or one of the following courses completed with the grade 3: LDA-H501 Introduction to Digital Humanities (curriculum 2017-2020), LDA-H304 Elements of Digital Humanities completed (curricula 2020-2026) or LDA-H305 Computational Literacy.  

Students are free to change their study track within the LingDig programme, when they have completed 25 credits in the study track to which they want to transfer.  

Course catalogue

Check out courses in the course catalogue in the Studies service.

The University of Helsinki also offers Finnish courses for international students.

Teaching for the upcoming academic year will be published by the end of June. The preliminary teaching programme for the upcoming academic year will be published in the Instructions for Students by the end of March.

Student stories and testimonials

Find out what our students say about their studies and life in Helsinki, their career paths or plans, insights into the programme, tips for your application process and much more.

Stories about students in the Bachelor's Programme in Science.

 

Student life

Student life and especially the student organisation culture is exceptionally rich and diverse in Finland. Also at the University of Helsinki, the student community is very active.

More than 250 student organisations operate within the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY). The student organisations range from faculty and subject organisations to political and societal organisations, and from choirs and orchestras to sports and game clubs. Their activities include anniversary celebrations, academic dinner parties, cultural events, get-togethers and excursions.

As a student and member of the Student Union (HYY), you are entitled to many benefits and services. For example, affordable student housing, basic healthcare services, sports facilities and student-priced meals. You also get numerous discounts, for example on public transport fees across the country.  

Read more about the life and benefits as a student at the University of Helsinki.

Do you have questions about studies or student life? You can get answers to your questions by chatting directly with the students of the University of Helsinki. Chat with our students!