Are you trying to choose your university and considering applying to the Bachelor's Programme in Science?
Jakub Grad applied to around 35 universities in 8 different countries and finally chose the Bachelor's Programme in Science at the University of Helsinki. What was the process he went through and what tips can he give to international students who are in the process of choosing their university?
Two years ago I was probably as undecided as you when applying to my dream university.
Looking up different rankings online was hardly helpful since once you decide to apply abroad, you have no clue what entry requirements exist and you can quickly experience decision fatigue from comparing all the different futures you could have. To postpone my decision, I applied to around 35 universities in 8 countries and finally chose Bachelor's Programme in Science at the University of Helsinki. Here’s what I have learned:
Studying at the University of Helsinki is not a traditional university experience. By this I mean that hardly ever am I forced to follow a strict schedule or sit in a class in a lecture I cannot care less for. At best, I can take courses in any number I want, in any order, any year, online, in person, or by taking an exam on a computer on a chosen date. At worst, I need to be physically present, but the teachers couldn’t be nicer, and in tune with the Finnish tradition, you don’t call teachers professors, but rather refer to them by name.
The city of Helsinki itself isn’t a traditional tourist destination, but many people love it nevertheless. The main city library was the world's best in 2019. It has 3 rooms with PS5 and VR, a photo studio, two music studios with drums, a DJ set, and 10 guitars to choose from at your leisure, and everything is possible to book for free.
As for the housing situation, most students live in affordable HOAS apartments which are subsidized by the government. I have my own 4x4 meters room in a shared apartment 20 minutes on foot from campus. I get charged 359 euros a month (electricity, water, laundry, 5 hours of sauna per month included) for a room that is exclusively my own.
Studying at the University of Helsinki is to me more like an adventure. Sure, learning is a big part of it, but other experiences will stay with me for life. Helping my friend relocate to his new apartment on sleds, making short films, playing poker in the student room - these are just a few among many.
When choosing your university, think about more than rankings. Will you be able to continue your hobbies? Will the new climate offer you a nice change? Is the city friendly to international students? If you find these important, I can only recommend you read other student stories and apply to the Bachelor's Programme in Science!
-Jakub Grad, student in the Bachelor’s Programme in Science
Eva Kastrinos is a second-year student in chemistry who is also interested in physics. In this diary, she describes a week of her life to give you an idea how a week as a student in the Bachelor’s Programme in Science can look like!
Just a little note that a majority of her studies were labs in the period the diary was written: she's taking Introduction to Thermodynamics and two consecutive inorganic lab courses. So the week was very lab-based. Since labs are quite independent, it also means that she had more control than usual over what hours she came to campus.
Today, I woke up early (around 10) for labs: we have four pure samples and must find out their components. After labs I walked home to get ready to help out at our student organisation Integralis’s Valentine's party with some friends!
In case you’re unaware of Finland and its student culture, each programme and/or faculty has its own student organisation and you can join even if you don’t study in the programme.
Integralis is the international students’ organisation on Kumpula Campus. Integralis is led by students, and it runs many types of events, gives us our student overalls, and much more. Student overalls are a big part of the student culture in Finland (and parts of Sweden). They are usually worn at student events and are a way of showing what you study.
As a University of Helsinki student, you can choose to join the board, be an active helper, or just attend any events you wish.
My weekend was quite relaxed. I have an exam on Tuesday, so I studied for it, saw some friends, and went to UniSport.
Unisport is a gym with locations at the university campuses where students get a big discount. UniSport offers gym facilities and classes, like yoga, dance, circuit training, spinning, and much more.
In thermodynamics today, my group presented our group work. I went to labs from 11-17.30 with a UniCafe break for lunch.
I eat at UniCafe pretty much every day since it’s 2.85€ for a main dish with a side of potatoes and or rice, salad, and some bread with spreads.
After labs I went to UniSport with some friends.
Today I had a lab exam and studied for a bit in Hideout (Integralis’s room on campus). Once we were all out of the exam some friends and I went to UniSport to de-stress.
This morning my thermodynamics group met up and did our group work together. I enjoy group work assignments since we can all work together to understand and you get to see other people's ways of working, which is interesting.
Then, I went to labs where I started the next part of the course, a new salt analysis where you find its components and their mass percentages. A Ph.D. student showed us how to use an X-ray diffraction machine to identify the main salt in our sample; mine was Cesium chloride.
At labs today, I finished the quantitative part (finding the ions of my salt) and finished a little early!
Then I went to a friend's birthday party in their common room. In HOAS (student housing) apartments you can rent out the common room/sauna for free.
Last day of the week! I started figuring out my procedure for the qualitative part of the labs and then went to do groceries with some friends, went home and relaxed. I’ll have a free weekend because I don’t have to study much for labs since it's a practical course which is nice.
Who would know better than our students and graduates what it is like to study with us? Check out their stories and interviews to find out more. You can also have a look at the staff and lecturers.
Amanda Sandelin was not sure what she wanted to study after graduating from high school. As she liked natural sciences, she thought that the Bachelor's Programme in Science could be a fit for her because it enabled her first to get a feeling of what it is like to study natural sciences at the university before having to choose the main subject.
It was a surprise how much freedom there is in choosing courses and forming your degree. You need to take all the mandatory courses, but there is still much room to choose courses based on your own interests, even from other faculties.
Amanda's chosen study track was chemistry. She graduated in 2021.
My name is Amanda. I study in the Bachelor’s Programme in Science and my chosen study track is chemistry.
I was not sure what I wanted to study when I was about to graduate from high school, I just knew I liked natural sciences. I heard about this programme and thought that it could be a perfect fit for me since I could first get a feeling of what it is like to study natural sciences at the university before having to choose the main subject. In addition, I found it to be very beneficial that the programme is in English, as Master’s programmes are also extensively taught in English.
The best part has been meeting new people and getting into university life. The studies have also been very interesting!
My favourite course so far has been Organic Chemistry Labworks 1. It is fun to work in the lab independently and some of the analyses were really fascinating.
It has been okay to study remotely, even though I prefer to be on campus. For me, it is harder to get stuff done at home. It is also more difficult to learn together, such as work on exercises, via remote devices.
Right now, I am considering which Master’s programme to choose. I am most interested in biochemistry and drug discovery and would like to work within these fields in the future.
I have mostly been able to continue my hobbies. However, it was unfortunate that UniSport services are closed due to the pandemic.
I have lived near Helsinki most of my life. I lived with my parents at the start of my studies but now live nearby the Kumpula campus. I like living in Helsinki and the campus area has good public transport connections.
I am not sure if it is a myth, but I was surprised about how much freedom you have in choosing courses and forming your degree. You of course have to take all the mandatory courses, but there is still much room to choose courses based on your own interests, even from other faculties.
Make sure you know how the application process goes (you can read about it online). Think about what study track you would choose and what interests you, but be open-minded as your opinion might change. Check out what courses you would have during the first year, that way you get an image of what you will actually be studying.
Marcelo chose the Bachelor's Programme in Science due to its interdisciplinary and flexibility. He was also impressed by the internationally recognised education and research quality of the University of Helsinki and Finland seemed like a student-friendly country.
The favourite part of Marcelo's study experience was the flexibility in course choice and study pace. He got to study what he found interesting, at a pace he found stimulating. He was always engaged and excited, never bored!
Marcelo graduated in 2022.
My name is Marcelo. I am a first-year student in the Bachelor's Programme in Science. I am yet to decide definitively between the Physics and Mathematics study tracks, though I am more inclined towards the latter.
Finland seemed like a very student-friendly country and overall just a nice place to live in. I was also impressed by the internationally recognised education and research quality of the University of Helsinki. I appreciate that the BSc programme is interdisciplinary as it provides flexibility and the opportunity to pursue both mathematics and physics according to my own course choices.
My favourite part of the study experience so far has been the flexibility in course choice and study pace. I get to study what I find interesting, at a pace I find stimulating. I am always engaged and excited, never bored!
Either “Introduction to Quantum Physics” or "Introduction to Vector Analysis" – both courses which I am currently taking. I find the subject matter of both to be extremely interesting and it is quite exciting to be studying these things. I have found the course conduct, teaching and assessment methods, of both courses to work really well for me.
It has been alright. The digital systems of the University work really well, so things have been going smoothly. Of course, there is a lot that we are missing out on, but I believe the University is doing its best to alleviate the obstacles and to compensate for what is perhaps lacking.
I would like to pursue further studies in the direction of theoretical physics, and perhaps one day work as a researcher in the field.
Helsinki is a nice, clean, green and peaceful city. It is also very student-friendly, so student benefits and discounts are great. Student housing has been very good in my experience: I have managed to get a very affordable shared apartment close to campus, in a very nice area, which I am very satisfied with.
Finding accommodation might seem daunting at first, but my best tip would be to figure out precisely what you are looking for. What is most important to you? Prioritize, so that it is easier to make the compromises that you might need to make. Apply as early as possible.
Reflect on what interests you and what your future aims might be. Think about what you would like to do next and work backwards: how is the BSc programme going to get you to where you want to be in the future?
Look up the courses that are available within the programme and the study track course structures and timelines. Start thinking about the different study tracks and which interests you the most.
Always be on top of the application process (understand what you need to do, what documents you need to have). Do not be afraid to contact people and ask questions if you have any doubts.
The University of Helsinki offers multidisciplinary study options across 11 faculties. Studying and cooperation across the fields are highly encouraged.
Would you like to know what students from other degree programmes and academic disciplines think about their studies and life in Helsinki?