Welcome New Bachelor's students 2023
You are about to start a new exciting phase in your life, the Bachelor's Programme in Science at the University of Helsinki. Begin your journey by reading this welcome page with the Rector's greetings and other useful information for starting your studies in autumn 2023.

The admission results for Bachelor's Programme in Science (Admission group 1) from the application round between 1 Dec 2022 and 4 Jan 2023 have been sent to the applicants to the e-mail address given on their application form. The results can also be found in the My Studyinfo -service. The admission results for Admission group 2 (application round 15–30 March 2023) are sent to the applicants no later than  7 Jul 2023.

Greetings from Rector Sari Lindblom

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

The past years have shown the importance of universities and research-based knowledge when it comes to solving global crises. In times of uncertainty and transformation, universities also hold a key role in evoking hope. At the University of Helsinki, one of the world’s top 1% research universities, the power of knowledge is at your disposal.

In our Bachelor’s Programme in Science, you get a truly interdisciplinary education. You gain skills and courage that can contribute to finding sustainable solutions for global challenges. You learn from world-class scientists at the Kumpula Campus, the largest cluster of scientific competence in the Nordic countries.

As sustainability expertise is a basic skill for future professionals, we also offer a multidisciplinary sustainability course for all our students.

After completing your BSc degree, you can continue to Master’s programmes at our Faculty of Science or other universities in Finland or abroad.

However, your education should not be limited to book learning. Bildung, one of our four values, is a pool of knowledge and skills enabling us to act and solve problems. But it also comprises mental maturity, open-mindedness and empathy. It is about behaving with human decency and the only renewable resource that is entirely in our hands. If we nurture it with determination, it will thrive.

I also want to remind you of 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 getting 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, grit and resilience.

The University of Helsinki and our community have been building the future and changing the world for over 380 years – let’s continue to do so together!

Welcome to the University of Helsinki!

Kind regards,

Sari Lindblom
Rector of the University of Helsinki

Bildung, one of our four values, is a pool of knowledge and skills enabling us to act and solve problems.
Welcome to our programme

Dear Student,

On behalf of the Board of the Bachelor’s Programme in Science, I am happy to welcome you to our programme at the University of Helsinki! This is an exciting place for a young curious person like yourself to learn more about the different branches of Natural Sciences (Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics and Chemistry) before you make a final decision to narrow down your specialisation.

Our programme offers an opportunity to study in English with the high standards of Finnish education. Our courses are highly research-oriented with enthusiastic teachers from around the world.

Academic freedom is of high priority at the University of Helsinki. Almost any course offered at the University is available to our students even when it is not a part of our programme.

Our students are encouraged to work together in groups or in designated classrooms, where they are able to help and support each other.

The board of the programme includes students’ representatives so that the voice of the students is heard immediately.

We take special care that our students are not left on their own but become active builders of their lives with all connections to the students in the same and adjacent BSc degree programmes.

It is important for us that you develop a feeling of being part of the strong academic community at the Kumpula Campus of the University of Helsinki. Our academic mentors will give you advice on how to organise your studies and find your way at the University. You will be able to join computer classes for programming and numerous clubs of interest.

We will always be here for you to give you a hand when needed but encourage you to discover your own world the way you like!

Sincerely yours,

Prof. Flyura Djurabekova
Director of the Bachelor Programme in Science
Professor in Materials in Extreme Environments
Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki

We will always be here for you to give you a hand when needed but encourage you to discover your own world the way you like!
Your first steps as new student

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

If you are an international student:

  • Get 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.

  • Attend an online information session for new international students on 25 April at 14:0015:00 (UTC+3). A personal invitation link will be sent to admitted students (Admission group 1) by email. The recording will be available afterwards.
  • Check our tips for house hunting.
  • Join our Finnish courses for international students:
    • Intensive Finnish course on campus on 14–25 August 2023 + Zoom sessions in Sept-Oct 2023.
    • Survival Finnish with three online meetings in August.
Studying in the programme

Visit the Studying -page to find out more about the structure and content of the programme. On the page, you will find:

  • Information about the structure of the programme and the four study tracks: (1) chemistry, (2) computer and data science, (3) mathematics and statistics and (4) physics.
  • An overview of the ten (10) Master's Programmes in which you have an opportunity to continue after completing your BSc degree. 
  • An introduction video where our lecturers and students tell about the study fields and themes that are available in the programme, as well as what kind of competence and work opportunities you gain.
  • A webinar recording with our students talking about why they chose to apply to the programme and what they consider to be the best things in their studies.

In the Studies service, you will find practical information for the University of Helsinki students in one place, for example:

Get to know our students and student life

What do our students think about studying in the Bachelor's Programme in Science? How is student life or housing in Helsinki? 

  • 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.
  • In the student stories, some of the students in the Bachelor's programme in Science share their thoughts and insights about the programme.
  • Check out more stories by the University of Helsinki students and alumni. They share their experiences and insights about studies and student life, and how they've gotten support with their aspirations and goals.

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 services, benefits 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. There are over 250 student organisations operating within the Student Union (HYY) opening up a field of opportunities for you.

Integralis ry is the organisation for the students in the Bachelor's Programme in Science. Integralis ry welcomes you to join their activities on their welcome page for freshers. You can also follow Integralis on Instagram.

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 meet you personally when the orientation activities begin.
  • The orientation activities take place during the week commencing on 28 Aug 2023. They will help you to start 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.
  • 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.
  • The student ambassadors organise events and meetups open for everyone. To keep updated, follow the UH International Student Ambassadors Facebook page.
  • The Kumpula Student Services give you guidance and support all year round.
  • According to our students, professors and teachers are easily approachable when you need help or consultation.
Your campus

As a student in the Bachelor's Programme in Science, the Kumpula campus will be your home base. It is dedicated to research and teaching in the exact natural sciences and one of the largest clusters of scientific competence in the Nordic countries.

You can visit the Kumpula Campus comfortably from your own sofa. The virtual campus tours take you through the campus facilities and some laboratories.

Find out how the staff and students describe the collaborative nature of degree programmes and the atmosphere at the campus:

There are many services and organisations operating at the Kumpula Campus.

One is Helsinki Think Company bringing together students, researchers and people interested in entrepreneurship. They have a workspace at the Kumpula campus and offer free co-working spaces, boot camps, idea accelerator programmes, hackathons, mentoring and a community of like-minded individuals.

Check out other services and organisations that can be found on the Kumpula Campus.

I think we have a lovely, warm, and diverse student community at Kumpula."
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.

Check out the University of Helsinki in numbers and find out more about university rankings.

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.

Contacts and useful links

If you have questions related to the admissions and accepting your student place, please contact the Admission Services.

If you have questions about the content of the Bachelor's Programme in Science, please contact the Director of the Programme Flyura Djurabekova or Kumpula Student services, email kumpula-student(at)helsinki.fi.