Admissions
A year ago, we were in an unexpected situation, as significant changes to the entrance examination route were proposed in the national student admissions reform. Several discussions on the matter took place over the course of the year, and next summer we will be carrying out a joint entrance examination with the social sciences. The same examination will cover Swedish-language programmes. Certificate-based admissions will continue as they have been since the beginning of the decade. Currently, 40% of students are admitted on the basis of their Finnish matriculation examination certificates. A small number of students are admitted on the basis of completed open university courses.
In the entrance examination reform, our goal was to have a separate section for questions on law and related advance material. These goals were achieved, although we consider the period for reading the advance material before the examination to be fairly short. This year, we will gain experience of the new examination and see whether there is need for further adjustments.
Studies
In the development of studies, our focus has been on designing the curriculum that will become valid in 2026 and developing a new international degree programme. In designing the curriculum for the period 2026–2030, we must consider the pressure to increase student intake and promote graduation within the target duration, that is, three years for Bachelor of Laws and two for Master of Laws degrees. We are fortunate to have five new university lecturers in 2025 who will help us achieve our goals. In the new curriculum, we are not pursuing major transformation, but rather identifying and tackling development areas.
In spring 2025, curriculum design will continue by examining course learning outcomes and workloads. The assessment of skills and the development of our feedback culture are important targets. We continuously collect feedback through various channels, developing our operations on this basis. Certain feedback channels, including career tracking five years after graduation, also affect our funding.
Today, examinations are conducted electronically, with digital on-site examinations having proved successful. They enable us to carry out major examinations fairly and securely.
Postgraduate studies
The requirements for doctoral theses and degrees have been amended. Article-based theses must include two to three articles, while the recommended scope of monographs is 250 pages. As the recommendation is currently not met, the matter will be monitored more closely in future. The scope of the studies required for doctoral degrees is 30 credits. These changes were implemented at the Faculty of Law by making certain courses included in doctoral education optional.
In 2025, the University will streamline the approval process for doctoral theses and abandon the grade ‘pass with distinction’. Doctoral programmes overall will also be scrutinised. A doctoral programme dedicated to law is important, particularly due to the distinctive nature of legal methodology. As extensive doctoral programmes are currently in favour, we have increased the intake of doctoral students. Larger student numbers pose challenges to the supervision of doctoral theses. Training in supervision is currently being piloted at the University, and the Faculty organises thematic seminars for thesis supervisors.
Research
The significance of research funding has been further emphasised. In 2024 two EU-funded projects were launched at the Faculty: Associate Professor Visa Kurki’s ERC-funded project on legal theory and Postdoctoral Researcher Matti Pohjonen’s Horizon project on hate speech. Several funding applications were submitted in the winter of 2024 and 2025.
As a new funding instrument, the University launched the cross-disciplinary Innovative Research Openings (IRO) project call. The call was based on a research investment from the University of Helsinki Funds by the Board of the University. In the internal call, at least two faculties from different campuses had to be involved. Consequently, collaboration was required with, for example, the natural sciences or biosciences. While no funding was awarded to legal research, many of our researchers found new collaboration partners that will hopefully lead to exciting research initiatives down the line.
The Faculty takes a broad approach to investing in sustainability law. We have received endowments for a professorship in sustainability law, for which the call for applications is now open for a three-year term. The field of the professorship is extensive, encompassing the sustainability of both the environment and business operations. We thank all donors for their contributions, and the fundraising campaign remains ongoing.
Unexpected occurrences throughout the year
At Porthania, May was a slightly exceptional month as protesters for Gaza erected tents in front of the building. Freedom of opinion and freedom of assembly are central human and fundamental rights, and prevalent values in our society. The demonstration mostly went smoothly.
The best way for the University to fulfil its mission is for our experts to disseminate topical information. In the summer, employees of both the Faculty and other legal units participated as experts in the discussion on the Border Security Act. The discussion was of a high standard. Unfortunately, some of the scholars producing statements received inappropriate feedback.
Alumni activities have continued at a lively pace. In 2025, we will develop collaboration with subject-specific student organisations. In the spring, we will organise an alumni event as per tradition
If you do not yet belong to the Faculty’s alumni network, you can join easily by becoming part of the University of Helsinki alumni community. This way, you will also receive the Faculty’s alumni communications: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-law/cooperation/alumni.