The University of Helsinki has condemned the military action by Russia and expressed its support for Ukraine and its university community. We have also expressed our support for Ukraine, together with other Finnish universities, through statements by Universities Finland and the European University Association. As a demonstration of support, we have illuminated buildings in the colours of the Ukrainian flag and raised the flag on our premises.
One of the principles of the University of Helsinki is to promote international collaboration in research and higher education, and to support these efforts even in difficult circumstances. Russia’s indefensible military aggression in Ukraine has required exceptional measures, which include those taken in the collaboration between universities.
The University of Helsinki is monitoring both national and EU-level sanctions, adapting our policies and processes accordingly. Together with other Finnish and international universities, the University of Helsinki strives to promote the end of military action in Ukraine, while supporting Ukrainian institutions and people.
In the early stages of the crisis, the University reached out to its Ukrainian degree and exchange students as well as employees to offer support. Inclusivity continues to be one of the values of our University. Consequently, all members of the University community are treated in an equal and respectful manner regardless of their nationality. Equal rights apply to everyone, and everyone is entitled to the same services.
The University of Helsinki will continue to support staff and students in these challenging circumstances. Staff can contact the occupational health services (link to Flamma), while students can find health-related information in the healthcare and wellbeing section of the Instructions website.
The University of Helsinki may grant the right to complete non-degree studies to a person arriving in Finland whose degree studies have been suspended at a Ukrainian higher education institution because of the war.
Such rights can also be granted for specific courses or study modules. However, they do not give the person the right to complete a degree at the University of Helsinki. The right to complete a degree can be applied for through regular application procedures.
Applications for the right to complete non-degree studies will be processed until the end of 2024 without application periods. Related rights will be granted until 31 July 2025, and no fees will be charged for these studies.
In special cases, the University of Helsinki can offer special arrangements for tuition fee payments to students whose ability to pay has been seriously affected by the war in Ukraine. After being admitted, students must in such cases complete an electronic form.
As a demonstration of support, citizens of Ukraine can study free of charge at the Open University of the University of Helsinki until autumn 2025.
The University of Helsinki and other universities across the globe offer jobs to researchers who have fled Ukraine. These are listed on an international website. In addition, Ukrainian researchers can register in the international Scholars at Risk network.
The University supports the research conducted by researchers who have fled the war in Ukraine with a new funding model for salary costs. In the model, 40% of a researcher’s salary is covered by the University’s shared funds for one year. The remaining 60% of the salary is covered by the relevant unit’s own funding sources. Funds have been reserved for 20 researchers.
The model can be used for the salary expenses of researchers on the second or third level of the University’s career path hierarchy who have arrived from Ukraine because of the war after 24 February 2022. Instead of implementing an application procedure for the salary support model, units can propose researchers who have arrived from Ukraine to be covered by the model by writing to the service address of their unit’s HR Services team.
The crisis fund established by the University of Helsinki for students and researchers remains in operation. The fund supports the transition of researchers and students suffering from Russia’s attack on Ukraine to the University of Helsinki as well as those who are already here and are now facing financial difficulties. Read more about the fund or make a donation.
The University of Helsinki has supported victims of the war in Ukraine with a donation of €50,000 to UNICEF. The donation was made from the profit generated by the University of Helsinki Funds.
The University Pharmacy has also supported Ukraine in the humanitarian crisis by making two donations totalling €20,000 to those in need. The first donation was made through the Operation Hope group, while the second was made to the Finnish Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. In addition, the University Pharmacy has closed its pharmacies and discontinued operations in Russia.
University units have actively contributed to the protection of Ukrainian students and researchers by acquiring targeted external funding from, for example, the Kone Foundation, the Research Council of Finland and the Finnish National Agency for Education.
Travel to Ukraine, Belarus and Russia should be avoided in accordance with the recommendations of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.
See the website of the Finnish Immigration Service for information relating to the war in Ukraine.
This page was last updated on 21 December 2023.
Would you like to consult an expert about the war in Ukraine? Researchers at the University of Helsinki are monitoring the situation and developments in Ukraine and are ready to answer questions.