University of Helsinki
Helsingin yliopisto
Finland's oldest and largest university, with two English-taught bachelor's that admit on SAT, ACT or IB.
- Students
- 31,871
- 15,619 undergraduates
- International
- 9%
- of students
- Tuition
- €13,000
- 2027-28
- Founded
- 1640
About UH
The University of Helsinki was founded in 1640 in Turku as the Royal Academy of Turku and moved to Helsinki in 1828 after the Great Fire of Turku. It is Finland's oldest and largest university: in 2024 it had 31,871 degree students (15,619 at bachelor's level) across 11 faculties, plus the Swedish School of Social Science. It is officially bilingual, teaching in Finnish and Swedish, and is Finland's only member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU).
Teaching happens on four Helsinki campuses: the City Centre campus around Senate Square, Kumpula (the Faculty of Science), Meilahti (medicine) and Viikki (agriculture and forestry, biosciences, veterinary medicine and pharmacy). The university also runs field stations from Hyytiälä to Kilpisjärvi in Lapland, and one in Kenya.
For international school-leavers there are two English-taught bachelor's degrees, both three years long: Liberal Arts and Sciences, which combines the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities across six faculties, and Science, covering mathematics and statistics, physics, chemistry and computer and data science. Both lead straight into master's study at the university. Most other bachelor's programmes are taught in Finnish or Swedish. The programmes suit students who want a flexible, research-led degree and are comfortable being admitted on test scores rather than essays.
Tieteen voimalla – maailman parhaaksi
“With the power of knowledge – for the world” — university motto
Why students choose UH
The Bachelor's Programme in Science gives admitted students the right to continue into one of the nine MSc programmes of the Faculty of Science.
Liberal Arts and Sciences lets you explore across six faculties before specialising, and can lead to master's study in fields from data science to forest sciences.
Graduates of the English-taught bachelor's who finish on time with a GPA of 3.8/5 or higher get a 100% tuition waiver for a University of Helsinki master's (50% for 3.4-3.7).
The Student Union HYY supports more than 250 student organisations, from choirs and theatres to sports clubs.
Admissions
Entry autumn 2027
Selectivity
There is no single university-wide admit rate. For the two English-taught bachelor's programmes starting in autumn 2026, 661 applicants received 333 offers (with overbooking) for 175 places. Lowest accepted SAT scores were 1230 for Liberal Arts and Sciences and 1440 for Science (minimum 1200). Finnish- and Swedish-language programmes admit through separate entrance exams and matriculation results.
Typical entry requirements
| SAT or ACT (Admission Group 1) | Minimum SAT 1200; lowest accepted in 2026 was 1230 (Liberal Arts and Sciences) and 1440 (Science). Criteria weigh reading, writing and mathematics equally for Liberal Arts and Sciences. |
|---|---|
| IB, EB or Finnish matriculation (Admission Group 2) | Ranked on admission points converted from the diploma; lowest accepted in 2026 was 105.0 points (Liberal Arts and Sciences, minimum 85.0) and 125.4 points (Science, minimum 95.0) |
| General eligibility | A school-leaving qualification that gives eligibility for higher education in Finland (or in the country where it was completed) |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 92 IELTS Academic 6.5 with at least 6.0 in every section (One Skill Retake accepted). TOEFL iBT 92 with at least 22 in writing for tests before 21 January 2026, or 4.5 with at least 4 in every section on the new scale. Schooling in English in certain countries (e.g. UK, US, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Nordic countries) can also prove proficiency. |
Deadlines
- Admission Group 1 (SAT/ACT-based) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months19 January 2027, 15:00 Finnish time
Application period 5-19 January 2027 for applicants without a Finnish matriculation, IB, EB or Reifeprüfung diploma. In 2026 results came out by 15 April.
- Admission Group 2 (matriculation, IB or EB) Non-binding In ~6 months23 March 2027, 15:00 Finnish time
Application period 9-23 March 2027. In 2026 results came out by 25 May.
The 2027 application periods are confirmed on the university's website; the closing time of 15:00 (UTC+2) is taken from the 2026 instructions. The university says full 2027 instructions and admission criteria will be published on Studyinfo.fi by the end of October 2026.
How to apply
Apply through the Finnish national portal Studyinfo.fi. Your previous education decides your admission group and application period, and you cannot choose or apply in both. Non-EU/EEA applicants pay a one-time national application fee of EUR 100 on Studyinfo. Upload the required enclosures (diploma, SAT/ACT scores or IB/EB results, proof of English).
What admissions looks for
- High standardised test scores: Group 1 applicants are ranked purely on SAT or ACT results.
- For Liberal Arts and Sciences, balanced performance, since the criteria weigh reading, writing and mathematics equally.
- For Science, strong mathematics: the lowest accepted SAT score in 2026 was 1440.
- Proof of English at the required level in every section of IELTS or TOEFL.
Tips for applying to UH
- 1 Work out your admission group first: with an IB, EB or Finnish matriculation diploma you apply in March, otherwise in January with SAT or ACT scores. You cannot pick or switch.
- 2 Aim well above the SAT minimum of 1200, especially for Science, where the lowest admitted score in 2026 was 1440.
- 3 Check that your IELTS or TOEFL meets the per-section minimums (IELTS 6.0 in every section), not just the overall score.
- 4 Non-EU/EEA applicants must pay the EUR 100 Studyinfo fee or upload proof of exemption, or the application will not be processed; there is no fee waiver.
- 5 Budget for EUR 13,000 a year with no bachelor's scholarships, but finishing on time with a strong GPA can earn a full master's tuition waiver.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in EUR
There are no tuition fee waivers for the English-language bachelor's programmes. Degree programmes may give a Dean's award of EUR 1,000 to second- and third-year students based on the previous year's results. Students who finish the English-taught bachelor's on time with a GPA of at least 3.8/5 get a 100% waiver for a University of Helsinki master's, and 3.4-3.7 earns 50%.
- None
- Bachelor's tuition waivers
- EUR 1,000
- Dean's award (years 2-3)
- EUR 100, one-time national fee
- Application fee (non-EU/EEA)
Academics
Bachelor's Programme in Science
English-taught, covering mathematics and statistics, physics, chemistry and computer and data science, with a path into nine Faculty of Science MSc programmes.
Bachelor's Programme in Liberal Arts and Sciences
English-taught and interdisciplinary across six faculties, with degrees awarded as BA, BSc, BSc (Agriculture and Forestry) or Bachelor of Social Sciences.
Kumpula science campus
Home of the Faculty of Science, with the departments of physics, chemistry, mathematics and statistics, computer science and geosciences in one place.
International master's programmes
English-taught master's with fees of EUR 13,000-18,000 and a scholarship programme of 50% and 100% tuition waivers.
Research
- The Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS) works on interdisciplinary solutions to sustainability problems, and the university aims to be carbon neutral by 2030.
- The university's clinical biobank underpins its genetic research.
- Field stations at Hyytiälä, Kilpisjärvi, Lammi, Muddusjärvi, Tvärminne and Värriö, plus a station in Kenya, support environmental research.
- A. I. Virtanen and Ragnar Granit both carried out Nobel Prize-winning work at the university.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
- Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences
- Faculty of Educational Sciences
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Medicine
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Faculty of Theology
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
- Swedish School of Social Science
Student life
Every bachelor's and master's student is a member of the Student Union HYY, which supports more than 250 student organisations: subject associations, political groups, choirs, theatres and sports clubs. Finnish student culture has its own rituals: coloured overalls covered in patches, sitsit (academic dinner parties) and Vappu, the May Day spring celebration. The year starts with an opening carnival and a fresher adventure, and students join a traditional procession on Finland's Independence Day. About 9% of degree students are international, and the university offers free Finnish courses to international students.
- Vappu (May Day), the spring celebration for university students.
- Student overalls, whose colours and patches show your university and subject.
- The academic sledging race on Shrove Tuesday.
- More than 250 student organisations under the Student Union HYY.
Location
Helsinki is a compact, safe capital by the sea with more than 70,000 university students. The main building stands on Senate Square in the historic centre, and the other campuses are a short tram or metro ride away. You can get by in English, especially in the capital region, and forests and islands are close at hand, but winters are long and dark.
Nearest airport: Helsinki Airport (HEL)
Notable alumni
- LT Linus TorvaldsCreator of Linux; master's degree in computer science from the University of Helsinki
- AI Artturi Ilmari VirtanenNobel Prize in Chemistry 1945; master's and PhD in chemistry from the University of Helsinki
- RG Ragnar GranitNobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1967 for work on vision; studied and researched at the University of Helsinki
- BH Bengt HolmströmNobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences 2016; BS in mathematics and science from the University of Helsinki
- TH Tarja HalonenPresident of Finland 2000-2012; Master of Laws from the University of Helsinki
- KJ Kaarlo Juho StåhlbergFirst President of Finland; law degree and doctorate from the University of Helsinki
- FE Frans Eemil SillanpääNobel Prize in Literature 1939; entered the university to study medicine
Frequently asked questions
Does the University of Helsinki offer bachelor's degrees in English?
Yes, two: Liberal Arts and Sciences and Science, both three years long. Most other bachelor's programmes are taught in Finnish or Swedish.
What SAT score do you need for the University of Helsinki?
The minimum was 1200 for 2026 entry, but the lowest admitted scores were 1230 for Liberal Arts and Sciences and 1440 for Science. SAT or ACT scores are required if you don't have a Finnish matriculation, IB, EB or Reifeprüfung diploma.
When is the University of Helsinki application deadline for 2027?
5-19 January 2027 for SAT/ACT applicants (Admission Group 1) and 9-23 March 2027 for IB, EB or Finnish matriculation applicants (Admission Group 2), both via Studyinfo.fi.
How much is tuition at the University of Helsinki for international students?
EUR 13,000 a year for non-EU/EEA students on the English-taught bachelor's programmes; EU/EEA citizens pay nothing. There are no bachelor's tuition waivers, and non-EU/EEA applicants pay a EUR 100 application fee.
What IELTS score does the University of Helsinki require?
IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in every section, or TOEFL iBT 92 with at least 22 in writing (4.5 with 4 in every section on the new scale).
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- University of Helsinki: Apply to bachelor's and master's programmes
- University of Helsinki: Apply to Bachelor's programmes
- University of Helsinki: Proving your English language skills
- University of Helsinki: Tuition fees and scholarship programme
- University of Helsinki: Statistics on student admissions
- University of Helsinki: Applications and accepted students, Bachelor's Programmes in English, spring 2026 (PDF, 17.9.2026)
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