Welcome to University of Helsinki
News, stories and updates for applicants and international students at the University of Helsinki
The University of Helsinki Welcome Fair for new international students is once again over for this autumn term.
A big thank you from all of us at the International Exchange Services and Student Services to you who visited and worked at the Fair! Once again, an awesome Fair!
Dear new student,
the Student Union of the University of Helsinki will also be present at the Welcome fair during Wednesday and Thursday. You will have the possibility to pay the membership fee in cash and get to know the student union benefits better. It is also possible to join the Student Union at the office at Mannerheimintie 5 A, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The deadline for the membership fee payment is on September 1st. Continue reading “Meet HYY at the Welcome fair and the Opening carnival”
The concept of student union was not new to me as it exists in almost every country. Still, when I came to Finland, I was astonished by the functioning and influence of student unions in Finland.
When I got accepted in the University of Helsinki, for the confirmation of my admission I was supposed to pay around 100 euro for Helsingin yliopiston ylioppilaskunta (HYY) [The student union of the University of Helsinki]. I admit this didn’t make me very happy. At that time, I assumed HYY is just some other student union which probably won’t do anything. Again to my surprise, I was totally wrong.
Before I go any further, I would like to make a little introduction about HYY. It came into being in 1868 making it the oldest students union in Finland. Due to its rich history, culture and well-structured organization it has always made a big influence on the National politics of Finland. Apart from its extensive history HYY is the largest in Finland with approximately 32,000 members and making it one of the richest student unions.
Where does all this money and influence go? Continue reading “Why to join the Student Union of the University of Helsinki?”
One of the world’s leading universities is looking for bright new students. Think clear, head north!University of Helsinki is among the world’s leading multidisciplinary research universities regularly reaching the Top 100 in global university rankings. Helsinki has been ranked as the World’s Most Livable City and Finland as the World’s Best Country. Finland is also in the Top 10 of most highly educated nations in the world. Could the conditions for getting your academic career started be any better?
For international applicants UH offers a comprehensive selection of research-oriented two-year International Master’s Programmes. Browse the new brochure for more information about the programmes, admissions and student life from here!
By the way, the next application period begins December 1, 2014 and closes January 30, 2015 at 16:00 (GMT +2). Please note that the University of Helsinki has only one application period per year for graduate students.
Has your home university selected you for student exchange at the University of Helsinki for the spring semester 2015? Congratulations, you are making a good choice! In total, University of Helsinki welcomes about 1000 exchange students each year, for one term or for the full academic year.
If you have already been nominated by your own university, you have taken the first steps towards becoming an exchange student. The next steps of the application process are outlined below.
Continue reading “Applying to University of Helsinki as an exchange student”
My name is Austin Sears and I am currently one of University of Helsinki’s International Student Ambassadors. Last year I checked out the Midnight Run on a whim after seeing the Facebook post about it and found myself cheering on the runners from the steps of the University’s Main Building in the Senate Square. I thought about participating, but I was recovering from an injury I got while running last summer.
This year is a bit different. Like Dina, who wrote this handy little guide, I am participating in the Midnight Run on August 30th and I am very excited about it! Continue reading “Running in Finland: An International Student’s Perspective”
Learning some Finnish makes sense once you have settled down in Helsinki and at the University. Although it is easy to get by in English at least in the Metropolitan Area to really integrate into Finnish society it makes a lot of sense to learn Finnish. Knowledge of Finnish is also extremely helpful if you seek a job here.
The University has Finnish courses for both degree and exchange students. The Finnish courses are organized by the Department of Finnish, Finno-Ugrian and Scandinavian Studies. More information is available on the Department website. If the courses offered by the Department of Finnish, Finno-Ugrian and Scandinavian Studies don’t fit into your schedule, you can find information on other options on the Learning Finnish website. Continue reading “Language courses at the UH”
Tianyan Liu
Study field: Computer Science (Intelligent Systems), minor in Economics
Graduated: 2010
Employer and position: Viivamedia Oy, Software Developer
Hi Tianyan, how did you end up studying computer science in Finland?
My dad used to work in the Chinese Embassy, and I came here to study when I was 18. What motivated me to study Computer Science was the fact that computer related technologies have become the force that is revolutionizing all aspects of our lives. It has a good job prospect, and is also important for basically any career path. During my studies, what motivated me were the interesting studies provided by the university, and the brilliant people around me. Continue reading “Meet our alumnus! Tianyan Liu “Computer Science is revolutionizing all aspects of our lives””
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