One Night of Future Possibilities leading to two years in Helsinki?

Night of Future Possibilities Study Fair
The fish was this big… Or staff testing the background for the photo session at the Helsinki Summer School study fair.

University of Helsinki, or UH in short, was invited to the Night of Future Possibilities study fair organized by Helsinki Summer School this week. Thanks for all summer school students for visiting us at the fair! We took photos of you, have a look at the album on our Facebook page.

If you come to Helsinki for three weeks for summer school, why not find out how to stay a bit longer. Most of the courses in summer school are organized by the University of Helsinki and our Master’s Degree Programmes. Summer School is probably the best way to get to know more about a programme, the facilities, the staff, etc. before applying for degree studies.

Why should you choose UH? Well, it is a pretty good university! The Shanghai ranking list for 2012 was published this week and UH is again in the Top 100. This year we’re ranked 73rd out of world’s 15 000 universities. UH is aiming even higher, to the Top 50. There is no success in university rankings if we’re not truly international. There are about 3000 international students here, but we want more. This is why the faculties have worked hard for having today a wide range of International Master’s Degree Programmes open for international (and Finnish) students.

We have asked the students for their opinion too. UH participated in the International Student Barometer (ISB) in 2010. There were over 200 universities worldwide that took part in the survey. A questionnaire was sent to international students at UH and they were among the most active ones of all participants. 68% took part in the survey – and that’s a lot.

There are a few things worth mentioning in ISB. It is clear that the research and long traditions are important and UH was seen as a very prestigious institution. Almost 90% of the students would recommend the study experience to others. The learning environment is world-class, no doubt about that. The labs and learning spaces were ranked to one of the highest positions. And so were our sports services – it is not all about studying, you have to look after yourself, too.

One thing that was striking with Finland was the safety issue. Students really feel safe. Maybe I should also mention good public transport between our four campuses, libraries, IT services, catering, etc. I mean everyday life is quite uncomplicated here. Ok, Helsinki is not the cheapest place to live in though…  But you get value for your money.

A few words more about the facilities. In just a few weeks UH’s new main library, the Kaisa Library, opens its doors. It has already been described an example of WOW architecture and will probably become one of the landmarks in Helsinki. The library couldn’t be more centrally located and it offers group work facilities, a book cafe, silent rooms, even rocking chairs! And probably much more. We’ll see when the place opens 3 September.

We hope you enjoy your time in summer school, Helsinki and at UH – hope to see you again!!

Admissions Services

Helsinki Summer School – happy customers since the year 2000!

Wondering what it would be like to study in Helsinki? Or did you perhaps miss the application round 2012? Don’t worry, there is a way to come to Helsinki for three weeks in August and see if this is the place for you to live and study.

Helsinki Summer School is organized by all the universities in the Helsinki area. Last year there were 400 students from 60 different countries. The majority of the courses are arranged by the University of Helsinki (UH) and its Master’s Degree Programmes. Here’s the list for this year’s courses by UH:

Activity Theory and Formative Interventions
Change and Continuity in Russian and Eastern European Development
Cognitive Neuroscience
Cultural Activities and International Networks
Cultural Heritage, Chemistry and Spectroscopy
Design and the City
Designing Sustainable Forest Landscapes – Ecosystem Services in the Future
Designing Teacher Education for the Future – What Can We Learn from the Finnish Experience
Designing Tomorrow’s Agriculture: role of Ecosystem Services
Developing Intercultural Competence
Ecology and Management of Urban Green Space
Introduction to Bioethics
Introduction to Conceptual History
Introduction to Holocaust and Genocide Studies
Skills of an Active Citizen Towards an Inclusive Society
Video in Research on Learning and Education

Taking it easy in Nuuksio National ParkThe feedback from the students has been excellent every year. HSS arranges accommodation for the students in hostels or student flats and offers also an extensive social programme (e.g. canoeing trips to Nuuksio National Park).  For more information visit the HSS website and find HSS on Facebook!

Pictures: Veikko Somerpuro