University of Helsinki
Maybe you have already heard about Academic Action -network from your friends or from our blog, but I will write again a short post about the network. It’s important to show also the university’s perspective; when a research university embraces an entrepreneurial mindset – what happens? Erto Örnberg from University of Helsinki shares his insights and experiences on Academic action -network. Continue reading ““To be innovative is to see and do things different way””
Meet our students: Belarusian and Georgian students happy in Helsinki
The first three exchange students from Belarus and Georgia have arrived in Finland in January 2013 via the Baltic Sea Region – Caucasus Network (BASERCAN*) coordinated by the Aleksanteri Institute.
Two of the students, Katsiaryna Ivanova (Belarusian State University, Minsk) and Elene Sonya Chumburidze (Ilia State University, Tbilisi), shared their first impressions of the University of Helsinki and Finnish university culture with Aleksanteri News.
“The studying process is quite different from what I have experienced at my home university. I really like it that students here have so much freedom in their studies and this keeps them motivated all the time. The university library pleased me a lot. I found many good books on the topic of my course paper. I think the best thing here is that the students can actually get access to almost anything they need for their studies,” said Ivanova. Continue reading “Meet our students: Belarusian and Georgian students happy in Helsinki”
Meet our students: Shristi Neupane from Nepal wants to promote peace and understanding
In spite of freezing temperatures outdoors, Helsinki is possibly the warmest place one might choose to spend the winter. I’m not talking about the heating system (though it is generally excellent), rather – the remarkable people one meets daily in the campuses of University of Helsinki: the teachers and students, each carrying their own unique story of their past and future, but all sharing their current common belonging to the university. Enrolled in the International Master’s Degree Programme in Plant Production Sciences, a student from Nepal Shristi Neupane enjoys the high standard of the studies, as well as embraces herself in a variety of extracurricular activities the City of Helsinki offers. Continue reading “Meet our students: Shristi Neupane from Nepal wants to promote peace and understanding”
UH’s Funds and Research Foundation: Grants for 2013 now open for applications!
The application period for the grants and scholarships from the University of Helsinki Funds and the Research Foundation has now begun. The application period ends on 27.2.2013 at 15:00 (3:00 p.m.). Continue reading “UH’s Funds and Research Foundation: Grants for 2013 now open for applications!”
Academic action network promotes entrepreneurial mindset at University of Helsinki
The social world around you needs improvement. Something should be done about climate change. The elderly need to be taken better care of. There is something strange in the neighborhood, but who are you going to call?
Tieteestä toimintaa (‘academic action’) network gathers people who want to create more academic entrepreneurship. Network opens new doors for different projects and start-ups. Organizer Outi Kuittinen from think tank DEMOS HELSINKI shares her insights and experiences on Academic action -network. Continue reading “Academic action network promotes entrepreneurial mindset at University of Helsinki”
Meet our students! Feeling part of an academic community
The day I got the email letting me know I was accepted at the Ethnic Relations, Cultural Diversity and Integration Master’s programme (ERI) was one of the happiest days of my life. Soon however, anxiety about a new move in my life kicked in. Four years earlier I had made my first move when I left Albania to pursue my Bachelor studies at the University of Malta. I loved to travel and experience new things, but the move to the North was going to be a different one. Continue reading “Meet our students! Feeling part of an academic community”
University awarded 50 grants to international students
Congratulations to all our new grantees!
Since the mid-1980’s, the University of Helsinki has awarded grants to international students. Two years ago the focus of the grant programme was revised. The grants were now targeted entirely for students who are accepted to study in the International Master’s Degree Programmes.
Since then, an increasing number of students have had the chance of receiving the start-up grant (c. 1500 euro). This amount may not cover living expenses in Helsinki; however, we hope it makes settling in a little easier.
Every year we invite the grantees to a reception hosted by one of our rectors. Read the news on this year’s grant reception!
How to apply for the grant? If you get accepted to one of our International Master’s Degree Programmes, you can apply for the grant online after receiving your letter of acceptance. Read more on the criteria on our “Studying” website. The application period for international programmes opens November 19, 2012 and closes January 31, 2013.
Meet our students! UH provides top researchers for globalisation challenges
To give you a sense of what it’s like to study in our Forest Sciences and Business Master’s Programme, Yijing Zhang shares her insights and experiences on studies and life in Helsinki! Continue reading “Meet our students! UH provides top researchers for globalisation challenges”
Grants and Scholarships Available – apply 24.10.-14.11.2012.
The “Get Your Master’s Thesis Written!” -grant, grants for student organisations and study circles offered by Student Services are open for application for the university students. The application time is 24.10. at 12.00 – 14.11.2012 at 23:59.
The “Get Your Master’s Thesis Written!” -grant offers individual master’s level students an intensive one- or two-week period at Hyytiälä, Lammi, Tvärminne, Värriö, or Kilpisjärvi research stations to work on their master’s thesis. The grant covers room and board.
Student groups planning a study circle can apply for a study circle grant to cover the expenses of the teacher’s salary.
Grants for student organisations are available for student organisations within the University of Helsinki who are planning a study trip or a seminar.
More information on the grants and scholarships and the application process is available in the university’s new intranet Flamma:
”Get your Master’s Thesis Written!” -grant: Contents and services > Students > Financing of Studies > Grants and scholarships > Undergraduate and graduate students
Grants for student organisations & study circles: Contents and services > Students > Financing of Studies > Grants and scholarships > Grants for student organizations and student groups
Speak it out!
Whether you want to brush up your presentation skills in English, to get along with your native Finnish fellow students, learn to read academic articles in French or prepare yourself for the demands of the working life in and outside of Finland, get in touch with the Language Centre or Department of Finnish, Finno-Ugrian and Scandinavian Studies – we are there for you offering
- Language teaching in 17 languages
- Courses free of charge for university students
- Study points awarded for each completed course
- High quality in teaching methods and materials
- Qualified teachers
The Language Centre
The Language Centre provides courses for Helsinki University students in 17 languages, such as Arabic, English, Japanese, German, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish etc. In addition to teaching, the Language centre offers also facilities for self-access language learning in 40 languages and tutoring in 8 languages.
Tutors are Language Centre teachers, available for consultation in the self-access facilities. Tutors can help you with topics such as language courses, study materials, learning techniques and grammar. If required, tutors also provide assistance with the preparation of personal study plans. Tutoring is available to all university students and staff, and it is especially recommended to those studying languages on their own.
For more information, see http://www.helsinki.fi/languagecentre
Finnish Language courses offered by the Department of Finnish, Finno-Ugrian and Scandinavian Studies
Our course selection includes Finnish language courses aimed both for exchange students and for master’s and degree students. We have teaching in four different Helsinki University campuses (this semester in City centre, Kumpula, Viikki and Meilahti campus).
So which course to choose? There are many options to study Finnish with us!
Exchange student courses
- These courses have both beginner’s and continuation level. Emphasis is on learning practical everyday Finnish and grammar.
Master’s student courses
- These courses have less contact hours than the courses aimed for exchange students, so more independent work and group work is required. Otherwise they are similar to the exchange student courses.
Degree student courses
- These courses are divided in different levels, starting from beginner’s level and ending up to fluent level of Finnish. This is an option for you if want to learn Finnish in more intensive courses and possibly for longer period of time. It is also possible to join these courses if you already know some Finnish beforehand; we can help you to find a right level Finnish course for you.
Finnish Language and Culture degree programme
- All the teaching is in Finnish, so good level of Finnish is required. International students can join these courses if they pass an entrance exam held in Finnish.
For more information, see http://www.helsinki.fi/fus/studying/finnishforinternationalstudents.html
Photo by Linda Tammisto