6,904 apply to Helsinki University Int´l prgms for autumn session

A total of 6904 students applied to the University of Helsinki to get admission in the international bachelor’s and master’s programmes for the upcoming autumn session, said the university in a press release on Wednesday.

The international master’s programmes received a total of 6,627 applications in the application round that ended on Wednesday. The number of student places available in the programmes beginning in autumn 2022 is 840.

The University of Helsinki has 36 master’s programmes with English as the language of instruction. In many of these programmes, studies can also be completed partially or entirely in Finnish or Swedish.

The most popular programme was the Master’s Programme in Data Science, with a total of 533 applications.

The Master’s Programme in Environmental Change and Global Sustainability was in second place with 478 applications, while the Master’s Programme in Computer Science was third with 452 applications.

Applications to international master’s programmes were submitted from 142 countries (150 in 2021).

After Finland, the most applications were submitted from Pakistan (519), China (438) and Nigeria (375). In terms of percentages, the share of Norwegian applicants increased the most. Finnish applicants accounted for 23% (20% in 2021) of all applicants.

The percentage of applicants subject to a tuition fee, or non-EU and non-EEA applicants, was 68% (68% in 2021). From among the applicants subject to a tuition fee, 85% also applied for a grant.

“The grant scheme has been revamped from last year. We hope that it will make it easier for a higher number of students subject to a tuition fee to embark on their studies at the University of Helsinki,” said Head of Admissions Riitta Heinsalo from Teaching and Learning Services of the university.

Meanwhile, a total of 277 applications were submitted to the Bachelor’s Programme in Science, the only English-language bachelor’s programme at the University of Helsinki, in the application round that ended on 5 January.

The number is 121 higher compared to the number of the applicants in the previous year.

Additional applications to this programme will be received at a later date, as some applicants are applying in the joint application procedure of Finnish higher education institutions.

Applications to the Finnish- and Swedish-language bachelor’s and master’s programmes of the University of Helsinki are accepted in conjunction with the joint application procedure of Finnish higher education institutions on 16–30 March 2022.

In the autumn of 2022, the Master’s Programme in Pharmaceutical Research, Development and Safety will be launched at the University of Helsinki. The programme received a total of 191 applications.

“Pharmaceutical specialists are needed in both the pharmaceutical industry and the public sector. Our goal is for graduates of the programme to have strong expertise in both medical drug research and drug development as well as in questions related to the safe and effective use of drugs. It’s great to have so many people interested in the programme in its inaugural year,” said Leena Hanski, director of the degree programme.

Decisions on admissions and grants will be published by mid-April, after which the admitted applicants will notify the University whether they wish to accept the offered student place.