8506 vie for 835 seats in Helsinki University Int´l Masters programme

The University of Helsinki received a total of 8506 applications in the international master’s programme for the Autumn session this year, said the university in a press release on Wednesday.

Wednesday was the last day for the application round and the authority will select 835 students out of the total applicants.

There were 35 different programmes available for admission 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 Computer Science this year, with a total of 790 applications.

The Master’s Programme in Data Science was in second place with 768 applications followed by the Master’s Programme in Environmental Change and Global Sustainability with 561 applications.

A total of 421 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.

The number was 264 in the application round in 2022.

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

"I am delighted to see that our wide range of international programmes are very popular for prospective students, especially as we have in recent years put lots of efforts into developing both the content and methods of teaching, based on our very high level of curiosity-driven research. We look forward to welcoming a large cohort of new students from all over the world to our university next fall," said Kai Nordlund vice-rector in charge of academic affairs.

Applications from 148 countries

Applications to international master’s programmes were submitted from 148 countries (142 in 2022). In addition to Finland, the most applications were submitted from Pakistan, Bangladesh and China.

The share of applications from Finland decreased from previous years and was 11 % of all applications (23% in 2022).

The percentage of applicants subject to a tuition fee, or non-EU and non-EEA applicants, was 79% (68% in 2022). From among the applicants subject to a tuition fee, 90 % also applied for a grant.

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.