University of Helsinki

University of Helsinki

Helsingin yliopisto Helsingfors universitet
Latin: Universitas Helsingiensis
Type	Public
Established	1640
Endowment	€ 624 million
Chancellor	Thomas Wilhelmsson
Rector	Jukka Kola (from Aug 1, 2013)
Administrative staff	10,000 (group total, 2014)
Students	36,500
Undergraduates	20,500
Postgraduates	9500
Doctoral students	6500
Location	Helsinki, Finland 60°10′10″N 024°57′00″E / 60.16944°N 24.95000°E / 60.16944; 24.95000Coordinates: 60°10′10″N 024°57′00″E / 60.16944°N 24.95000°E / 60.16944; 24.95000
Campus	Urban
Colors	Blue and Grey
Affiliations	LERU Unica Utrecht Network Europaeum UArctic
Website	[2]

The University of Helsinki (Finnish: Helsingin yliopisto, Swedish: Helsingfors universitet, Latin: Universitas Helsingiensis, abbreviated UH) is a university located in Helsinki, Finland since 1829, but was founded in the city of Turku (in Swedish Åbo) in 1640 as the Royal Academy of Åbo, at that time part of the Swedish Empire. It is the oldest and largest university in Finland with the widest range of disciplines available. Around 36,500 students are currently enrolled in the degree programs of the university spread across 11 faculties and 11 research institutes.

As of August 1, 2005, the University complies with the harmonized structure of the Europe-wide Bologna Process and offers Bachelor, Master, Licenciate, and Doctoral degrees. Admission to degree programmes is usually determined by entrance examinations, in the case of bachelor's degrees, and by prior degree results, in the case of master and postgraduate degrees. Entrance is particularly selective (circa 15% of the yearly applicants are admitted). It has been ranked a top 100 university in the world according to the 2016 ARWU, QS and THE rankings.

The university is bilingual, with teaching officially provided both in Finnish and Swedish. Generally speaking, however, the university is monolingual Finnish, as courses taught in Swedish are very few and far apart. Teaching in English is extensive throughout the university at Master, Licentiate, and Doctoral levels, making it a de facto third language of instruction.

Remaining true to its traditionally strong Humboldtian ethos, the University of Helsinki places heavy emphasis on high-quality teaching and research of a top international standard. It is a member of various prominent international university networks, such as Europaeum, UNICA, the Utrecht Network, and is a founding member of the League of European Research Universities.