6 Best Public Universities in Helsinki for International Students

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Helsinki is one of the cities in Finland you should look into if you want to study in a public university. Besides providing a path towards your academic goals, studying in Helsinki can give you valuable insights into its people and the local culture. You can also enjoy various activities here to make your studies abroad all worth it.

There are 9 universities you can find in Helsinki, and 6 of them are public universities. Although your choices might seem few, you’ll take less time looking over them and making your final choice.

In this article, you’ll find out the public universities in Helsinki, with some added information on programs, tuition, and how many international students you’ll be studying with. Let’s get started!

Rank University Location
1 University of Helsinki Helsinki, Finland
2 Metropolia University of Applied Sciences Helsinki, Finland
3 University of the Arts Helsinki Helsinki, Finland
4 Hanken School of Economics Helsinki, Finland
5 Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences Helsinki, Finland
6 Diaconia University of Applied Sciences Helsinki, Finland

Public Universities in Helsinki

1. University of Helsinki

  • University of Helsinki Page
  • University of Helsinki is one of the most elite universities in Finland. With its proven academic excellence, it is considered to be among the preferred European universities of prospective local and international students. Since its establishment in 1640, the institute has been providing high-quality education, contributing to research studies, and promoting internationalization and diversity. To this day, it continues to improve and develop career-oriented programs that will address future industry needs.

    2. Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

  • Metropolia University of Applied Sciences Page
  • Metropolia University of Applied Sciences is one of the most prominent institutions in Finland. It offers more than 60 study programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, with a select number of courses entirely conducted in English. The university is recognized for its high standards of teaching and research. It has partnered with renowned universities and Finnish companies to provide only the best education for its students.

    3. University of the Arts Helsinki

  • University of the Arts Helsinki Page
  • University of the Arts Helsinki, more commonly known as Uniarts Helsinki, is one of the sought-after Finnish schools that provides outstanding educational programs in music, theatre, arts, and dance. Its comprehensive study programs and unique learning approach make Uniarts Helsinki different from other performing arts schools in the country. Moreover, its proven academic excellence has attracted numerous creative and talented students from across the globe.

    4. Hanken School of Economics

  • Hanken School of Economics Page
  • Hanken School of Economics, or Hanken Svenska handelshögskolan, has been in service for over 100 years. Students may apply for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral level education. Non-degree courses are also offered which include one-year open courses, online modules, and many more. Two languages are used for teaching which is Swedish and English. Aside from educational opportunities, career options for qualified individuals are also present.

    5. Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences

  • Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences Page
  • Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences has 11000 students, 650 expert employees, and 5 campuses. Its organizational structure consists of the CEO, the Management Group, the Board, and finally the Collegiate body. This helps efficiently manage all programs offered which are at Bachelor’s and Master’s levels. Other educational opportunities are Vocational Teacher Education, Exchange studies, the EUDAPA program, and Summer School courses. Student life is made easy with various support services such as student housing, student discounts, scholarships, and student healthcare.

    6. Diaconia University of Applied Sciences

  • Diaconia University of Applied Sciences Page
  • Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, known simply as Diak, is an influential Finnish university highly regarded for its high standards of teaching and research. The institute prepares students to be socially responsible and competent professionals. In addition, it trains them to have an entrepreneurial mindset and become effective communicators. Graduates of the school are considered to be exceptional leaders, professionals, and experts.


    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. Can International Students Study in Public Universities in Helsinki?

    Absolutely! International students in public universities in Helsinki can pursue different program levels, but the most popular ones are bachelor’s and master’s programs.

    As for tuition fees, note that these vary across specific disciplines and program levels, with some charging significantly more than others. Specifically, public universities in Helsinki charge up to 13,000 Euros for bachelor’s and 18,000 Euros for master’s studies.


    I hope this article can help you in your search for public universities in Helsinki. Feel free to check out the Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad.