The most popular programme among applicants was the Bachelor's Programme in Law. The new Master's Programme in the Development of Health Care Services was by far the most popular master's programme.
In the joint application procedure for Finnish higher education institutions, 30,400 individuals applied to the University of Helsinki. There were 27,300 applicants to bachelor's programmes and 3,200 to master's programmes. The joint application procedure ended on 30 March 2023.
From year to year, the University of Helsinki has been the number one choice for applicants. For this application round, that matter will be confirmed at a later date, but the attractiveness of the University of Helsinki appears to have remained very strong.
"Heartfelt thanks for the trust placed in us! We will do everything in our power to make our University the best place to study. I wish you all the best of luck and success in the admissions process," says Rector Sari Lindblom of the University of Helsinki.
With a total of 3,574 applicants, the most popular option available for application was the Bachelor's Programme in Law (teaching provided in Finnish in Helsinki). The second most popular programme was the Degree Programme in Medicine (teaching in Finnish), with 3,364 applicants. The Bachelor's Programme in Psychology came in third, with 2,910 applicants.
Nearly 1,500 applicants to the new Master's Programme in the Development of Health Care Services
The master's programmes of the University of Helsinki attracted 3,206 applicants. The most popular option was the new Master's Programme in the Development of Health Care Services, with 1,444 applicants. The second and third most popular options were the Master's Programme in Pharmacy and the Master's Programme in Psychology, with 288 and 233 applicants, respectively.
The Master's Programme in the Development of Health Care Services, a new programme launching at the Faculty of Medicine in autumn 2023, was exceptionally well received. The programme attracted nearly 1,500 applicants, which is almost half of all applicants to the master's programmes of the University of Helsinki.
"Finland needs specialists in the social welfare and healthcare sector with the capacity to make healthcare function increasingly well. In addition, the field needs professionals in demanding specialist, research and supervisory positions. I'm really happy that the programme is this popular already in its first year," says Vice-Dean Anu Katriina Pesonen, chair of the programme's planning group.
Open university route as an alternative to certificate-based admissions and entrance examinations
The open university route outside the joint application procedure interested 229 applicants. The most popular programme was the Bachelor's Programme in Computer Science, with 61 applicants. The second-highest number of applicants (53) were attracted by the Bachelor's Programme in Law. The open university route refers to applying for the right to pursue a degree on the basis of completed open university studies.
This year, the field of education expanded the open university route (link in Finnish only), as studies in education were included in the joint application procedure. In fact, the open university route is becoming an authentic alternative to certificate-based admissions and entrance examinations in the field. For example, 10% of the places in the aptitude test for teacher training are reserved for applicants taking the open university route. At the University of Helsinki, the field of education attracted 207 applicants.
"It's great to see so many people applying via the open university route. For applicants, it's good to have several alternative ways to apply to university. If you're not admitted through certificate-based admissions or the VAKAVA examination, you can complete open university courses instead of taking a gap year, thus also earning a degree sooner rather than later. The open university route is a genuine alternative to other routes," says Anu Laine, chair of the VAKAVA national selection cooperation network in the field of education.
Applicant numbers and available places by degree programme will be published on the University website tomorrow, Friday, 31 March 2023. More detailed statistics on factors such as gender and language distribution, the number of first-time applicants, and applicants with the University as their first choice will be compiled for each degree programme next week, followed by their publication on the same website.
