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University of Helsinki

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The University of Helsinki is a very important school in Finland.

University of Helsinki, Main Building (52890870759)
University of Helsinki, Main Building (52890870759)

It is the oldest and largest university in the whole country. Many students go there to learn about different subjects. In 2022, about 31,000 students were studying in its many programs. The school has 11 different faculties for various types of study. It also has 11 research institutes to help people find new things. This school helps people prepare for many different jobs.

Learning at the university happens in a few different ways.

Kansalliskirjasto - National Library of Finland, Helsinki (52890137262)
Kansalliskirjasto - National Library of Finland, Helsinki (52890137262)

Students can earn several kinds of degrees. They might earn a bachelor degree or a master degree. There are also licentiate and doctoral degrees for advanced study. To get into these programs, students often take entrance exams. For higher degrees, the school looks at previous results. The university uses three main languages for teaching. Most classes are in Finnish or Swedish. Many master and doctoral classes are taught in English.

This school has a very long and interesting history.

Cristina de Suecia a caballo (Bourdon)
Cristina de Suecia a caballo (Bourdon)

It was first started in the city of Turku in 1640. Queen Christina of Sweden founded the school as the Royal Academy of Turku. It was the third university made in the Swedish Empire. Later, Finland was ruled by the Russian Empire. In 1827, a great fire happened in the city of Turku. Because of this fire, the university moved to Helsinki in 1828.

Coat of arms of the University of Helsinki
Coat of arms of the University of Helsinki

Under Tsar Alexander I, it became the Imperial Alexander University.

Over many years, the university grew much larger and stronger.

University of Helsinki, Main Building (52890870759)
University of Helsinki, Main Building (52890870759)

In the 1800s, the number of students grew from 400 to over 3,000. The school built many important things in Helsinki. They finished the main building in 1832. They also built a botanical garden and an observatory. In 1917, Finland became a free republic. The school then became the University of Helsinki. It played a big part in helping the new nation grow. Even during hard times like World War II, it kept working.

Today, the university is known all over the world for its great work.

Main Auditorium, Helsinki University
Main Auditorium, Helsinki University

Many professors there have won very famous prizes. For example, A.I. Virtanen won a Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1945. Ragnar Granit shared a Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1967. The school also helps with big global projects. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Defense gave money to help study cancer. This shows how the university helps people everywhere. It stays one of the top research schools in Europe.

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🖼️ Images & Media (16)
File:Cristina de Suecia a caballo (Bourdon).jpg
Cristina de Suecia a caballo (Bourdon).jpg
File:Turun_hovioikeus_talvella.jpg
Turun_hovioikeus_talvella.jpg
File:Coat of arms of the University of Helsinki.png
Coat of arms of the University of Helsinki.png
File:Kansalliskirjasto - National Library of Finland, Helsinki (52890137262).jpg
Kansalliskirjasto - National Library of...
File:University of Helsinki, Main Building (52890870759).jpg
University of Helsinki, Main Building...
File:University building Unioninkatu 33b by Unioninkatu in Kruununhaka, Helsinki, Finland, 2022 April.jpg
University building Unioninkatu 33b by...
File:Vanha fysiologian laitosrakennus - Marit Henriksson.jpg
Vanha fysiologian laitosrakennus - Marit...
File:Helsinki July 2013-14.jpg
Helsinki July 2013-14.jpg
File:Main Auditorium, Helsinki University.jpg
Main Auditorium, Helsinki University.jpg
File:Helsinki--Psyc Department.jpg
Helsinki--Psyc Department.jpg
File:HU-main-building-1944b.jpg
HU-main-building-1944b.jpg
File:Kumpula Campus Physicum.jpg
Kumpula Campus Physicum.jpg

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