University of Helsinki

Public university in Helsinki, Finland

Logo of the University of Helsinki

The University of Helsinki (Finnish: Helsingin yliopisto, Swedish: Helsingfors universitet) is a public research university located in Helsinki, Finland. It is the oldest and largest university in Finland, with a student body of over 31,000. The university is renowned for its high-quality research and teaching, and it is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world.

History

Queen Christina of Sweden, founder of the university

The University of Helsinki was originally founded in 1640 as the Royal Academy of Turku by Queen Christina of Sweden. It was established in the city of Turku, which was then part of the Swedish Empire.

The original location in Turku

In 1827, a devastating fire destroyed much of Turku, including the university. As a result, the university was relocated to Helsinki, which had become the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland in 1812. The move was completed in 1829, and the university was renamed the Imperial Alexander University in Finland in honor of Alexander I of Russia.

In 1917, following Finland's independence, the university adopted its current name, the University of Helsinki.

Campus

The University of Helsinki's main campus is located in the city center of Helsinki. The university has several other campuses, including the Kumpula Campus for science, the Meilahti Campus for medicine, and the Viikki Campus for life sciences.

Main Building of the University of Helsinki

The main building of the university, designed by Carl Ludvig Engel, is a prominent example of neoclassical architecture and is located on Senate Square.

Libraries and Museums

National Library of Finland

The University of Helsinki is home to the National Library of Finland, which is the largest and oldest scholarly library in Finland. The university also maintains several museums, including the Finnish Museum of Natural History and the University of Helsinki Museum.

Research and Education

The University of Helsinki is a leading research institution, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across its 11 faculties, including the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Medicine, and Faculty of Law.

Notable Alumni and Faculty

The University of Helsinki has produced many notable alumni, including several Nobel Prize laureates, such as Artturi Ilmari Virtanen and Frans Eemil Sillanpää. The university's faculty has included prominent scholars and scientists, contributing significantly to various fields of study.

Coat of Arms

Coat of arms of the University of Helsinki

The coat of arms of the University of Helsinki features a golden crown and a book, symbolizing the university's royal origins and its commitment to knowledge and learning.

Related Pages

• List of universities in Finland
• Education in Finland
• Helsinki