Åbo Akademi
Turku, Finland • Founded 1918
Updated May 2026
Overview
Established in 1918, the Åbo Akademi (Åbo Akademi University) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Turku (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Southwest Finland.
This institution also has a branch campus in Vaasa. Officially recognized by the Opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriö, Suomi (Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland), Åbo Akademi (ÅAU) is a small-sized coeducational Finnish higher education institution.
Åbo Akademi (ÅAU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 106-year-old Finnish higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
ÅAU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Looking to reach Åbo Akademi? Address, contact details, and online links below. For finance and tuition payment queries, the bursar or finance office is typically a separate contact point.
Academic Details
Academic statistics for Åbo Akademi — including its student body and academic staff numbers. Read these alongside rankings; institution scale changes how rankings should be interpreted.
Degrees
Pick your degree level at Åbo Akademi from the breakdown. Late-entry and transfer options vary by level and country — fewer universities accept mid-degree transfers at master's than at bachelor's.
Other 10 programs
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Education
- Engineering
- Fine Arts
- Law
- Natural Sciences
- Pharmacy
- Political Sciences
- Religion
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriö, Suomi.
Biotechnology (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biotechnology
Arts, Psychology and Theology (Faculty) 14 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Art History
- Communication Disorders
- Comparative Religion
- English
- Ethnology
- Gender Studies
- German
- History
- Nordic Studies
- Psychology
- Religion
- Russian
- Swedish
- Theology
Common Career Paths
- Psychologist
- Counsellor
- Clinical Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Economics and Social Sciences (Faculty) 21 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Business Administration
- Civil Law
- Commercial Law
- Economics
- Information Sciences
- International Business
- International Economics
- International Law
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Law
- Management
- Maritime Law
- Political Sciences
- Private Law
- Public Administration
- Social Policy
- Social Sciences
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Women's Studies
Common Career Paths
- Economist
- Policy Analyst
- Financial Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Education and Welfare Studies (Faculty) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Adult Education
- Developmental Psychology
- Education
- Home Economics
- Mathematics Education
- Physical Education
- Preschool Education
- Science Education
- Special Education
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science and Engineering (Faculty) 15 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Geology
- Marine Biology
- Mathematics
- Mineralogy
- Molecular Biology
- Paper Technology
- Pharmacy
- Physics
- Software Engineering
- Wood Technology
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Social Sciences, Business and Economics (Faculty) 13 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Business Computing
- Commercial Law
- Economics
- International Law
- Law
- Maritime Law
- Marketing
- Mass Communication
- Political Sciences
- Public Administration
- Public Law
- Sociology
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Human Rights (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Human Rights
Social Sciences (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Social Sciences
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Below are Åbo Akademi's active programmes grouped by degree level, with search. Use the filter to narrow by keyword and the level groupings to compare options at the same qualification tier.
46 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Finland
Bachelor's Degree 2 programmes
Master's Degree 34 programmes
Showing 10 of 34.
Doctorate 10 programmes
How to apply to Åbo Akademi
How to apply to Åbo Akademi — a five-step structure with notes on documents, channels, and timing for each phase.
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1
Identify the right programme
Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. Åbo Akademi runs 46 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.
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2
Check entry requirements
Before applying to Åbo Akademi, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for Finland.
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3
Prepare your application documents
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with Åbo Akademi's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
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4
Submit via the institution
Lodge your application through the official website (www.abo.fi). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.
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5
Get in touch with admissions
Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +358 (2) 215 31. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Åbo Akademi
Common questions students ask about Åbo Akademi — answers pulled straight from the institution's published profile.
In what year was Åbo Akademi established?
Åbo Akademi was founded in 1918 (approximately 108 years ago).
Where is Åbo Akademi located?
Åbo Akademi is located in Turku, Finland.
Is Åbo Akademi a public or private institution?
Åbo Akademi operates as a public institution.
What is the student enrolment at Åbo Akademi?
Student enrolment at Åbo Akademi is around 5,000-5,999.
Who recognises Åbo Akademi?
Yes, Åbo Akademi is recognised by Ministry of Education and Culture.
Where can I learn more about Åbo Akademi?
Åbo Akademi's official website is www.abo.fi.
Top-Ranked Universities in Finland
The leading universities in Finland are listed below — useful for sizing Åbo Akademi against the country's top tier. Top-tier institutions in Finland typically set admissions standards that downstream universities track.
Members of European University Association (EUA)
Network-level rankings exist for some European University Association (EUA) groupings (e.g., U21, Universitas 21). These differ from country rankings and reflect coordinated members' shared performance.
Where Else to Study Social Sciences & Education
Industry partnership exclusives on Social Sciences & Education programmes vary — some Finland institutions hold sponsored chairs, others run rotating industry guest-teaching arrangements.
Universities Compared with Åbo Akademi
Below: institutions that students typically weigh against Åbo Akademi when finalising their shortlist. The comparison set reflects scale and prestige; specific programme fit still needs separate verification.
Studying in Finland: guides and resources
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