Turun yliopisto
Turku, Finland • Founded 1920 • World Rank #493
Updated May 2026
Overview
Founded in 1920, the Turun yliopisto (University of Turku) 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 Pori. Officially recognized by the Opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriö, Suomi (Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland), Turun yliopisto (TY / UTU) is a large-sized coeducational Finnish higher education institution.
Turun yliopisto (TY / UTU) 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 104-year-old Finnish higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations.
The acceptance rate range is 10-19% making this Finnish higher education organization an extremely selective institution.
International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. TY / UTU 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
Where Turun yliopisto is located and how to contact its offices. Disability and accessibility information is usually held by a separate student services office worth contacting directly.
Academic Details
The numbers behind Turun yliopisto: student body, academic staff, and the recognising bodies validating its work. A baseline read for assessing institutional capacity and rigour.
Academic Structures
Below is the academic-unit breakdown for Turun yliopisto. Inter-faculty credit transfer rules vary; check whether modules outside your home faculty count toward your degree before enrolling.
Unit 11 items
- Baltic Sea Region Studies
- Centre for Translation Studies
- Faculty of Humanities
- School of Art, Literature and Music
- School of Classical and Romance Languages
- School of Cultural Production and Landscape Studies
- School of Cultural Research
- School of English
- School of Finnish and General Linguistics
- School of History
- School of Swedish, German and Russian
Degrees
Each qualification level at Turun yliopisto appears below with its degrees. Research-by-thesis versus taught master's programmes differ in structure, assessment, and graduate-school positioning.
Other 21 programs
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Biology
- Computer Science
- Dentistry
- Ecology
- Education
- Fine Arts
- Food Technology
- Geography
- Geology
- Health Sciences
- Information Technology
- Law
- Mathematics
- Medicine
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Physiology
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Social Sciences
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriö, Suomi.
Brahea Centre of the University of Turku (Centre) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Operation areas: Food Sector and Circular Economy
- Sea and Maritime Studies
- Staff and Organisations' Development
- Smart Cities and Regions
- Development of Higher Education
- Cultural Diversity and Migration
Centre for Language and Communication Studies (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Modern Languages
Common Career Paths
- Journalist
- Public Relations Specialist
- Content Strategist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Finnish Centre for Astronomy with ESO (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Astronomy and Space Science
Turku Bioscience (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biotechnology
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Turku PET Centre (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Medicine
Education (Faculty) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Adult Education
- Education
- Educational Sciences
- Preschool Education
- Special Education
- Teacher Training
- Technology Education
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Humanities (Faculty) 32 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- American Studies
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Baltic Languages
- Classical Languages
- Comparative Literature
- Comparative Religion
- Cultural Studies
- English
- Ethnology
- Finnish
- Folklore
- Foreign Languages Education
- French
- German
- History
- Hungarian
- Italian
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Media Studies
- Museum Studies
- Musicology
- Romanian
- Russian
- Scandinavian Languages
- Spanish
- Swedish
- Translation and Interpretation
- Women's Studies
- Writing
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Editor
- Cultural Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Medicine (Faculty) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Dentistry
- Health Sciences
- Medicine
- Nursing
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Medical Researcher
- Clinical Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
School of Economics (Faculty) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Administration
- Economics
Common Career Paths
- Economist
- Policy Analyst
- Financial Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science and Engineering (Faculty) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Natural Sciences
- Phonetics
- Statistics
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Social Sciences (Faculty) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Asian Studies
- Contemporary History
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Social Policy
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Urban Studies
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Archipelago Research Institute (Institute) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- in Nauvo
- Seili Island
Functional Foods Forum (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- brings together the multidisciplinary expertise for the research and development of high-quality and healthy foods of the future.
Kevo Subarctic Research Institute (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- in Utsjoki
Cultural Production and Landscape Studies (School) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Cultural Studies
- Landscape Architecture
Programs Offered
All active programmes at Turun yliopisto are listed by degree level. Cross-reference against the divisions section to identify which faculty owns each programme — that determines admissions handling.
141 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Finland
Bachelor's Degree 4 programmes
Master's Degree 115 programmes
Showing 10 of 115.
Doctorate 22 programmes
Showing 10 of 22.
How to apply to Turun yliopisto
Step-by-step guidance for applying to Turun yliopisto, covering the typical sequence from programme selection to admissions follow-up.
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1
Research programmes at Turun yliopisto
Use the programme finder to browse Turun yliopisto's 141 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.
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2
Review admissions criteria
Programme-level requirements at Turun yliopisto typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.
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3
Gather supporting documents
Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.
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4
Lodge your application
Turun yliopisto processes applications through www.utu.fi. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.
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5
Confirm receipt and track progress
Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Reach the institution by phone at +358 029 450 5000. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Turun yliopisto
The questions below summarise Turun yliopisto's vital institutional details — useful as a quick reference before drilling into specific sections.
When was Turun yliopisto founded?
Turun yliopisto was established in 1920 (approximately 106 years ago).
What city is Turun yliopisto in?
Turun yliopisto operates from Turku, Finland.
Is Turun yliopisto public or private?
Turun yliopisto is a public institution.
How big is Turun yliopisto's student body?
Turun yliopisto serves approximately 10,000-14,999 students.
How is Turun yliopisto ranked?
Turun yliopisto holds rank #493 globally and #5 in Finland.
What is Turun yliopisto's academic structure?
Turun yliopisto is organised into 11 academic units across its disciplines.
Who recognises Turun yliopisto?
Turun yliopisto is accredited by Ministry of Education and Culture.
What is Turun yliopisto's official website?
You can find Turun yliopisto online at www.utu.fi.
Members of European University Association (EUA)
If Turun yliopisto's European University Association (EUA) membership influenced your interest, these institutions belong to the same network and offer comparable mobility and credential-recognition benefits. Membership shapes everything from exchange access to joint research opportunities.
Faculties at nearby universities
Regional industry partnerships shape career outcomes across the cluster near Turun yliopisto. Comparable employer networks often persist whether you choose Turun yliopisto or a neighbour.
Where Else to Study Social Sciences & Education
Industry advisory boards on Social Sciences & Education programmes signal employer engagement and curriculum currency. Check whether each Finland alternative to Turun yliopisto publishes its industry partners.
Universities Compared with Turun yliopisto
Students applying to Turun yliopisto often shortlist similar institutions of comparable scale, prestige, and academic depth. These universities frequently appear alongside Turun yliopisto on application lists, useful for hedging or for direct head-to-head comparison.
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