University of Helsinki (UH) is a research university located in Helsinki, Finland. Founded in 1640, UH is the oldest and largest university in Finland with around 31,500 students enrolled in its bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. The University of Helsinki offers over 400 degree programs and 2,100 courses across 11 faculties.
The University of Helsinki has been ranked as one of the best universities in Europe and worldwide. In the 2019 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, UH was ranked 79th overall. In the QS World University Rankings 2020, UH was placed 86th overall. Additionally, UH has been ranked among the top 100 universities in the world by various other ranking organizations such as THE (Times Higher Education), ARWU (Academic Ranking of World Universities), and US News & World Report.
The University of Helsinki plays a significant role in Finnish society and culture: it has produced numerous Finnish Prime Ministers, Presidents, Members of Parliament, diplomats, artists, architects, scientists etc. Notable alumni include Juho Kusti Paasikivi (7th President of Finland), Martti Ahtisaari (8th President of Finland and Nobel Peace Prize laureate), Tarja Halonen (11th President of Finland), Urho Kekkonen (9th President of Finland), Mauno Koivisto (9th President of Finland) , Väinö Linna (Finnish author), Johan Ludvig Runeberg (Finnish poet laureate), Aleksis Kivi (considered to be the father of Finnish literature) , Elias Lönnrot (compiler of the Kalevala).