Life is precious, from hardworking ants to the baby your aunt carries in her arms. All of these lives hold meaning and purpose on the planet. We may not know it at first glance, but biology can help us understand the significance of relationships between life forms.
Studying in Finland can be beneficial because the country is known for its distinctive landscapes, climate, technology sector, and strong focus on sustainability. Finland’s progress and development have not left its environment behind; rather, people work to preserve their surroundings and promote sustainable use.
Finland’s advocacy for quality living and sustainable use of resources provides a strong backdrop for biology enthusiasts. Check out below some Finnish universities with top biology-related study options, and see which one resonates with you.
Top Schools Offering Biology in Finland
1. University of Helsinki
The University of Helsinki is Finland’s oldest and largest academic institution. Founded in 1640, it is a major multidisciplinary university with a large community of students and staff.
The University of Helsinki enjoys an international reputation and ranks among the top one percent of universities across the globe. Its teaching and research are supported by international partnerships and collaborations with institutes and research organizations.
It also caters strongly to international students. Several master’s degree programs are taught in English, while the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences offers bachelor’s programs mainly in Finnish and Swedish.
Students seeking a master’s degree in a biology-related field can consider programs such as Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation; Forest Sciences; Genetics and Molecular Biosciences; Life Science Informatics; and Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology.
These programs offer different perspectives on life and biological systems. In Genetics and Molecular Biosciences, students can specialize in areas such as biochemistry and structural biology, cell and developmental biology, genetics and genomics, or the molecular and physiological basis of health. Meanwhile, Life Science Informatics combines life sciences, medicine, mathematics, statistics, and informatics to help students gain knowledge from models and data.
2. University of Turku
The University of Turku is one of the leading universities in Finland and offers study and research opportunities across eight faculties. It is also a member of international academic networks, including the Coimbra Group.
The University of Turku’s research strengths cover a range of academic disciplines. Its research profile includes areas such as biofuture, children, young people and learning, cultural memory and societal change, digital futures, drug development and diagnostics, and sea and maritime studies.
Biosciences programs at the University of Turku are offered at the graduate level. Master’s students in the Master’s Degree Programme in Biosciences can choose between two tracks: Evolutionary Biology and Molecular Systems Biology. The Evolutionary Biology track focuses on evolutionary biology, ecology, genetics, physiology, bioinformatics, and computational methods. The Molecular Systems Biology track focuses on modern molecular biology and systems biology, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, gene and protein structure-function relationships, and molecular interaction networks.
On the doctoral level, the Doctoral Programme in Biology, Geography and Geology is available for students who want to broaden their research skills in natural science fields such as biology, environmental science, biodiversity research, geography, and geology.
3. University of Oulu
The University of Oulu is one of the largest Finnish public universities and consistently ranks in the top three percent of universities worldwide.
The University of Oulu welcomes students across its faculties and participates in international cooperation and exchange. Its academic community includes students and staff from many countries, creating a research-oriented environment in northern Finland.
If you have a background in biology and want to further your studies at Oulu, you can apply for the two-year master’s degree in Biochemistry. This 120-credit, on-campus program is suitable for students who envision themselves working in laboratories or in research and development. The program offers hands-on laboratory training and emphasizes modern methods taught by researchers active in the field.
The Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine manages teaching for biochemistry students. It provides an international research environment in areas such as protein structure analysis, enzymology, proteomics, bioimaging, developmental biology, matrix biology, and metabolism research.
Graduates of the program can also apply their skills across related branches of biology. It is a flexible degree program that allows students to specialize in areas such as protein biochemistry, molecular medicine, or related fields. Doctoral studies are also available through the Doctoral Programme in Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine.
4. University of Eastern Finland
The University of Eastern Finland is a multidisciplinary university with campuses in Joensuu and Kuopio. It is home to approximately 17,600 degree students and has a staff of about 3,500 employees.
The University of Eastern Finland, like many Finnish universities, is committed to sustainability. Its current sustainability goal is to become carbon neutral by 2030.
The master’s degree in Biology of Environmental Change is a research-oriented program that prepares students for careers in environmental change research, consulting, environmental institutes, or doctoral studies in biological sciences. Students can expect to be exposed to topics in biology, ecotoxicology, environmental science, environmental law and policy, statistics, and sustainable development.
The Biology of Environmental Change program covers a broad range of subjects. Its advanced studies are divided into Ecology, Hydrobiology and Ecotoxicology, and Genetics and Physiology modules. The curriculum is 120 ECTS credits and includes advanced biology courses, a 40-credit master’s thesis, and alternative studies in fields such as environmental science, environmental law and policy, statistics, and sustainable development.
5. Aalto University
Aalto University was formed on January 1, 2010, through the merger of the Helsinki School of Economics, the Helsinki University of Technology, and the University of Art and Design Helsinki. The aim was to create a new innovative university combining science and technology, design and art, and business and economics.
Aalto University is a multidisciplinary university with six schools. It performs strongly in international rankings, especially in art and design, and was ranked 21st in the 2024 Times Higher Education Young University Rankings.
Multidisciplinary learning helps drive Aalto University’s identity. As Finland is also known for its startup culture, Aalto nurtures entrepreneurial thinking through education, events, and innovation activities.
Entrepreneurship is not the only strength of Aalto University. As a university combining technology, business, arts, and design, it also offers strong study options related to life sciences and technology.
Biology students who want to experience innovation the Aalto way can consider the master’s degree program in Life Science Technologies. This program focuses on research and development of technologies and methods used in the life sciences. It emphasizes areas such as data analysis and modeling, bioinformatics, bioelectronics and biosensing, biomedical engineering, human neuroscience, and neurotechnology.
Graduates of the program can pursue careers as engineers, researchers, entrepreneurs, or specialists who contribute to health and well-being through technology, research, and innovation.
FAQs: Biology Studies in Finland
Can I Study Biology in Finland if I Don’t Speak Finnish?
Yes, it is possible to study biology-related programs in Finland without speaking Finnish, especially at the master’s level. Many universities offer English-taught master’s programs, but applicants to English-taught programs typically need to demonstrate English proficiency through an accepted method, such as prior education in English or an approved language test. If you are planning to get a master’s degree, the University of Helsinki offers several biology-related master’s programs that include English-language instruction. Foreign applicants can gain admission if they meet the eligibility criteria and submit the required proof of language proficiency.
We hope this article on biology universities in Finland was informative and helpful. If you are interested in studying in any of the leading educational institutions in Finland, check out more information on different Finnish universities and scholarship opportunities on the Study in Finland Page! You can also visit our Available Programs in Europe!
