Finland has a good healthcare system, but the country continues to face shortages in several healthcare occupations. For students interested in public health, Finnish universities offer several relevant study options.
Finland is home to universities with public-health-related degree programs. Students can also explore our guide to some of the best universities in Finland.
In this article, we will discuss five universities in Finland with public-health-related programs and study options.
Top Schools Offering Public Health Programs in Finland
1. Tampere University
- Study Program
- Degree/s Offered: Master’s, Ph.D.; Finnish-language degree options are also available
Located in Tampere, Tampere University was established in 2019 through a merger between the University of Tampere and Tampere University of Technology. The university has 23,200 students.
The Health Sciences unit offers Finnish-language degree programs in public health and nursing science. It also offers the English-language Master’s Programme in Public and Global Health, the Doctoral Programme in Health Sciences, and the International Doctoral Programme in Epidemiology and Public Health. The Public and Global Health master’s curriculum includes topics such as epidemiology and health economics. The university states that there is no intake for the Public and Global Health master’s program in 2026.
2. University of Eastern Finland
Founded in 2010 through the merger of the University of Joensuu and the University of Kuopio, the University of Eastern Finland has campuses in Joensuu and Kuopio and approximately 17,000 students. It is one of the public universities in Finland.
The Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition offers the international Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Human and Planetary Health and the Master’s Degree Programme in Public Health. The public health master’s program is a two-year, 120-ECTS, English-language program based in Kuopio. It is delivered primarily through contact teaching, with online elements. The university’s Doctoral Programme in Health Sciences includes public health and epidemiology among its fields of study.
The University of Eastern Finland also states that it has bilateral collaboration agreements with universities and research institutes around the world, giving students access to international opportunities.
3. University of Helsinki
Located in Finland’s capital, the University of Helsinki is Finland’s oldest and largest institution of academic education and research. It was founded in 1640.
The Department of Public Health trains professionals, experts, and researchers through several degree programs. Its teaching includes public health, epidemiology, the sociology of health, occupational health, and health service systems. The department is also a key contributor to the Doctoral Programme in Population Health and Human Behaviour.
More than 250 student organizations operate within the Student Union of the University of Helsinki, including sports and gaming clubs.
4. University of Turku
The University of Turku is located in Turku. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, the university was placed in the 301–350 band globally.
The university offers the two-year, 120-ECTS, English-language Master’s Degree Programme in Public Mental Health. Its curriculum covers public mental health, research methods, epidemiology, statistics, interventions, health policy, leadership, and global mental health. The Faculty of Medicine’s Unit of Public Health also conducts research that provides opportunities for Ph.D. and postdoctoral studies.
The city of Turku has more than 210,000 residents. Students can compare its program offerings, housing options, and lifestyle with those of other Finnish study cities.
5. University of Oulu
With around 14,000 students, the University of Oulu is one of Finland’s largest and most multidisciplinary universities.
The university offers the two-year, 120-credit Master’s in Epidemiology and Biomedical Data Science. This on-campus program combines epidemiological methodology with large-scale data analysis and aims to educate researchers who can serve public health.
FAQs: Public Health Studies in Finland
Which City in Finland is the Best to Study In?
There is no single best city for every student. Helsinki is Finland’s capital and has around 675,000 residents, making it an option for students who prefer a larger urban setting. Before choosing a city, compare degree programs, housing, and living costs. You can start with our guide to student-friendly cities in Finland.
Several universities in Finland offer public-health-related study options. The five institutions discussed above provide different paths, including public health, public and global health, public mental health, population health, and epidemiology and biomedical data science.
We hope this article encourages you to pursue higher education in Finland. Visit our Study in Finland page for more informative articles. You can also explore Programs in Europe for international students.
