STUDY AT ÅBO AKADEMI UNIVERSITY Inspiring – International - Individual

FINLAND Independent Member of EU 1995 Surface area of sq. km % forest - 10 water; lakes and approximately as many islands. Europe’s largest archipelago Population 5.2 million Swedish speaking minority of 6 % Climate: mild winters along the coast and relatively warm summers with almost 20 hours of daylight

FACTS ABOUT FINLAND The Finnish flag was designed in 1918 by Eero Snellman and Bruno Tuukkanen. The European currency EURO is in use in Finland as well as in most European Union member countries Tarja Halonen, Finland’s current president, is also the first women to be elected President in Finland Åbo Cathedral is over 700 years old. The history of the Cathedral over the centuries is closely linked with that of the people.

ÅBO - TURKU Åbo is the oldest city in Finland and the first capital of the whole country. Today it is the capital of its region, the Southwest Finland. In 2009 Åbo will be celebrating her 780th birthday The name Åbo refers to the first settlers by the river, "å". Turku originates from a Slavic word "turg" - meaning a market place. South-West Finland has inhabitants. In Åbo the population exceeds European City of Culture in 2011

ÅBO AKADEMI UNIVERSITY  Founded 1918  Swedish-language university  Multi-faculty university, seven faculties  Today students, over 600 international students  900 doctoral students  Two campuses: Åbo and Vasa  Small and personal university  

KEY WORDS -Top quality education and research -An acknowledged position at the forefront of research in biotechnology, computer science, chemical combustion, human rights, material sciences and process chemistry -Friendly and welcoming environment in the oldest university town in Finland -Close to the unique, beautiful archipelago with over islands

CAMPUS MILIEU Situated in the old parts of Åbo/Turku Campus combination of donated residential homes and old factory storehouses as well as modern buildings Museums and archives Three adjacent university campuses

FACULTIES Arts Mathematics and Natural Sciences Economics and Social Sciences Technology Theology Education Social and Caring Sciences

Faculty of Arts The oldest and second largest faculty with students A great variety of departments and study programmes within languages, history, psychology and a large number of cultural subjects such as comparative literature, comparative religion, musicology, nordic ethnology and nordic folkloristics.

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Founded in 1918 Activities: Bio-sciences Exact Sciences, i.e. chemistry, geology, mineralogy and physics Mathematical sciences BioCity Science Park Husö Biological Station

Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences The Faculty of Political Sience was founded in The School of Economics and Business Administration at Åbo Akademi was founded in 1927 Social Sciences include information studies, economics, political science, public administration, public law, international law, civil law, sociology, statistics, international organisations and women’s studies Economic sciences include accounting, commercial law, economics, international marketing, organisation and management and maritime law Institute for Human Rights

Faculty of Technology Two departments: chemical engineering information technologies Founded in 1920 as Faculty of Chemical Engineering, named changed in 2006 Main specialisation areas are computer science, information systems, process chemistry, process system engineering and pulp and paper technology The faculty has a centre of excellence in scientific research appointed by the Academy of Finland: Process Chemistry Group (PCG).

Faculty of Theology The smallest faculty at the University The education itself not confessional but the faculty primarily trains for example clergymen to meet the needs of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church

THE VASA CAMPUS  Faculty of Education  Teacher training in Swedish  Education for vocational teachers and study counsellors  Increasing amount of courses taught in English  Faculty of Social and Caring Sciences  Political Science and Media studies  Health Care Administration and Didactics of Caring Sciences  Master Programme in Media Studies  Institute for Finland-Swedish Social Research and CoE Democracy from a citizen perspective

SYSTEM OF STUDY Bachelor’s degree 180 credits (3 years) Master’s degree 120 credits (2 years) Postgraduate degrees: Licentiate and Doctor Lectures, exercises, essays, exams, seminars, independent study courses Study advising and mentoring system

INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES  NORDPLUS  ERASMUS  FIRST  ISEP  Bilateral agreements  Coimbra Group

TEACHING IN ENGLISH  Courses and Programmes in English  Programmes offered through cooperation between the universities in Turku/Åbo  ECTS  Transcripts

STUDY PROGRAMMES IN ENGLISH which offer a full year course load (60 ECTS in English)  Business Studies  Biosciences  Chemical Engineering  English language and literature  Environmental studies  Finland-Swedish Studies  Human Rights

STUDY PROGRAMMES IN ENGLISH  Information technologies  Law (Turku Law School)  Political and Social Sciences The course catalogue Study in English is updated every year. Please see for more information

MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMMES IN ENGLISH Chemical Engineering Electronic and Mobile Commerce International Human Rights Law Biomedical Imaging Embedded Computing n/sokstudieplatshttp://portal.abo.fi/student/e n/sokstudieplats

CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH Centres of excellence appointed by the Academy of Finland:  Process Chemistry Centre  Center for Functional Printable Materials (2008-) Åbo Akademi is also a partner in the following CoE:  Molecular Imaging in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research  Foundations of European Law Polity Research Strong research areas in :  Democracy. A citizen perspective  Printable Electro-Magnetic-, Optical, Chemical, and Bio-Functionalities - Center of Excellence for Functional Materials (FunMat)  Behavior Genetics of Sexual Dysfunctions, Aggressive Behavior and Mediating Hormones  Cell Stress, Signaling and Survival-Center of Excellence in Cell Stress.

STUDIER PÅ SVENSKA Skandinaviska språk Litteraturvetenskap Svenska som modersmål Undervisningsspråket vid Åbo Akademi är svenska. Information om kurser inom samtliga ämnen vid akademin finns på

SERVICES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS  Welcome Guide, Survival Guide  Orientation course  Student tutor system  Individual academic advising sessions  Ongoing support

SERVICES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS  Computer facilities  Libraries  Career Services  Language courses  Sports and leisure activities

HOUSING Housing guaranteed for exchange students Student hostel Family housing single rooms shared apartments from 220 euro 

STUDENT UNION  Membership compulsory  Student identity cards  Health care  Cafeterias and canteens with subsidised meals  Student associations  Starting packages  Student choirs and orchestras  Support functions  Legal advising  Student’s rights issues

STUDENT LIFE Active student union Versatile student culture More than 60 student associations ESN for international students Excursions, parties, language exchange, traditional student festivities (e.g Shrove Tuesday and Valpurgis)

BUDGETING Tuition free of charge Student Union fee 96 euro Various deposit fees for e.g. starting packages and keys Approximately 220 euro for housing per month Finnish students do not for example buy their own books, but use the undergraduate library Living expenses estimated to euro/month (includes housing)

LIVING IN FINLAND In winter, the mean temperature is below 0°C (32 °F), but warm air flows can raise the daily high above 0°C (32 °F). The temperature can drop to -25°C (- 13 °F) or even -35°C (-31 °F) in the islands and coastal regions. Mild climate. In spring, the mean daily temperature rises from 0°C (32 °F) to 10°C (50 °F). In summer, the mean daily temperature is around 20°C (70 °F). Heat waves, with a maximum daily temperature exceeding 25°C (77 °F), occur on an average of 10 to 15 days per summer in southern and central Finland In autumn, the mean daily temperature remains below 10°C (50 °F).

ACADEMIC YEAR AUTUMN TERM 2008 Arrival Day August Orientation course August Registration from 20 August Classes begin 1 September Classes end 19 December SPRING TERM 2009 Arrival Day 3-4 January Orientation course 5, 7 January Registration from 2 January Classes begin 7 January Classes end 29 May

APPLICATION DEADLINE 31 May for autumn term 1 November for spring term

WELCOME TO ÅBO AKADEMI UNIVERSITY