University of Oulu


The University of Oulu is one of the largest universities in Finland, located in the city of Oulu. It was founded on July 8, 1958. The university has around 13,000 students and 2,900 staff. 21 International Master's Programmes are offered at the university. The university is often ranked as one of the better universities in Finland and in the top-400 worldwide.

History

There are two campus areas:
The University has a number of research units and shared locations. In Linnanmaa Campus there are:
Elsewhere in Northern Finland:
The University of Oulu is divided into eight faculties:

http://www.oulu.fi/fbmm/ Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine (FBMM)

http://www.oulu.fi/edu/ Faculty of Education (FEdu)

http://www.oulu.fi/itee/ Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (ITEE)

Oulu Business School is accredited by

International Cooperation

The University of Oulu aims to promote mobility among its students. It takes part in a number of international exchange programmes, such as Erasmus Programme, Nordplus, FIRST, ISEP and International to International ISEP, UNC-EP, north2north, North-South-South. Besides, the University of Oulu has about 50 bilateral agreements with partner universities around the world.

Research

University works in 70 research areas. There are five research focus areas which are coordinated by four focus institutes.
Focus AreaFocus Institute
Molecular and environmental basis for lifelong healthBiocenter Oulu
Understanding humans in changeEudaimonia Institute
Digital solutions in sensing and interactionsInfotech Oulu
Creating sustainability through materials and systemsKvantum Institute
Earth and near-space system and environmental changeKvantum Institute

About 60 invention disclosures are done yearly from the University of Oulu. The university has also served as a birthing place for over 60 research-based companies.

Notable alumni

University of Oulu alumni body is over 55,000.

Student services

Student Union of the University of Oulu provides services to and supervises the interests of all undergraduate degree students in the University of Oulu. All bachelor's and master's degree students at the University of Oulu belong to the Student Union. By paying the Student Union membership fee, students are entitled to a student card which allows them to get student services and discounts. This way, students get inexpensive or free medical and dental care from Finnish Student Health Services, traveling discounts in trains and buses, student meals reduction, etc.
There are a number of students organizations or so-called student guilds presented within the University.

Student housing

Student Housing Foundation of Northern Finland is the leading provider of student accommodation in Oulu. The organization operates on a foundation basis which ensures affordable rents for students. Following its mission, PSOAS offers housing services for people studying in Oulu as economically as possible. The residents of PSOAS houses in different areas around the city elect tenant committee for that area, which e.g. organises different activities, maintains club rooms and does other related issues, depending on the active members.
The new international student house, named Aurora, was built next to PSOAS housing office in downtown Oulu. The building was finished during the spring of 2013. The house is supposed to be accommodated both by international degree students and Finnish students. The main purpose of the new building is to support the internationalization of Oulu and give the international students better access to Finnish culture and local people. The premises will also support these efforts: More space is dedicated for casual get-togethers, as there is a lounge space on every floor and a café of high level will be serving both Finnish and foreign customers on the ground floor.
Oulu is considered a great place to study. The International Student Barometer 2019 ranked the University of Oulu first in the world when it comes to internet access and sixth in overall life satisfaction.

Rectors

Years
Jouko Niinimäki2015–
Lauri Lajunen1993–2015
Juhani Oksman1990–1993
L. Kalevi Korhonen1987–1990
Markku Mannerkoski1968–1987
Erkki Koiso-Kanttila1965–1968
Niilo Söyrinki1963–1965
Pentti Kaitera1959–1962