University of Turku

The University of Turku (UTU) is a public research university located in Turku, Finland.

The history of the University of Turku can be traced back to 1640, when the Royal Academy of Turku was founded. The academy was the first university in Finland, and it played a major role in the development of Finnish culture and education.

In 1827, the Great Fire of Turku destroyed the academy building and most of the city. The academy was subsequently relocated to Helsinki, where it became the Imperial Alexander University of Finland.

In the late 19th century, there was a growing movement in Finland to establish a purely Finnish-speaking university. The Turku Finnish University Society was founded in 1899, and it began fundraising for a new university in Turku.

The University of Turku was finally founded in 1920. The university was initially located in a temporary building, but in 1935, it moved to its new campus on the banks of the Aura River.

The University of Turku grew rapidly in the years after World War II. New faculties were established, and the number of students increased significantly. In the 1960s and 1970s, the university became a center for student activism and political debate.

Today, the University of Turku is one of the leading universities in Finland. It is a multidisciplinary university with a strong international reputation.

he University of Turku has played a major role in the development of Finnish society. The university has produced many of Finland's leading politicians, scientists, artists, and business leaders. UTU continues to be a major center of education and research in Finland.

Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2025, University of Turku is positioned as the #375 top university in the world, which makes it the #5 top university in Finland. The university's global rank decreased by 60 points from last year.