Helsinki University of Technology - A University of Excellence in Education and Research

Helsinki University of Technology, TKK, is the oldest university of technology in Finland and is groundbreaking in the field of technology in the country. Helsinki University of Technology’s fields of education and research cover all areas of technology that are of importance to the Finnish economy, including architecture.

TKK is committed to high-quality education and aim to equip their students with a firm foundation of knowledge needed in various fields of technology to enable their continuous professional development and ensure that they meet the requirements of an increasingly international operating environment. The commitment has not gone unnoticed: Helsinki University of Technology has been designated as a University of Excellence both in adult education and in research. Although TKK focuses on technology and natural sciences, we should not forget art; our department of Architecture successfully keeps up the traditions of Finnish architecture.

A Research-Oriented University

Helsinki University of Technology is involved in nine national Centres of Excellence in Research. Nominated by the Academy of Finland, the Centres of Excellence carry out research on topics ranging from nanotechnology and radio technology to bioadaptive materials and brain activity. Furthermore, their extensive doctoral education and the high-quality dissertations it produces are another clear indication of the vibrancy of their research activities, the majority of which are specifically designed to meet the needs the Finnish economy. Along with motivated students and high-quality personnel, active cooperation with businesses is one of the key success factors of TKK.

An International University

The Otaniemi Campus has 1,200 foreign students, while every year about 300 TKK students pursue studies in foreign universities as part of their Master of Science studies. The introduction of the two-cycle system to university degrees furthers the international comparability and compatibility of Finnish degrees and contributes to the internationalisation of our students at an early stage. Studying abroad and engaging in international research projects is further facilitated by our extensive international networks.

TKK in the International Science and Innovation Community of Otaniemi

The Otaniemi area is a unique concentration of high technology and expertise where, in addition to TKK, many significant research centres, such as VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK), KCL, a research company serving the pulp and paper industry and the Centre for Metrology and Accreditation, MIKES are situated. In addition, it is surrounded by the active business zone of Pohjois-Tapiola and Keilaniemi, which is home to headquarters of several significant companies like Nokia, Kone and Neste Oil, as well as to providers of various support services for businesses and new companies, such as Technopolis and Foundation for Finnish Inventions.

At present, preparations are being made to combine TKK, Helsinki School of Economics (HSE), and University of Art and Design Helsinki (TaiK) into a new Aalto University that will become operative by the year 2010. The collaboration of the three institutions of higher education will diversify the range of courses offered at TKK, strengthen the research conducted in the scientific community, and intensify our close cooperation with Finnish businesses.