Inspiring – International – Individual

The task of Åbo Akademi University is to provide an open university environment for quality research and studies with a Nordic and international anchorage. Åbo Akademi University is particularly tasked with educating Swedish- speaking experts to satisfy the future needs in Finland.

By breaking boundaries Åbo Akademi University, is widely noted for a scholarship at the highest scientific level within its profile areas, and for a Swedish-speaking environment for internationally competitive research and education.

Campuses in Åbo and Vasa, activities also in the Åland Islands

5,700 undergraduate students and 700 postgraduate students

A total of 1,100 employees, 650 working in education and research

Overall annual budget ca 101 million euros with 42 million external financing

An acknowledged position at the forefront of research in biotechnology, computer science, chemical combustion, human rights, material sciences, process chemistry and psychology

Friendly and welcoming environment in the oldest university town in Finland

Close to the unique, beautiful archipelago with over 20,000 islands

Student apartments and rooms at a reasonable price

Excursions, parties, language exchange, traditional student festivities

About 200 ÅAU-students abroad in different exchange programmes

8 international masters programmes taught in English.

AACSB Accredited

Åbo Akademi University: Master's Degree Programme in the Engineering of Data-intensive Intelligent Software Systems (EDISS)

How did you come up with the idea to study in Finland?

Nordic countries have always been my personal perception of a nice place to live, I have always been curious about such societies that seem to have a strong societal system and that care for their citizens, compensated with the fact that there are high taxes, clearly. This is especially interesting adding factors as politics and extreme climates. In addition, in a more stereotypical perception, I was fond of knowing in more depth some of the material culture of the country and the identity such as the metal culture. This is because in my opinion, even more important than listening to a particular genre itself that I enjoy, I think that this says something about the country itself, because there is an openness upon listening to music that has been labeled as “extreme”.

Back in Colombia, the opportunities to work in international environments are not so common and I really look forward to avoid the feeling of stagnation. Therefore, EMJMD programs were a way to accomplish this, I wanted to develop myself by doing the next step in my education (my prevoius education is B.Sc. Computer Systems Engineering). EDISS was one of the most ambitious programs in terms of curriculum that I could find and also one that also kept the technical stuff relevant in the courses. I also liked that the marketing of the programme was more than just information about the studies, because a master program is more than just a simple gathering of knowledge, but rather a compilation of experiences that contributes to the big picture of one’s life.

I really like that the efforts that have been made in Finland to create an educational system that is robust and reliable for the students. Support is offered, from work life to some personal daily matters such as cheap student lunches. Also professors feel equal and this creates a very flourishing environment that allows a non-hierarchical communication between parties. In addition, the fact that Finnish is a complex language to learn in the short run, serves as a double-edged sword, because the language barrier makes people just more willing to communicate in English and this is comfortable for the international audiences that might not be proficient in the local language. In other countries, students could be second-class citizens, simply because they need to be subsidized and helped in many areas, and Finland is taking care of this matter. Students are not only people that could be in a very early stage of their life defining themselves in the short and long run but also people that might not have the opportunity to afford education and are trying to break the poverty’s cycle, and the Finnish system is therefore very much appreciated.

__________________________________________

Åbo Akademi University: Master's Degree Programme in Governance of Digitalization.

My name is Jessica, before my studies in Governance of Digitalization, I studied in the bachelor’s degree program at Turku University of Applied Sciences called International Business (2016-2019). Before that, I lived in Hertfordshire in England.

I had a couple of friends from Finland. I was considering which university to apply to, some of my peers were considering options abroad and I became curious about what it would be like to go to Finland for my studies. My friends encouraged me and shared information about what programs were available to study in English.

Why did you choose the Governance of Digitalization?

I looked on LinkedIn for people who studied my bachelor’s program and looked at what master’s programme they did after and where they worked. Many have gone on to study the governance of digitalization. I also reached out to some of those people to ask about the program. The description of the study program also caught my interest. I had also taken part in some courses related to digitalization and it was a subject area I wanted to develop in.

Åbo Akademi University: Master's Degree Programme in Advanced Practice Nursing.

I am Chang Zhang, 33 years old, and I come from China. I came to Vaasa, Finland, in the year 2008 to complete my studies in nursing. Now I have been working as a registered nurse at Vaasa Central Hospital in Finland for more than 11 years alongside my studies in Advanced Practice Nursing (APN).

Already in high school, I had a passion for languages and different cultures. My student counsellor advised me to apply to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (FJUTCM), since the university had a collaboration with Novia UAS in Finland. I studied one year at FJUTCM and completed my degree in Vaasa.

I applied to APN because I wanted to get advanced clinical competencies, to better provide health care service to the aging society. I hope that I can contribute to that care can be more person-centered and cost-effective in the future.

Finnish education is of high quality. Moreover, one of the best parts of Finland is the stunning nature. I enjoy skiing in the winter and jogging in the summer. The possibility to get a good work-life balance is also attractive for families with children. To have the possibility to learn both Finnish and Swedish in the same city is like to kill two birds with one stone, that’s just amazing.

Åbo Akademi University: Master's Degree Programme in Social Exclusion

My name is Oona, and my previous degree is Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. I lived in the United States when I was studying my Bachelor's. Originally, however, I am from Åbo, Finland.

When I embarked on my studies abroad, I did not think I would return to Finland for studies – I wanted to travel and experience living abroad. When finishing my Bachelor’s drew close, however, I started to think of returning to Finland to do my Master's. The thought of the high quality of education, peace and quiet of Finland as well as the lively student life appealed to me specifically.

Social exclusion has been indirectly part of my studies already before my Master's, as my research interest is in gendered exclusion and discrimination against refugees. As I was checking the programs offered at ÅAU in English, Social Exclusion caught my eye immediately. I was not sure, at first, if it was the degree I wanted to study. I decided to apply nonetheless, and since I started my studies I have learned how versatile and complex the issue of social exclusion is and how it crosscuts so many fields and areas of study. It was definitely the best choice for me - it has challenged my approaches and assumptions in unforeseen ways and provided me with tools that will be invaluable in the future.

I think student life in Finland is great. There are lots of student activities and organizations to get involved in. It also offers a beautiful environment, as the cities are entangled with nature, and forests or bodies of water are never too far away. In terms of the studies themselves, group sizes in Finnish universities are comparatively small which allows for more dialogue and personal engagement. I feel that in my studies the teaching has overall been highly personalized to my academic and professional needs and interests.

Student Testimonials Option 2

Finland

Turku, Finland

Vaasa, Finland

Master

years

2 years

Åbo Akademi University

With an ever-increasing dependency on technological processes in science, biomedical imaging has become a popular choice for those with a background in subjects ranging from biosciences to engineering. New imaging technologies are developed constantly, and imaging has become an essential tool for cutting-edge discoveries in the biotech industry, as well as in areas such as biomedical research. In the Master’s Degree Programme in Biomedical Imaging students will gain an understanding into the theoretical and practical processes of a wide range of biomedical imaging technologies, with a heavy focus on the interdisciplinary nature of the field.

On-Campus

Full time

Master's Degree Programme in Biomedical Imaging

The master programme combines latest knowledge from the fields of information systems and information studies in a unique way that gives its graduates a comprehensive and cross-disciplinary competence. The programme covers how digitalization affects organisational activities, enables new ways to create knowledge, creates value to the customer or other stakeholders, and enables new ways to organize industry level co-operation between organizations. Effective and efficient management of digital transformation is critical for the success of enterprises and organisations in the contemporary society.

Master's Degree Programme in Governance of Digitalization

Developed with industry standards in mind, this two-year programme aims to equip students with a solid understanding of computation, communication and information processing in the context of our fast-changing society. Students who successfully complete this programme will find themselves open to a number of exciting opportunities within industries such as software, biotechnology, data analysis and many more.

Master's Degree Programme in Information Technology

The Master’s Degree Programme in International Law and Human Rights is designed to prepare its graduates for challenging careers in international organisations, non-governmental organisations, public administration or legal practice. The programme offers specialised knowledge and an in-depth understanding of topical issues in international and human rights law. Studies within the programme consist of courses analysing the structure of the legal order governing states and organisations along with the protection of the rights of individuals in an increasingly complex international environment. The programme offers students the possibility to profile themselves in different specialisation areas, such as international human rights law, migration and refugee law, international law and conflicts, and general international law. Studies within the programme equip students with expert knowledge, provide the requisite background for advanced research, and develop the practical application skills.

Master's Degree Programme in International Law and Human Rights

Targeted at those seeking to create a positive impact on society, this master’s degree programme aims to prepare its students for professional activity in both interpersonal and international conflict situations. Developed with the challenges of modern-day society in mind, students of this course will gain a deeper understanding of the role that human behaviour plays in altering civilization and how peace, mediation and conflict resolution are essential to the growth of society and the creation of a better quality of life for its inhabitants.

Master's Degree Programme in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research

In the midst of today’s rapidly evolving societies, the number of people suffering from a combination of poverty, deprivation of legal rights, and cultural as well as social isolation is proving to be a growing global issue. This phenomenon, known as ‘social exclusion’, is a complex condition that extends beyond economic disadvantage and poverty. It is a multifaceted process through which people lose political, legal, and social agency, resulting in stigmatisation or discrimination.

Master's Degree Programme in Social Exclusion

Like many of the programmes available at ÅAU, this programme has been carefully structured to ensure that graduates are not only equipped with the necessary skills to succeed within their chosen career, but also, to ensure that they are adaptable to the ever-changing face of modern industries. Through practical and theoretical studies, this two-year programme aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of sustainable chemical and process engineering as a field and its imperative value to the growth of areas such as biofuel, energy efficiency, waste management and many more.

Master's Degree Programme in Sustainable Chemical and Process Engineering

For those students passionate in pursuing their master’s studies in teaching and learning, this two year master’s degree course which is based at the Vasa campus of Åbo Akademi University, leads to a Finnish Teacher’s Certificate. The programme will prepare and enable students to become fully capable of independently analyzing and solving problems in education and teaching, whilst developing their skills through research.

Master's Degree Programme in Teaching and Learning

EDISS is a two-year Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD) programme delivered by four partner universities – Åbo Akademi University, University of the Balearic Islands, University of L’Aquila and Mälardalen University. In the age of data explosion, both data scientists and software engineers work with creating processes that in one way or another deal with the vast amount of available data. However, many of these processes are still carried out independently of each other, which often leads to the creation of sub-optimal systems.

Åbo Akademi University

Introduction

ÅBO AKADEMI UNIVERSITY Breaking boundaries

Task

Vision

ÅAU in a nutshell

Reasons to choose ÅAU

Accreditations

Student Testimonials

Locations

Programs

Institution also offers:

Questions