Student events

Opening of the academic year

In observance of tradition, the academic year is opened on the first day of the first teaching period. The official part of the ceremonies include speeches by the rector and members of the teaching staff, music and an ecumenical service. From 1990 onwards, an opening carnival organised by the Student Union and the University has been part of the opening day afternoon. To allow all members of the university community to participate in the celebrations if they wish, no teaching is held on the afternoon of the day of the opening ceremony. Read more about the opening ceremony on the University's website.

Traditional academic dinner parties (“sitsit”)

Sitsits are academic dinner parties organised by discipline-specific student organisations, which include food and drink, as well as traditional songs and other programming.

Conferment ceremonies and graduation ceremonies

At the University, conferment ceremonies are events where each faculty in turn invests masters and doctors with their respective insignia. The interval between conferment ceremonies varies by faculty.

The faculties also organise graduation ceremonies for their students. Their conventions vary by faculty.

Public examinations of doctoral dissertations

Are you interested in the research conducted at the University or in what is currently the most pioneering area of research in your field? The public examinations of doctoral dissertations are open to all, accessible through the University’s event calendar.

Inauguration of new professors

The inauguration of new professors is today celebrated much in the same manner as during the very first years of the university in the 17th century. The ceremony and the inaugural lectures are held twice a year, towards the end of each term. Read more about the inauguration on the University website.

University’s anniversary celebration, 26 March 

In March, the University celebrates its anniversary.  The anniversary is celebrated in commemoration of the signing of the University Statutes at Nyköping on 26 March 1640.

Annual celebration of the University of Helsinki Funds

The University of Helsinki Funds annually awards grants and scholarships to gifted students and researchers. The annual event is a celebration of both grant recipients and donors. The event is invitation only in nature.

The Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY) and its committees and organisations constantly organise interesting events, workshops and parties. The diverse range of HYY’s events include, for example, the following:

• Opening carnival
• Fresher Adventure
• HYY’s Anniversary
• Students’ Independence Day Torchlight Procession
• Grand Sitsit
• Flora
• Tutor Adventure

You can find all events organized by HYY in HYY's own events calendar. You can also follow the activities of committees and organisations through the websites of the relevant organisations or by subscribing to various email lists.

In addition to the Student Union of the University of Helsinki, other student unions and organisations organise student events throughout the year.

Events aimed especially at international and internationally minded students are listed on the page International Gatherings.

Events organised by the University’s Think Corner include lectures and workshops. At the Science Night and Researchers’ Night, you get to immerse yourself in the world of science.

Guidance Corner provides low threshold advice and guidance services on e.g. study skills, wellbeing, digital skills and job seeking. Many of these services are also available in English and the Student Life 2.0 event series is organised especially for international students of the University. 
The physical space of Guidance Corner is located on the third floor of Kaisa House, but currently all events are organised online.

The general event calendar of the University of Helsinki is available here.

On certain days, several museums admit students free of charge.