Press release
Åbo Akademi University Launches New Bachelor’s Degree Programmes
Åbo Akademi University is modernising its bachelor’s degree programmes. The new programmes, now available on Studieinfo.fi, are built around broader educational frameworks and more clearly defined study pathways. They are designed to equip students with a strong foundation of knowledge and the skills needed to meet future challenges, both in further education and in their professional lives.
The new bachelor’s degree programmes will be introduced in the 2027–2028 academic year.
The programmes reflect ongoing discussions and developments in higher education across Finland and Europe. There is a growing demand for interdisciplinary knowledge, alongside the ability to adapt to changes in society and the world of work. The Ministry of Education and Culture’s vision for higher education and research in 2040 echoes this approach, emphasising interdisciplinary expertise and adaptability as essential strengths for the future.
By establishing a broad foundation of knowledge at undergraduate level, students gain greater flexibility in choosing their specialisation and focus areas. At the same time, this provides a strong foundation for understanding the broader context and integrating knowledge from different disciplines. Some of the bachelor’s programmes will therefore be completely revamped, while the others will continue as before, with minor adjustments.
“The challenges of the future rarely fall neatly within the boundaries of a single discipline. With society and the world of work evolving rapidly, it is impossible to predict exactly which skills will be needed in the years ahead. This makes a broad knowledge base and the ability to approach issues from multiple perspectives more important than ever. I am proud that Åbo Akademi University is contributing to this development,” says Rector Gunilla Widén.
A Broader Range of Degree Programmes Opens Up New Opportunities
The programmes are the result of an extensive development process, involving a comprehensive review of programme content, structure and study pathways across all departments.
In some programmes, several disciplines have been brought together under broader thematic areas. This allows students to explore a variety of disciplines before choosing their specialisation at master’s level. In other programmes, the overall structure has remained largely unchanged, although substantial efforts have been made to modernise their content.
“In the new Bachelor’s Programme in Social and Political Sciences in Vaasa, students spend their first year building a shared foundation of knowledge across several disciplines before choosing their specialisation. The programme explores a range of topics, from individual development and well-being to social structures, political systems and communication. This gives students a deeper understanding of how different aspects of society are interconnected, as well as how social developments can be understood and influenced,” says Jenny Lindholm, programme coordinator and senior lecturer in political science, specialising in media and communication.
“In the new Bachelor’s Programme in Mathematics and Physics, students develop the skills and tools needed to describe and solve complex mathematical and physical problems. By bringing the two disciplines together, the programme highlights the connections between theory, models and observations. Meanwhile, the new programme in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering demonstrates how fundamental knowledge of chemistry can be applied in practice. These new areas of study provide students with a solid foundation for further education and their future careers,” says Ronald Österbacka, Professor of Physics and Head of the Department of Natural and Health Sciences.
Another key objective of the reform has been to establish clearer study pathways and make degree programmes easier to navigate.
“When students have a clear understanding of how their studies are progressing and the opportunities available to them, they are better equipped to plan their academic journey. This helps students complete their degrees and promotes their well-being throughout their time at university,” says Mikael Nygård, Vice-rector for Education.
Next Steps for the New Degree Programmes
The publication of the new degree programmes on Studieinfo.fi marks the first step towards their launch. Studieinfo provides detailed information about each programme, including its content, structure, entry requirements and admission criteria.
In the meantime, work to develop the programmes further is ongoing. With the structure of the programmes now finalised, attention is turning to refining the course offerings, study pathways, teaching methods and transitions between bachelor’s and master’s studies.
Åbo Akademi University will share further details about its degree programmes throughout the autumn and winter, ahead of the spring 2027 application period. The new degree programmes will welcome their first students in autumn 2027.
Contact information:
Gunilla Widén, Rector
gunilla.widen@abo.fi
+358 50 405 3255
Mikael Nygård, Vice-rector for Education
mikael.nygard@abo.fi
+358 50 387 3690
Bachelor’s Degree Programmes Admitting Students in Autumn 2027:
The new programmes are the Bachelor’s programmes in Economics, Culture, History and Philosophy, Social Sciences (Turku), Social and Human Sciences (Vaasa), Mathematics and Physics, Geology, and Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. The other programmes have undergone adjustments but have not been changed to the same extent.
The degree programmes at Åbo Akademi University are listed on Studieinfo. The descriptions of the Bachelor’s programmes on Åbo Akademi University’s website will be available in early November.
