Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY)

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The Student Union of the University of Helsinki, or HYY for short, is an advocacy and service organisation for around 26,000 students at the University of Helsinki. We provide our members with services such as the student card and protect your rights and interests at the University and in society. We also organise various events throughout the academic year. HYY is a separate organisation that operates independently of the University – but all of us together make up the University community. All students pursuing a bachelor’s or master's degree at the University of Helsinki are members of HYY. Doctoral researchers and exchange students can also become members.

Services for students

HYY provides students with a range of services. Further information on member benefits is available on the HYY’s membership page. The benefits available to HYY’s members include the following:

  • A student card that entitles you to student discounts all over Finland
  • The student calendar
  • The Ylioppilaslehti magazine (in Finnish)
  • The Studentbladet magazine (in Swedish)
  • Support for organisational activities
  • Child care service

Protecting your interests

Students in the Soc&Kom lobby.

The Student Union protects your interests at the University and in society. Students’ advocacy work allows you to enjoy the following benefits, for instance:

  • Student meals subsidised by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela)
  • Affordable student housing
  • The Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS), which provides healthcare services to students. Please note that postgraduate students, doctoral researchers and exchange students are not entitled to the services provided by the FSHS. Further information on healthcare for exchange students is available here.

Events year around

During the year, the Student Union organises various events where you can meet other students over disciplinary boundaries and enjoy a sense of community. The diverse range of HYY’s events include the following:

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

Join at any time!

Students dressed in overalls in Minerva.

You can join HYY’s activities at any time! HYY has, for instance, various committees developing its activities, while there are some 250 different organisations operating under HYY! Whether you are interested in politics or choral singing, you are sure to find activities suited to you in student nations, faculty or subject organisations, hobby organisations or political organisations, for instance.

For international students, for example the International Committee is a great opportunity for meeting other international students and advocating for the interests and inclusion of international students at the University.