Our story

Turku University of Applied Sciences was founded in 1992, when the temporary Technical University of Applied
Sciences of Turku started its activities. But our story began 200 years ago.

All four of our fields (arts, business, health and technology) have their roots in the 19th century, when the country’s first midwifery programme and, trade school and Turku’s drawing school were founded. In the 1990s, the range of education and training became multidisciplinary and was consolidated. The first universities of applied sciences started operating in Finland in the 1990s.

Today, we are one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Finland. Our community includes more than 12, 000 students and around 800 experts. We offer hundreds of courses in different fields and conduct practical research. Our campuses are located in Turku and Salo.

Historical timeline

Circular high work space in offices with tables and chairs.

2020: EduCity opens

The new EduCity campus building was opened on the Kupittaa campus. EduCity was designed and built for the Turku UAS community as well as for businesses and communities. The facilities bring staff and students together and support new ways of learning.

Get to know the Kupittaa campus

2014: Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd

The Responsibility for the operations of Turku University of Applied Sciences was transferred to Turku University of Applied Sciences Ltd. The owners are the City of Turku (91%), the City of Salo (6%) and the University of Turku (3%).

2000: Turku UAS becomes one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Finland

The temporary Technical University of Applied Sciences in Southwest Finland merged with Turku University of Applied Sciences , forming one of the largest universities of applied sciences in the country.

1997: Turku UAS’s operations became permanent

The sun ship logo was selected as the symbol of the university of applied sciences. The sun was perceived as casting its light on knowledge, and its rays represented different sectors. The logo thus also represented an equal and uniform multidisciplinary university of applied sciences.

1996: Education offerings expanded to cover a wide range of sectors

Education in technology and transport was joined by education for the administrative and commerce sectors, the cultural, tourism, food and economic sectors, and the social and health sectors.

1992: The temporary Technical University of Applied Sciences of Turku

The temporary Technical University of Applied Sciences of Turku was established in Sepänkatu, and took over the operations of the Institute of Technology of Turku, also known as Teku.

1849: Turun teknillinen reaalikoulu (the Technical
School)

Turun teknillinen reaalikoulu (the Technical School) was established in Richter’s house in Multavieru. Operations continued under the name of Turun Teollisuuskoulu in the corner house between Sepänkatu and Luostarinkatu from 1903. As engineering and technology training expanded, additional facilities were built on Sepänkatu in the 1960s.

1839: Handelsinstitutet i Åbo

Finland’s first trade school, Turun Kauppaopisto – Handelsinstitutet i Åbo, began operations on the initiative of Turun Kauppaseura (the Turku trading company) and the Finnish middle-classes in Turku. Currently, around 400 Bachelors and Masters in Business Administration graduate from Turku UAS are employed in regional companies.

1830: The Turku Drawing School

Turku’s Drawing School began operations as the first training provider for visual artists in Finland. The Drawing School played a significant role as part of Turku’s city of culture. Turku UAS Arts Academy’s education in visual arts continues this legacy

1816: The first midwifery programme in Finland

The first midwifery programme in Finland started in the Convent Quarter of Turku. This was the first vocational education programme aimed especially at women. Today, Finland is globally reowned in for its sexual and reproductive health expertise.