The Faculty of Medicine is integrated into the Turku University Hospital (TYKS) campus, forming part of the Turku Science Park cluster.

Physical Infrastructure and Learning Environment

• Campus Layout: The medical facilities are located in the Medisiina D building, forming a centralized campus area next to the hospital.

• Medical Education Facilities: Features modern lecture halls, seminar rooms, and dedicated laboratories.

• Simulation Center: Maintains advanced Clinical Skills and Simulation Facilities for hands-on procedural training.

• Anatomy Facilities: Features dedicated Anatomy Laboratories with resources for practical study and dissection.

• Laboratories: Well-equipped research and teaching laboratories supporting biomedical sciences. The faculty is a core participant in the Turku BioCity research environment.

• Central Library: Access to the specialized Medical Library and the main UTU library system.

• IT Infrastructure: High-speed Wi-Fi access and excellent IT support across the campus.

Clinical training is provided through the regional university hospital, which is a major healthcare centre.

Clinical Facilities and Exposure

1. Primary Teaching Hospital: Turku University Hospital (Tyks – Turun yliopistollinen keskussairaala) is the main teaching hospital, located adjacent to the faculty buildings, serving as the tertiary referral centre for the Southwest Finland hospital district.

2. Affiliated Hospitals: Rotations may also include other regional hospitals and local health centres.

3. Patient Load: Exposure to diverse pathology is guaranteed, as the hospital is a highly specialized centre serving a large region.

4. Clinical Exposure Model: Students gain clinical exposure from the early years onward, with intensive clerkships throughout the later years.

5. Training Method: Emphasis on bedside teaching, clinical reasoning, and supervised procedural practice, integrated into the structured Finnish healthcare system.

6. Language Application: Fluency in Finnish (and often Swedish) is an absolute requirement for clinical rotations involving patient interaction and interaction with medical staff.

Finland applies tuition fees to non-EU/EEA students. However, the medical program is often an exception or subject to complex rules.

Financial Commitments

1. Annual Tuition Fee (Non-EU/EEA): While most Master's programs charge fees (€10,000 – €18,000 EUR), many undergraduate programs, including medicine, are highly subsidized or tuition-free, even for non-EU students, if the instruction language is Finnish. However, a proficiency requirement in Finnish is mandatory.

   • Estimate: Generally no tuition fee for the Finnish-language MD program, but this must be confirmed directly as policy can change.

2. Cost of Living (Annual): High. Finland is part of the Nordic region and has a high cost of living.

   • Estimate: Approx. €9,000 – €14,000 EUR per year (excluding tuition).

3. Accommodation (Annual): Competitive private rental or student housing.

   • Estimate: Approx. €3,500 – €5,500 EUR per year for housing (often managed by the Turku Student Village Foundation - TYS).

4. Mandatory Charges: Includes student union fees and mandatory health insurance (KELA fee).

Turku is the oldest city in Finland, located on the southwest coast. It is a major university city and a historical and cultural centre.

Life in Turku

1. General Atmosphere: Turku is a historic, charming city with a relaxed pace, famous for its castle, cathedral, and location on the Aura River. It has a strong bilingual (Finnish/Swedish) presence.

2. Safety Profile: The city is regarded as extremely safe.

3. Student Life: Highly active, driven by the two universities (UTU and Åbo Akademi) and a strong student union culture. Social life is focused on the riverfront and city center.

4. Climate: Experiences cold, dark winters (with short daylight hours) and pleasant, light summers (with midnight sun).

5. Transportation: Served by an efficient and affordable local bus system. The city center is easily walkable or bikeable.

6. Famous Food: Finnish cuisine, incorporating fresh fish, local berries, and Nordic staples.

7. Indian Food Accessibility: Moderate. As a major city, there are a few Indian and international restaurants, but options are limited compared to major European capitals.

8. Language in Daily Life: Finnish is dominant, but Swedish is also an official language. English is widely understood, but daily life outside the university requires Finnish fluency.

9. Cost of Living: High compared to Central Europe, but moderate compared to Helsinki.

Turku offers a high quality of life, a beautiful setting, and a strong student culture.

Residential Details and Student Life

1. Accommodation: The student union (TYS) provides high-quality, subsidized housing, but places are competitive. Many students rely on private rentals.

2. Self-Catering: All accommodation supports self-catering, which is necessary due to the high cost of dining out.

3. Safety: Turku is considered extremely safe.

4. Climate: Experiences a humid continental climate, with cold, snowy winters and mild summers.

5. Student Amenities: Highly active student life, with strong traditions and a focus on social and cultural activities.

Key Student Obligations & Career Pathways

1. Admission Selection: Requires near-native fluency in Finnish. The national entrance examination (Valintakoe) is a major hurdle. Admission is based primarily on this exam or high scores in the Finnish Matriculation Exam.

2. Language Requirement: High-level fluency in Finnish (C1 level) is an absolute and non-negotiable requirement for enrollment and clinical practice.

3. Internship Requirement: Students must successfully complete the 6-year program to receive the LL degree.

4. NExT Eligibility (India): Graduates must successfully complete the full 6-year LL program to be eligible for the NExT exam and licensure in India.

5. Career in Finland/EU: Graduates are eligible for residency programs across the EU/EEA, often conditional on official language fluency.