Finland · Bachelor's
Åbo Akademi University
Bachelor's Programme in Social Sciences
Åbo Akademi University
Course Overview
Åbo Akademi University is Finland's only Swedish-language research university — founded 1918 and based in Turku (Åbo) with a campus in Vaasa. Despite being primarily Swedish-language, Åbo Akademi offers a dedicated English-taught BSocSci degree designed for international students. The 3-year programme integrates political science, sociology, social policy, gender studies, public administration, and minority studies with a strong emphasis on Nordic governance models, human rights, and peace and conflict research — Åbo Akademi hosts the UNESCO Chair on Human Rights.
Sri Lankan A-Level / IB applicants who want a research-led Nordic social-sciences education at a moderate fee tier (€11,000/yr) — and inside a smaller, more personal academic environment than Helsinki — choose Åbo Akademi. Turku living costs (€10,000-€11,000/yr) are lower than Helsinki. Finland's 2-year post-study job-search residence permit (one of the longest in the EU) supports continued study or entry-level employment. The Bachelor's typically leads on to a Master's. Returnees route into the Sri Lanka Foreign Service via the Foreign Service Examination, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, multilateral roles at UNDP / UNICEF / UNFPA / IOM Sri Lanka, policy think tanks, and international NGOs.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Sri Lankan Cambridge / Edexcel A-Levels: 3 A-Levels at grade C or above plus 5 O-Level / GCSE passes including English.
- check_circle Sri Lankan GCE A/L: 3 passes (Arts / Commerce / Mathematics stream).
- check_circle IB Diploma: 28-34 points.
- check_circle SAT or ACT may be requested.
- check_circle Motivation letter, CV, writing sample.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (minimum 5.5 in each section).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 92 Overall.
- check_circle Cambridge English: C1 Advanced.
- check_circle Swedish and Finnish languages not required — this BSocSci track is 100% in English.
- check_circle Waived if your school qualification was taught and assessed entirely in English (most Sri Lankan A-Level / IB applicants qualify with an MOI letter).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (€) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year, non-EU/EEA) | €11,000 | Rs. 3,795,000 |
| Living Expenses in Turku (12 months) | €10,500 | Rs. 3,622,500 |
| Health Insurance, Visa & Residence Permit | €800 | Rs. 276,000 |
| Books, Conference Travel & Materials | €800 | Rs. 276,000 |
| Total Year 1 Investment | €23,100 | Rs. 7,969,500 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Åbo Akademi BSocSci graduates qualify for Finland's 2-year post-study job-search residence permit — among the longest in the EU. The Bachelor's typically leads to a Master's; entry-level Finnish employment options include research-assistant roles at Åbo Akademi, EU-funded migration / human-rights research projects, and Nordic NGOs. Sri Lankan returnees route into the Sri Lanka Foreign Service via the Foreign Service Examination, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, multilateral roles at UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, IOM, UNHCR, OCHA Sri Lanka, policy think tanks (Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute, Centre for Policy Alternatives, Verité Research, ICES), and international NGOs.
Related Programs
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Our counsellors have helped hundreds of Sri Lankan students secure placements in Finland. We handle everything from applications to visa processing.
ඔබට සුදුසු විශ්වවිද්යාලයක් තේරීම, අයදුම්පත් යොමු කිරීම, SOP සකස් කිරීම සහ වීසා ලබා ගැනීම ඇතුළු සෑම පියවරකදීම, ඔබ වෙනුවෙන් සියලුම වගකීම් විශ්වාසවන්තව අප භාර ගනිමු.