The University Board approved the 2025 financial statements and decided on the university-level development of interdisciplinary activities
In line with its strategy, the University of Oulu aims to become an internationally recognised pioneer in interdisciplinary and societally impactful research.
In December 2025, the Rector appointed a working group for the strategic development of interdisciplinary activities. The working group’s task was to create a university-level model for interdisciplinarity and societal impact. In the report presented to the Board, the working group recommended a new university-level structure for interdisciplinary activities, which the Board selected as the new organisational model for negotiation.
The selected structure supports the formation of strategic, dynamic thematic areas, improves the university’s ability to respond to changing societal challenges, and strengthens its capacity to make use of supporting national and international funding programmes. In further preparations, the Board considers it important that disciplines are consulted equally at different stages of the process.
Change negotiations in accordance with the Act on Co-operation within Undertakings will be launched on the new model. The negotiations will concern all staff of the current centres for multidisciplinary research – Biocenter Oulu, Eudaimonia, Infotech and the Kvantum Institute – as well as the Thule Institute, which is responsible for coordinating Arctic research, comprising a total of 15 people. The plan includes both newly established positions and changes to current structures and duties, including the discontinuation of the activities of the centres for multidisciplinary research in their current form. The measures may lead to the termination of employment contracts of up to seven people or to unilateral changes to essential terms of their employment contracts.
The 2025 financial statements were approved
The Board approved the financial statements of the University of Oulu and the university group for 2025. The University’s result for the 2025 financial year shows a surplus of EUR 24,478,929, and the university group’s result shows a surplus of EUR 25,301,801.
The University’s strong financial result was influenced by both good returns on investment activities and an improvement in the result of operational activities. The operational result for the financial year, excluding the use of returns from investment activities, transfers of donated funds or the use of the balance sheet, showed a surplus of EUR 5,099,463. The University of Oulu’s financial statements and annual report will be published after the University Collegium has confirmed the financial statements.
In addition, the Board reviewed the University’s long-term financial and operational plan, which is prepared for the next five years.
The Board decided on additional starting places and changes to the degree programme portfolio
The Ministry of Education and Culture has granted the University of Oulu 44 separately funded additional starting places. The additional starting places will be allocated to degree programmes starting in autumn 2026, for which applications were submitted in the second joint application round for higher education institutions in spring.
Additional starting places:
- Business Studies (Kauppatieteet) (3 years + 2 years): 10 starting places
- Biochemistry (Biokemia) (3 years + 2 years): 3 starting places
- Geosciences (Geotieteet) (3 years + 2 years): 5 starting places
- Geography (Maantiede) (3 years + 2 years): 3 starting places
- Architecture (Arkkitehtuuri) (3 years + 2 years): 5 starting places
- Biomedical Engineering (Lääketieteen tekniikka) (3 years + 2 years): 10 starting places
- Industrial Engineering and Management (Tuotantotalous) (3 years + 2 years): 5 starting places
- Information Studies and Communication (Informaatiotutkimus ja viestintä) (3 years + 2 years): 3 starting places
The degree programme portfolio for 2027 was supplemented with a new application option: Double Degree, International Business Management, Degree Programme in International Business Management, Bachelor and Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration) (3 years + 2 years). The double degree will be implemented in cooperation with KEDGE Business School. There will be five starting places.
The following changes to starting places were made to the 2027 degree programme portfolio:
- Information Studies and Communication (Informaatiotutkimus ja viestintä) (3 years + 2 years), from 16 to 19 starting places
- Finnish Language (Suomen kieli) (3 years + 2 years), from 25 to 26 starting places
- Literature and Creative Media (Kirjallisuus ja luovat mediat) (3 years + 2 years), from 15 to 16 starting places
In addition, the Board of Directors
- confirmed the composition of the University of Oulu Investment Committee
- confirmed the university’s general agreement principles, the agreement guidelines for the university’s research and education projects, and updates to the authority related to the university’s commitments
- noted the composition and duties of the University of Oulu Advisory Board