Tampere

QS Best Student Cities ranking: Joint 94th

The second-largest city in Finland and the largest inland city in the Nordic countries, Tampere is a youthful, laid-back student town set between two lakes and connected by the Tammerkoski Rapids.

Tampere was at the heart of Finland’s industry in the 19th and 20th centuries, earning it the nickname ‘Manchester of Finland’ or Manse for short (in Finnish). Its regenerated industrial buildings now house a range of interesting museums, inviting shops, pubs, cinemas and cafés.

One of the smallest cities in the Best Student Cities index, Tampere is very compact, safe and easy to navigate, and home to a large student population. According to several national surveys, Tampere is the most popular city to live and study in Finland, offering an active cultural life, with its popular ‘Manserock’ music scene and annual rock music festival Tammerfest, while jazz fans can enjoy the city’s Tampere Jazz Happening every November. Or if you’re into theater, the city hosts the oldest annual theater festival in the Nordic countries, the Tampere Theatre Festival.

The city is on the doorstep of unspoiled, picturesque landscapes, and is ideal for fans of wintery activities such as ice skating, skiing, and ice swimming (if you’re brave enough!). Or for something a little warmer, you could take a dip in one of the city’s many saunas, or head to one of the lakeside beaches to sunbathe in the summer months.

There are four higher education institutions in Tampere, including Finland’s only police education facility. Tampere’s universities offer international programs taught in English in a variety of fields, and EU students can study for free.

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Internationally ranked universities in Tampere

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To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.