Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT (Finnish: Lappeenrannan-Lahden teknillinen yliopisto LUT), better known by the abbreviation LUT University (Finnish: LUT Yliopisto) is a Finnishpublicresearch university which was established in 1969. The university's Lappeenranta campus is situated on the shore of lake Saimaa – the 4th largest lake in Europe. LUT University's second campus is in the Finnish city of Lahti. The university also has research units in the Finnish cities of Mikkeli and Kouvola, as well as a regional office in Brussels, Belgium.
LUT University is a University of Technology, meaning that the institution specializes its academics and research in the fields of engineering and technology. The university also has a school of business and a department of social sciences. LUT University specializes in renewable technology, clean water and energy, combatting climate change and finding sustainable engineering solutions.
There are 1,237 staff members and 7,110 students in the university. Over 5,000 students reside in the larger Lappeenranta campus area, and the Lahti campus hosts around 1,000 students. The university also hosts 1,090 students attending Open University and 816 students in continuing education.[1] Over 15% of LUT University's student population is international and the school has a representation of 94 different nationalities[2][3]
LUT University is a public university under the advisory and control of the Finnish government. LUT University and LAB University of Applied Sciences form the higher education organization LUT Universities. LUT University is a theoretical research university branch that focuses on academics and research, while LAB University of Applied Sciences is a career oriented school with practical innovation.
History
Aerial view of the LUT Lappeenranta campus
In the 1950s, the Finnish government noticed that the country lacked accessible higher education, with most of the universities in Finland at that time being located in Helsinki and a few other larger cities that were largely out of reach for the average Finn. This caused a reform of the higher education system in Finland that would eventually lead to the creation of several universities in the following decades. The Finnish government made plans to establish the University of Eastern Finland in various cities, eventually landing on Lappeenranta, Kuopio and Joensuu as candidate cities. It was recognized that each city needed a university, but were too small population wise to support a complete university, hence the future university would be split, with each city teaching a specific subject, with the engineering and technical education being placed in Lappeenranta.[4] The three new universities would be called Lappeenrannan teknillinen korkeakoulu (LTKK), Kuopion Korkeakoulu (University of Kuopio), and Joensuun Korkeakoulu (University of Joensuu). LTKK was the third and newest technical university, after TKK, and TTKK.
LTKK would start its operations in the city center of Lappeenranta in 1969 with a class of 39 students. The first buildings of the current Skinnarila district campus were completed in 1974.[5] In 1991, the department of Business Administration was also added to the Lappeenranta Campus, and in 2003 LTKK would change names to Lappeenrannan teknillinen yliopisto (LTY/LUT). Generally in Finland, universities would be named korkeakoulu if they had only a few study fields and subjects, with full universities with multiple fields of study carrying the yliopisto name. The english name of the university, Lappeenranta University of Technology, would be used more frequently and the abbreviation LUT would become synonymous with the university in Lappeenranta.
7th wing of the Lappeenranta campus, which includes the academic library
LUT University started permanent operations in Lahti in 1996 in the form of a small research unit.[6] University of Kuopio and University of Joensuu were combined into the University of Eastern Finland in 2010, while LUT stayed independent and kept its Lappeenranta campus as well as its previously added operations in Lahti.
The LUT Universities Group was formed in 2017 when LUT acquired Lahti University of Applied Sciences (LAMK) and Saimaa University of Applied Sciences[7] (SAIMIA). This change came as the Finnish government was looking to reduce the amount of small universities in Finland, and also move the operations of universities of applied sciences under universities. SAIMIA had previously moved from its city center campus to the same campus area as LUT in Lappeenranta, and the fusion of the two universities into one organization was a natural one. LAMK had faced some difficulties in the past, with many critiquing the institution due to its decisions to reduce programs in fields like arts.[8] Eventually, the decision was made to make radical changes in LAMK, with one of the main steps being the transferring of the organization under LUT. With both LAMK and SAIMIA under LUT's organization, both universities were closed permanently and their operations were moved to the new LAB University of Applied Sciences. LAB took the parts that worked with LAMK and SAIMIA, and created a new fused university of applied science with a stricter focus on education and work. LAB also strengthened the arts departments of LAMK and SAIMIA.
SAIMIA, now LAB Main building in Lappeenranta, connected to LUT via skybridge
After the acquisition of LAMK and the creation of LAB University of Applied Sciences, LUT wanted to expand its reach and open a second campus. The city of Lahti was a natural choice since LUT already owned the university of applied science operation in the city, and the city also lacked a full science university despite its large population. In 2019, the new campus was opened and the university requested a change to the Finnish Universities Act to change names from Lappeenranta University of Technology to Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, not only keeping the LUT abbreviation but officially adding it to the full name of the institution. This request was accepted by the Finnish government, and from then on the name LUT was used less as an abbreviation but rather as a descriptive name for the university, leading to the abbreviation name change to LUT University.
LUT University began their first English bachelor's program of Technology and Engineering Science in 2019, allowing students a multidisciplinary opportunity for engineering education in Finland.
In 2020, the university negotiated a joint contract with Chinese Hebei University of Technology (HEBUT) to offer English based bachelor's programs in both the Lappeenranta and Lahti campuses.[9]
In 2023, the university started their first bachelor's programs in social sciences, with master's programs in social sciences and communications sciences starting up in 2024.
Lappeenranta Campus
LUT University's Lappeenranta campus is the original and largest campus of LUT University. The campus is located off from the city center of Lappeenranta in the district of Skinnarila. The campus is open round-the-clock and students have access to campus resources such as the academic library and gym at all times. The campus also has the Jamie Hyneman Center (JHC), named after LUT University's professor of practice Jamie Hyneman, who is known for the show Mythbusters. Most of LUT University's research and laboratories are located in the Lappeenranta campus.
First year students being baptized to become second year students
The Lappeenranta campus is connected to the campus of LAB University of Applied Sciences' Lappeenranta campus via a skybridge. LAB students have access to LUT's academic library and other portions of the LUT building, while LUT students have access to LAB spaces such as the sports hall. Overall, the campus houses over 8,500 students among LUT University and LAB University of Applied Sciences,[10] and combined with other experts and companies on campus the campus population exceeds 10,000. There are about 3,500 LAB University of Applied Sciences students and over 5,000 LUT University students studying on the Lappeenranta campus.
Each program at LUT University has their own unique guild and guild room. Incoming students can expect an alive and vibrant student life. The Lappeenranta campus is known for holding the world's longest Vappu, normally a one-day celebration in Finland which in Lappeenranta lasts between three and four weeks each year.[11]
Press photo of the Lappeenranta Campus main doors
Each guild of LUT in Lappeenranta has their own distinctly colored overalls which distinguish them in student events. Overall colors are as follows:
It should also be noted that the students from LAB University of Applied Sciences also have their own overall colors and traditions on campus, and that the overall tradition is not limited to just LUT students.
Each year, first year students get "baptized" typically in Lake Saimaa, and become first year students. Students get baptized a second time during Vappu to become a "Teekkari" student, meaning a Technology and Engineering Student, or "Kylteri" student, meaning business student.
The Lappeenranta campus generally has the majority of LUT University's student events and traditions, and because of that has the most alive student culture of LUT University.
The Lappeenranta campus has a large variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars. This includes the student union owned YOLO restaurant, and a restaurant operated by Compass Group at the IVH campus building for companies. Inside the university there is a campus shop, Cafe, Buffet, Pizza buffet restaurant, and some other restaurants and recreation. There is a restaurant and cafe inside the LAB University of Applied Sciences connected to LUT through a skybridge, and there is also a bar that is near student housing on campus. The student union building also has a grocery store students can use to buy essentials. The Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS/YTHS) also has a health center on campus that students can use which includes but is not limited to dental, physical and mental health support.
Lahti Campus
Part of the building that houses the Lahti campus of LUT and LAB
LUT University's second campus is located in the Finnish city of Lahti. The Lahti campus shares a space with LAB University of Applied Sciences' Lahti campus. The campus is located inside a renovated factory, of which a portion belongs to the universities, but is also shared among various companies and institutes. While operations in Lahti were started in 1996, the campus itself is very new. Because of this, the campus is still forming and a variety of features and offerings of the Lappeenranta campus are not yet present in Lahti.
The Lahti campus shares some of the student traditions of guilds and colored student overalls, and has many of the same features to the Lappeenranta campus, but at a smaller scale. The campus has been steadily growing and new programs and features are added consistently. With LAB University of Applied Sciences, the Lahti campus has about 6,000 students, of which about 1,000 are LUT students.[13] About half of LUT University's international bachelor's programs in English are located on the Lahti campus. The campus also has a large amount of Finnish master's programs relating to commercial science and engineering. Because of this, the student population of the Lahti campus largely consists of master's level students.
LUT and LAB joint Lahti Campus and its color changing ceiling
The Lahti campus hosts the Aether guild, which is responsible for international students in the Lahti campus.[14]
Student overall colors (LUT Lahti)
Subject area and guild name
color
Lahti international programmes - Aether
Dark Yellow
While other universities like the University of Helsinki have had higher education opportunities in Lahti, LUT University and LAB University of Applied Sciences are the currently the only schools of higher education in the area with an extensive list of study subjects, making it a choice for those who want to study and live near the city of Lahti.[15]
The Lahti campus has two restaurants and cafes for students to enjoy. The campus also has a small section of the university academic library.
LUT Regional Units and Offices
The Mikkeli research unit opened in 2002, and currently has five professors working with groups of research students. The research unit focuses on research and doctoral studies. The current research in Mikkeli centers on climate issues.[16]
The Kouvola research unit has also been operational since 2002, and is focusing on research relating to technology and business, as well as railway logistics. The research unit houses the innovation logistics master's program.[17]
The Brussels regional office exists to strengthen the university's cooperation with its European partners.[18]
Degrees, Reputations and Rankings
LUT awards the following degrees: Bachelor of Science (Economics), Bachelor of Science (Technology), Master of Science (Economics), Master of Science (Technology), Master of Social Sciences, Licentiate of Science (Economics), Licentiate of Science (Technology), Doctor of Science (Technology), Doctor of Science (Economics), and Doctor of Philosophy.
LUT University has been ranked in the top 5 Finnish Universities in the 2023 QS Top 500 Universities list, and is in the top 3% of Universities globally.[2] The university is ranked second in Finland in the fields of Physical Sciences and Business[19][20] and fifth in Engineering.[21]
LUT has steadily risen in global and domestic prestige, being ranked in the world's 20 most rapidly developing challenger universities.[22] LUT was also ranked the 9th best University on the globe for climate action.[23] The university has further been ranked in the Times Higher Education's Top 20 world's best small universities list.[24]
LUT University has internationally accredited Master's programs. Master's degree program in International Marketing Management was awarded EFMD's EPAS-accreditation. EUR-ACE and ASIIN-accredited programs LUT University has are in Chemical Engineering, Energy Technology, Environmental Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and in Industrial Management.
In the year 2022, LUT University received 4,196 domestic applicants, and accepted 620 new students. This puts LUT University's domestic acceptance rate for the year 2022 at 15%.[25]
The overall reputation of LUT University has been steadily rising due to consistent improvements in research and academics at the university.
Organisation
Board
Chairman Teresa Kemppi-Vasama, Chairman of Kemppi Oy
Pia Erkinheimo Director, Finnish Climate Fund
Kimmo Rauma, Vice President, Danfoss Power Solutions, Electrics
Olli Rehn Governor and chairman of the board, Bank of Finland
Liisa Rohweder, Secretary General, WWF Finland
Juhani Hyvärinen, Professor, LUT
Ahti Jaatinen-Värri, Associate Professor, LUT
Paavo Ritala, Professor, LUT
Henna Raekorpi, Business student, LUT
Rectors
Rector D.Sc. (B.A.) Juha-Matti Saksa
Vice Rector (Research) Jari Hämäläinen, PhD, Professor
Vice Rector (Education) Jaana Sandström D.Sc. (Tech.), Professor
Schools and Departments
LUT Student Union Building
At the beginning of 2015, the university shifted to an organization model which does not have traditional faculties and departments. Instead, the university consists of three distinct schools which focus on the following research topics:
LUT School of Energy Systems (LES)
Energy Technology
Electrical Engineering
Sustainability Science
Mechanical Engineering
LUT School of Engineering Science (LENS)
Chemical Engineering
Computational Engineering and Physics
Industrial Engineering and Management
Software Engineering and Digital Transformation
LUT Business School (LBS)
Strategy, Management and Accounting
International Business, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Business Analytics and Data Science
Fields of Study
The following fields can be studied at LUT University to a bachelor's, master's, licentiate and doctoral level depending on program:
LUT University's first English bachelor's program is the program of Technology and Engineering Science, where students learn a variety of skills relating to energy technology, environmental technology, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering. Students will choose a main subject to specialize in which they have the right to continue onto master's studies. The program's belief is that graduates that can combine skills of various different fields of engineering can find solutions to difficult problems in efficient and innovative ways that are better for the environment and more profitable for companies.
Hebei University of Technology (HEBUT) double degree programs also exist to where graduates of the programs receive a diploma from both LUT University and HEBUT. Students in the program become familiar with engineering relating to Finland, the European Union, and China. The goal of the program is to train engineers that have the knowledge and familiarity to work in international environments.
Erasmus Mundus programs are master's programs initiated by the European Commission, and they exist at the master's level for joint master's programs among European higher education communities.
Research Institutes
Centre for Separation Technology (CST)
Carelian Drives and Motor Centre (CDMC)
Centre of Computational Engineering and Integrated Design (CEID)
The Viipuri Prize
The Viipuri Prize, established by the Society for Viipuri School of Economics, is awarded for outstanding achievements in the field of strategy research.[26] The Prize is given every second year to a scholar who is among the most prominent in his or her field of study on a global scale, and whose work powerfully affects the research agenda at LUT School of Business.[26]
The following scholars have been awarded the Viipuri Prize:
