Tampere University’s 2025 Financial Statements: Growth in funding and degree conferrals, operating result turns positive
The key events in 2025 included the implementation of the revised national funding model for universities for the 2025–2028 term. The number of new first-time students was introduced as a funding indicator, and higher weightings were assigned to students graduating on time and to the number of doctoral degrees conferred. Research funding also carries greater weight, with increased emphasis placed on international funding, company funding and R&D activities.
Several alteration, renovation and construction projects were in progress or beginning at Tampere University as part of our ongoing Facilities Programme. We vacated the Pinni A building on the city centre campus, and the construction of the new Noodi building on the Hervanta campus reached the topping-out stage.
The year 2025 marked the first year of operations for the Tampere-based Finnish Chips Competence Centre (FiCCC). The first projects utilising the System‑in‑Package Fabrication (SiPFAB) pilot line at Tampere University were launched in 2025. The pilot line has secured €40 million in funding.
Research funding grew and the active development of research infrastructures continued
We saw continued growth in international research and development funding in 2025. The funding we receive under the EU’s framework programmes increased by 6% compared to 2024. Domestic funding also grew, largely due to the increased allocations that are made in line with the national RDI strategy and are especially reflected in the increased funding awarded by Business Finland. The amount of funding we receive from Finnish and international companies has remained stable.
Two new projects funded by the European Research Council (ERC) were initiated at Tampere University. Following the Research Council of Finland’s 2025 funding calls, we were awarded one academy professorship and selected to join three new Centres of Excellence. The Profi call, which aims to strengthen the research profiles of Finnish universities, focused on recruiting high-level researchers from outside Finland. Tampere University received funding for one professor under this call.
The total number of peer-reviewed scientific publications authored by Tampere University staff increased by more than 9% from the previous year. The quality of peer‑reviewed scientific publications remained consistent with the levels seen in recent years. The proportion of open-access publications is now nearing 90% of our total research output.
Under the national doctoral education pilot, we secured three-year funding for 106 doctoral researchers. All these positions were filled, and the doctoral researchers began their dissertation projects in 2025.
The active development of our research infrastructures continued. In 2025, the University-level infrastructures – Tampere Center for Scientific Computing (TCSC), Tampere Microscopy Center (TMC) and the Research Infrastructure for Interaction Between Humans, Technology and Society (NEXUS) – commenced their operations and their funding model was confirmed.
Degree conferrals continued to grow, with more students graduating on time
Tampere University awarded 5,104 degrees across nine fields of education in 2025. This is approximately 300 degrees more than in the previous year. Master’s degrees were awarded to 2,712 and doctoral degrees to 237 recipients. The number of international graduates who complete either a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree also increased.
Based on the number of degrees conferred in different fields of study, our education profile has remained unchanged. The highest number of master’s degrees was conferred in engineering and technology (855), followed by social sciences (611). In addition, we awarded 365 master’s degrees in computer sciences and communications engineering, and 228 in medicine and health and well-being sciences. The number of master’s degrees awarded in several other fields of study also ranged between 100 and 200, with the only exceptions being natural sciences and arts and culture.
The share of students who graduate on time increased slightly at both bachelor’s and master’s levels. As 39% of all our graduates completed their degree within the target timeframe in 2025, we only narrowly missed the 40% target set by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. The target was met for BSc graduates.
The number of first-choice applicants seeking admission to Tampere University’s degree programmes increased from the previous year across all levels of education, totalling 13,862. We received 6,328 applications to our English-language BSc and MSc programmes, which is more than 3,200 fewer than in 2024. This decline in international applicants, observed at both Tampere University and other universities in Finland, resulted from the introduction of applicant fees and a substantial reduction in available scholarships following the implementation of full-cost tuition fees.
Towards increasingly strategic and responsible collaboration
Tampere University continued to engage in collaborative research, development and innovation activities with a wide range of stakeholders. Over the years, competence networks and shared platforms have emerged in different sectors, bringing together research, education and the creation of new knowledge to advance, for example, the green transition and digitalisation. Our new and evolving research infrastructures serve both internal needs and those of our partners, while also supporting our participation in European research initiatives and technological development.
In 2025, we began to develop a more strategic approach to our partnership activities. As we are committed to responsible international collaboration, we assessed the risks associated with our partnerships and developed operating models that promote safe and sustainable cooperation. University-wide recommendations concerning sanctions, dual-use items and export controls were issued in 2025.
We recorded 73 invention disclosures in 2025, demonstrating the continuation of the strong upward trend in our invention activity. Patent protection was initiated by the University for 15 new inventions, 22 inventions were assigned to partner companies, and three new spin-off companies originating from research conducted at Tampere University were established.
Students in all our faculties are showing increasing interest in pursuing entrepreneurship as a career option. The number of Tampere University students participating in entrepreneurship studies offered by HUBS, the centre for entrepreneurship and innovation at Tampere Universities, rose by approximately 50% in 2025, with around 1,000 of our students now taking part each year.
Tampere University’s annual events serve as prominent forums for discussing current themes. The year 2025 was an exceptionally active one for events, as we celebrated the University’s 100-year journey and the 60-year history of higher education and academic research in technology in Tampere.
Operating result shifts to positive figures
In the financial year 2025, Tampere University’s operating revenue amounted to €389.6 million, which is €22 million more than in 2024. Our government funding grew by €16.3 million from the previous year, reaching €240.3 million. This growth is largely the result of the adjustment of the university index, which is linked to the cost-of-living index, and the additional funding allocated by the Ministry of Education and Culture for the doctoral education pilot.
The University’s operating expenses amounted to €387.3 million, an increase of €18 million from 2024. The €15.0 million increase in salary costs is due to the doctoral education pilot, across-the-board salary increases agreed in the collective agreement, and the recruitment of new staff. Rental expenses declined in line with the budget, owing to measures implemented under the Facilities Programme.
The University recorded a positive operating result for the first time since commencing operations in 2019, reflecting the progress in restoring its financial balance. The operating surplus amounted to €2.3 million. Fundraising efforts generated €0.9 million, which, combined with the outcome of investment and financial activities amounting to €31.4 million, produced an overall result of €32.0 million for the financial year 2025.
The operating revenue of the entire corporate group totalled €468.8 million in 2025. The group reported an operating surplus of €5.4 million. The Consolidated Financial Statements of Tampere University Foundation also include the results of its subsidiaries, namely Tampere University of Applied Sciences Ltd (87.0% ownership), Campusta Oy (100% ownership) that provides facility services, and TUNI Start Oy (100% ownership).
