LUT University

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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4] 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[5] (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 struggled for some time in the past, with many critiquing the education and the trustability of the organization.[6] Eventually, the decision was made to make radical changes in LAMK, with the first steps being the replacement of some of its board member, and the selling of the organization to 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. Furthermore, LAB courses were opened to LUT students, meaning students of LUT could take courses from an applied sciences perspective as well if they wish, expanding study opportunities for students in fields like languages.

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.[7]

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.

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,[8] and combined with other experts and companies on campus the campus population exceeds 10,000.

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.[9]

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 Erasmus Student Network Lappeenranta, while not a guild, still partakes in the overall tradition by supplying exchange students with blue overalls, and the students from LAB University of Applied Sciences also have their own overall colors and traditions on campus.

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 IVH campus restaurant. Inside the university there is a campus shop, Cafe, Buffet, Pizza buffet restaurant, and Indian food restaurant. 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.

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.[11] 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.[12]

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.[13]

The Lahti campus has two restaurants and cafes for students to enjoy. The campus also has a small section of the university academic library.

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.[14]

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.[15]

The Brussels regional office exists to strengthen the university's cooperation with its European partners.[16]

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.[17] The university is ranked second in Finland in the fields of Physical Sciences and Business.,[18][19] and fifth in Engineering.[20]

LUT has steadily risen in global and domestic prestige, being ranked in the world's 20 most rapidly developing challenger universities.[21] LUT was also ranked the 9th best University on the globe for climate action.[22] The university has further been ranked in the Times Higher Education's Top 20 world's best small universities list.[23]

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%.[24]

The overall reputation of LUT University has been steadily rising due to consistent improvements in research and academics at the university.

Aerial view of LUT University

LUT University is called Finland's International University due to the high amount of international programs and students that are attending the university. Over 15% of LUT University's student population is international and the school has a representation of 94 different nationalities[17][25]

Over 92% of international students were happy with their experience studying at LUT University specifically in Lappeenranta.[26]

Lappeenranta, the city of LUT University's largest campus, is also known as a welcoming international city.

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:

The following fields can be studied at LUT University to a bachelor's, master's, licentiate and doctoral level depending on program:

• Chemical Engineering
• Computational Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Energy Technology
• Environmental Technology
• Industrial Engineering and Management
• Mechanical Engineering
• Software Engineering
• Business
• Social Sciences

• Centre for Separation Technology (CST)
• Carelian Drives and Motor Centre (CDMC)
• Centre of Computational Engineering and Integrated Design (CEID)

The Viipuri Prize, established by the Society for Viipuri School of Economics, is awarded for outstanding achievements in the field of strategy research.[27] 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.[27]

The following scholars have been awarded the Viipuri Prize:

• David Teece, University of California, Berkeley (2003)
• James G. March, Stanford University (2004)
• Peter Buckley, University of Leeds (2006)
• Sidney G. Winter, University of Pennsylvania (2008)
• C. K. Prahalad, University of Michigan (2010)
• John Kay, London School of Economics (2012)[28]
• Constance E. Helfat,[29] Tuck School of Business (2014)
• Rebecca M. Henderson, Harvard Business School (2017)
• Erik Brynjolfsson, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2019)
• Henry Chesbrough, University of California Berkeley (2022)

• Viljo Immonen, 1969 – 1970
• Erkki Kinnunen, 1971 – 1975
• Niilo Teeri, 1975 – 1977
• Juhani Jaakkola
• Markku Lukka, 1998 – 2008
• Ilkka Pöyhönen, 2008 – 2014
• Anneli Pauli, 2014 – 2016
• Juha-Matti Saksa, 2016–Present

• LAB University of Applied Sciences
• Hebei University of Technology
• List of universities in Finland

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lappeenranta University of Technology.

• Official site
• LUT Student Union