The history of Arcada

Arcada was founded in 1996 as a Swedish-language university of applied sciences in the Helsinki region, when several educational institution merged to form a new, joint higher education institution. Its operations began as a university of applied sciences pilot project, approved by the Government the previous year.

By decision (146/430/96) of the Ministry of Education (now the Ministry of Education and Culture), educational responsibilities were transferred from Svenska sjukvårdsinstitutet (Sjukis), Svenska Handelsläroverket (Lilla Hanken), Tekniska Läroverket (Verket) and Folkhälsans socialläroanstalt to the Arcada Institute (now Arcada University of Applied Sciences). Arcada officially took over responsibility for education on 1 August 1996.

The activities of these educational institutions formed the basis for the new university of applied sciences. The combined expertise and long traditions in healthcare, technology and social services became an important part of Arcada's identity.

By decision of the Government (9/401/97), the Arcada Foundation was granted permission to operate Arcada University of Applied Sciences – Nylands svenska yrkeshögskola from 1 August 1998. On the same date, Arcada was granted regular university of applied sciences status by the Ministry of Education (now the Ministry of Education and Culture).

One campus since 2004

When the polytechnic was founded, its activities were spread across Lauttasaari, Sturenkatu in Helsinki and Metsänpojankuja in Espoo. From the outset, there was an ambition to bring the geographically dispersed educational units under one roof.

This vision was fulfilled in 2004, when the new premises in Arabianranta were ready for occupancy and, in the summer of 2004, Arcada University of Applied Sciences moved into the Arcada building. The new building was constructed using materials typical of the 21st century, such as glass, steel and stone. Read more about Arcada today