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The Officer’s Path Podcast What does an officer’s career look like in the increasingly international operating environment, and how do officers prepare for future challenges? In the Officer’s Path Podcast, produced by the Finnish National Defence ...

Studying at the National Defence University The National Defence University offers university classes to approximately 900 people annually and continuing training to approximately 1,000 people. This page brings together general information useful ...

Heritage Association The National Defence University's Heritage Association strives to upkeep and develop the traditions of officer education and to increase a sense of belonging among university personnel. The association also functions as an alu...

Department of Academic Affairs The Department of Academic Affairs is under the command of the Vice Rector and its responsibilities include recruitment of students for officer training, preparing the selections and the overall development of teachi...

Tactical Command and Staff College The Tactical Command and Staff College (Taistelukoulu) is located in Santahamina, Helsinki. It was formerly known as Master's Degree Programme of the National Defence University (NDU), and prior to the establishm...

Practical information for requesting a visit to the National Defence University.

General information The National Defence University is divided into divisions, departments and other administrative units. The university is led by a rector. The university has an under-graduate, graduate and post-graduate degree division. As well...

Our Main Functions The main functions of the National Defence University are research , education and societal impact . The main functions have strategic objectives and goals, that have been created based on our mission, vision and central princip...

Speakers and moderators Moderator: Simo Pesu (FNDU) Lt. Col. Simo Pesu is the head of the Russia Group and a senior researcher at the National Defence University. He earned the General Staff Officer’s Degree in 2004 and has served as a commissione...

War College The War College is under the command of the Rector of the National Defence University and it is responsible for the General Staff Officer Course and its execution. It is also responsible for the planning, execution and development of t...

Impact of teaching Responsibility and interaction Impact of teaching The teaching at the National Defence University is based on responsible, networked and effective competence, within which future officers are trained, keeping up with the times. ...

Impact of research Responsibility and interaction Impact of teaching The teaching at the National Defence University is based on responsible, networked and effective competence, within which future officers are trained, keeping up with the times. ...

Impact of teaching Impact of research Sustainability and interaction Responsibility is a cornerstone of the operation of the National Defence University, and, among other things, sustainable development, equality and non-discrimination are at the ...

Impact of research Responsibility and interaction Valitse kieli Suomi Välj språket Svenska Select language English Impact of teaching The teaching provided at the National Defence University is based on responsible, networked and effective compete...

Strategy 2025–2030(+) The main task of the National Defence University is to provide the future officers of the Finnish Defence Forces and the Border Guard with the skills they need. The skills combine the knowledge gained during studies with the ...

Impact of teaching Impact of research Responsibility and interaction Responsibility is a cornerstone of the operation of the National Defence University, and sustainable development, equality and non-discrimination are at the core of it. With its ...

9.6.2025 | Becoming more international is a cross-cutting theme in the new strategy period of the National Defence University. In practise, the goal will materialize as a growing number of researcher, teacher and student exchanges with international military institutes. However, the core task of the university will remain the same. We will continue to conduct high-quality research in war sciences and prod...

26.8.2025 | The 109th Cadet Course and the 92st Midshipman Course graduate from the Bachelor of Military Sciences programme on 29 August 2025. The Supreme Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces, President of the Republic Alexander Stubb will promote the 173 graduates to the rank of Lieutenant in the Presidential Palace's Hall of State. The graduation day with its traditional ceremonies will be a memorable event for the young officers.

26.8.2024 | The 108th Cadet Course and the 91st Midshipman Course graduate from the Bachelor of Military Sciences programme on 30 August 2024. The Supreme Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces, President of the Republic Alexander Stubb will promote the 164 graduates to the rank of Lieutenant in the Presidential Palace's Hall of State. The graduation day with its traditional ceremonies will be a memorable event for the young officers.

3.10.2025 | The third National Defence University conferment ceremony was held in Helsinki between 18 and 20 September 2025. At the conferment ceremony, 23 doctors of military sciences graduating after 2018 and 5 Honorary Doctors were conferred. Conferment grants them the right to use the doctoral hat and sword.