LUT Business School plans to expand its operations in Lahti starting in the fall of 2026, launching new bachelor’s and master’s programs in business studies.
The Mayor of Lahti, Niko Kyynäräinen, expressed excitement about the opportunity to establish a business school in Lahti, emphasising the benefits of attracting new students, professionals, and taxpayers to the city. He noted that the initiative offers companies access to talent and opportunities for growth. The presence of an international business school could enhance Lahti’s appeal as a university city.
Kyynäräinen also highlighted the synergy between students and businesses.
– The academic pathways offered by the business school will connect graduating students more strongly with the Lahti region and local companies. The growth in student numbers at Lahti’s campus is also an exceptional opportunity for businesses involved in international trade, as the city will welcome international students familiar with their home country markets and practices.
Bachelor’s program to produce experts in digital business
LUT Business School’s new bachelor’s program will focus on digital business and meet Finland’s growing need for expertise in this field. The program will be implemented in collaboration with existing software engineering and industrial management programs already active in Lahti.
– LUT Business School is set to expand significantly in Lahti. The new programme would allow us to educate business professionals from the bachelor’s to the doctoral level. This is a significant development for LUT, the Päijät-Häme region, and for anyone considering business studies, says Sami Saarenketo, Dean of LUT Business School.
Plans include 50–75 starting places for the bachelor’s program in the fall of 2026, and 60 places for the later-launched master’s program. The program will be in English and open to domestic and international students.
LUT has about 2,000 students in Lahti, 19 educational programs, over 30 professors with their research teams, and more than 300 professional staff members. Lahti became a university city in 2019, and LUT University has grown rapidly there. By 2030, the number of university students in Lahti will double, exceeding 10,000.
The City of Lahti decided that the city will finance the project by matching every euro contributed by a partner, with a total funding limit of €1.75 million. The city’s costs will span five years from 2025 to 2029, averaging €350,000 annually. LUT University aims to raise about €3.5 million in total funding from the city and regional businesses during 2025–2029.