Research and instruction since 1950

Many developments have occurred in the history of Turku School of Economics:

1950 Turku School of Economics was established on the initiative of business life. At the same time, TSE’s Student Union was founded. Turku School of Economics functioned during its first years at 11 Aurakatu Street in the central business district of Turku.

1958 Turku School of Economics obtained its own building in Rehtorinpellonkatu Street. The building was later expanded during the 1980s and the early 2000s.

1960 TSE’s first conferment of master’s degrees was arranged in connection with the university’s 10th anniversary on 8 May 1960. At the time, 11 bachelors in the economic sciences received conferment of master's status. An honorary (honoris causa) degree of Doctor of Science in Economics and Business Administration was awarded to the university’s first rector and chancellor, Professor Niilo Ikola.

1970 The first doctoral degree was completed at Turku School of Economics.

1977 TSE was transferred to State ownership. Previously, the university was maintained by its foundation.

1983 TSE’s Centre for Supplementary Education was founded.

1984 As a result of cooperation between Turku School of Economics and Tampere University of Technology, the Pori Research and Education Centre was established in the city of Pori.

1986 the Corporate Research Centre began its operations. In 1987, the independent Institute for East-West Trade was operationally linked to the same. In 1993, the European Institute was established, which was part of the Corporate Research Centre. In December 1998, the Institute for East-West Trade and the European Institute were merged into a new unit, which was named the Pan-European Institute.

1989 the first conferment of doctoral degrees was arranged. At the time, 10 honorary doctorates and 11 doctorates were conferred.

1990 as part of the 350^th anniversary of the establishment of the Finnish university system, a combined conferment of honorary doctorates was arranged with other Turku universities.

1992 TSE’s Finland Futures Research Centre was founded.

1994 the Centre for Supplementary Education and the Corporate Research Centre were merged into Corporate Research and Education Centre CORE.

1996 Professor Tapio Reponen began work as the rector of Turku School of Economics. In 2010 Reponen became vice rector of the University of Turku.

The previous rectors were: 

• Ikola, Niilo, Ph.D., 1950–1954
• Virtanen, Unto, Doctor of Science in Economics and Business Administration, 1954–1956
• Säntti, Auvo, Ph.D., 1956–1959, 1962–1968
• Halme, Veikko, Ph.D., 1959–1962, 1968–1977
• Kanerva, Reino, Doctor of Science in Economics and Business Administration, 1978–1995

1997 Master’s level instruction in the economic sciences was initiated at the Pori Unit.

2008 Two new special units Business and Innovation Development BID and Centre for Research and Education CRE continued the work of Corporate Research and Education CORE.

2010 Turku School of Economics and the University of Turku merged. Professor Satu Lähteenmäki became the Director of Turku School of Ecnomics.

In 1958, the new premises for Turku School of Economics were completed in Rehtorinpellonkatu Street.