The National Union of University Students in Finland was founded in 1921. Suomen ylioppilaskuntien liitto, SYL for short, is an interest organisation defending and improving the educational, financial, and social benefits and rights of the students. In addition to being an interest organisation SYL has striven to take on a role of a socially influential organisation on a wider scale and an inspirer of debate. SYL has 145 000 members in more than 20 universities, thus representing 100% of university students in Finland.

The main areas of work are education politics, social politics and international affairs. There are also various other areas of work such as employment, equality, development co-operation and environment.