When it comes to top-quality education, Finland is one of the first countries that comes to mind. A Nordic country with a population of 5.54 million in 2020, Finland has succeeded in not only keeping up with educational progress, but also excelling at setting a global standard.
A member of the European Union and home to 35 higher education institutions, Finland is a good choice for students from around the world. An egalitarian society where knowledge and lifelong learning are highly valued, Finland offers a great social setting to foster your learning and personal growth.
For an international student, life in Finland is enhanced by the convenience offered by high-level infrastructure and technology, the security of living in one of the safest countries in the world, and the enjoyment offered by the nature with four distinct seasons that all have their unique flavor.
Finland is one of the most environment-conscious countries in the world, and as a result, almost everyone is participating in ways to be eco-friendly. Nature is an integral part of the Finnish way of life for a very simple reason: it is everywhere.
In Finland, bustling city life meets peaceful nature scenes within a walking distance. The towns and cities accommodate activities for all seasons, and provide plenty of opportunities for exploration or relaxation.
Higher education institutions are internationally-minded and there are over 400 English-speaking degree programmes available across the country. Largely state-funded, the institutions offer top quality teaching that is accessible to all. Campuses balance natural settings with high-tech facilities for all students to enjoy.
Being a student in Finland has many advantages. From high-tech labs to well-stocked libraries, university campuses are equipped with all the facilities that knowledge-hungry students need. A degree from one of the world-quality Finnish higher education institutions is your natural first step to paving the way for a great career in your field, whether it be academia or more practical sectors.
Finland is a human-scaled, cosy country, with cities and towns designed for people, not just cars. Rush-hours are a rarity.
Our higher education institutions are small enough to operate functionally and effectively. They are all internationally oriented with special regional features, and you can choose between very different study environments ranging from larger urban campuses to close-to-nature campuses.
Higher education institutions are highly autonomous, but largely funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture. Therefore the Ministry also closely oversees the quality of teaching. These efficiently managed institutions:
- react to the needs of the society, and business and industry in their curricula and teaching
- provide a wide range of high-quality programmes in English for exchange and degree students at all levels of education
- give their students transferrable skills on which they can build their future in academic fields and in the job market.
Trust and openness are important concepts in Finland, and getting networked at an early stage is the Finnish way. Here you can start getting connected with fellow international and Finnish students, organisations, and the working world already whilst studying your first courses. Often these networks and friendships last for the rest of your life.
The higher education system in Finland consists of two complementary sectors: universities and universities of applied sciences (UAS). The universities offer academic degrees on Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral level, whereas the UAS’s offer more practically oriented Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Both sectors offer a wide variety of degree courses available in English.
Visit www.studyinfinland.fi for more information!
Applying to a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programme starts at www.studyinfo.fi. Eligibility and entry requirements, as well as the exact application period, are degree programme specific, so use the search function at www.studyinfo.fi to check these details.
Read more about how to proceed at www.studyinfinland.fi
Non-EU/EEA students in Finland are subject to tuition fees in English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes. The universities also offer scholarship options for gifted non-EU/EEA students admitted into degree programmes with tuition fees. Each university has its own fee and scholarship system, but the annual fees vary between 5.000€ and 18.000€. Detailed scholarship information is available directly from the universities.
EU/EEA citizens do not have to pay any tuition fees.
See: www.studyinfinland.fi/scholarships
To study in Finland, you'll need an official English language certificate. To get one, you'll need to pass one of the popular international English tests. You can prepare for these tests on your own, or you can enrol in an English language preparation course; this type of courses are offered by many schools and other institutions worldwide.
By taking the right English exam training course you will advance your language skills in order to get the needed scores for IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, C1 Advanced, or other English exams.
Are you interested in a Doctoral/PhD degree or a PhD-level visiting researcher period in Finland? Applications must be made directly to the universities. Some universities may accept doctoral study applications at all times, while others may have specific application periods. The universities all have their own Doctoral Admissions info pages, where you can find detailed information.
There are also Doctoral level scholarship schemes available.
Read more at https://www.studyinfinland.fi/admissions/doctoral-admissions
You may be aiming for full-time employment in Finland, and already during your studies the Career Services of your Finnish university or UAS can help you get started by providing advice on how to look for jobs after graduation. As your graduation approaches, you may renew your residency permit up to one more year in order to stay and look for work in Finland.
Finding a part-time job in your field while you are still studying may act as a springboard to full-time employment. As a Nordic or EU/EEA national, you don’t need a special permit for working during your studies in Finland. As a non-EU/EEA citizen, you may work up to 25 hours per week unless it’s a full-time internship or trainee position.
Read more at https://www.studyinfinland.fi/life-finland/working-finland
Let's take a closer look at the student life, tuition, and living expenses in Finland:
In Finland, each higher education institution has a student union to look after students interests. When you get your Finnish student card, you become a member of your local student union.
The university student unions have a national umbrella organisation, the National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL). Similarly, polytechnic students unions belong to the Union of Students in Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (SAMOK). Student union membership entitles you to a variety of student discounts and also, the student unions organise a lot of different activities you can take part in.
On top of the student unions, which operate on a national and institutional level, your faculty or department probably has its own student club. In addition to that, there usually are several separate clubs and student associations that centre around some hobby, sport, or other interest. You will find information about these on your institutions noticeboards, from the student services, or your fellow students.
Tuition fees at Finish universities vary on factors like the type of institution, student nationality, level of education (undergraduate, postgraduate), and so on. Public universities have the following tuition fee structure:
Private universities usually have higher tuition fees and might not differentiate between EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA students.
Learn more about tuition and living costs in Finland.
Finns are friendly people who make for reliable and trustworthy friends. By living and studying in Finland, you will get to experience the easy-going lifestyle that comes along with the high standards of living.
The average monthly living expenses for a student in Finland are approximately 700–900 EUR. This may vary a bit, depending on your study location in Finland – for example, accommodation and other living costs may be higher in the Helsinki metropolitan area and other cities.
https://www.studyinfinland.fi/scholarships/fees-and-costs
Student accommodation in Finland, for both exchange and degree students, is usually organised by established student housing foundations. Many towns and municipalities also have dormitories maintained by the municipal community or the educational institution.
Read about student accommodation in Finland: https://www.studyinfinland.fi/life-finland/accommodation
Public transport is very well organised in Finland, and students receive a special discount that makes commuting affordable. It is not necessary to have your own car while living in the big Finnish cities.
Once you have received a study placement in Finland, whether for exchange studies, a complete degree programme or a research period, there are several practical things you need to start arranging beforehand, well in advance of your arrival. First and foremost, please make sure you have a realistic plan concerning the financing of your study period in Finland. This is very important, not only because of the financial requirements in connection with your student residence permit, but for your own financial security. Non-EU/EEA citizens should have a realistic plan on how they cover their annual tuition fees. Also, keep in mind that you will need to cover your everyday living expenses independently.
Remember to reserve enough time to complete all the necessary formalities such as obtaining a passport, arranging your residence permit and insurance.
After your arrival, you can ask for assistance in all practical issues from your hosting Finnish institution or student union. If you have any questions or are in doubt about some practical matter concerning your life in Finland as a student please do not hesitate to ask for help from the International Office of your hosting Finnish university, your student union, or your fellow students.
Non-EU/EEA students need a student residence permit. After you receive your official letter of acceptance, you can begin the student residence permit application online at Enterfinland.fi. Remember that you must personally visit a Finnish embassy or consulate as part of this process. Start your residence permit process as soon as possible, carefully following the immigration authorities' instructions and regulations, so that you can receive your permit in good time before your studies begin!
You can find detailed information and advice on the residence permit requirements and procedures on the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) website https://migri.fi/en/studying-in-finland
After your graduation, you may apply for an extension of your residence permit to look for work or start a business.
Finland is a country situated in Northern Europe and joins Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Norway to make up the Nordic countries. Finland is an EU member country since 1995 and a parliamentary republic with the government located in the capital city of Helsinki. Finland is home to 5.54 million inhabitants. Most of the population is concentrated in the Southern parts of the country in the biggest cities such as Helsinki, Tampere, and Turku. Finland is ranked as one of the top 5 countries in the world with the highest standards of living and equality. The Finnish welfare state is commendable for its upkeep of all its residents’ well-being.
Finland is often referred to as the land of the midnight sun or the land of a thousand lakes, and our nature and seasonal traditions attract tourists from around the globe all year round. With varying temperatures throughout the year, Finland experiences all seasons in their own unique way. Winters are all about snow, ice skating, skiing and hot chocolate, whereas spring sees the force of life awaken in nature. Summers are for picnics with friends and enjoying sauna followed by a dip in a nearby lake, and autumn paints its myriad of colors on the turning leaves as you go mushroom hunting in the woods.
Recent international policies promote international university cooperation and student exchange between countries worldwide. High-quality study and PhD degrees are made more available to students in order to create a global educational network, achievable through student and staff mobility. Career and research oriented programmes support international student development.
University cooperation enables students study worldwide, for instance in Australia, Asia, Europe and the United States and provides ways of recognizing previous degrees. Different study options offer appropriate alternatives to students, depending on their preferred mode of study.
Many study programmes in Australia, Asia, Europe and North America are English-taught. The most popular international student destinations include the following countries: Australia, Belgium, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, the United States, and more. However, these are not the only countries offering English-taught education. The rest of the world is full of endless study choices, from highly ranked to smaller, more specialized, universities.
If you want further education beyond the undergraduate level or if you want more personal development or a career in academia, you could obtain a PhD degree. PhD degrees are postgraduate programmes that usually follow a Master's, MPhil or MRes, but there might be additional requirements depending on the university. Students are required to do their own research in a chosen topic. With the help of a supervisor, you develop knowledge and analytical skills in a specific or multidisciplinary field and you carry out independent research. The duration of a PhD degree differs per country and institution. Sometimes your own research is accompanied by work for the department such as giving seminars or small group teaching.
PhD students are required to study on campus under close supervision, but there are universities that accept students enrolled into a part-time distance education PhD degree. Studying on campus can also be full-time as well as part-time, in which case the part-time variant is normally twice as long as the full-time study.
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