Study in Finland

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.

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.

Why Study in Finland?

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.

Over 400 Study Programmes in English

Finnish institutions provide numeorus English-speaking degree programmes.Ranging from short courses as a part of an exchange programme or full degrees, you can find many study opportunities across all fields of education.

Quality in research and education

Our national policy underlines excellence on all levels of education, and Finnish institutions place great value on quality research and innovation. Most students in Finland consider higher education degrees a necessary step for establishing a solid foundation for their future careers.Thanks to their basic education and national entrance exams, Finnish students are highly motivated to study. Unlike in most countries, students also have a real influence on the quality of education. There is legislation in place that allows them exceptional influence in developing their institutions and studies together with their teachers.

Excellent facilities for work and fun

Studying at one of the higher education institutions in Finland comes with many perks.Well-equipped libraries offer comfortable spaces for productive study hours. In Finland, all students have the right to use the institutions libraries freely with a library card. As well as well stocked libraries , all higher education institutions provide their students free access to the internet. Also, municipal library services are open to all, and the basic services are normally free of charge.Cafés and common areas are busy social hubs where friends meet during study breaks. Various student clubs and organizations offer activities and outings for many different areas of interest. Sports facilities are widely available and used by international and local students alike.

Well-organised country

A solid infrastructure allows all of the public and private services to function smoothly. All registered persons living in Finland can rely on any of these services such as transportation, public and student healthcare, police and rescue services. Assistance with any of these services is always available and the opinions of the residents are valued. Our banking services are among the best in world: advanced, innovative and easy to use.

How to apply

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!

How to apply

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

Tuition fees and scholarships

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

Do you meet the English language requirements?

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.

Finland is located in the far North of Europe, between its neighbours Sweden and Russia. The main language is Finnish; Swedish is also an official language thanks to a Swedish minority, a result of 600 years as part of the Swedish Empire. Helsinki, the capital, is by far the largest city in Finland. Other large towns include Espoo, Tampere and Turku.

Climate

Finland is known for its harsh winters and short summers. Thanks to its proximity to the polar circle, it never really gets dark in the summertime - while the sky does not really light up during winter, on the other hand. As other Nordic nations, Finland typically celebrates the summer solstice, when the sun hours reach their annual maximum in mid-June.

Statistics on Higher Education in Finland

After the alignment of the European educational systems as part of the Bologna reform, many Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences have increased the number of English-language Bachelor and Master programmes. Finland has about 40 institutions of higher education, which are commonly classified into either universities (classical research and teaching institutions) or polytechnics, sometimes called universities of applied sciences (with a more practice-oriented approach to teaching). There are slightly over 300,000 students at polytechnics and universities in Finland, about 20,000 of which are international students.

For students from the EU/EEA, most academic degree programs are free of charge. Tuition fees may apply for applicants from other countries, and they vary from school to school.

How to apply for a Bachelor or Master in Finland

First you should decide for which programs at which universities you want to apply. You will find the entry requirements either in the course descriptions here on Study.EU or on the university websites. The Finnish polytechnics handle all applications for Bachelor programs and many applications for Master programs through their central application system at Studyinfo.fi. For degree programs not handled via that website, you need to apply directly to the polytechnic or university according to their admissions process.

Visa requirements for students

Students from the EU/EEA can study in Finland without any further visa requirements. Students from other countries may need to obtain a specific study visa. You should check with the Finnish authorities to know how to meet the legal requirements.

Job market for graduates

Finland is a welcoming country for foreigners. However, the big challenge for international graduates is the Finnish language. It is considered to be one of the world’s most complicated languages. Even though almost everyone in Finland has a decent knowledge of English, it is vital to know at least a bit of Finnish for the workplace. But the Finnish authorities are doing their best to attract and keep talent in Finland.

Transportation

Finland is located at the Northern edge of Europe. Helsinki Vantaa, in the capital, is one of the more important airport hubs in the Nordic region with many international flights. Via Finnair, there are especially convenient connections to East Asia and China in particular. Smaller airports in the rest of the country are sometimes serviced by low-cost carriers such as Ryanair, but are otherwise connected via Helsinki.