Education in Finland
Finland ranks first in the world in terms of education. It is also among the most innovative countries in the world. Besides these, the country is among the safest countries. Studying in Finland is easier than you think. Teaching in Finnish universities is conducted in Finnish and Swedish. During the evaluation of the applications, oral interviews are also conducted along with the certificate grades. Only some universities may require an interview. The high quality of education creates high competition at the admission stage to undergraduate programs in this country. Bachelor programs in Finland are free. Students who choose Finland from the developed countries of Europe for education are offered high-quality education at top universities and numerous programs in English. Free bachelor’s and doctoral programs increase students’ interest in this country.
Finnish universities
• University of Helsinki- 99th (Times Higher Education) / 110th (QS Rankings)
• Aalto University- 181st (Times Higher Education) /140th (QS Rankings)
• University of Oulu-251st (Times Higher Education/376th (QS Rankings)
• University of Eastern Finland-351st (Times Higher Education/481st(QS Rankings)
• University of Turku-351st (Times Higher Education/285st(QS Rankings)
Application and admission conditions to Finnish universities
• High average price
• Certificate
• Transcript
• CV and Motivation Letter
• IELTS score of at least 6.5 and above (Subsections not less than 5.5) (These indicators vary by university and program)
• Universities’ entrance exams (these exams also vary by university; some accept without an exam)
Living in Finland
A quiet and safe life awaits students who want to study for a master’s degree in Finland. The level of education and welfare is high, and the small population also provides more opportunities for international students. However, students should consider their education in Finland as an investment. One of the bachelor’s program conditions is that students can cover living expenses themselves. Monthly living costs for students in Finland range from 1,200 to 2,000 euros. These numbers vary by city. Costs are higher in larger cities.
Scholarship in Finland
As for the total cost of education and the amount of scholarships in the country, these amounts vary by university and specialization. Annual tuition fees range from 7,000 to 19,000 Euros if you have yet to win a scholarship. Of course, the amount of payment in private universities is partly higher. In addition, almost all universities offer “Tuition waivers” or additional scholarship opportunities to foreign students. First, your academic performance, foreign language exam results, and experience are reviewed for this.
The scholarship amount is again determined by the program you are studying. The annual amount allocated to students varies between 8,000 and 20,000 Euros; in most cases, it is enough to cover your tuition fees. Remember that the scholarships are “excellence scholarships,” and you must have 90% academic performance to win. In addition, you must show high results in the university exams after admission to retain the scholarship.
Undergraduate studies in Finland
The duration of a bachelor’s degree at all universities in Finland is approximately 3-4 years. Depending on the program, higher education can be completed at this level. However, in some cases, this stage is considered an intermediate stage for the master’s degree.
The duration of polytechnic education varies between 3.5 and 4.5 years. A polytechnic degree is not legally considered a junior university in the Finnish education system. However, polytechnic degrees are regarded as relatively low-level university degrees outside of Finland.
We will show you how to get a master’s degree in Finland.
LUT University offers the scholarship program we are going to talk about. The university in Lappeenranta, Finland, offers master’s degrees in many specializations. More precisely:
Masters in Finland
• Business management;
• Chemical engineering;
• Computer engineering;
• Industrial engineering and management;
• Electrical engineering etc.
You can study in Finland without paying any tuition fees in such specialties.
Free Masters in Finland
The procedure for exemption from tuition fees in the mentioned and other master’s programs is very simple. It is enough to state in the system that you wish to be exempted from the tuition fee, in other words, to apply for a scholarship program for a master’s education, when applying for the program of your choice through the portal in the usual way. There are various scholarship programs, and depending on your performance, you can get free education through any scholarship program.
Why Study in Finland?
Finland’s education system is considered one of the best in the world. It is distinguished by high teacher salaries, plenty of vacation time, little emphasis on homework and tests, and a focus on practical learning. The country’s higher education system is also shown as an example, especially in Finland, one of the rare countries where its citizens get a free education. International students have to pay tuition fees, but university fees are low compared to other countries.
Finland student visa
Finland is a place to study with many “International Student Friendly” Universities and colleges. However, before applying to a Finnish higher education institution and securing admission, it is necessary to understand the entire process fully.
One of these processes is obtaining a Finnish Student Visa, which is done after you have been accepted to the Finnish school of your choice.
Types of Finland Student Visa
A student who wants to stay in Finland but is not a Finnish citizen requires a student visa or residence permit. These are the two student visas of Finland.
A Finnish student visa is a temporary, short-term permit issued to an international student who wants to stay and study in Finland for a maximum of 90 days (3 months). It is suitable for international students who plan to take a short-term language course in Finland or who want to take the entrance exam.
A Finnish student residence permit is issued to an international student who wants to stay and study in Finland for over 90 days (3 months). Usually, Finnish student residence permits are issued for one year at a time. It is suitable for international students admitted to full-time degree courses in Finland.
However, in Nordic countries (Sweden et al.), citizens can live and study in Finland without a residence permit. They still need to register with local authorities, although their rate is over 90 days.
Generally, a student residence permit is valid for one year, so if you plan to stay longer, you should apply for an extension at your local police station.
Admission requirements to Finnish universities
Bachelors
Certificate
Passport
For minor students, a consent application from their parents
Master
Bachelor’s degree
Diploma transcript (in Finnish)
Average score (80+)
CV
At least (6.5 points) from the IELTS exam
Vocational education
Post-primary education in Finland is divided into general education, initial vocational education, and training. Primary vocational education institutions operate under municipalities and sometimes private institutions.
Vocational education and training aim to prepare a workforce with relevant skills, meet the labor market’s needs, and support lifelong learning.
A total of 146,000 people study in Finnish primary vocational education institutions. Four thousand five hundred of them study in preparatory courses for initial vocational training.
Young people who have completed secondary education and mastered relevant professions (if they wish to continue their education) can be admitted to relevant universities.
The state creates conditions for all citizens to receive vocational education, regardless of age. In Finland, they believe that this is the only way to prevent unemployment in the country.
Finnish State Universities
University of Helsinki: Ranked among the top 35 universities in the world, the University of Helsinki has strict application requirements and a challenging curriculum. The application deadline for the university, whose annual fees are generally between €13,000 and €18,000, can be set as January 15.
Hanken School of Economics: The university is in the top 100 of the Financial Times and is ranked in the top 2% of the world’s business schools with three significant accreditations. The application deadline is January 15. The annual tuition fee is around 12500€.
Tampere University of Applied Sciences: Strongly positioned among universities of applied sciences, Tampere University offers many English-language programs. The annual tuition fee is around €10,000
Home University: Another quality applied university located in the Helsinki suburbs. The annual tuition fee is between €8,000 and €10,000
Arcada University: It will be one of the essential Finnish university alternatives where you can reduce your living and accommodation costs. The annual tuition fee is around 9,000 – 10,000€
Metropolia University: The best among Finnish universities for applied education, the university has relatively low tuition and living costs. The annual tuition fee is around 9,000-10,000 €
Finnish Private Universities
• Helsinki Business School
Helsinki Business School: Another strong business school in the capital, it is one of the Finnish universities that stands out for its industry links and career support. Annual tuition fee 10,000€ – approximately 12,000€