Studying abroad is in demand and prestigious. Upon graduation from a higher educational institution, graduates receive internationally recognized diplomas, which open up broad prospects for young people for successful employment in their home country or abroad. Speaking about how to enter a Finnish university, how much you have to pay for tuition and which university is better to choose, it should be noted that the question of admission must be taken seriously, since there are many who want to study, and the number of places in educational institutions is limited.
Characteristics of the higher education system in Finland
The Finnish higher education system is represented by two main types of educational institutions: classical and universities of applied sciences (polytechnics). General or classical universities carry out academic preparation of students, which is based on scientific activity. There are 14 such institutions on the territory of the country, and all of them train specialists in such educational programs as bachelor's, master's and doctoral studies.
Polytechnics or universities of applied sciences train technical specialists. There are 26 such educational institutions. Education in them is carried out according to bachelor's and master's programs.
You can study in Finland by choosing an English-language study program - there are more than 500 of them here. In addition, study is possible in the official languages of the state - Finnish or Swedish.
Thanks to close cooperation between the government and educational institutions in the country, it has been possible to organize a modern learning process using innovative methods, which makes it possible to make Finnish higher education one of the best in the world.
A step-by-step guide to applying to universities in Finland
Having made a decision on admission to a Finnish university, it is necessary to draw up a detailed plan for further actions. In particular, in order to enter a higher education institution in Finland, you need:
- Decide on a specialty and a university. There is a wide range of study programs in Finland, from art history to information technology. In this case, the language of instruction plays an important role. It can be English, Finnish or Swedish. You can find out more about higher education institutions and study programs on the official website of education in Finland.
- Contact the selected university and clarify all the details of admission. In almost all universities, the application period falls in January-February. In some classical universities, the time frame may differ. In order to avoid inaccuracies, it is better to clarify this question.
- Submit your application. This can be done through the special website Studyinfo.fi. You have the right to apply for 6 programs at the same time. In this case, Finnish universities, desirable for admission, should be indicated in order of preference.
- Wait for a response on the acceptance of the application and send the documents. The list of required documents must be clarified in advance, at the stage of familiarization with the requirements of the selected university. Immediately after receiving confirmation of acceptance of the application, send the documents for consideration.
- Wait for an invitation to take an introductory test or interview. Usually, prospective applicants receive an invitation to take the entrance exam in February or March. To be admitted to the entrance tests, you need to prove your attendance for the exam. You can take exams not only in Finland. You can find out in which other countries testing is allowed on the Finnips website.
- If necessary, you should apply for a student visa. For example, to take an exam in Finland without being an EU citizen, you will need to apply for a short-term student visa. This can be a little problematic, since you do not have an invitation to study on hand. For more information, see the website of the Embassy of Finland.
- Wait for the exam results and receive an official invitation from the university. If you have successfully passed the entrance exams, then you can plan to move to Finland for education. But first, you must confirm in the specified form that you accept the offer of the university and are ready to start your studies this year.
- Complete the necessary documents. Now that you have an official document from Finland confirming your admission to the university, you can safely apply for a student visa. To do this, you will need to confirm the stability of your financial situation - get a certificate of the presence of at least 6,720 euros in your bank account for a year of study. You will also need 2 photos measuring 47 by 26 mm, a valid passport, insurance policy and a certificate of previous education.
- Find accommodation in Finland and get ready to leave. It is better to find suitable accommodation in advance. The Finnish organization SOA deals with student housing issues. All rental offers can be found on the SOA official website.
What documents do you need to enroll in universities in Finland
To enter a Finnish higher education institution, you need to prepare a package of documents:
- school leaving certificate translated into English by a translation agency and certified by a notary;
- results of passing the English-language TOEFL or IELTS test;
- essay or motivation letter.
Documents are submitted electronically or sent by mail. When sending them, it is important to comply with the submission deadlines indicated on the website of the selected university.
In particular, documents for undergraduate programs at the University of Applied Sciences are usually submitted from January 7 to February 12. When applying for the spring semester - from September 2 to 13. Some universities set their own deadlines for submitting documents - they need to be clarified in advance.
In addition to a student visa for staying in Finland, you also need to take out health insurance. It is of two types:
- SIP Integral - required for those students who are enrolled in a program of study for less than 2 years and who cannot use the national health system. Its annual cost is 427 euros;
- SIP Compliment - designed for those students who intend to study for more than 2 years and can use the national health care system. Its cost is 256 euros per year.
Finnish educational programs cost
Previously, Finnish universities were very attractive for Russian students not only in terms of the quality of education, but also its cost: until 2021, free education in Finland in English was available to students from all over the world. However, in 2021, the Finnish government decided to abolish free education in English for all non-EU students.
Thus, students from Russia must pay at least 1,500 euros per year to study at the university. Moreover, this amount is not final - each university independently determines the cost of educational services. At the same time, education in the official languages of Finland is still free for everyone.
The cost of educational programs largely depends on the prestige and location of the university, as well as the chosen specialty. The most democratic prices - from 5,000 euros per year - are the University of Applied Sciences of Savonia. The list of the most expensive universities is topped by the University of Helsinki, where a year of study costs between 13,000 and 18,000 euros per year.
You can get a bachelor's degree in Finland for an average of 8,000 euros per year, a master's degree is more expensive - about 10,000 euros per year.
Obtaining scholarships and grants to study in Finland
The Finnish education system does not provide a large number of scholarships for foreign students. Only certain categories of students studying in Finnish or Swedish in a master's or doctoral program are eligible to study for free.
For example, masters who will take part in the competition of the Finnish government can receive financial support for a period of one semester in the amount of 800 euros per month. To do this, you need to study at one of the Russian universities or graduate from it and write a diploma in Finnish culture, language or literature.
Prospective Doctors of Science can receive a scholarship from the International Mobility Center or the Finnish government, the amount of which is 1,500 euros per month.
In addition, doctoral students studying Finnish folklore or linguistics can count on financial assistance. They must live in one of the Finno-Ugric regions of the Russian Federation and speak one of the languages of the Finno-Ugric group.
Such a scholarship is issued for 12 months, its amount reaches 1200 euros per month.
Top universities in Finland
The list of the most prestigious and popular universities in Finland is headed by the University of Helsinki. This university is one of the oldest in the country - it was founded in 1640. In 11 faculties of the university, you can study law, medicine, art, social sciences and other disciplines. Bachelor's programs are only available in Swedish and Finnish, Master's and PhD programs are also available in English.
The second largest university, founded in 1920, is the University of Turku, on the basis of which 7 independent universities and research centers have been established. Here you can study law, medicine, biotechnology, astronomy, humanities and applied sciences, mathematics. Teaching in English is carried out mainly in the master's program.
Another famous Finnish university is the Aalto University, which is located in the city of Helsinki. It was created as a result of the merger of three educational institutions into one, and today it is rightfully called one of the most innovative universities. Here you can get education in the field of art, chemical technology, electrical engineering, economics and engineering. A large number of programs in English are available, however, most of them are taught to future masters.
Cost of living in Finland
All students enrolled in Finnish universities face significant costs, which are not limited only to tuition fees. To pay for student housing, on average, you will need from 200 to 350 euros per month. If you rent a living space yourself, you will have to pay more - from 600 euros per month. Another 500-600 euros will be needed for mandatory monthly expenses.
For normal living in the country, an amount of 1000 euros per month will be needed. If you live more economically, 800-900 euros will be enough.
The Finnish government requires every foreign student to prove that they have a minimum amount of 560 euros.
Employment of Finnish University Graduates
Thanks to innovative teaching methods that contribute to a high-quality modern education, graduates of Finnish universities have good prospects for successful employment and the chances of getting high-paying jobs. The diplomas issued by Finnish universities are recognized in all countries of the world, which allows their use in employment in other countries. Often, university graduates open their own businesses in Finland, Sweden or Russia.
Finally
Obtaining higher education at universities in Finland has its undeniable advantages. However, it can be difficult to enter a Finnish university due to the high requirements for future students and the language barrier. Nevertheless, despite all the difficulties, students have the opportunity to get a decent education, and subsequently - a high-paying job.
