So, you’re being adventurous and looking to study in Finland! Finland has invested heavily in education and boasts one of the best education systems in the world! I will list some general points regarding higher education in Finland for your benefit! So, read on!
- You can choose from two types of institutions: universities and universities of applied sciences. Both offer plenty of Bachelors and Masters degrees in English. The universities of applied sciences will prepare you for a professional career in your field of study. The universities are research-oriented and that will reflect in your studies. In fact, only universities offer doctoral programs.
- Studies are free if you’re a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland. Otherwise, as a Bachelors/Masters student you have to pay tuition fees. In some cases, you still might be exempt from paying tuition fees, which I will elaborate on later. How much fees you have to pay depends on the institution and the program. However, note that doctoral programs charge no tuition fees, irrespective of where you’re from! Keep in mind, that living expenses are quite high in Finland. Scholarships are available to all foreign students both by the universities and external bodies.
- Regarding academics, there’s plenty of Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral programs in many Finnish universities that are taught in English. Each institution has it’s own admission requirements and I will list specific info later. Finland has adopted a three-cycle degree system established by the Bologna process and Bachelor’s degrees take around 3 years, Master’s degrees take 1-2 years and a doctorate lasts around 4 years. Finnish universities offer you a LOT of freedom. Teacher-student relations are very informal and discussions/debates and collaboration in the classroom are encouraged. You can take courses beyond your major. In fact, you can even choose not to attend class, study on your own and appear for exams. Also, note: PhD’s students are generally funded!
- Living in Finland is expensive, but you’ll be pleasantly to know that students can avail of good food, gyms and transportation at a very subsidized rate, so that’s a huge bonus!
- Almost everyone in Finland speaks English which will enable you to have a vibrant social life and make connections with local students.
- Like all other Northern European countries Finland has long, dark and snowy winters. So, if you have trouble with cold weather, I would not advice going to Finland!
- Regarding career prospects, like with many other EU/EEA countries, it’s not easy to find a job. DO NOT count on getting a job after your graduation. In fact in most cases, foreign students from countries other than those within the EU/EEA/Switzerland do not get jobs. So, prepare accordingly!
Good luck!
