And often in favor of the latter. Although, generally speaking, this phenomenon mostly relates to the school system, well-prepared school leavers make excellent students in the future, so Finnish universities are not lagging behind their popular neighbors.
Lists and rankings of universities in Finland
The information is for informational purposes only. For accurate information, please refer to the official website of the educational institution.| Name | City | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 69 | 1 | University of Helsinki | Khel"sinki | 1,000 USD | 17,302 USD | |
| 260 | 2 | University of Turku | Turku | 1,000 USD | 13,841 USD | |
| 266 | 3 | Aalto University | Khel"sinki | 13,841 USD | 17,302 USD | |
| 316 | 4 | University of Oulu | Oulu | 11,534 USD | $12,688 | |
| 347 | 5 | University of Jyvaskyla | Jyväskylä | 1,730 USD | 11,534 USD | |
| 364 | 6 | University of Eastern Finland | Joensuu | 1,000 USD | 13,841 USD | |
| 440 | 7 | Tampere University of Technology | Tampere | 11,534 USD | 13,841 USD | |
| 511 | 8 | Åbo Akademi University | Turku | $9,228 | 11,534 USD | |
| 519 | 9 | University of Tampere | Tampere | 1,000 USD | 11,534 USD | |
| 1241 | 10 | Lappeenranta University of Technology | Lappenranta | 1,000 USD | $9,228 |
Why choose Finnish universities?
- Free education. Finland, along with Norway, has waived tuition fees for both local and international students. Unfortunately, since 2017, those who enroll in English-language educational programs in Finland are required to pay tuition fees: an average of €10,000 per year. Education remains free for postgraduate students.
- First class education system. In 2012, Finland was named the best country to study in a study Pearson, and still remains one of the best places to get an education. Finnish universities confidently occupy high positions in world academic rankings such as QS and THE. Finland's higher education institutions are strong research centers with cutting-edge research, especially in the area of sustainable development. In addition, Finnish universities cooperate with large companies, which makes it easier for former students to find employment. Therefore, Finnish universities are suitable for both research-oriented students and those interested in education for a career.
- Standard of living. A few years ago, Finland was named the happiest country in the world (although in some rankings it is second to Denmark). According to formal indicators: human development index, level of medical care, social progress, job security, Finland is consistently in the top ten.
Universities of the country in world rankings
According to the ranking, 6 universities in Finland are in the top 400, and the University of Helsinki is in the top hundred. Finnish universities could achieve higher positions if more foreign students came to the country. In terms of other indicators: the level of teaching, research and attracting companies, Finland is in no way inferior to many famous universities in Europe. It should also be noted that two Finnish universities - Aalto University and the University of Eastern Finland - are in the top 100 young universities in the THE ranking.The best universities in the country - top 5
The University of Helsinki is the oldest and most prestigious higher education institution in Finland: it was founded in 1640 by Queen Christina of Sweden. The university is considered the best multidisciplinary university in Northern Europe. It is part of famous European associations such as the Utrecht Network, Europaeum and UNICA. Also, the University of Helsinki is one of the founders of LERU ( League of European Research Universities), uniting the strongest research universities in Europe. Philosophy and media studies are recognized as the best areas of study at the University of Helsinki.The university was founded in 1920 as the first Finnish university. Over the course of a century, higher education has evolved from a small institute with two faculties into a multidisciplinary university. Today it is the second largest university in the country. The University of Turku is chosen primarily by those students who intend to study medicine or pedagogy. These disciplines are the best at the university.
Although Aalto University has existed for no more than 20 years, it already has a good academic reputation both in the country and abroad. The university was founded in 2008 by combining 3 higher educational institutions: the Institute of Arts, Design and Architecture, the Helsinki Polytechnic Institute and the Higher School of Economics. Aalto University is ranked in the top 20 in the QS world rankings for architecture and design.
Over the past couple of years, the University of Oulu has risen in various international rankings such as THE and ARWU. This indicates an increase in the level of research and teaching at the university. The most promising areas at the University of Oulu are ecology, information technology and medicine.
The University of Jyväskylä is renowned among postgraduate students: it ranks second in Finland in terms of the number of undergraduate and graduate students. The university actively cooperates with universities around the world and organizes student exchange programs with them. The most popular areas at the university are pedagogy and psychology.
University groups and additional lists
The higher education system in Finland is represented by two types of educational institutions: universities ( yliopisto) and polytechnic schools ( ammattikorkeakoulu), having a focus on applied sciences.Since 2010, universities and polytechnic schools have been given complete freedom to set entry requirements and teaching policies. At the same time, the state continues to finance higher education institutions: about 60% of the budget of higher education institutions is provided by the Finnish government.
Photos of Finnish universities
braflovsky
wrote in August 27th, 2014 Surprisingly, very few people in Moscow know that higher education in Finland is free for foreigners. Moreover, anyone can apply, regardless of age, having a higher education in Russia or any other dark past. This year I entered the Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences for a bachelor's degree program in Hospitality, Tourism and Experience. And although I did not try to enter other universities, the system is approximately the same everywhere. In this post I will tell you what you need to do to apply for a bachelor's degree. For master's programs, the system is approximately the same.
1) Learn English
This is the most important thing and the main thing that stops most people from enrolling. You need to learn not just any way, but very well, because you will have to study in English. Most universities require an IELTS (minimum 6 points) or TOEFL certificate (minimum 550 points on the regular exam and 79-80 online) before admission ), ABOUT nor quite expensive, about 12,000 rubles per attempt. But some do not require it, allowing you to pass an internal language exam, which is also not easy. Haaga-Helia is one of them. I am a translator by training, so I didn’t have any special doubts and took the internal exam.
2) Decide on the program
What do you want to be when you grow up? An engineer? Biologist? Or maybe a linguist? All available programs are available here. The search can be carried out using different criteria. In my case, I wanted to study tourism specifically. Four universities provided this opportunity.
3) Submit your application online
Check in advance when applications open at your university. Typically for the fall semester this occurs in January-February. Some programs begin with the winter semester, then exams are taken in the fall, and applications are submitted, respectively, in the summer. As soon as day X has arrived, go here, find your program and submit your application. Previously, you could apply to any 4 programs, but this has apparently been expanded to 6. Keep in mind that the order in which you list universities makes a huge difference. If you take exams at your first choice university, you will receive an additional 5 points. If you entered both the first university and the second, then you cannot refuse the first and go to the second university. The same goes for the third, fourth and all other programs. So fill according to your actual priorities. I wanted to study at Haaga-Helia, because after reading a lot of information on the Internet, I decided that this was the best place in Finland for my specialty, and I didn’t need anything else.
4) Send documents
After some time, you will receive a letter that your application has been accepted, and you will be asked to send all the necessary documents to the admissions committee. You need to send a copy of the school certificate and its translation, certified by any translation agency (300-600 rubles). If you're only graduating in the summer, keep in mind that not all universities accept academic transcripts. In Helsinki, none of the universities admit you without a completed certificate (except for Arkada University, but only for one specialty). If you have an IELTS or TOEFL certificate, then these documents must also be sent. If your university requires these certificates, then you must submit them. If not required, then not required. I sent only the certificate and, for insurance, a translation of the higher linguistic diploma, because supposedly without a language certificate, some people are not allowed to take the exams. This happens very rarely, but it does happen. Do not risk sending documents by Russian Post. It will take three weeks and it’s not a fact that it will arrive. I sent it with Major Express, which in Moscow operates through the Multiphoto office, which in turn has many points throughout the city. The shipment cost 1800 rubles, but there were three of us, so it came out to 600 rubles each. Delivery within 1-2 days and nothing is lost.
5) Invitation to exams
Around February-March, invitations to exams arrive by email and post. Sometimes the letter sends you a link where you need to confirm your attendance for the exam. Exams usually take place in April. For my specialty, I had to pass three exams: English (for those without a certificate), a test on preliminary reading material and mathematics, and an interview. Preliminary material is used in several programs. On mine, for this you had to buy a book (35 euros online, 50 euros in paper) and practically memorize it by heart. The book was a collection of articles about the future development of Helsing Airport, 265 pages. This is also the time to think about a visa. If you have a simple tourist visa, open for the exam dates, then you don’t have to do anything else. If you don’t have it, then get it.
6) Exams
Come to Helsinki or the city where you are applying and just do everything you can :)
I had my first exam at 8 am, an essay based on a book I had read. It was necessary to reveal four concepts described in the book. As far as I remember, “Global village”, “Augmented reality”, “Glocal” and “Open innovation”. It may sound scary, but in the book they are all described quite clearly. The essay should have a clear logical structure, introduction and conclusion. In general, if you entered the school system before the Unified State Exam, when you wrote a lot of essays, then there should be no problems. Recommended volume: 2 A4 pages with a line. I dashed off 4 just to be sure. I wasn’t sure about the exact meaning of one of the concepts, so I made the description so streamlined that it could be understood in either direction, adding more linguistic grace to it. Results for this exam are reported as pass/fail and no points are awarded. If you fail, you can go home straight away; they won’t let you in any further.
My second exam was a test. Although initially there were 1,500 people for 60 places in the program, about 300 made it to this exam. This does not mean that everyone failed in English (although many), it’s just that the majority do not make it to the exams for a number of personal reasons. So there is no need to be afraid of the number of applicants. So, the test consisted of 50 questions on the book and 10 on mathematics. The book, as I already said, needs to be crammed. I didn't do this. Nobody did. Everything in bold, all bulleted lists, all dates must be learned by heart. There was a question about the number of employees at the Helsinki airport, about the opening date of the rest area there, and many many other questions about specific information. That is, simply reading and getting the general idea will not work. We need to cram facts and concepts. However, you can skip the fiction stories, of which there are 2-3. Mathematics at the level of our 5-7 grades, mainly percentages. People learn some special formulas, but I solved everything simply logically. And I made only one mistake out of stupidity, and that was because we were not given a separate piece of paper for calculations, and I was embarrassed to write on a piece of paper with questions, although it was possible. And by the way, I got a bad grade at school. For technical programs, the mathematics is more complicated. It is unusual for Russian schoolchildren, because it often affects logic more than pure mathematics.
The third exam was probably the most stressful. This is a group interview. A group of five applicants enters a classroom with two teachers. Groups are specially recruited from people of different nationalities. They are given a group task for 20 minutes and are closely observed working as a team. In my case, I had to imagine myself as managers of an airport where 12,000 people were stranded due to snowfall, and decide what to do. We were also given a list of several dozen actions (organize the ability to make free calls, organize meals, reassure passengers, call journalists, etc.), which had to be arranged in a scheme according to the principle of (not) urgent and (not) important. Then, after 20 minutes, we had to talk about our joint decision. I came across a very strong and adequate group, we discussed everything clearly, agreed on who would tell which part and performed excellently, in my opinion. Not everyone is so lucky; sometimes in a group there is a very talkative person who simply suppresses others. And it happens that they try to screw up on purpose, they don’t like people like that and give them a low score. The main thing is to show your ability to work in a group, listen to others and defend your clearly reasoned point of view, do it confidently, but not harshly. After the presentation, everyone is asked several personal questions. For example, there were questions about what you can do best in life, what you will do if you don’t get accepted, why you chose this particular university, what is hospitality in your understanding. At the end, documents are collected. You must once again submit a copy of your certificate and, if you have one, a certificate of employment if your work was related to your future profession. This adds up to 10 more points. That's it, go home now.
7) Results
Exam results become known in May. In my case, the list of applicants was posted on the university website. A little (or not a little) later a letter arrives in the mail. I was afraid of mail, so I asked them to send me all the documents by email, but they usually don’t do that. It shows your score and everything you need to do next. If you don’t get enough points, you may be put on a waiting list, and if someone turns you down, they may offer you a place. My passing score was 60 out of 100, I scored 66.5 (it is not clear taking into account the work certificate and the first choice of the university or not). At first I was a little upset, this was very little, but later it turned out that many people had about the same score. It is unknown whether anyone scored significantly higher, given the treacherous nature of the book test. Once you have received your documents, you will need to fill out a form confirming that you accept the place offered and are ready to begin your studies that year, and send it back. You can also skip one year and start with the next one by checking the appropriate box on the form. After some time, you will receive confirmation of your place, but you can check in advance by email without waiting for a return letter.
8) Housing
Immediately, as soon as the institute has confirmed your place for the current year, rush to apply for housing. This must be done very quickly, because there will not be enough subsidized housing for everyone. Housing is managed by the HOAS office and applications are submitted. There are some other companies of the same profile, this will be indicated in the papers that will be sent to you. Among other things, in the application you must indicate your average monthly income (minimum 560 euros), annual income (minimum 6720 euros) and the number of loans (write 0 and don’t worry). You can apply for yourself, for your family (if you have a spouse and/or children) and for friends (they will be accommodated together, not with strangers). If you are alone, you will be offered a room in a 2, 3 or 4-room apartment, costing from 180 euros per month. Spouses are given a two-room apartment from 420 euros. With children, accordingly, three rubles or more. The student must have his own room. It doesn’t happen here that four people live in one room with one toilet per floor. The rooms are unfurnished, there is only a closet. There isn't even a chandelier, and sometimes you have to buy a fire alarm. But there is, of course, a kitchen and plumbing. My room in a two-room apartment costs 229 euros. As far as I know, all houses have a laundry room, a sauna and sometimes a small gym.
Once HOAS sends you an offer, accept it. If you refuse and ask to look further, your application will again be transferred to the end of the queue, and you risk being left without housing at all. Usually they try to provide housing close to the university, but this does not always work out. They gave me 5 km from the university, which is very good. When you have received an offer from HOAS, you must immediately submit a signed and scanned contract, as well as a deposit of €260 (€500 per family). This can be done via bank transfer. The deposit will be returned when you finish training or when you move, if you didn’t break or damage anything. You pay for housing by the 6th of every month. If payment is late, a fine of 5 euros will be charged. If you haven't paid for more than 2 months, you are kicked out. In summer and other holidays you also pay for your room. But many unofficially rent out their rooms for this period.
9) Visa
A visa, or rather a permit to stay for a year, is not very difficult to obtain. You will need a certificate of enrollment at the university, insurance in the amount of up to 30,000 rubles per year (from 2,500 rubles), 2 photographs (there are no standard requirements, take it for a Finnish visa), a foreign passport, a certificate of having 6,720 euros in a bank account (this guarantees that you will not be homeless) and a printout of the application form. It is better to submit the application online, then the visa will be issued in 2 weeks, not 1-2 months. To do this you need to register and apply. A certificate of funds often causes the most difficulties, but this problem can also be solved. In my case, my parents deposited this amount into my account and then simply withdrew it. But keep in mind that the cost of living in Finland is 560 euros per month. Some wise students know how to live on 350-400 euros per month, including rent, but it’s still better to count on 500-600 at least for the first time. Think in advance where you will get this money, since finding a job during the first year is not easy, and there are no scholarships for international students. If you are traveling with your spouse, the amount almost doubles; for children, a little less is added. In Moscow, a visa is obtained at the embassy (not at the visa center), and in St. Petersburg at the Consulate General. More detailed information . The cost of a residence permit is 300 euros. It is renewed every year already in Finland, the first year is 156 euros, and every year the cost increases.
10) Moving
That's it, you are ready to go to Finland to study, all documents are in order, things are collected. School starts at the end of August. If for some reason you do not have time to arrive at the start of your studies, be sure to inform the university. Do not forget to take with you the original certificate and certificate of employment (if you have them). Without the original school certificate, you have the right to be expelled. It happens that housing is provided only from September 1, but you need to study in August. I found myself in this situation now and here’s how I managed to solve it. I booked a place in a hostel for two weeks. This turned out to be not the best decision, because there is such a Russian-language site where you can rent a room much cheaper. I left most of the things in the warehouse. The site is in Finnish, but Google translator can handle it. A cell one meter by one meter and almost three meters high costs 50 euros for a month and 16 euros for purchasing a lock, which is then yours. You can continue to use it in this warehouse. On September 1st I will receive a key from the HOAS office and will transfer things from the warehouse with the help of a driver, whom I also found on a Russian-language website (50 euros for a minibus, much cheaper than an official cargo taxi). I hope everything works out.
From now on I will regularly write about the peculiarities of living and studying in Finland. So stay tuned if this topic interests you.
Since 2017, the Finnish government has introduced tuition fees for students from non-EEC countries. Finnish universities complied, but it is already clear today: they need students no less than money. While charging tuition fees with one hand, they offer scholarships with the other.
We stopped by the Study in Finland educational fair at the Consulate General of Finland to find out exactly how much you will have to pay for a Finnish diploma. The organizer of the fair is the state company CIMO, which oversees all issues related to the study of foreigners in Finland. What has changed in the admission rules over the past two years? We addressed this question to CIMO Senior Advisor Outi Jappinen.
The main news: from the beginning of 2017, for students from countries outside the European Union, studying at Finnish universities in programs not in Finnish or Swedish will be paid. There is an advantage for those who know Finnish: non-EU residents can study in Finland for free in Finnish-language programs.
Have the admission rules changed?
Nothing has changed in the admission rules. On the Studyinfinland.fi website you can get general information about studying in Finland and choose a program in English. Application for admission (online application) for all programs - in English, Finnish, Swedish - is submitted on the studyinfo.fi page.
The government has established that a year of study at a Finnish university cannot cost less than one and a half thousand euros. What is the upper limit?
Universities set the size independently, but, as is known, at the moment it ranges from 3,500 to 15 – 20 thousand euros. Expensive universities include, firstly, universities in the central region and universities that use a lot of high-tech equipment for teaching. For example, at the University of Helsinki, some programs cost up to 20 thousand euros per year, and at the Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) from 10 thousand euros per year. Business programs are much cheaper. Universities publish information about prices on their websites.
Will students who participate in an exchange program have to pay tuition fees?
No, they shouldn't. We have such a program FIRST - FinnishRussianStudent. This is a student exchange program similar to the Russian Erasmus. Students who come to us to study under this program do not have to pay tuition. But it must be said that exchange studies can last no more than 9 months.
IMPORTANT!
1 The application deadline for bachelor's programs is from 9 a.m. on January 10 to 4 p.m. on January 25, 2017. Do not forget that it will not be possible to submit an application after the established time.
2. For submitting an application, applicants who received their education in countries other than the EEC will be charged a fee of 100 euros. This amount pays for the possibility of simultaneously submitting 6 applications to different programs at different universities.
3. You must have a certain amount in your account (about 8 thousand euros) to confirm your creditworthiness.
4. An application for a scholarship must be submitted along with the application for admission. The decision to issue a scholarship is announced along with the admission results.
DON'T LOSE TALENTS
How much will scholarship programs reduce the financial burden for non-EEA students? To get an answer to this question, we turned to representatives of universities who came to the fair. There were twenty of them in total, and about 450 people came to the fair. And this means that not all applicants in St. Petersburg gave up their desire to study in Finland after the introduction of fees.
According to Outi Jappinen, the group of Russian-speaking students is the largest foreign group in Finnish universities. After the Russians come Chinese and Vietnamese students. It is not yet clear from what resources the scholarship programs will be financed. Many universities will use their funds. CIMO, as a government agency, does not have a foundation, but is now awaiting permission to create its own scholarship program, with which it will be possible to support talented students.
It would be very sad if we lose talented students due to the need to charge fees, says Outi Appinen.
The same idea was expressed by representatives of almost all universities with whom we were able to communicate at the fair. This is confirmed by the scholarships that universities are ready to offer to students from Russia. Let's look at examples. A year of study at Aalto University will cost 12 thousand euros. The university offers two types of scholarships: with a 100 percent discount and 50 percent, which are given for the entire period of study. The most popular faculties among Russian students are IT, business and economics, electrical engineering, and design.
How are things going in other regions? The University of Applied Sciences in Kaijani trains specialists in international business, sports and leisure management and tourism. In the first year, the tuition fee will be 6 thousand euros; if you study well in senior years, a 50 percent discount will follow. A student from this university assured that it is possible to find a job as a specialist in the field of sports or tourism in a country where there are 38 national parks and citizens love sports and travel.
Savonia University of Applied Sciences. The base price for a year of study is 5 thousand euros, but the university provides a discount. The first year you will have to pay 1500 euros, if for the next 3 years the student shows positive progress in learning, the price will be 2500 euros.
Let's see what's happening with our closest neighbors. The Karelian University of Applied Sciences has perhaps the largest Russian representation. But not only at the expense of students from Petrozavodsk, Sortavala, Kostomuksha, St. Petersburg and Moscow. The children of those Russian-speaking migrants who moved to Karelia in previous years also study here. Many students come here to study as exchange students from the St. Petersburg Forestry Academy. Here, when passing exams, they don’t even require official language knowledge certificates. The applicant himself determines whether he knows the language well enough to enroll and study. The level of language proficiency is assessed during an interview and a written exam.
The usual tuition fee for Russian students at Karelian University is 5,500 euros per year. The student will have to pay this amount in the first year of study. If the results of your studies are positive, in the second and subsequent years the cost of training will be 2750 euros. Moreover, after graduating from university, the amount of 2,750 euros is returned.
Saimaa University of Applied Sciences provides attractive financial conditions for studying. There are bachelor's programs in mechanical engineering and technology, business administration, tourism and hotel management, as well as a master's program in international business management. The cost of studying for a bachelor's degree is 4300 euros, for a master's degree - 5100. A student can receive a scholarship that covers the cost of training in full or in part. The cost of tuition for first-year students is covered 100%; the scholarship amount for 2nd-4th year students is 50-100%.
Finally, Lappeenranta University of Technology – LUT. There are only master's programs in English, and tuition is expensive - 10 thousand euros. But three types of scholarships are provided: the first covers training and accommodation, the second - all training, the third - half, 5 thousand euros. The decision on the scholarship for the second year is made in accordance with the grades at the university.
The overall picture is this: many universities have not yet decided on the level of scholarships, but their representatives confidently said that they would be available. All of the above indicates that Finnish universities are interested in foreign students. Scholarships, of course, will not alleviate the situation of applicants, or rather their parents, completely; they will have to be nervous and empty their nest eggs, but, nevertheless, they will give a chance to ease the financial burden.
Obviously, in the next month, universities will decide on scholarship programs, and it will be possible to choose a university not only in accordance with the desired program, but also the monetary discounts that the university gives to foreign students. You just have to remember that you need to study well for these concessions, otherwise you can lose them. From this point of view, there is common sense in paid education.
The high level of education in Finland attracts foreigners. And also no tuition fees. State universities in the country teach students free of charge. They teach here in Finnish and Swedish, more than 450 training programs are conducted in English. But in order to get a diploma in Finland, you cannot do without knowledge and money: students take entrance exams and pay all their expenses during their studies. But before entering a university in Finland, you need to familiarize yourself with the conditions of study in the country.
University of Helsinki
How to enter a university in Finland
One of the important selection criteria is the motivation of the potential student. If the applicant knows what he wants, has a bank account, knows English or Finnish well (or better yet, both), then he needs:
- choose a university and study program;
- Find out everything about the conditions and deadlines for submitting documents (they differ from one university to another);
- send documents to the university;
- receive an invitation and come to the entrance exams (if any);
- obtain a visa to travel for exams;
- pass entrance tests.
After admission, you need to confirm your desire to study at a university and obtain a residence permit from the Finnish embassy or consulate. It is better to apply for permission immediately with a certificate from the bank confirming your solvency. The cost of a residence permit is 300 euros.
Documents for admission
Each Finnish university independently regulates the conditions for admission. Typically, applicants submit:
- statement;
- a certificate of completion of school or other educational institution, with a translation into English, Finnish or Swedish;
- for an English-language course, in most cases, TOEFL results will be needed (an alternative may be a face-to-face language proficiency exam);
- motivation letter.
When submitting an application, you can choose a maximum of 4 specialties in one or more universities. The deadline for accepting documents in most institutions is December–March. Exams take place from March to June.
Language of instruction
Universities teach in Finnish, Swedish and English. If knowledge of Finnish is not enough, you should pay attention to Finnish universities in English. The institutes have a good selection of English-language programs. In classical universities the situation is different.
University of Tampere Some universities practice this scheme: a student studies in English for two years and studies Finnish, then continues his studies entirely in Finnish. To study at the faculties of IT technology and business, it is not necessary to know Finnish. English-language, usually short-term programs.
Cost of education
Previously, public universities in Finland did not charge foreigners for tuition, but in 2016 the Finnish parliament passed a law introducing university tuition fees for citizens from non-EU countries.
Since 2017, tuition fees start from 1,500 € per year. Each university has the right to set its own figure.
Study programs in Finnish and Swedish are free.
Foreigners are not paid stipends in Finland. Only students with citizenship of the country or who have a permanent residence permit receive it. Scholarships are paid to Finns by the National Social Insurance Institute. Universities have nothing to do with it; they can only manage rare grants.
Universities in Finland
There are two types of universities in Finland:
- universities of applied sciences or polytechnics;
- classical multi-faculty universities.
There are 16 universities and 25 institutes in the country. Studying at universities in Finland covers a wide range of areas: from medicine to tourism. Universities in Finland provide academic education and graduate Bachelors and Masters (Masters). Some may award a doctorate (PhD). Graduates of the institutes receive a Bachelor's degree. The main task of such educational institutions is to provide students with practical knowledge.
Aalto University Universities
The largest university, the University of Eastern Finland, trains specialists in more than 100 specialties. English-language programs are available in Joensuu and Kuopio. Students of 2–5 years of Russian universities can apply for study under student exchange programs or to receive grants to study in Finland. Turku University also has a wide range of offers for foreigners.
As a result of the education reform in the country, mergers of individual universities took place. This is how Aalto University was formed. Finland devotes considerable attention to the training of specialists in six different schools of this institution.
International Educational Center Oulu is a world-famous university in Finland. It offers more than 20 programs in English. Graduates with a master's degree can continue their studies at the university's postgraduate level.
Master's and postgraduate studies are also available to Tampere students. Finland University positions itself as an institution where academic freedom, creativity and social responsibility reign.
Institutes and universities of applied sciences
Universities that teach professions are popular among foreigners. These are polytechnic institutes or universities in Finland. Applied sciences are taught here in small groups. Many Russian-speaking students are educated at Mikkeli University in Finland. All conditions have been created here for the adaptation of foreigners.
Finnish business education has good prospects. The largest training and consulting company in the country is the Finnish Management Institute. Every year, about 67 thousand specialists and managers choose one of 200 training programs. The university has branches in Russia and the Baltic countries.
University of Jyväskylä The third largest industrial university in the country is the University of Jyväskylä. Finland has a long tradition of learning. At the university you can get a bachelor's and master's degrees. There are courses for teachers to improve their qualifications. Kajaani University of Applied Sciences is also popular. Finland recognized it as the best among polytechnic institutes in 2011.
Difficulties of studying in Finland
For foreign students there are two difficulties - language and money. Finnish is not easy to learn. It is considered one of the most difficult in the world. As for money, when requesting permission to stay in Finland, you need to confirm the availability of 6,700 euros.
There is an opportunity to earn money to live in the country. But work time is limited to 20–25 hours per week. During the holidays, restrictions are not relevant. It is difficult for students to find work. Freshmen can only count on unskilled labor, especially without knowledge of the Finnish language. In big cities, work is always easier.
Graduates of Finnish universities do not have the right to work in the country or obtain citizenship. You can stay in the country if you find an employer interested in the graduate.
Population:
5 491 522
Helsinki
Training in English
Russian graduates can choose from 450 undergraduate and graduate programs, entirely in English.
Recognition of diplomas
After graduating from a Finnish university, graduates receive a European diploma, recognized by universities and employers all over the world.
Availability
Education in Finland is free in national languages; studying in English costs from €4,300 per year
The right to work while studying
International students in Finland can work 25 hours during the school week and a full day during the holidays.
Languages of instruction:
- English
10 %
90 %
Opinion
Zhanna Saidenova Master's graduate of the University of Tampere
A Finnish student is entitled to many discounts, from travel and medicine to beer in local bars. Excellent hostels at very affordable prices! Tampere also has its own airport where Ryanair flies, so you can get to Europe very cheaply on long winter weekends :) If you are in doubt about choosing a country for further education and want to get a European diploma, but are not ready to go far from home, then Finland is what you need. Finland, which has long been loved by numerous Russian tourists, is also a country with a high level of innovation and, accordingly, scientific discoveries, which is quite closely related to the work of universities.
It is no secret that higher education here is at the highest level. Finns are not the most welcoming people, but by learning the language a little, you can count on Finns becoming more open and friendly. Well, if you also love the sauna and nature as much as they do, then you are simply destined to become best friends. Finland has many programs in English, so the choice is truly wide. The set of documents for admission is standard, and there are a minimum of formalities here. Speaking of formalities. The teacher, no matter how famous a professor he may be, is usually called by name, and you can easily just drink coffee with him and discuss your project, or the peculiarities of life in Finland - you choose! Education in Finland, as in Sweden, as in Norway, etc., is entirely designed for the independence of students. So be prepared to read quite a lot of additional literature, find sources yourself, and always be up to date with developments in your subject. Oral exams are held infrequently, but written exams lasting 4 to 6 hours are not uncommon. In any case, you will have to study and read throughout the semester. Don't expect to finish 1,000 pages of required reading the night before the exam. As a student, in Tampere, where I studied, you get a lot of discounts, from travel and medical care to beer at the local bar. In addition to this, student accommodation is of an excellent standard and is offered at very affordable prices. You can also find a part-time job for a few hours a week if you wish. In addition, there is an airport in Tampere where Ryanair flies, so you can fly to many European countries on a budget if you are tired of the long and dark winter evenings. Overall, studying in Finland meets the best European standards, so join thousands of other international students and come here not only for shopping, but also for a diploma.
Study in Finland
When people think of Finland, they most often think of forests and lakes. Such associations are quite justified, because 70% of the country's area is covered by forests, and 10% by water. The affordable cost of studying and the quality of education have made Finland a popular place to study among Russian students.
Finland is attractive for other reasons as well. This country has centuries-old historical and cultural ties with Russia. The weather in Helsinki is no different from St. Petersburg, and the conditions in the homeland of Father Frost, in Lapland, are quite familiar to residents of Murmansk.
Thanks to similar geography, culture, and history, Russians and Finns have quite a lot in common, so it is easy for our students to adapt to life in a new country.
Finland is one of the greenest European countries. Everyone is interested in maintaining cleanliness: the authorities, local residents, students. Many Finnish universities offer educational programs on sustainable energy, ecology, and efficient use of natural resources. Student projects on these topics are distinguished by a serious approach and often attract the attention of research centers.
Secondary education in Finland
Finnish children start school at age 6, and education is compulsory until age 16. At the age of 16, schoolchildren have a choice: start working, go to college, or continue studying at a gymnasium to obtain a matriculation certificate (Abitur).
Most schools in Finland are public, teaching in Finnish or Swedish. The work of teachers is decently paid, so the best of the best come to the profession.
As a result, Finnish education is of a very high level. For example, in 2008, according to the Education Index, Finland shared 1st place in the world with Denmark, Australia and New Zealand. In the international project PISA, Finnish schoolchildren took 6th place in the world in reading, 5th in physics and chemistry and 12th in mathematics.
Bachelor's degree at universities in Finland
There are two main types of universities in Finland: research universities, which provide academic training, and universities of applied sciences (polytechnics), which prepare students for future work.
Higher education in Finland can be obtained in three languages: Finnish, Swedish or English.
More than 150 programs are available in English in areas such as management, computer science, tourism and hospitality, construction, energy, ecology, design, etc.
Master's in Finland
Both at research universities and polytechnics, Russian students can study for a master's degree.
Master's studies at a Finnish university are full-time and last 2 years. The competition is limited to several people per place; for admission you need to pass entrance tests.
Master's programs at universities of applied sciences are designed for young people combining study and work. Therefore, training can take up to 4 years. It is easier to enter polytechnics than universities, but you must prove that you have work experience in your specialty.
Finland is an excellent choice for studying in English: in 2017, the country offers more than 300 master's programs taught in English. The highlight of Finland is technical specialties (IT, ecology, forestry, mechanical engineering, materials science, biotechnology, etc.).
Benefits of studying in Finland
Quality
Finland is one of the international leaders in terms of secondary (PISA ranking) and higher education (World Economic Forum, 2013). In 2005, Finland ranked 4th in the world in the number of scientific publications; in 2007, 1,800 patents were registered.
Breadth of choice
In Finland, Russian graduates can choose one of 450 undergraduate or graduate programs taught in English.
Comfortable living conditions
Finland is a country where life flows calmly and measuredly, and from point A to point B you can easily get by bike in 20 minutes.
Finland is famous for its ecology and quality food. University dormitories are more like hotels, and the cost of living in them is not at all high. As a student at a Finnish university, you can enjoy a number of discounts, play sports on preferential terms and travel around the country and Europe on a budget.
Cost of studying in Finland
On January 15, 2015, the Finnish Parliament voted to introduce paid higher education in English for students from non-EU countries. This decision was made "in order to attract additional financial resources to the education system and improve the living conditions of students."
Studying in Finland for Russians is possible if one of the requirements is met:
Studying in the English-language program until autumn 2017
Training in Finnish or Swedish
Postgraduate or doctoral studies (Doctoral/PhD level), in any language
EU citizenship (as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtestein) for the student, his parent or spouse
Permanent residence in the EU or possession of an EU Blue Card
In other cases, training will be paid. Study fees for international students range from €4,100 to €12,000 per year for undergraduate programs. At the same time, universities will be able to support talented applicants and offer scholarships.
Help with choosing a university and enrollment
For more than 9 years we have been working with educational programs in Finland. If you want to study Finnish or English with native speakers in Finland, get higher education at a Finnish university or study for a master's degree, we will be happy to help you.
Professional advice on studying in Finland
Help with passing entrance exams
Collection and preparation of necessary documents
Translation of documents into English and notarization
Search for accommodation options
Visa support
Departure arrangements
Supervision during studies.
Are you interested in studying in Finland? Sign up for a free consultation with Allterra Education, our offices are located in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Either fill out the feedback form or just call us.