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Study in Finland

Higher Education Structure in Finland

Study In Finland

Finland is a highly developed country in Northern Europe. It is home to almost 6 million people, with its capital in Helsinki. It is a member of the European Union and NATO, and has a high-income industrialized economy with an advanced social welfare system. It has very high scores on several human development indices.

The higher education system of Finland is renowned for its quality and flexibility, with several Universities ranked in the top 500 in the world. Scholarships are available for international students based on academic excellence, and affordable education makes it a popular student destination. Finally, the country has several unique landscapes, ranging from dense forests to lakes and Arctic beauty. Many international students in Finnish Universities go on to work full-time in the country and acquire citizenship in the long term.

The Perks of Studying in Finland

Finland is highly ranked on several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:

  • The country is ranked #15 in the world in the US News “Best Countries for Education” report.
  • The country is ranked #14 in the world in the “Safest Countries in the World” ranking by the World Population Review.
  • The country is ranked #23 in the world by GDP per capita (PPP).
  • The country is ranked #20 in the world according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report.

Higher Education Framework in Finland

There are two kinds of higher education institutions in Finland: Universities and Applied Science Universities.

Universities engage in academic and research activities. They are autonomous units that offer their students great flexibility in course structure and subject choices. There are 14 Universities in Finland, with most major cities having one such institution. Admissions are competitive, and students from the European Economic Area do not need to pay tuition fees.

Universities of Applied Sciences focus on practical and vocational education, and aim to produce graduates with the ability to integrate into the workforce. They have close contact with businesses and technical institutes. They primarily offer Bachelor's and Master's degrees, with research activities only carried out when they have a practical component. Master's applicants at Universities of Applied Sciences typically need at least three years of work experience.

Certificate Programs

Over the past few years, several Finnish Universities have started short term certificate programs. Most of these are designed to be completed online and provide impetus to the lifelong learning initiative that is a priority for Finnish higher education. Every University runs a few such courses: there is usually a Finnish language certificate course included, along with certain subjects that the University is famous for. Participation is usually gauged by the number of hours of lectures attended, and performance in the assignments.

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor's degree programs in Finland consist of basic and intermediate courses in one major subject and one or two minor subjects. The last semester is spent primarily on a Bachelor's thesis. Courses are built around classes and book readings, with frequent assignments counting towards the overall grade. Undergraduate degrees in Finland take a minimum of three years to complete, with many students taking one or two additional semesters to complete their thesis.

Postgraduate Programs

Most Finnish students enroll in Master's programs immediately after completing their Bachelor's degree. These last for two to three years, and involve intensive coursework and basic research assignments on advanced topics related to the chosen subject. A unique feature of the Finnish education system is that Master's students are often referred to as undergraduates: the postgraduate level is usually reserved for doctoral studies. Master's programs in Finland are rigorous and competitive, with the Master's Thesis requiring hundreds of hours of literature survey and research work.

Doctoral Programs

There are two kinds of doctoral degrees in Finnish Universities. The Licentiate degree lasts two years on average, and is analogous to a junior doctoral degree. It ends with a dissertation, after which students can choose to continue their research for one or two additional years to earn a Ph.D. Many students choose to enroll directly in a PhD program after completing their Master's. Doctoral students typically have to complete research and teaching assistant duties in addition to their core work.

Popular Disciplines Available in Finland

The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study. Some of the popular disciplines available in Finland are-

Graphic DesignInformation TechnologyTextile Engineering
Environmental Engineering & SustainabilityNursing & MidwiferyInternational Business
Social SciencesWellbeing ManagementForestry
Sports Coaching and ManagementOrganic FarmingAutomation Engineering
Biomedical SciencesChemical EngineeringSustainable Urban Development
Hospitality ManagementTourism ManagementFine Arts

Popular Cities with Most number of Universities in Finland

Here are some popular cities that have the most universities in Finland.

The Name of the City No. of Universities 
Helsinki12
Turku5
Tampere4
Joensuu3
Espoo3
Vaasa3
Oulu2
Lappeenranta2
Rovaniemi2
Lahti1

Average Monthly Expenses in Finland for International Students

Students in Finnish Universities who are from the European Economic Area do not have to pay tuition fees. However, students from other countries pay tuition fees that vary depending on the program in which they are enrolled. The annual tuition fees range from 4,000 to 20,000 Euros, depending on the level of course (Bachelor’s or Master’s) and field of study (for example, Master of Business Administration and Medicine courses have the highest average tuition fees per year). The effective tuition fees are often substantially lower than the amounts given above, because most international students are able to secure scholarships from their Universities or third-party organizations in their home countries.

Students in Universities must pay Student Union Fees, which are approximately 50 Euros per year. Membership in these Unions is not compulsory at Universities of Applied Sciences.

Living costs vary according to the city and type of accommodation. The total expenditure on housing, food, transport, study materials, and shopping is between 700 and 1,000 Euros per month. Assuming that ten months are spent on campus every year, the total amount to be budgeted is approximately 10,000 Euros per year. Therefore, students must show that they have access to funds equal to this amount at the time of application for a long term Finnish student visa.

Students' Visa Requirements

International students who wish to enroll in a course whose duration is less than 90 days should apply for a Schengen study visa. However, if they wish to join an undergraduate or postgraduate program at a Finnish University, they must apply (online through the website of the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs or at the nearest Embassy) for a long-term student visa.

Here is the list of documents students need to have to apply for a student visa in Finland.
  • Visa Application Form (completed and signed).
  • Valid Passport (with at least three months validity beyond your intended stay).
  • Passport-size Photos (usually two).
  • Letter of Admission from a Finnish educational institution.
  • Proof of Sufficient Funds (for tuition, living expenses, and return travel).
  • Health Insurance (comprehensive coverage for your stay).
  • Proof of Accommodation (e.g., housing contract).
  • Travel Itinerary (round-trip flight reservation or transportation details).
  • Academic Certificates (transcripts and diplomas).
  • Police Clearance Certificate (clean criminal record).
  • Visa Fee Payment.
  • Cover Letter (explaining your study plans).
  • Proof of Language Proficiency (if required).
  • Medical Certificate (showing good health).
  • Parental Consent (for minors).
  • Travel Insurance (covering emergencies).
  • Proof of Financial Resources (bank statements, sponsorship letters, or scholarship documents).
  • Visa Fee Receipt (proof of payment).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Finnish visa application process can either be completed electronically or physically. The electronic application is associated with total costs of 360 Euros; this amount also covers the cost of the Residence Permit. The paper application costs approximately 100 Euros more than the electronic application, this covers the cost of mailing the package.

Lack of clear evidence of financial stability is the most common reason for rejection of Finnish long term visa applications. Candidates may also be rejected if they have an entry ban to any of the Nordic countries, or if there are inaccuracies in their applications, leading to discrepancies with the original documents submitted. If the candidate does not submit proof of registration at a Finnish University and payment of the first year’s fees, the application is likely to be rejected. In cases where the reason for rejection is minor - for example, a small error in the application form - it is recommended that the candidate submit the application again after paying the visa fees. If the applicant does not agree with the reason given for rejection, he or she can request a review. The first step is to pay the administrative review fee of 170 Euros. The request must be filed within 30 days of receipt of the decision, and is to be submitted in writing to the nearest Embassy. The language of the appeal must be either Finnish or Swedish (the official languages of Finland). The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs may transfer the appeal to the Helsinki Administrative Court. The entire process is likely to take several weeks; this is another reason for submitting the original application as early as possible.

Depending on the region of Finland in which the University is located, courses are usually taught in either Finnish or Swedish. Larger institutions like the University of Helsiniki offer several courses in English; but the majority of Bachelor’s programs across the country prefer Finnish as the medium of instruction. All Finnish Universities have short and medium term courses to help international students attain proficiency in the two official languages of the country.

Students from outside the European Economic Area who are enrolled in a Finnish University and have a Residence Permit may work for up to 25 hours every week. These part time jobs are usually linked to the University, in cafeterias and libraries. The hourly wage can sometimes exceed 10 Euros per hour, and this is a great way to pay for housing and food. During the summer vacations, students can take up internships by using the resources of their Career Centers; internships typically pay over 1,000 Euros per month, with much higher salaries possible for Master’s students.