Finland is located in the far North of Europe, between its neighbours Sweden and Russia. The main language is Finnish; Swedish is also an official language thanks to a Swedish minority, a result of 600 years as part of the Swedish Empire. Helsinki, the capital, is by far the largest city in Finland. Other large towns include Espoo, Tampere and Turku.
Climate
Finland is known for its harsh winters and short summers. Thanks to its proximity to the polar circle, it never really gets dark in the summertime – while the sky does not really light up during winter, on the other hand. As other Nordic nations, Finland typically celebrates the summer solstice, when the sun hours reach their annual maximum in mid-June.
Statistics on Higher Education in Finland
After the alignment of the European educational systems as part of the Bologna reform, many Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences have increased the number of English-language Bachelor and Master programmes. Finland has about 40 institutions of higher education, which are commonly classified into either universities (classical research and teaching institutions) or polytechnics, sometimes called universities of applied sciences (with a more practice-oriented approach to teaching). There are slightly over 300,000 students at polytechnics and universities in Finland, about 20,000 of which are international students.
For students from the EU/EEA, most academic degree programs are free of charge. Tuition fees may apply for applicants from other countries, and they vary from school to school.
How to apply for a Bachelor or Master in Finland
First you should decide for which programs at which universities you want to apply. You will find the entry requirements either in the course descriptions here on Study.EU or on the university websites. The Finnish polytechnics handle all applications for Bachelor programs and many applications for Master programs through their central application system at Studyinfo.fi. For degree programs not handled via that website, you need to apply directly to the polytechnic or university according to their admissions process.
Visa requirements for students
Students from the EU/EEA can study in Finland without any further visa requirements. Students from other countries may need to obtain a specific study visa. You should check with the Finnish authorities to know how to meet the legal requirements.
Job market for graduates
Finland is a welcoming country for foreigners. However, the big challenge for international graduates is the Finnish language. It is considered to be one of the world’s most complicated languages. Even though almost everyone in Finland has a decent knowledge of English, it is vital to know at least a bit of Finnish for the workplace. But the Finnish authorities are doing their best to attract and keep talent in Finland.
Transportation
Finland is located at the Northern edge of Europe. Helsinki Vantaa, in the capital, is one of the more important airport hubs in the Nordic region with many international flights. Via Finnair, there are especially convenient connections to East Asia and China in particular. Smaller airports in the rest of the country are sometimes serviced by low-cost carriers such as Ryanair, but are otherwise connected via Helsinki.
Universities in Finland
Course fees
If you’re from an EU/European Economic Area (EEA) country, you’re in luck – you’ll incur no tuition fees studying in Finland. Non-EU/EEA students, however, are subject to annual tuition fees, typically between €8,000 (£6,846) and €16,000 (£13,692). Check with your institution for specific figures.
You’ll also have to pay a small fee to join your university’s students’ union, which is usually around €80-€100 (£68-£86) for the year. The student card you receive will offer discounts for public transport and student restaurants.
On top of course fees you need to factor in the costs of living in Finland, which can be expensive. If you’re living in a city such as Helsinki, you’ll need to budget for €700-€1,000 (£599-£855) per month for costs including accommodation, transport, food and course materials.
If you’re a non-EU/EEA student, such as from the UK, you’ll have to prove you have financial backing in the process of applying for your student residence permit. This is in addition to the costs of your insurance.
Funding to study in Finland
EU/EEA citizens will be hard pushed to find funding at Bachelors or Masters level due to not having to pay any tuition fees. However, the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) offers a number of scholarships for Doctoral students. Find out more at Finnish National Agency for Education – Scholarship programmes.
If you’re a non-EU/EEA citizen, including those from the UK, you may still be able to find funding for your Bachelors or Masters through your place of study. Browse Study in Finland’s details on tuition fees and costs to see if funding is available to you.
While you’ll have the freedom to find part-time work to support your time in Finland, don’t rely on this as your sole source of income. As a native English speaker, you may find language barriers prevent you from securing employment. If you’re successful in finding a job, you may find that your earnings don’t fully cover your costs of living. Ensure that you’ve budgeted carefully before making the move.
Student visas
As an EU/EEA citizen, you won’t need to apply for a visa to complete your studies in Finland. However, you’ll need to register at your local police station within three months of your arrival, and if you’re staying for longer than a year you’ll need to register with the Finnish Population Information System. This can be done at your nearest Local Register office.
If you’re from a country outside the EU/EEA – including those from the UK – and looking to study for a minimum of three months, you’ll need to obtain a renewable student residence permit. This application costs €360 (£308) plus renewal fees. For an EU national, you only pay €54 (£46) to register your right of residence in Finland.
To apply for this permit, you’ll need a formal letter of acceptance from your Finnish university, health insurance and proof that you can support yourself financially through your studies. Applications can be processed via Enter Finland or the Finnish consulate or embassy in your home country – for the UK, this is the Embassy of Finland, London.
This can be a lengthy process, taking a number of months, so allow plenty of time for your application to be approved by sending it off as soon as possible.
How to apply
All applications to study at Bachelors or Masters level in Finland must be submitted through Studyinfo.fi. The site can also be used to browse available courses in both English and Finnish, and contains information on all areas of the Finnish higher education sector.
Typically, annual deadlines are as follows:
- Bachelors – January for courses starting in the autumn term, or September for courses with a January start date.
- Masters – application windows are slightly more lenient, opening late November/early December and remaining open till mid/late January. UAS institutions can extend this deadline to March in some cases.
If you’re applying for a PhD course, you’ll do so directly to your chosen institution. There’s no stipulated timeframe, with some schools accepting applications all year round. Check whether you’re working to a deadline or not before beginning your application.
Masters applicants should hold an undergraduate degree, as well as proof of language proficiency where required and proof of higher education qualifications. You won’t typically need to sit an entrance exam, although if you’re applying for a UAS Masters you might also need a few years of professional experience.
To be accepted onto a Bachelors course, you’ll need to hold the right educational certificates, meet language expectations and successfully pass an entrance exam.
Language requirements
You must be able to demonstrate proficiency in English for English-taught courses. The most commonly accepted proof is the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
If you’re a native English speaker, you most likely won’t have to prove your proficiency with an official test. Exact guidelines for language requirements vary between institutions – check with yours to see what’s required of you.
To study courses in Finnish, you’ll need to be relatively fluent in the language when making your application. This means that you should be between intermediate and advanced level on the following proficiency scales:
- Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment (CEFR)
- National Certificates of Language Proficiency (YKI)
Even if you’re enrolling on an English-speaking course, it’s advisable to learn some Finnish before you arrive to help you communicate and engage with your community. You can take online courses for free at sites such as Venla.info.
