02/02/2006 | Finland

Finland - between East and West... but further to the north

By: The Centre for International Mobility, CIMO

Research and the preparation of a substantial thesis are essential parts of the studies for both Licentiate�s degree and Doctoral thesis. The doctoral thesis is published and must be defended in a public disputation. In addition to research, both Licentiate and Doctoral programmes include studies in the discipline and studies in the student�s specific field of research. It is possible for a full-time student to complete a licentiate in two years and a doctoral programme in four years after Masters degree, but in practice the time spent is often longer. No time limit is set. International students wishing to work for a doctoral thesis in Finland should contact the institution concerned or relevant department directly and make sure that their own field of specialisation is represented there.

The quality of scientific research in Finland is high. Systematic, professional research training is available in about one hundred graduate schools that are attached to Finnish universities and cover all the main areas of research. Students attend top-level intensive courses and receive research tutoring in Finland�s leading research teams that work in close collaboration with other national and international research centres. Some institutions of higher education offer complete postgraduate degree programmes in English. They can be found listed by field of study on the Discover Finland website at finland.cimo.fi (the section on studying international programmes).

Postgraduate students from other countries are considered for admission to all Finnish universities.With the range of programmes offered to international postgraduate increasing on a yearly basis, this is one of the most vibrant and exciting aspects of higher education in Finland. Students interested in pursuing either a taught or research degree are advised to contact the university in which they are interested direct.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO STUDY IN FINLAND?

Finland is an increasingly attractive prospect for many international postgraduate students. Key features of the advanced degree system include:

INDEPENDENT WORK IN A RELAXED ATMOSPHERE

In Finnish universities, lectures, seminars, independent work and exams have traditionally been the main study methods. Developing an approach to your study that is free and your own is regarded as common in Finland. Many students are also surprised at the strong emphasis on self-study and the analysis of texts as a source of information compared with lectures. Additionally, the close relationship enjoyed between postgraduate students and their teachers is often a surprise to international students. This is an important feature of the postgraduate experience and helps students to develop their own unique approach to studying.

LIBRARY AND INTERNET

All students have a right to use the libraries of universities and polytechnics freely with a library card and have access to computer and Internet facilities. Course books may be borrowed for a limited period, ranging from one day up to four weeks at a time or copied for private research use. The libraries of all Finnish universities cooperate by having a common database from which books can be searched and ordered for borrowing. In addition, most libraries have a large selection of national and international newspapers, magazines and journals for the use of all students.

COSTS OF STUDYING AND LIVING

Since university education is funded by the State through the Ministry of Education, students annual membership fees are about 40-85 EUR to cover their activities. Student health services are included in this fee. Membership is compulsory for those studying for their postgraduate degree, but for those pursuing their doctoral studies, membership is optional and they may join the union only if they wish. Polytechnics do not charge tuition fees either, but a few institutions currently charge fees for tuition materials etc. Unlike in the university sector, student union membership is optional. Students in both universities and polytechnics have to pay for their books and other materials, accommodation and their living expenses. In very general terms, the total monthly living expenses of a single student average in the region of 700 EUR.