Study in Finland

Life in Finland

A technology-driven western market economy, Finland boasts an extremely high quality of life, with considerable (and reasonably equally shared) wealth. Located in the far north of Europe, it experiences quite dramatic seasonal variation – almost continuous daylight at the peak of summer, countered by almost complete darkness during winter. This is accompanied by a similarly diverse lifestyle; summer is an explosion of music festivals, lazing by the lake, exhibitions and beer gardens, while winter is the time to hit the ski slopes, go mountain trekking and make the most of the nation’s love of saunas.

Discover Finland’s top student cities:

Helsinki 

Finland’s capital, Helsinki, is by far the largest city in the country, with a population of around 1.4 million. Located on the south coast, it’s fairly well-connected to the rest of Europe – a short flight, drive or cruise away from other major cities such as Saint Petersburg, Stockholm and Tallinn. 

From its neoclassical and Art Nouveau architecture, to its multitude of colorful festivals and its busy harbor, Helsinki – World Design Capital in 2012 – is full of character and life.

As a newcomer, you may join the tourists flocking to see the city’s highlights, which include the Ateneum art gallery, ancient island fortress Suomenlinna (a 15-minute ferry ride away), the iconic Helsinki cathedral, and the impressively imposing architecture of Senate Square. Having settled in, you’ll have time to choose your favorite among the city’s many cafés, sample the locally caught seafood, and join in with annual events such as the Flow music festival, the traditional Baltic Herring Fair, and Vappu – a May Day celebration particularly popular with students.

Helsinki is home to Finland’s two highest ranked universities, the University of Helsinki and Aalto University, and several others. Its strong universities and high quality of life earn it a place among the world’s top 75 cities for students, as featured in the QS Best Student Cities.

Turku 

Around 160km west of Helsinki, Turku is a former national capital, and its historic importance can be seen today in its impressive cathedral and medieval castle. Its roots can be traced back to the period just after the end of the Viking Age, making it the oldest city in Finland. For the most part, however, Turku has a very contemporary feel, due in part to the extensive damage caused by a fire in the early 19th century. Celebrated as a European Capital of Culture in 2011, it has plenty of museums, galleries and festivals to explore, and is also the official “Christmas City of Finland” – the perfect study location for anyone who can’t get enough of festive markets and winter celebrations.

Turku is home to the second- and third-oldest universities in Finland:  the Swedish-language Åbo Akademi and the University of Turku, which is the country’s third entry in the QS World University Rankings.

Oulu

Located much further north, on the west coast, Oulu is another popular destination for visitors to Finland, with an attractive city center spread across several islands and connected by pedestrian bridges and well-used cycle paths. It’s the fifth most populous Finnish city, and is known for its lively and diverse music scene, with annual events including the Oulu Music Video Festival and the Air Guitar World Championships (no, really). Oulu is also well known as a leading center for technology, with talented professionals from around the world coming to work in the region’s research centers and science parks. 

Those considering studying in Oulu for more than a few months should be prepared for a pretty severe winter; the city’s subarctic climate means an average annual temperature of just 2°C (36°F). The University of Oulu is Finland’s sixth-highest entry in the international rankings.

Tampere 

It’s the third most populous urban area in Finland, but the city center is reasonably compact and walkable, with plenty of cafés, pubs and cultural venues to keep its sizeable student community entertained. The University of Tampere is ranked among the world’s top 600 universities, and the city is also home to several other higher education institutions.

Jyväskylä

Around 260km to the north of Helsinki, Jyväskylä is part of the country’s “Lakeland” area, and like most inland cities in Finland, is located on the edge of a lake. It was the home of famous architect Alvar Aalto, whose creations are in evidence throughout the city. Aalto’s masterpieces include several buildings belonging to the University of Jyväskylä, Finland’s fourth-highest entry in the QS World University Rankings. 

Top 10 things to do while studying in Finland

Applying to study in Finland

Applications are usually made online, either directly to the university, or via the centralized admissions service University Admissions Finland (UAF). Deadlines vary, but the main applications period is November-January, for courses starting the following fall. At some polytechnics it is also possible to apply in August-September for courses starting the following spring, but only for selected programs.

As well as proving your academic credentials, you may also need to pass an entrance examination.

Languages in Finland

The two national languages in Finland are Finnish and Swedish, and both are used in university tuition. It may also be possible to take courses taught in English, though this is more common at graduate level than for bachelor’s degrees. If you do study in English, you are strongly recommended to learn at least basic Finnish to help with daily life during your time in the country.

Many of the undergraduate courses that are offered in English are found at polytechnics, rather than traditional universities. Also known as ‘universities of applied sciences’, these are institutions offering full degrees, but with a more vocational focus.

For example, Lahti University of Applied Sciences offers an English-taught degree in nursing; Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences has English-taught courses in information technology and media engineering; and HAMK University of Applied Sciences has an English-taught bachelor’s in construction engineering.

For the majority of subjects, however, it is necessary to be able to study in either Finnish or Swedish if you want to complete a full undergraduate degree in Finland. Alternatively, you could study in Finland for a shorter period, for a summer school or as part of an exchange program; in these cases there are more English-led options.

Student visas for Finland 

Visa requirements depend on your country of origin.

Applicants from the EU/Nordic countries/Switzerland/Liechtenstein:

• Do not require visas or residence permits
• Must obtain a certificate of registration from the police within three months (six for Nordic citizens)
• Must prove that you have adequate funds to cover your stay in Finland
• Health insurance is not mandatory, but it’s very highly recommended
• There are no restrictions on how many hours you can work
   

  
  Applicants from outside the EU/Nordic countries/Switzerland/Liechtenstein:

• Must obtain a residence permit from the Finnish embassy in your country of residence or online before entering Finland, for which you will need a letter of acceptance from a university. This must be renewed annually.
• Must have at least €6,720 per year (approximately US$8,100) to cover living expenses for the year. A bank statement, a certificate showing you have a grant, or a guarantee of sponsorship must be shown as proof.
• Must have health insurance
• You will be permitted to work for a maximum of 25 hours a week during term-time, and there are no limits on the hours you can work in the Summer/Christmas holidays
• It usually takes around a month to process applications. You are advised to apply as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance.

Fees and funding

Tuition was previously free for all students regardless of nationality. However, the Finnish government has now introduced tuition fees for non-EU/EEA/Swiss students studying bachelor’s and master’s degrees. These students must pay a minimum of €1,500 per year (~US$1,800). However, you will probably pay between €4,000 and €20,000 (~US$4,800 – 24,500), depending on your course.

Non-EU students don’t need to pay tuition fees if they’re studying a PhD or any course taught in Finnish or Swedish. If you’re from the EU, EEA or Switzerland you can study free of charge.

To find the links to the exact non-EU tuition fees for your chosen university and read about the scholarships they have available, check this page on the official Study in Finland website.

You might also wish to search for scholarships to study abroad offered by the government or another organization in your home country, or consider applying for funding via the EU’s Erasmus+ scheme. US students might like to apply for Fulbright Grants to study in Finland.

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