Guest post by The Study Abroad Portal
Finland, a land of so many opportunities and vast natural beauty. It is located in Northern Europe and borders with Russia, Norway and Sweden. The capital is Helsinki and though it’s very modern now, its history goes a long way back, maybe 100 AD.
The country’s educational system is one of the most important foundations of their society. They’re proud to have an educational system that gives equal chances of education to everyone, regardless of sex, finances or language.
Finland’s native languages are Finnish and Swedish, but you can find many programs in English as it is the third unofficial language used.
The Finnish education system consist of the following:
- Early childhood education and care
- Pre-primary education
- Basic education
- Upper secondary education, vocational or general
- Higher education in universities and universities of applied sciences
Detailed information about the education system in Finland can be found on the Ministry of Education and culture website, or on the website of the Finnish National Agency for Education.
Choosing Finland as a study place won’t be a difficult choice; their incredible nature and inclusive environment are the greatest aspects one could ever find in a country. It’s a place where you can stand out with your own ideas and reach your full potential in the most innovative country.
What to study in Finland?
Finland has a lot to offer to international students who want to venture into its lands. The Finnish higher education institutions currently offer altogether over 440 bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes in English. Doctoral study and research options are of course available too.
Summer schools are also at hand as they provide a large number of excellent courses. Universities also arrange intensive courses in Finnish on various starting levels.
You can find more information about the different programmes in English offered at StudyInfo this is a great site where you can start doing your research and getting admission information. There is a lot of useful information you can access also on the website on Study in Finland.
The most well-know universities in Finland are:
- University of Helsinki
- University of Turku
- University Jyväskylä
- University of Eastern Finland
You can read more about Finland on our blog.
Tuition fees and scholarships in Finland
Citizens from the European Union (EU) can study in Finland for free. Countries from the European Economic Area or Switzerland are exempt from tuition fees as well.
If you’re not a part of the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you are regarded as an international student, in which case you have to pay tuition fees. However, there are some exceptions, depending on the programme and the university. There are also some exceptions for those that are already living in Finland under certain conditions: if you have a fixed residence permit or EU blue card, you are likely exempt from the tuition fee. Also, if you choose to study in the native language or in Swedish, you could be exempted too.
There’s also a great range of scholarships and funding opportunities in Finland. The most convenient way is to apply for the scholarship through the university as each of them has their own scholarship programs based on different academic merits and waiver fees. If this is your case, make sure to read everything about the scholarship programmes on their website for detailed information.
Studying in Finland is not just about the studies, it’s a whole experience: the climate, the adventures you can experience in the safest country in the world, the friendships and networks you can build and the wonderful times you will be having on their beautiful coastline.
Don’t think twice, choose Finland as your next study destination!
