Study in Finland
Table of Contents
Finland has been named the happiest country in the world by the World Happiness Report . Finland is a Northern European nation bordering Sweden, Norway and Russia. Finland is a hidden gem tucked into the far up North. It is a treasure waiting to be discovered. You will find thousands of reasons to fall in love with Finland; the people, arctic adventures and secrets. And four distinct seasons that continue to call you back.
Finland is an advanced and affluent country with its economy built traditionally on timber and metal manufacturing industries, and now with equally important IT and telecommunications sectors. Finland’s economic success has been underpinned by high levels of government investment in education, training and research, and it has a highly educated and skilled labour force.
Studying in Finland
Finland’s world-leading higher education system offers English-taught bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes in 13 universities and 23 universities of applied sciences. Finnish higher education institutions offer over 400 different study programmes and have over 20 000 international students studying in several locations around Finland.
International students usually have certain expectations for their future study destination. Finland fills many of those requirements according to the study. For example, Finnish education is high-quality and studying in Finland is relatively affordable. Study materials are often free because many of the books can be found online these days. Even though some international students have to pay tuition fees, it is still cheaper than in many other European countries.
Reasons To Study In Finland
1- High Fluency in English
2- Low Crime Rates
3- Comfortable Living Conditions
4-Diverse Community
5-Strong Local Culture
General Requirements To Study In Finland
When applying for bachelor’s programmes, you usually need to hold such school-leaving certificates that make you eligible to apply for higher education in your home country. When applying to a Finnish HEI, you will need your upper secondary school certificates, even if you have completed some higher education studies after that.
For master’s level admissions, you need to have completed a university-level bachelor’s degree, or equivalent.
The eligibility requirements may vary from one degree programme to another, so remember to check the details with the university you are interested in. For example, if you are an eligible applicant, you may additionally be required to complete an entrance exam or an interview.
If English is not your first language, you may need to demonstrate your English proficiency level. IELTS and TOEFL are the most commonly accepted options, but many institutions also offer others. Check the English proficiency test requirements and any possible exemption rules with the university you are applying to.
General Requirements To apply For Finland Visa
1. The visa application form completed and signed
2. One photograph Include a colour photograph from which you are recognizable.
3. A passport
4. Make sure your passport is valid for at least three (3) months after the end of your intended travel and that it has been issued no later than ten (10) years ago.
5. Travel insurance Your travel insurance must be in force for the period of the validity of the applied visa and cover the entire Schengen area.
Accommodation
You have two main options when searching for accommodation: established student housing foundations and the private market.
The average monthly rent for a single room in a shared student flat ranges from around €160 – €380. Single apartments or family flats are also available, but the rent is likely to be higher in these non-shared apartments and they often have long waiting lists.
You can also arrange housing independently by searching for rented flats on the open market or on social media. Open market flats tend to be more expensive than those available via student housing foundations.
It might also be a good idea to see if the institution you are applying to has any specific advice on student accommodation.
Transportation
TRAIN
Finnish trains are spacious, comfortable and clean. The rail network stretches all over the country from Helsinki to Kolari in Lapland.Trains are well-maintained and the scenery along the rails is beautiful, especially in Eastern Finland with its many lakes.
AIR
There are 27 airports in Finland, five of which have regular international flight services.
Taxi and Car renting
Finnish taxis are widely available and closely regulated by the government, so you can expect safety. However, fares are often expensive. It is possible to share rides with strangers going in the same direction. Taxis come in a wide variety of colours and shapes, but they are always distinguishable by a yellow TAXI or TAKSI sign on the roof.
Renting a car is possible in Finland, but generally quite expensive. Driving is pleasant, especially in the countryside, but stay alert, as wild animal accidents are quite common, especially in the south and southwest regions.
Working During Studying In Finland
During the academic year: you can take up part-time employment if the work is related to your degree or it does not go over 25 hours/week.During school breaks: you can work unlimited hours!In addition to some useful extra cash, having a part-time job can be a good way of gaining valuable work experience and networks alongside your studies. If you are non-EU student, you can work within certain limits on a student residence permit. Finding a job in Finland can be quite challenging as not all fields of study offer opportunities for employment before graduation. Job applicants may also be required to have Finnish or Swedish language skills.
Life after graduation
Non-EU students can also apply for an extended residence permit for up to a year after graduation. This is intended to help graduates in their search for work. More information is available at www.migri.fi. If you are looking for a job, check out the careers services your Finnish higher education institution has on offer. Tips and advice on where and how to look for employment can also be found for example on the InfoFinland website.