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Finland strives to create an information society with a high level of education. Therefore, the government pays great attention to providing universities and scientific centers with everything necessary. As Stop in Finland notes, the results of their activities are carefully evaluated to determine the amount of funding.
The higher education system is represented by two parallel tracks - universities (their work is controlled by the Ministry of Education) and higher professional schools (usually funded by municipalities or associations of municipalities).
In Finland, it is believed that everyone who wishes should be given equal opportunities to receive education, so tuition at higher education institutions is free. The official languages are Finnish and Swedish, but you can get by without them: universities offer up to 400 international study programs in English.
In Suomi, there are 20 universities and 31 higher professional schools. They actively maintain international ties: currently, about 6,000 foreign students of 40 nationalities are studying in Finland, completing full courses and obtaining bachelor's or master's degrees. Of these, approximately 900 are Russians. The same number of students from different countries come each year for internships through exchange programs or independently. In different regions, one can get an education in fields where Finland has gained international recognition: information technology, biotechnology, forestry and ecology, followed by architecture, art and design. Many higher education institutions are characterized by specialization related to the features of the region.
Universities
In Finland, there are both multi-disciplinary universities and specialized ones; among them are three polytechnic universities, three higher economic schools, and four higher art schools. The full university program provides deep academic knowledge and a master's degree; if desired, you can continue your studies in graduate school and obtain a licentiate degree, and after two years, a doctorate.
Higher professional schools
Training is primarily focused on the practical aspect of activity. Most of them are multi-disciplinary educational institutions whose educational and scientific activities are closely tied to the business life of a particular region. The curricula necessarily include professional work practice. Upon completion of almost four years of study, graduates receive a bachelor's degree in the chosen field of knowledge and excellent professional training. That is why Finnish enterprises are always happy to hire them.
For those who are seriously thinking about getting a European diploma in Finland, first of all, it is worth familiarizing themselves with the offerings of higher professional schools. It is easier to get into such an institution than a university. In addition to a competitive selection based on certificates, you need to take an exam test that reveals your proficiency in Finnish or English, as well as knowledge in the profile field. Upon completion of the full course, you will receive a diploma and a bachelor's degree, as well as the opportunity to find a job in Finland or at home.
Student exchange programs
Getting into a full course at a Finnish higher education institution, especially a university, is extremely difficult but possible. You must know Finnish, Swedish, or English, have an excellent secondary school certificate, and be prepared to go through all stages of the exam selection. It is much easier to come to study at a Finnish institution through an exchange. The main condition for this is cooperation between your educational institution and a Finnish one.
As a rule, the duration of exchange studies is one semester or one academic year. For postgraduate internships and further study, as well as for research work in Finland, you can use scholarships from the CIMO international exchange center.
Higher professional schools, like universities, are actively engaged in international work on exchanging students, educational programs, teaching experience, and organize training courses, seminars, scientific conferences together with higher education institutions of many countries. For this purpose, many of them have developed study programs in English. The course is intended for both local and foreign students. Those interested in obtaining additional knowledge are offered short-term courses, as well as seminars on corporate training.
Educational programs
Of all the English-language study courses, the most popular is the training program for specialists in business administration, as well as programs in information technology and logistics. There are also programs in such special areas as forestry, production management, as well as social work with the population, paramedic and nursing, management in the music field.
Interestingly, in Finland the most sought-after education is in the field of technology, communications and transport; in second place - sociology, entrepreneurship and management; in third - social services, health and sports. Next come culture, tourism and restaurant business, natural sciences, natural resources and environment, and finally humanities, including pedagogy.
Recently, online learning has become very popular. Using a home computer, you can study the curriculum of any Finnish university or confirm your knowledge through examination testing. You can also pursue self-education by choosing short-term courses that interest you. Such training is usually paid and belongs to the additional educational programs of so-called open universities or university advanced training courses. Almost all universities in Finland, as well as higher professional schools, offer additional training in Finnish or English (German) and are ready to cooperate with Finnish and foreign enterprises in providing corporate training services.
How to enter a Finnish university?
There are no uniform rules governing the admission of applicants to universities. The general conditions for foreigners to enter universities, which also apply to graduates of domestic secondary schools, are:
* completion of full secondary education, and due to the large number of applicants, only holders of certificates with excellent grades have real chances;
* good knowledge of Finnish or Swedish, but in some universities knowledge of English confirmed by international certificates (e.g., TOEFL) is sufficient;
* successful passing of entrance exams (practiced in most universities) in core subjects.
The documents required for admission must be translated into Finnish, Swedish, English, German, or French and officially certified. The deadlines for submitting documents vary at universities, but no later than January 31; at higher professional schools, until the end of March to mid-April.
If the candidate's application is approved, the university sends a written invitation to take the entrance exams. Such invitations are sent in March-April of the admission year and include information about the date, conditions, and content of the exam. Exams are held in June-July, results are announced in July-August. If admitted without exams, a corresponding notification is sent.
The invitation to the entrance exams is the basis for obtaining a visa for a three-month stay in Finland. Applicants must confirm their financial capability: a deposit of at least €6,000 per year must be present in a personal bank account. There are no restrictions on spending the deposit during the academic year. If a student's studies are sponsored by an organization, a corresponding document is required. Those admitted to universities receive a temporary residence permit in Finland for the entire duration of their studies.
Although tuition at universities is free, some charge fees for using educational materials. Annual fees to student unions (membership is mandatory) range from €45 to €90. The minimum monthly student budget, including food and accommodation, is estimated at €500. Only foreign graduate students receive scholarships in Finland.
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