Finland is a Northern European nation which is the happiest country in the world and quite widely English spoken country, with the top education system. Finland is famous for information technology, engineering, business and logistics, nursing, social services, electronics, and many other fields to study and pursue a career.
Finland, better known as the ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’ is an Arctic wonderland blessed with stunning natural beauty, an abundance of lakes and picturesque villages. With a long history of occupation by the Swedes and the Russians, Finland came into its own in the 20th century, making big strides in economic development and social progress, including education.
Finland ranks high on the socio-economic progress index, and the number of international students coming to study in Finland has been steadily climbing over the years.
Study in Finland and experience the great outdoors with hiking, sleighing and skiing during the endless summer days and take in the Northern Lights during winter.
Finnish education system adopts a multi-disciplinary approach of combining self-studies with problem solving and well-rounded learning experience. Study in universities if research is your prime focus or enroll in universities of applied sciences for programs with more professional approach.
The University of Helsinki- Tuition Fees – EUR 13,000 to EUR 18,000 per year.
Aalto University- Tuition Fees- EUR 12,000 to EUR 15,000 per year.
Abo Akademi University- Tuition Fees – EUR 8000 to EUR 12,000 per year.
When we talk about the cost of living, how much money you spend majorly depends on the place where you study in Finland, your lifestyle and of course your spending habits. Choosing to study in Helsinki, the capital city can be a little expensive than smaller towns like Oulu. Your average cost of living can vary between EUR 700 to EUR 1,000 per month. Getting a student residence hall or dormitory can be a real money saver.
In addition to its beauty, Finland is a country with an excellent educational system in place. There are also some very reputed universities that have campuses here. Moreover, there are a plethora of specialization options for students to choose from, such as medicine, business, and engineering.
Finland’s educational system has a prominent division into two distinct categories. These are-
Polytechnic universities are practical-oriented and prepare international students for careers in the Applied Sciences and related fields.
Universities are more research-based and train students in conducting studies with systematic methodologies and systems.
Students often complete programs from both universities and polytechnic schools, to gain all-rounded knowledge and skills. The network of educational institutions in the country includes 13 universities and 23 polytechnic universities.
All of the study programs are systematically organized into a module plan and course assessments. Most aspirants who want to study in Finland found that many of the Masters’s level programs offered are available in English.
Students from EU/EEA countries seeking higher education can complete their training free of charge, provided they meet certain university-level criteria.
Below is a table to showcase the different levels of higher education in Finland, required ECTS credits and duration of courses:
| Level of Study in Finland | *Eligibility | ECTS Credits | Duration |
| Bachelor’s Degrees | Upper secondary school certificate and school-leaving document. | 210-270 | 3.5 to 4.5 years |
| University Master’s Degrees | Completed a university-level bachelor’s degree or equivalent. | 120 | 2 years |
| UAS Master’s Degrees | In addition to having a bachelor’s degree, students should have gained at least 2 years of work experience. | 60-90 | 1 to 1.5 years |
| Doctoral (PhD) Degrees | Completed a master’s degree in a related field of study. | 240 | 4 years |
Permanent Residence – Finland is now becoming one of the most immigration-friendly countries in the world. International students can get PR and citizenship easily and smoothly. The amazing thing is that you will get 2 years Post Study Work Visa to work or run a business. And you can extend your residence permit. With the updated rules, you can apply for PR just after staying 4 years continuously counting from the first day of your arrival.
According to the Finland Immigration, for the permanent residence in Finland, one need to stay in Finland for four continuous four years with a Finland Residence Permit. One needs to have a residence permit in Finland for four years continuously, without any break for the Permanent residency. Moreover, you are required to apply for the permanent residency before your residence permit in Finland expires, but not before the three months of the expiration.
Scholarship – To ease the financial burden of pursuing higher studies in Finland, students might opt for scholarships. Let’s take a look at some of the scholarships you can avail for studying in Finland:
To be admitted to an English-medium program in Finland, students need to demonstrate proficiency in the language.
Some of the English test scores accepted by universities in Finland include-
The scores for IELTS and TOEFL iBT will be mentioned on the official website of the university for students who want to study in Finland. Meeting the required score will bring the aspirant one step closer to securing admission in their program.