Higher medical education in Finland. Interesting facts about studying in Finland
Natalya Glukhova
Features of studying in Finland
30/03 2017
Good afternoon friends!
Today I will tell you about studying in Finland, which is becoming more and more popular. This beautiful country which attracts not only tourists. Many people want to live here.
You need to prepare for the peculiarities of Finnish training and education. The system is slightly different from what we are familiar with. I will tell you how Finnish students live and study, what awaits students from our region in Finland.
From this article you will learn:
Education system
It is believed that the Finnish education system is one of the best in the world! The state finances schools and universities. So that's good news. Education is free. For all students, even visitors.
Education is at a high level, and Finnish diplomas are accepted and appreciated all over the world. If a person graduated from a university here, he can easily find a job. And yet, he will be able to apply for a job in Europe. It's much easier than getting a work visa.
Already in schools there is a clear differentiation of the learning process - no basic subjects are singled out. Everything matters. In schools, children do not take exams, there is only a final exam, which gives them the right to enter a university.
Yes, this is a difference that our pupils and students do not immediately understand.
How does the system work? Children complete 9th grade elementary school. Thereafter:
- go to the lyceum, after graduation, the Finnish version of our USE is surrendered.
- Professional institute.
After the lyceum, you can apply to the university. After college, you can also continue your education, but more often its graduates immediately look for work.
Finnish universities
The study lasts 4 years, you get a bachelor's degree (kandidaatti). This is already completed education. Or we continue our studies until the title of master (maisteri) - another 2 years. Then comes the doctor (tohtori) of science. This degree allows you to teach at a university.
Finnish university
- Universities (yliopisto);
- Polytechnic Institutes (ammattikorkeakoulu);
- Schools of various orientations (ammattikoulu).
Polytechnics usually give only a bachelor's degree. Usually students want to get a master's degree - for most, this is the end of their studies. Although, Finland provides good opportunities for further scientific development.
What language is taught?
I understand that for Russian students it is interesting: what language is taught? Many people are afraid to learn Finnish - it is complex, completely alien to our ears. Almost all bachelor's degree programs are in Finnish. Do you know that ?
You won’t be able to enter after school, because you don’t know the language. You will have to devote a couple of years to language training. And yes, you can't learn. The option is to prepare in advance or start by visiting a Finnish school. In schools, education for Russian children is quite possible.
If you want to study at the Polytechnic Institute, then you can choose an exchange program for students. Teaching is in English. You can do after the Russian school. True, there are not so many such programs, you will have to climb the sites of the Polytechnic University.
At the master's level, most of the lectures. Students from all over the world come here for the excellent educational opportunities. Admission to the magistracy is on a competitive basis, it will be required motivation letter from your university.
Almost all vocational schools use the state language of instruction. Although, there are exceptions - programs in English. This is done for exchange students. Already in 2017, there will be more such programs.
On the White Rabbit website you can learn Finnish and English. Classes are held online at a convenient time for you. Trial lesson is free.
I will tell you about the city of Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is a real student city! There are 60 thousand inhabitants here, and 10 thousand of them are students. Rovaniemi boasts three major educational institutions.
Rovaniemi
The city does not sleep all night. Students from different countries, visitors, incoming ... young people live here. Of course, you have to work hard to learn. The city beckons just to live a free life, and it’s easy to forget about classes here.
3 Universities in Rovaniemi
As promised, they talk about 3 iconic universities in the city.
University of Lapland
Most north university Finland. There are 4 faculties, many directions. So, 4 faculties:
- law and jurisprudence;
- pedagogical;
- sociological;
- culture, art, design.
The university is brand new. Students have the opportunity to go to study further or work in almost any of the European countries.
University of Lapland
For beginners, there will be a 5-day course to get to know the University. Exchange students will be told everything about the faculties, they will show how the classrooms, the library, the dining room function, where you can work out. Students are introduced to each other, arrange a 5-day adaptation.
In these areas, you can study English language:
- Applied Arts;
- Costume design, interior design;
- EMACIM: Master in Tourism and Hospitality;
- International Management;
- Organization of tourism business;
- Global Biopolitics;
- MICLaw: Master of International Law;
- Graphic design;
- Design in industry;
- Modern Pedagogy;
- Social sciencies.
LapinAMK - Polytechnic Institute
Classes in English start immediately. Education up to a bachelor's degree. Today it is a merger of several polytechnics from 3 major student cities. It is interesting to study, and there are also many Russian students here.
There are the following areas of study:
- Graduate School of Nursing;
- Bachelor of Tourism, Tourism Management;
- Business administration;
- Information technology in the hotel industry.
Lapland vocational school
The college offers 31 majors. Training is conducted on state language. But, here the entry requirements are lower - a basic knowledge of Finnish is enough.
You can learn to be a chef, pastry chef. Very a good education with job prospects. In addition, there are many specialties in the tourism industry from hotel staff to a tourist guide.
Admission procedure
What do Russian students need to have? First, the official translation of the school leaving certificate. You need to translate into English and Finnish.
It would be great to pass and provide certificates of knowledge of English IELTS or.
When submitting an application, indicate no more than 4 specialties in one application for all universities in Finland. However, please list your preferences in order of priority.
Then you will receive an invitation to the entrance exam. You take it already at the university that sent the invitation. Usually, the time is from March to June.
If you passed the entrance exam, then you need to confirm your readiness to study in time. Otherwise, the place will be lost. There are full-time and in absentia. The educational institution will send you an invitation, which you will need to attach to your visa documents.
LapinAMK has an option to start studying after the 10th grade, it's like our 11th grade. Then you can continue your studies there or at another university. To do this, children must provide:
- A certificate confirming the transfer of the child to grade 11, a report card. All this must be translated into Finnish, please attach another translation into English.
- Motivation letter, preferably letters from teachers, also translated.
A little about funding
A visa will be given only on the condition that the student will have an account opened in a Finnish bank. The average amount for 1 year is 6,720€, but it is better to put more.
Most exchange students will have to rent their own apartments and eat. They are not given benefits. Yes, education is free, but that's all Finland is ready to give you.
Another thing is grants for education. But, it is very difficult for a student from another country to get a grant. There are one-time, but more often at the master's level - grants for research.
All students are paid a scholarship, from 40€ to 300€. Got a place in a student house? The scholarship will be lower. It all depends on the age, the form of education.
Where and how do students live?
If you are applying to one of the universities in Rovaniemi, then you should contact Domus Arctica. This is an organization that helps students. They have a lot of offers of budget housing. It can be rooms or even apartments.
For example, renting 2 rooms (two students) with a kitchen and a bathroom will cost 250–300 € per month (for two). Internet and telephone are also included. You leave a deposit of 300-500 euros for the entire period of study. After the deposit will be returned.
Finnish student's room
Renting a room is expensive. About 450–500 € will be released per month. And yet, there is a long queue for such apartments, so not everyone manages to rent them.
Prospects after graduation
As I said, studying in Finland opens the door for employment in Europe. So, training is becoming more and more popular. Even the need to learn Finnish does not stop.
In Finland itself, you can also get a job or open your own business.
Rovaniemen Kehitys, an organization that provides advice on future life and work, can help students. They will guide you on how to look for a job, what prospects await those who have just graduated from the faculty.
I wish you all good luck with your admission!
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The last couple of years in Finland introduced tuition for foreign students. Nevertheless, universities give out many scholarships that help applicants study and live in this country. We invite you to learn more about the conditions for issuing grants and their sizes in this article.
Education system
There are three stages in Finland higher education: bachelor's, master's and postgraduate studies (obtaining a doctoral degree). higher educational establishments are divided into two types: universities and universities of applied sciences (UAS). Their main difference is that the latter do not offer doctoral degrees, but both regular universities and UAS offer bachelor's and master's degrees. At the same time, there are more English-language bachelor's programs in UAS.
Finnish universities use the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), which helps measure student workload. One academic year equals approximately 60 ECTS. The system makes it possible to describe and compare learning programs and award qualifications. For example, in 3 years of undergraduate studies in Finland, you must receive at least 180 ECTS.
Pros and cons of living and studying in Finland
Finland is a country with high level life. Here you can count on good medical care, safety and favorable environment. What is important for a student, here you will get quality education. The country strives to improve the education system and regularly monitor its quality. For example, in Finland there is independent center FINEEC education assessment, whose reports can be found in the public domain. In the Universities 21 ranking, the country's education system ranks 9th in 2017, in the Pearson ranking - 6th in 2016. There is also a good level of English proficiency among the population (according to the EF English Proficiency Index for 2017, Finland ranks 6th).
Finland - northern country with a special climate for this region, which is not suitable for everyone. Also here high prices, which can be an obstacle for the applicant, since not everyone can afford both tuition fees and living in the country. Despite paid education, many universities offer a solution to this problem and are ready to provide scholarships on a competitive basis.
Scholarships
Most often, applications for scholarships are submitted simultaneously with the application for training. But remember that the deadlines for applicants from countries that are not part of the European Union expire earlier than for applicants from the EU. Most scholarships are for graduate students, but suitable options for bachelors can also be found. More often than not, despite applying at the time of admission, for the next year of study you also need to apply and confirm that you have accumulated enough credits (ECTS) in the first academic year.
Below you can check out a few scholarships and complete list universities that offer them. The procedure and conditions for obtaining it are similar in different educational institutions, but the amount of the discount and the living grant, if paid, differs.
Aalto University
The university tuition fee ranges from 12,000 to 15,000 euros, depending on the programs. There are no postgraduate fees. An applicant can receive a 100% discount on the fee payment (category A scholarship) or 50% (category B scholarship). Aalto University does not offer scholarships for living expenses, so the student must be prepared to pay these expenses on their own. The scholarship is paid for 3 years of study at the bachelor's degree or 2 at the master's degree. Scholarship applications are submitted at the same time as the study application
Hanken School of Economics
The average tuition fee at the Hanken School of Economics is 12,500 euros. The university offers full and partial scholarships for future masters:
- Hanken Premium Scholarship. Covers the contribution and the cost of living in the amount of 8000 euros per year.
- Hanken Honors Scholarship. Covers tuition fees.
- Hanken Support Scholarship. A 50% discount on tuition is offered.
Those students who receive a scholarship only to pay the fee, when applying for a residence permit, must provide documents that confirm their ability to pay: the student must have at his disposal 6720 euros per year or 560 euros per month.
Lappeenranta University of Technology
The university offers scholarships that cover part or all of the tuition fees for a master's degree. 30% of applicants who apply will receive a 50% tuition discount. Also, 35-40% of accepted applicants will receive a scholarship that will cover the cost of education in full. The university pays for accommodation (5600 euros per year) and tuition for no more than 5% of students. To receive a scholarship for all 2 years master's program, in the first year it is necessary to score at least 55 ECTS. Additional documents are not needed to apply for a scholarship, as it must be submitted together with the application for training.
Tampere University of Technology
The payment of the fee at the university for undergraduate programs is 10,000 euros per year, for a master's program - 12,000 euros per year. The university offers 50% or full tuition fees, as well as a TUT academic excellence scholarship, under which it is possible to receive a living allowance of 7,000 euros per year. Scholarship and study applications are submitted simultaneously. Students who did not initially receive a scholarship can apply for their second or third (in the case of an undergraduate) year of study. At the same time, you need to show good academic performance and gain the required number of ECTS (65 ECTS to get 50% and 75 ECTS to get 100%).
University of Helsinki
Tuition fees at the university range from 13,000 to 18,000 euros. The University of Helsinki offers scholarships for masters: full tuition and a grant of 10,000 euros for living expenses, tuition only or only a living grant. To receive a scholarship throughout your studies, you need to receive at least 55 ECTS in the first year. Also, scholarship holders automatically become members of the student association of the university, thanks to which they receive benefits for medical care, travel to public transport and other services.
Scholarships are also offered:
- Åbo Akademi University: full tuition and living allowance (6720 euros) or tuition (full or partial) for masters, as well as separate scholarships for masters and bachelors, which can be found
- University of the Arts Helsinki: full or 50% tuition fees
- University of Eastern Finland: full or 80% tuition fees
- University of Jyväskylä: full tuition fees for masters
- University of Lapland: full or 50% tuition fee, living grant 2000 euros
- University of Oulu: 85% or 100% tuition fee for masters
- University of Tampere : full tuition fee and grant (7000 euros) or tuition fee (100% or 50%)
- University of Turku: full or partial tuition fees for masters
- University of Vaasa: full or 50% tuition fee for masters
For graduate students, there are scholarships from The Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI). EDUFI Fellowships covers from 3 to 12 months of stay in the country, the student is paid 1500 euros per month. Priority is given to students from Russia, Brazil, China, India, North Africa, Chile, but applications from all countries are considered. The Finnish Government Scholarship Pool also pays 1,500 euros per month for research, which can last from 3 to 9 months. Only certain countries can apply, among which is Ukraine. There is also a Scholarship for Kindred Peoples, which can be applied for by students from Russia who meet the following requirements:
- graduated from a master's program or conducted research at universities in the Finno-Ugric regions of Russia,
- live in Russia and know any Finno-Ugric language spoken in Russia,
- study Finno-Ugric languages.
The scholarship is paid up to 12 months and ranges from 900 to 1200 euros.
UAS also offer scholarships, but those that offer full tuition fees are extremely rare among them. Below you will see examples of scholarships that UAS is offering:
- Metropolia University of Applied Sciences , Saimaa University of Applied Sciences , VAMK - Vaasa University of Applied Sciences : partial or full tuition fees
- Lapland University of Applied Sciences: 80% discount on first year tuition fees, 60% discount on subsequent years
So, detailed diagram county in Finland is like that.
Learn a language (level B-1 is average level knowledge of the language, total levels 6: ascending - A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2). You enter any Finnish vocational school (does it via the Internet. That is, initially, until the Finns themselves send you an invitation, you don’t need to go anywhere. As soon as the Finnish vocational school you have chosen sends you an invitation, then go (or drive - if are far away) to the Finnish embassy or consulate, and you get a Residence Permit, as well as the entire package of documents necessary for entry and residence in Finland. All this is done within 1-2 months. If you need details from the original source, then here is your e-mail address a Russian-speaking administrator from a Finnish vocational school, which itself stuffs itself so that people (and not only young, but also - of any age) from Russia (as well as from all other countries of the former USSR) enter its vocational school -[email protected] ). Here is a video about this vocational school (in the city - Lieksa), or as it is also called - college -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsQudwMv10M&t=3s .
Next, deposit 3,500 euros into your Finnish bank account. This is the so-called. "guarantee money", money that will confirm your ability to pay. But you don't have to spend that money. Simple - let yourself lie quietly until you finish studying. And then they come back to you, safe and sound. If their own, such big money you don’t, but at the same time you live, for example, in Russia, you do it. You go to Sberbank, take (in rubles!!! - by no means in foreign currency!!!) 3,500 euros (today it is 275,000 rubles), take a certificate from Sberbank why you need this money. Ask to be written there - "For study." Transfer this money to a Finnish bank. Quietly study there (at a Finnish vocational school) from 2 to 4 years (depending on the specialty and your abilities. If you are talented, you can finish earlier and immediately go to work for a big salary). Finland is a truly socialist country. They have an equalization in wages there (in the good sense of the word). Everyone is paid about 2,000 euros (net - after taxes) per month. Only miners and guards in prisons get more (because guarding criminals is a very hard job). Having lived (and worked at the same time - this is important) for 4 years in Finland, you have the right (after passing the language exam, and as a rule, all after graduating from vocational language exam easily pass) to apply for Finnish citizenship. And the Finns are happy to give it to foreigners. They need people who are able to learn their language, and work for them in working specialties (since in vocational schools they teach working professions).
Education, accommodation and meals in Finnish vocational schools are free. And not only for citizens of the country, but also for any person from any country in the world, provided that he knows the Finnish language (and he has 3,500 euros in his account, which, however, he may not spend at all, they are just needed "for show") .
And you will not care in the future for any bastard that is in power in those countries from which you had to flee. Save not only yourself, but also your family. Children are admitted free of charge to kindergarten and school, as well as to the same vocational school or institute. The wives receive an allowance and have free access to Finnish language courses. And for this, wives are also paid money (9 euros per day). At the same time, classes on the courses last from 1.5 to 2 hours.
Vocational schools in Finland:
Helsinki - Stadin ammattiopistohttps://www.hel.fi/ammatillinen/fi/ko...
Kouvolo - KSAO https://www.ksao.fi
Lappeenranta - Saimaan ammattiopisto Sampohttp://www.edusampo.fi
Joensuu - Riveria https://www.riveria.fi
Kotka - EKAMI http://www.ekami.fi
If the city of interest was not found in the lists, then write to Google “name of the Finnish city + ammattiopisto”, the first issue will be the desired option.
(ammattiopisto is vocational school in Finnish)
About how to take a loan from Sberbank.
Come to Sberbank (this is for residents of Russia. For citizens of other countries of the so-called CIS - I don’t know for sure. But the scheme is clearly worked out. Maybe it will work somewhere else). Take a loan of 3,500 euros from Sberbank - only in rubles (today it is 275 thousand rubles for 4 years)! So that in the event of a financial collapse, you can always return to Sberbank its "wooden" rubles.
The fact is that having entered a Finnish vocational school, you (according to Finnish law) have the right to work during your studies (or rather, combine work and study) for 20-25 hours a week. You will be paid approximately 10 euros per hour. This is not enough by Finnish standards, but for you (if you have money - it’s generally a disaster - it’s already something significant). That is - you will have 200-250 euros per week, 800-1000 euros per month. With this money, you can first of all pay interest on a loan at Sberbank (for this amount, this is about 6-7 thousand rubles a month, that is, about 80-90 euros). With the rest of the money, you can do whatever you want. Many rent one-room apartments for themselves (given that 1 sq.m. costs about 10 euros, then a 20-meter one-room apartment costs 200 euros per month) and live in these apartments with their families. Some of them buy cars and motorcycles. Travel when holidays. Well, and so on. But almost no one thumps, because the Finns - drunkards are immediately kicked out.
But from a common sense point of view,pay money to Sberbank as soon as possible. So that nothing is drawn to the soul. As soon as you earn them in Finland. And you will no longer be connected with Russia by any bonds.
This, I think, is the most correct scheme. And cars and motorcycles will wait. And even a wife with children will still sit here in Russia until everything is smooth.
And as soon as you pay off all your debts, then it will be possible to rent any housing, and go somewhere to Paris on vacation.
And one more very important information.
Finns allow dual citizenship. That is - when obtaining a Finnish passport, you will not have to refuse (for example) Russian or any other. That is - you will travel to Russia, without any visas and permits. But at the same time you will already be a full-fledged citizen of Finland.
The Finnish passport allows you to enter without any visas in 173
countries of the world, including all European countries, the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, etc.
How to learn Finnish?
First, buy yourself a "Russian-Finnish Phrasebook for Travelers". Author K.Silvan. In Moscow it costs 103 rubles.
Write out from there - pronouns (I, You, He, She, etc.), numerals (1,2, 3, 4, and so on up to 10), + how they are written and pronounced - tens, hundreds, thousands, millions, etc. read it all carefully, and it will be better if much of it is memorized.
Then.
Here are two sites - suomesta.ru and lingust.ru/suomi
It explains in detail how to learn Finnish by lesson.
The main thing is that they are not afraid of anything and are not lazy.
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The main thing for you is not to learn Finnish at the level of native speakers (as it is almost impossible, for the vast majority). Not at all. You just need to pass an interview in Finnish.
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Therefore, listen to Finnish radio for beginners - https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/selkouutiset/?id=1334 (the announcers speak Finnish slowly there. They pronounce all the words and even letters on purpose. It helps beginners to master the speech component of the language) .
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And watch educational films like -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHoNCX3i51E&t=18s(Finnish Lesson 01)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhDOjdpZaI8&t=1022s(Finnish Lesson 02)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaAL7Aw4MmU&t=4s(Finnish Lesson 03)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWj5DtMyBDo(Finnish Lesson 04)
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There are also educational films from this series - you just need to substitute the numbers: Finnish Lesson 05, Finnish Lesson 06, Finnish Lesson 07, etc.
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You don't have to be very smart. You just have to be careful and patient. And you will definitely succeed. And Finland will become your second home. Or rather, the first. But the place where you were born, but where you had to escape from, will be your second refuge (unless, of course, you like it).
And the main highlight when learning the Finnish language.
After you learn the very basics, you will need to practice language with native speakers.
It is done like this.
There is a site - speaky.com
This is a video chat with foreigners who want to learn a foreign language.
There you can easily find yourself an interlocutor from among the same Finns.
Registration there is very simple. Follow the instructions (they are all in Russian) and in 5 minutes you will be in the Community (this is the place where the language partners you need are based). All you need is a webcam (the cheapest in Moscow costs 400 rubles). Connect to the USB port and that's it. You can chat with Finns as much as you like until you learn this amazing and beautiful language. The language is very easy and understandable. Logically slender and accessible to any thinking person.
As it is not difficult to guess, the system of medical care in Russia and Finland differs significantly from the Russian one. In part, this is probably due to the very mentality of the Finns, who treat every case thoroughly. On the other hand, there are completely different laws and the entire system of medical care. If in Russia the health insurance system and various improvements, such as the electronic queue and pre-registration, are just being born, then in Finland all this has long been implemented.
Medical education in Finland
However, it is probably worth starting with a review of the basics. Medical education in Finland lasts much longer than in Russia. Yes, the terms of study at the university are approximately the same, but postgraduate studies can last another 5-6 years. So, future doctors will have to be patient. Also, the duration of courses for junior medical personnel is much longer. Another feature of education is that the courses provide first medical care ambulance drivers also pass in order to provide it in full, if necessary, right on the spot. At the same time, in last years, there is a stable shortage of junior medical personnel.
Service system in hospitals in Finland
The first thing you pay attention to when visiting Suomi medical facilities is the absence of the usual “hospital smell”, the second is the queues to the doctor. However, if you come to the hospital without an appointment, you will first have to get a ticket to get to the registrar, and he will already make an appointment with the doctor if he has free time. Therefore, it is more expedient to sign up by phone or via the Internet. However, it should be noted that you should come exactly at the specified time, otherwise the doctor will wait until the next patient arrives, and you will have to pay a fine. So if you can't come, it's best to call ahead and cancel your appointment.
In mild cases, when diagnosis of the disease or complex manipulations are not required, you may well be referred to a nurse who will provide the necessary assistance. For foreigners who have a residence permit in Finland, but they do not know the language, an interpreter service is provided. To use them, you should come to the registry and make an appointment, it is impossible to do this remotely. Note that such services are quite cheap, and their cost is compensated by medical insurance.
The main diagnostic technique in Finland, in addition to examination, is a blood test. In most cases, it is on its basis that a diagnosis is made, naturally, if necessary, you will be referred for other tests. However, keep in mind that here you will not be given recommendations in the style of “yes, just steam your legs for two weeks and everything will pass.” Finnish doctors take treatment seriously and, at the slightest sign of illness, prescribe a series of medicines. In particularly difficult cases, patients can be admitted to the hospital to monitor their condition.
All results of your analyzes, as well as bills for maintenance, will be sent to the post office. After receiving the results, if treatment is prescribed or the diagnosis needs to be clarified, you should again make an appointment with the doctor. Also, the doctor can send you to take tests, directly from the office, in this case, the time of delivery will be written on a special form, with which you can go to the laboratory at the appointed time.
The high level of education in Finland attracts foreigners. Also, no tuition fees. State universities of the country teach students for free. They teach here in Finnish and Swedish, more than 450 study programs are conducted in English. But in order to get a diploma in Finland, one cannot do without knowledge and money: students pass entrance exams and pay all their own expenses during the training. But before you enter the University of Finland, you need to familiarize yourself with the conditions of study in the country.
University of Helsinki
How to apply to a Finnish university
One of the important selection criteria is the motivation of a potential student. If the applicant knows what he wants, has a bank account, knows English or Finnish well (and preferably both), then you need:
- choose a university and study program;
- find out everything about the conditions and deadlines for submitting documents (they differ for different universities);
- send documents to the university;
- receive an invitation and come to the entrance exams (if any);
- get a visa to travel to exams;
- pass the entrance tests.
After admission, you need to confirm your desire to study at a university and obtain a residence permit at the Finnish embassy or consulate. For permission, it is better to go immediately with a certificate from the bank confirming solvency. The cost of a residence permit is 300 euros.
Documents for admission
Each university in Finland independently regulates the conditions for admission. Applicants usually submit:
- statement;
- certificate of graduation from a school or other educational institution, with a translation into English, Finnish or Swedish;
- for an English-language course, in most cases, you will need TOEFL results (an alternative may be a full-time language proficiency exam);
- motivation letter.
When applying, you can choose a maximum of 4 specialties in one or more universities. The deadlines for receiving documents in most institutions are December-March. Exams are held from March to June.
Language of instruction
Universities teach in Finnish, Swedish and English. If knowledge of Finnish is not enough, you should pay attention to Finnish universities in English. The institutes have a good selection of English language programs. In classical universities, the situation is different.
University of Tampere Some universities practice this scheme: for two years a student studies in English and studies Finnish, then continues to study entirely in Finnish. To study at the faculties of IT-technologies and business, knowing Finnish is not necessary. English-speaking, usually, and short-term programs.
Cost of education
Previously, public universities in Finland did not charge tuition fees from foreigners, but in 2016 the Finnish parliament passed a law introducing tuition fees at universities for citizens from countries outside the EU.
Since 2017, the cost of training is from 1500 € per year. Each university has the right to set its own figure.
Educational programs in Finnish and Swedish are free of charge.
Scholarships are not paid to foreigners in Finland. It is received only by students with the citizenship of the country or those who have permission for permanent residence. Scholarships are paid to Finns national institute social insurance. Universities have nothing to do with it, they can only dispose of rare grants.
Universities in Finland
There are two types of universities in Finland:
- universities of applied sciences or polytechnics;
- classic multi-faculty universities.
There are 16 universities and 25 institutes in the country. Education in Finnish universities covers a wide range of areas: from medicine to tourism. Finnish universities provide academic education and graduate Bachelors and Masters (Masters). Some may award a doctoral degree (PhD). Graduates of institutes receive a Bachelor's degree. The main task of such educational institutions is to provide students with practical knowledge.
Aalto University Universities
The largest university, the University of Eastern Finland, trains specialists in more than 100 specialties. English language programs are available in Joensuu and Kuopio. Students 2–5 courses Russian universities can apply for study programs student exchange or to receive grants to study in Finland. Turku University also has a large selection of offers for foreigners.
As a result of the education reform in the country, there were mergers of individual universities. This is how Aalto University was formed. Finland pays considerable attention to the training of specialists in six different schools of this institution.
international Education Centre Oulu is a world-famous university in Finland. It offers over 20 programs in English. Graduates with a master's degree can continue their studies at a postgraduate university.
Master's and PhD courses are also available to Tampere students. Finland positions the university as an institution where academic freedom, creativity and social responsibility reign.
Institutes and universities of applied sciences
Universities that teach professions are popular among foreigners. These are polytechnic institutes or universities in Finland. applied sciences here they teach in small groups. Many Russian-speaking students are educated at the University of Mikkeli in Finland. All conditions for the adaptation of foreigners are created here.
Finnish business education has good prospects. The largest training and consulting company in the country is the Management Institute of Finland. Every year, about 67,000 professionals and managers choose one of 200 training programs. The university has branches in Russia and the Baltic countries.
University of Jyväskylä The third largest branch university in the country is the University of Jyväskylä. Finland has a long tradition of learning. At the university you can get a bachelor's degree, a master's degree. There are courses for professional development of teachers. Applied Kajaani University is also popular. Finland recognized it as the best among polytechnics in 2011.
Difficulties of studying in Finland
For foreign students there are two difficulties - language and money. Finnish is not easy to learn. It is considered one of the most difficult in the world. As for money, when applying for a residence permit in Finland, you need to confirm the availability of 6700 euros.
There is an opportunity to earn a living in the country. But work time is limited to 20-25 hours a week. Restrictions do not apply during holidays. It is difficult for students to find work. First-year students can only count on unskilled work, especially without knowledge of the Finnish language. IN big cities work is always easier.
Finnish university graduates are not eligible to work in the country or obtain citizenship. You can stay in the country if you find an employer interested in a graduate.
