The Finnish institutions of higher education offer a generous choice. We have an extensive network of 20 universities and 29 polytechnics covering the whole country from the southern metropolitan area to the Arctic Circle. All institutions are internationally oriented with special regional features: students can choose between very different study environments ranging from large urban campuses to close-to-nature campuses.

Finland is situated in northern Europe neighbouring Sweden, Norway and Russia. It is a country and culture where east meets west under the special Nordic influence. It is a member of the EU where it represents Nordic democracy and way of living. Finland is a peaceful, well-organised country where English is widely spoken. Excellent opportunities for sports and cultural activities from swamp football to modern opera are available.

Institutions

Our higher education system consists of two complementary sectors: polytechnics and universities.

Finnish universities have origins dating back to the 17th century. Their objective is to promote free research and scientific and artistic learning and provide higher education based on research. All Finnish universities are owned and funded by the state.

There are 20 universities in Finland, ten of which are multi-faculty universities and ten are specialist institutions. Of the specialist institutions three are universities of technology, three are schools of economics and business administration, and the remaining four are art academies.

The amount of degree students at Finnish universities in 2005 was approximately 174,000 of which close to 5,000 were international degree students. The number of degrees awarded in Finland in 2005 was 17,200, of which 15,800 were Master's degrees and 1,400 were doctorates.

Our polytechnics – most of which define themselves as universities of applied sciences – were established in the 1990s to meet the changing requirements and developmental needs of the world of employment by having a pronounced occupational emphasis. Education provided by polytechnics emphasise close contacts with business, industry and the service sector, especially at regional level.

There are 29 polytechnics operating under the Ministry of Education. These are multi-disciplinary and regional higher education institutions offering education in the fields of humanities and education; culture; social sciences, business and administration; natural sciences; technology, communication and transport; natural resources and the environment; social services, health and sports and tourism, catering and domestic services. In 2005 there were approximately 131,000 students at polytechnics. The amount of international degree students was over 4,300 and on the increase.

Universities confer Bachelor's and Master's degrees and on postgraduate level Licentiate's and Doctor's degrees.

All university degrees have been defined in terms of ECTS credits since 2005. Bachelor's degree is worth 180 ECTS credits and a Master's degree 120 credits. The normal duration of a Bachelor's degree is three years of full-time study. It usually takes two extra years to accomplish a Master's degree. A Doctor's degree normally takes four years of full-time study.

Polytechnic degrees are Bachelor's and Master's level higher education degrees with a professional emphasis. The lower degree is worth 210-240 ECTS credits, and it takes from 3,5 to 4,5 years of full-time study to accomplish. After three years of work experience a student may can take the Master's degree, which is worth 60-90 credits.

International Programs

Finnish institutions provide close to 400 English-speaking degree and non-degree programmes. Some of the programs are short courses, which can usually only be taken as part of an exchange program whilst whole degree programs take several years to complete and lead to an official Finnish higher education degree.

Finnish internationally acclaimed expertise and know-how are present in international programs. These areas of expertise are ICT, biotechnology, forestry and environmental sciences, architecture and design.

Facilities

Studying in Finland is generally regarded as relatively free. The relationship between students and teachers in Finland is relaxed and informal, and teachers are easy to approach. Universities usually have a Language Centre where students may carry out additional language studies, which are often included in degree programs.

All students have the right to use the libraries of universities and polytechnics freely with a library card. All institutions of higher education provide their students access to the internet. Computers with the internet access are available at university libraries or computer centres.

In Finland everyone has the right to basic education free of charge. In addition, higher education is free of charge, which means that there are no tuition fees in polytechnics or in universities. This same principle goes for international students as well.
At these levels of education, students pay for their living, transportation and books. The average amount of living expenses incurred is approximately 700 euros a month.

How Do You Get There?

In case you are interested in coming to Finland as a degree student, you should make direct contact with the Finnish institution. The same procedure goes for those who are interested in doctoral programs. For those wishing to come to Finland as an exchange student, we recommend you to check from your home institution with which institutions they have agreements.

For exchange students there are several different programs such as Erasmus, Erasmus Mundus, FIRST, ISEP, Nordplus, North2North and North-South.

Need More Information?

And in case you need more information, CIMO (Centre for International Mobility) is willing to help you. Practical information with all the necessary links is available on our website http://finland.cimo.fi

You may also contact us via email by sending your question to cimoinfo@cimo.fi or by phone (Mon-Thu 10-12 and 13-15) +358 1080 6767. Finnish time is + 2 hours GMT.

Welcome to Finland!

 

CIMO – Centre for International Mobility - promotes cross-cultural communication and mobility in training, education, working life, cultural field as well as among young people. CIMO administers scholarship and exchange programs and is responsible for implementing nearly all EU education, training, culture and youth programs at national level.

 

Author:
Ms. Jaanaliisa Kuoppa
International Communications and Marketing Manager
CIMO