More than 20,000 international students are currently studying in Finland and there’s never been a better time to join them. For the fifth year in a row, Finland was voted the world’s happiest country in the World Happiness Report 2022.
When you’re not studying there’s plenty to explore, from visiting Santa Claus in Lapland to witnessing the country’s natural phenomena of permanent sunrise, the Midnight Sun, from June to July.
Finland is the perfect destination to boost your career prospects, as shortages in the labour market mean there’s plenty of opportunity for employment once you graduate.
Finnish universities
There are two types of higher education institutions in Finland:
- Universities – 13 universities operate under the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, all of which aim to provide academic education based on research. Universities in Finland offer both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
- Universities of Applied Science (UAS) – formerly known as polytechnics, these focus on training professionals in response to labour market needs and emphasise close contacts with business, industry and the service sector. There are currently 25 in Finland, with the list being available at Study.eu.
Both offer qualifications at Bachelors and Masters level, in line with the three-tier Bologna process. However, only universities offer PhD courses.
Finland’s academic calendar runs from 1 August to 31 July. The year is split into two semesters:
- autumn – from August/September to December
- spring – from January to May.
Finland’s institutions are recognised by the QS World University Rankings 2022. Nine universities appear in the list, led by the University of Helsinki in 104th position, followed by Aalto University ranked 112th.
Degree courses in Finland
English-speaking Bachelors are mainly found in UAS institutions – traditional universities have more to offer candidates looking for courses taught in English at Masters and PhD level. However, UAS institutions provide more than a hundred Bachelors courses in English, in locations across Finland and in a range of subjects.
A three-year university Bachelors degree, typically taught in Finnish or Swedish, is made up of basic and intermediate study, a language component, and a thesis.
UAS programmes have a strong vocational emphasis, giving students relevant on-the-job training as a compulsory part of the course to prepare them for entering the world of employment. As a UAS student, you’ll complete core and optional studies resulting in the submission of a thesis.
Start your search for an undergraduate course in Finland at Studyinfo.fi – Bachelors.
Masters degrees
At Finnish universities, Masters courses take two years to complete. Those delivered at UAS institutions can be shorter (one to one and a half years), due to candidates needing a wealth of professional experience – usually three years’ worth – before the course begins.
Courses are delivered through a mixture of lectures, seminars, practical workshops and internships, either face-to-face or in an online format. You’ll also gain credits from general studies and language courses. Assessment methods include coursework assignments, exams and a final dissertation.
Your eligibility for a course is based on the extent and quality of your previous academic qualifications, your language skills and other faculty-specific requirements.
To search for English-taught Masters courses in Finland, see Studyinfo.fi – Masters.
Study in Finland : PhDs
Finnish PhD courses are only offered at traditional universities. They’re typically four years in length, although some can be longer, and are provided in both English and Finnish. You’ll also need a Masters degree to be eligible to apply for the doctoral degree programmes.
Doctorate-level study is research based, and incorporates compulsory coursework, seminars, conferences and the submission of a thesis. You might have to defend your published thesis in a public discussion as part of your final assessment.
Unlike Bachelors and Masters, where courses follow a set structure, PhD studies are available in tailor-made form. Shop around to find an institution that can best cater to your research aspirations.
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