Why Finland for Study?

The universities in the Helsinki region are ranked amongst the best, not only in Europe but also globally, and they are renowned for their top-quality research and education and modern study environment. The universities offer students the latest information technology, efficient social and health services and effective support in questions concerning living and working.

The advisory services for foreign students and trainees are well organised in Finland and you will get all the support you need in order to get the most of your stay. Education is highly valued in Finland, and the high standard of education forms one of the corner stones of the Finnish national strategy. The Finnish education system consists of preschool education, comprehensive school, post-comprehensive general and vocational education, higher education and adult education. The comprehensive school provides a nine-year educational program (with a voluntary 10th year) for all children of school age, beginning at the age of seven. Post-comprehensive education is provided by general upper secondary schools (approximately three years, ending in the national matriculation examination) and vocational institutions (three years, leading to upper secondary vocational qualifications). The objective of the higher education system is to offer a student place to two thirds of each age group. Higher education is provided by 20 universities and 29 polytechnics Adult education is provided by special institutions, vocational institutions (specifically by vocational adult education centres), polytechnics and universities, all of which have a continuing education centre.

The Finnish institutions of higher education are internationally oriented, and the country’s good reputation in higher education, combined with the wide range of courses offered in English attracts interest among an increasing number of international students. There are more than 400 international study programs taught in English, and ca 100 of them are degree programs. So, in order to study in Finland, you do not necessarily need to know either of country’s two official languages, which are Finnish and Swedish.

The basic mission of universities is to carry out research and provide education based on that research. All Finnish universities are state-run, with the government providing some 70% of their funding. Universities select their own students, and all fields apply a numerus clausus (closed number) system in which entrance examinations are a key element. All universities confer doctorates.

Education has always been a high priority for Finland. At the moment, Finland has 21 university level institutions and 30 polytechnics. International students (including both degree and exchange students) constitute about five per cent of the total student enrolment at the above institutions.

One of the reasons for Finland attraction is the availability of a great variety of international study programs taught in English at Finnish universities and polytechnics. The establishment of such programs in the early 1990s was necessary, since the Finnish and Swedish languages, which are the main languages of teaching at Finnish universities and polytechnics, are not known to many people outside of Finland and Sweden. The study programs taught in English at Finnish universities and polytechnics, which are intended for both international and Finnish students, cover a great variety of fields. These include, for example, fields known as Finland's special areas of strength, such as Architecture, Art and Design, Information Technology and Engineering, and Environmental Science and Forestry.