The Finnish higher education system comprises two parallel sectors: universities and polytechnics. All Finnish universities are state institutions whose operations are primarily financed from public funds.
The polytechnics are mainly maintained by municipalities or federation of municipalities. The polytechnics are primarily funded from public funds. The costs are shared by both the State and the local authorities.
Studying
Education is highly valued in Finland, and the high standard of education forms one of the corner-stones of the Finnish national strategy, which is based on a desire to develop the country as an information society.
For foreign students, studying and training in Finland offers a safe, though quite exotic way to acquire academic and professional experience, as well as to gain personal growth through living in a foreign country and culture.
Here you will find basic information about the Finnish education system and a closer look at the higher education in Finland. The student exchange programmes with which a foreign student can come to study in Finland, as well as practically all study programmes taught in English at Finnish universities and polytechnics.
Higher Education in Finland
In Finland the national strategy is based on a desire to develop the country as an information society that educates its citizens to a high standard. In order to achieve this, Finland channels substantial investment into research and development. In addition, Finland has internationally recognized expertise in many areas, and its institutions of higher education have state-of-the-art facilities.
Plenty of choice
Finnish universities and polytechnics offer over 400 international study programmes in different disciplines taught in English.
In 2007, some 11,300 foreign students representing more than 100 nationalities were studying for a degree in Finland, and of them approximately 11,300 were enrolled in universities and polytechnics. In addition, approximately 8,400 other students come to Finland every year either on exchange programmes or independently.
Internationally compatible degrees
In 2005, the degree structure of Finnish universities was amended to become more compatible internationally. All programmes are based on a joint European credit transfer system (ECTS), which facilitates international transparency and recognition of Finnish degrees at a global level.
As the network of Finnish universities and polytechnics covers the whole country, students can choose among very different study environments: there are large urban campuses and quieter, close-to-nature campuses. Thanks to the quality assurance system, the quality of universities’ infrastructures, student services, and teaching and research is high irrespective of location.
More than just studying
Studying in Finland offers also an insight into the culture of Finland and the country's two official languages, Finnish and Swedish, all of which are unique in many ways. Finnish society is egalitarian and well-organized: it provides a solid foundation for the development of modern, internationally-oriented higher education.
Undergraduate degrees: Bachelor's and Master’s
The full-time studies for the lower degree (Bachelor) last three years, the extent of the degree being 180 credits. The studies for Master’s degree take two years after lower degree, the extent being 120 credits.
The first degree in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine is a master-level degree called Licentiate. The extent of these degrees varies from 200 to 250 credits and the programmes require approx. 6 years of full-time study. These degrees should not be confused with the licentiate in the other fields of study, i.e. the licentiate as a pre-doctoral degree.
Educational responsibility in different fields is regulated by field-specific degrees. The degrees are mostly lower or higher academic degrees, i.e. Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees (both are undergraduate degrees in Finland) or postgraduate degrees, i.e. Licentiate’s degree on some optional fields of study and Doctor’s degrees.
International Cooperation
Internationalization of education has been one of the key development areas in Finnish educational policy since the late 1980s. All Finnish institutions of higher education, i.e. polytechnics and universities, have close connections to foreign institutions and active exchange and mobility schemes with them.
Every year an increasing number of international students choose Finland as their place of study, and many Finnish students pursue part of their degree studies abroad. In order to attract international exchange and degree students, Finnish universities have developed numerous English-language study programmes.
In 2007 there were close to 400 study programmes in different disciplines taught in English. In 2008-2009 Finnish institutions offer close to 200 degree programmes taught in English on Master's and Doctoral level.
At the moment some 11 300 foreign students representing more than 40 nationalities are studying for a degree in Finland, and of them approximately 5 900 are enrolled in universities. In addition, over 7 200 other students come to Finland every year either on exchange programmes or independently.
International Study Programmes Database
Welcome to the International Study Programmes Database maintained by CIMO. This database provides information about close to 450 international study programmes offered by Finnish universities and polytechnics. In almost all of the programmes the language of instruction is English.
Some of the programmes are short courses which usually can only be taken as part of an exchange programme (Non-degree Programmes) - other, broader-based programmes take several years to complete and lead to an official Finnish higher education degree (Degree Programmes). The credits shown are ECTS credits.
The Finnish Education System
The Finnish education system consists of pre-school education, comprehensive school, post-comprehensive general and vocational education, higher education and adult education. Finnish National Board of Education is the agency responsible for the development of education in Finland.
Practical Training
There are various ways to complete your practical training in Finland. The application criteria and application procedures vary according to the programme. CIMO organises many of the practical training programmes. CIMO is also the national agency for IAESTE in Finland, and the national coordinator of the Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci and Comenius programmes.
Why Finland
Finland is a welfare state with the aim of securing for its 5.2 million inhabitants equal opportunities for a good life and for the most efficient use of its resources as possible.
The geopolitical location between West and East has always been reflected in the country’s events and goings on. With this combination of western and eastern influences, Finnish culture has developed into something strong and highly individual. Just like the Finns themselves. In the section Finnish Way of Life you’ll find basic information about Finland and the Finns.
Accommodation for Students
Student housing is generally organized by established student housing foundations. In some university towns accommodation can also be arranged through the student unions themselves, or through regional student clubs or faculty organizations. Many towns and municipalities also have dormitories maintained by the municipal community or the educational institution. The receiving institution usually takes care of the accommodation of exchange students and scholarship holders.
It is advisable to apply for a flat as soon as you have been accepted to study in Finland since there are more students applying for student flats, especially in the autumn, than the student housing foundations are able to handle. Remember that the rent is usually paid in advance, at the beginning of every month.
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