Types of higher education institutions
Universities – institutions that offer academic courses on all three levels
Business Schools - institution aimed at economics and business programs
Art Academy - institutions aimed at the art programs
Ammattikorkeakoulut (AMK) - Polytechnics - institutions offering vocational higher
education
Structure of university studies
The academic year in Finland starts in September and ends in May. The languages of
instruction are Finnish, Swedish and English. Although some programs at bachelor's and
master's levels are instructed in English, knowledge of Finnish or Swedish is required.
Universities provide courses of Finnish and Swedish for international students.
Universities
1st level – undergraduate studies offer different types of courses
leading to bachelor's degree
* Kandidaatti/Kandidat - at least three years full-time study
2nd level - graduate studies
* Maisteri/Magister - 2-3 years full-time study (there is an exception at the medical
courses)
3rd level – doctoral studies are held at two levels:
* Lisensiaatti/Licentiat - 2-3 years full-time study
* Tohtori/Doktor - 4 years full-time study and research
Application procedures
- students should begin the application process about 12 months before they hope to enroll
- application forms can be obtained/sent directly from/to the chosen institution(s)
- deadline for applications to undergraduate study is from January through May; there is
no deadline for applications to graduate study
- for the first year of undergraduate studies, the International Baccalaureate exam and
admission test are required; admission tests are held in Finland
- students who have spent part of their studies at a university outside Finland can ask
for transfer of credits
Financing of university studies
- there is no tuition at Finnish universities
- the total monthly living expenses in Finland average about FIM 4,000 (approx. USD 750)
- The Finnish government provides financial aid to those students who have lived in
Finland for more than 2 years
- the student unions charge an annual membership fee of about FIM 250-500 (approx. USD
50-100); student health services are included in this fee
- Finnish Student Housing helps to find cheap accommodation. In general, there are no
dormitories at Finnish universities
- The Center for International Mobility CIMO grants some scholarships for advanced studies
and research
Visa
Students do not need student visas to enter Finland if their planned stay will not exceed
three months, tourist visas will be enough. Work-permission is not required unless you
work more than 20 hours per week. In summer holiday time you can work up to 40 hours per
week. This does not apply to EU-students.
Important addresses
Finnish Student Health Service
Töölönkatu 37 A
Helsinki 00260
tel.+358 (9) 405 051
fax +358 (9) 405 000
Finnish Student Housing
Opastinsilta 2 B
Helsinki 00520
tel. +358 (9) 140 100
Internet addresses
http://www.cimo.fi - education, universities' programs,
studentships
http://www.abo.fi/norden/uniinf_e.htm
- information on the scandinavian universities
http://www.193.16.177.253/estia/edu.html
- higher education