Study in Finland

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

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Ammattikorkeakoulut

- 3,5 - 4 years full-time study
- there is compulsory on-the-job training period throughout the studies
- graduates obtain insinööri (AMK)/ingenjör (YH) title

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

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Health insurance

Health services are included in the student union-membership fee. Insurance is arranged through the Finnish Student Health Service ( or the National Sickness Insurance Scheme in case the length of stay exceeds 12 months; more information may be obtained from CIMO)

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

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Ministry of Labour, Employment Offices
P.O. Box 524
Eteläesplanadi 4
Helsinki 00101
tel. +358 (9) 185 61

Centre for International Mobility CIMO
P.O. Box: 343
Hakaniemenkatu 2
Helsinki 00531
tel.+358 (9) 7747 7033
fax +358 (9) 7747 7064
e-mail: cimoinfo@cimo.fi

Useful publications

title: Higher Education in Finland
published: CIMO 1997
title: International Programmes in Finnish Higher Education
published: CIMO 1997
title: Polytechnics in Finland
published: CIMO 1997
title: Scholarships for Foreign Post-graduates and Young Researchers
published: CIMO 1995
title: Study in Finland
published: CIMO 1997

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

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