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Finland

Study Master in Finland 2024

Study in Finland

Finland is heavily forested and contains thousands of lakes, numerous rivers, and extensive areas of marshland. Except for a small highland region in the extreme northwest, the country is a lowland less than 600 ft (180 m) above sea level. Finland is one of the world's wealthiest nations. According to some measures, Finland has the best educational system in Europe and has recently been ranked as one of the world's most peaceful and economically competitive countries.

Bordered by Norway, Russia, and Sweden, Finland is the most sparsely populated European Union country but is the eighth largest in land mass compared to other countries in Europe. Over two million people reside in Finland's capital Helsinki, which is also Finland's financial, political, cultural, and educational center. Nearly 70 percent of all foreign companies have established their baseline operations in the Helsinki area.

Finland is a wealthy nation and consistently ranks as one of the top five countries in the world in regards to living standards, economic stability, and educational system. Because its comprehensive social welfare system amply provides excellent educational opportunities for everyone as well as health care and other benefits afforded a highly taxed society, Finland's economy remains prosperous due to its ability to give everyone a fair chance in realizing their potential as a viable member of Finnish society. In addition, Finland is a peaceful country that does not spend large amounts of taxes on its military items, which allows it to spend more on the welfare of its citizens.

Essential Facts about Finland

  • Finland has 19 maakunta, or regions, that are overseen governmentally by regional councils representing cooperation forums for each region's municipalities.
  • Each maakunta has state economic and employment development centers that manage the administration of forestry, agriculture, labor, and fishery affairs in that particular region.
  • Finland has nearly 190,000 lakes and 180,000 islands for students and tourists to explore. It also contains the fourth largest lake in Europe - Saimaa.
  • Forests of birch, pine, and spruce cover 86 percent of Finland, a factor that contributes to the country being the biggest wood producer in Europe.
  • People living in the northernmost area of Finland experience 73 days of perpetual sunlight during the summer and 51 days of 24-hour nighttime during winter.
  • As a parliamentary democracy, Finland has a prime minister who is its most influential politician. Alternately, Finland's president is considered the"head of state". Citizens of Finland are permitted to vote and run in presidential, parliamentary, and municipal elections as well as other European Union elections.
  • As a member of the EU, Finland uses the euro as its primary currency, which replaced the markka over a decade ago.

Language Information
The official languages of Finland are Finnish and Swedish. Swedish is primarily spoken in coastal areas as well as in the south, west, and the Aland region. Finnish sign language and Finnish Romani are also recognized by the country's constitution. Ninety percent of Finland's population speaks Finnish. Students interested in studying in Finland should be aware that while Finnish is a non-Indo-European language and it is very different from other languages spoken in Europe primarily due to its syntax - it has 15 different noun cases, unusual pronunciations, and non-traditional grammar structure.

Finland's Climate
Because Finland lies close enough to the Atlantic Ocean, it experiences a continuous flow of warmth produced by the Gulf Stream. Finland is also warmer than its neighboring countries because of the moderating influence of the Baltic Sea along with its thousands of inland lakes interacting with Gulf Stream moisture. However, Finland has very cold, very snowy winters that typically see temperatures plunging to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-30 Celsius), with snow laying on the ground from November to April. Finland's warmest days occur in July when citizens bask in warm sunshine and 90-degree Fahrenheit (35 Celsius) temperatures.

Religion in Finland
Approximately 75 percent of Finns belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. The remaining 25 percent have no religious affiliation or consider themselves Protestant, Roman Catholic, or Jewish.

Official Holidays
Acts of Parliament establish Finland's official holidays which include New Year's, Easter, Christmas, Epiphany, All Saints' Day, and Midsummer Day. May Day and Independence Day are considered secular holidays.

Change currency

Basic monthly living cost

  • Rent in a shared flat

    441
  • Share of utilities

    38
  • Internet subscription

    20
  • Local transportation

    60

Sample lifestyle cost

  • Fast food combo

    9
  • Cinema ticket

    15
  • Pint of local beer

    7

About Finland

Higher Education in Finland

Polytechnics (also referred to as UAS or universities of applied sciences) and universities are the two sectors comprising Finland's higher education system. While universities explicitly promote research-based academic studies such as biomedical and psychological programs, polytechnics provide students with vocational-type education intended to give them the skills necessary to gain employment upon graduating. You can only earn a post- Master's or doctoral degree from a university.

UAS's offer students access to various majors that provide Bachelor's and Master degrees upon completion. It generally takes a polytechnic student between three and five years to earn a Bachelor's from a UAS and another two to three years to earn a Master's degree. Additionally, Finland's polytechnic universities have many programs and some Master's degrees that are available in English.

Admission to Finnish higher education institutions is based on a student's GPA earned while in high school or from taking a university's own entrance examination. These examinations differ from others in that they are not designed to test a student's ability to memorize information or "guess "the answer to a multiple-choice question. Instead, questions on a Finnish entrance exam test analytic and critical thinking skills by implementing more short essay-type questions.

Students who graduate from a polytechnic university may apply to a university to pursue a master's degree. A polytechnic graduate may have to take additional studies at the university in order to maintain the level of education experienced by university graduates.

Finland's Tuition System

Finland's Ministry of Education funds higher education so citizens of Finland do not have to pay tuition fees when attending a polytechnic or university. Under current regulations, tuition fees are also waived for international students in most cases, but beginning in August 2017, non-Eu/EEA students studying Bachelor's or Master's degrees offered in English will have to pay tuition fees. Additionally, students attending a polytechnic facility or university will need to purchase books and other course materials as well as pay for their own living expenses. Finland's cost of living is similar to other European Union countries.

Visas and Student Resident Permits

If you are taking an entrance exam in Finland, you will need a visa, which allows you to stay a maximum of three months. As a degree student studying in Finland who is not an EU or EEA citizen, you will then need to apply for a student residence permit. For more information, contact your country's Finnish embassy to find out how to gain a student resident permit. You may also visit the website of the Finnish Immigration Service to determine what you will need to apply for this permit.

Be aware that at the time you apply for a student resident permit, you will be asked to show proof that you can support yourself while living in Finland. Currently, non-EU/EEA international students must show that have access to 6720€ per year or 560€ per month to minimally cover living expenses. In U.S. dollars this equates to about $615 per month or $7400 annually.

Why Study in Finland?

Finland has one of the highest-performing education systems in the world, and the country's higher education institutions are uniquely focused on preparing students for the future. In addition, Finland's vibrant culture, closeness to several other fascinating countries, and the country's emphasis on constantly improving the quality of its higher education system make Finland one of the best places to earn a degree in the world.

Visa Requirements

  1. Short Stay Visa - for a maximum of 90 days’ visits. You may need a visa for example if you are invited to take an entrance exam in Finland, or if you take part in a course or exchange that lasts less than 90 days.
  2. Residence Permit for Studies - a long-term temporary residence permit that is usually granted for one year at a time. If you come to Finland for a student exchange period exceeding three months, or if you have been admitted to a full degree program, you need to apply for this one.

What type of Visa do you need?

Visa name

Short Stay Visa; Residence Permit for Studies

Price and currency

EUR 330

The fees for Finland Residence Permit for Studies for application on paper are currently at EUR 330; and EUR 300 for an electronic application.

Who can apply for the visa?

If you are a Nordic or EU/EEA citizen, you do not need a visa or a residence permit to Finland. However, you are required to register your residence with Migri if your stay in Finland exceeds 90 days (6 months for Nordic citizens). Additionally, if your stay in Finland lasts for more than a year, you should register in the Finnish population system.

If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen, you will usually need a visa or a student residence permit. Which one you should apply for, depends on the length of your stay in Finland.

Where can you make the application?

Online / Finnish embassy or consulate

You can start your student residence permit application online at Enterfinland.fi, but in the process, it is also necessary for you to personally visit a Finnish embassy or consulate. A Finnish student residence permit application cannot be processed until the applicant visits the embassy, regardless of whether the application has been submitted electronically or at the embassy itself.

Website:

How to make the application?

In order to apply for Finland Student Visa or Residence Permit you must fulfill the following conditions:

  • You must provide the official letter of acceptance issued by your hosting Finnish university.
  • Your passport must have a validity that exceeds the duration of the visa or residence permit you are applying for by at least 3 months.
  • Your passport must have been issued within the previous 10 years.
  • You must have a copy of your completed and signed application form.
  • You must provide proof of your financial ability so as to support yourself financially during your entire period of study in Finland and for your return transportation. At present, a student must have a minimum of EUR 560 per month for staying in Finland. This means the student must have a minimum of EUR 6720 per year for his or her expenses in Finland.
  • You must provide a recent statement of your financial situation from your bank that shows you have at least EUR 6720 in your bank account. Note that students undertaking degree courses in Finland must have funds for one year at a time. Exchange students must have funds for the entire duration of their stay in Finland. In case you do not have the above-mentioned amount in your account, you must provide written evidence of having received a stipend or scholarship or have been selected for benefits to be provided by your educational institute. Note that the bank statements of an applicant’s parents or a shared or joint account will not be accepted for Finland student visa or residence permit.
  • You must provide proof of having obtained valid health and medical insurance that covers the entire duration of your stay in Finland.
  • You must be in good physical and mental health and free from any kind of contagious disease.
  • You must not have a criminal record.
  • You must not have been refused entry into Finland previously.
  • You intend to leave Finland at the end of your authorized stay.

When should you apply?

The processing times of a Finnish student visa vary, you can check them here: http://migri.fi/en/processing-times

A student residence permit is usually granted for one year at a time. After your first year in Finland (in good time before your previous permit expires) you should apply for an extension of your student residence permit from Migri. You can use the Enter Finland e-service also for this purpose. It’s also worth noting that when you apply for an extended permit when your initial permit is about to expire, you must be in Finland when submitting your application.

Processing time

Work opportunities

If you work alongside your studies, your working hours are limited. You may only work for an average of 25 hours per week during the academic term. The number of working hours is not restricted on a weekly level. This means that you can adjust your weekly working hours during the academic term, as long as you work for 25 hours a week on average.

You can work without restrictions at the times when your educational institution offers no instruction, that is, during summer and Christmas holidays.

You can also complete your thesis in a company or take part in practical training. In these contexts, the working hours are not limited.

Hours per week

25

Why do you need this type of visa?

Your visa application may be rejected if you are not able to show proof of the required funds, or if you provide incorrect or incomplete documents.