Finland is one of the most developed countries in Europe. The country is known worldwide for its cleanliness and planned civic life. Finland’s education system is modern and of high quality, which is ahead of many countries in the world. Education is considered a fundamental right here and is fully provided by the state. The country’s primary education is 6 years and secondary education is 3 years compulsory and is provided completely free of charge. Finland is also quite advanced in the field of higher education, which has made it an ideal destination for those aspiring for higher education.
Finland has numerous universities, colleges and teacher training institutes, which provide quality education. Due to the international acceptance of Finnish degrees, students from many countries in Asia and Africa come here every year for study and training. The country did not have any tuition fees for foreign students until 2017, but later tuition fees were introduced for students from countries outside the European Union.
According to Finland’s own education system, teaching activities are conducted through their national language. The country has two national languages - 1. Finnish and 2. Swedish. Most universities conduct teaching activities in Finnish according to the Finnish education system. As a result, if you want to go to Finland for graduate studies, you must have good skills in Finnish or Swedish. In addition, as an international student, you must know English as a basic language skill. Otherwise, you will face problems.
Prerequisites for applying to higher education in Finland
Bachelor’s program requires a high school diploma, high school diploma, or equivalent degree.
Must have a bachelor’s degree for a master’s program.
Credit points completed in relevant academic subjects must be compatible with ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System);
Some universities may ask for GMAT or GRE scores.
Two years of relevant work experience will be required separately for master’s at UAS (University of Applied Science) universities.
Doctoral programs require a master’s degree as well as a research proposal or publication;
Some educational institutions may require entrance exams, SAT exams, or online interviews before admission.
Admission and application process for foreign students in Finland
Admission season—
Finnish universities generally admit foreign students in two main semesters per year:
1. Autumn Semester;
* Classes start in August or September;
* This is the biggest admission season, and most programs are offered this semester;
2. Spring Semester;
* Classes start in January or February;
* Relatively fewer programs are offered this semester;
Admission deadline—
The time frame from the first application opening to the application closing date can usually be 5 to 6 months, but this depends on the university and program.
How to apply—
Foreign students can apply online mainly through three channels. Such as:
1. UAS (University of Applied Sciences) respective official website;
2. Academic universities (research universities) have their own websites;
3. Studyinfo.fi – The official education portal of the Finnish government, where you can apply to multiple universities at once. It is the most popular and centralized platform;
Two main methods of applying to universities in Finland
1. Joint Application;
* This is a central application system, through which applications can be made to multiple universities and programs simultaneously, on a single application form;
* Applicants can apply to a maximum of six programs at a time in order of preference;
* This application is usually completed through the Studyinfo.fi website;
* Applications must be submitted within the specified time frame and there is no need to apply separately for each program;
2. Separate Application
* Some universities or specific programs accept applications directly through their own websites;
* This method requires applying separately for each program;
* Application forms, required documents and deadlines may vary by program;
Documents required for admission
Fully completed application form.
Certified copies of academic transcripts and diplomas.
Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL).
Copy of passport.
Required documents for applying to UAS (University of Applied Sciences)
Proof of employment.
Application for special arrangements for entrance exams.
CV for Master’s or Doctoral programs;
Motivation letter or personal statement.
Reference letter (if applicable).
Publications (in the case of a doctorate).
If all documents except the English language proficiency certificate and passport are in Bengali, then their official translated versions must be attached.
Top Universities in Finland
1. Aalto University;
(Famous for design, business and engineering)
2. University of Helsinki;
(World-renowned for research-based higher education and life sciences)
3. University of Oulu (University of Oulu);
(Famous in Information Technology, Health Technology and Telecommunications)
4. University of Turku;
(Especially developed in education, medicine and tourism)
5. Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT University);
(Institution for training experts in renewable energy and technology)
6. Tampere University;
(Leader in media, automotive technology and software)
7. University of Jyväskylä;
(Plays a leading role in pedagogy and psychology)
8. University of Eastern Finland;
(Famous in forestry and environmental science)
9. Åbo Akademi University;
(Social Science, Chemistry and Technology)
10. Language University (University of Vaasa);
(Specialist in Business, Economics and Technology Management)
Subjects in demand for higher education in Finland
1. Computer Science & IT;
2. Business Administration;
3. Sustainable Forestry & Wood Technology;
4. Renewable Energy Engineering;
5. Early Childhood Education and Care;
6. Tourism and Hospitality Management;
7. Design and Media.
