Universities in Finland. Education in Finland

The Finnish education system today is considered one of the best in the world. That is why studying in Finland for Russians is a great opportunity to get a good education and a diploma that is valued all over the world.

• High-quality European education.
• Free education for both citizens of the country and foreigners.
• Many international programs taught in English.
• A neighboring state, which is convenient to reach by almost any means of transport. This is a particular advantage for residents of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region.
• A beautiful and quiet country with a very high standard of living (for many years Finland has been in the TOP 10 countries in the world in terms of living standards according to the world rankings).

Primary and secondary education

In Finland, children start school at 6–7 years old. Compulsory education continues until age 16–17. It is worth noting that education in Finnish schools is aimed at an individual approach to each student.

Much attention is paid to foreign languages. The school curriculum includes compulsory study of 3 foreign languages. Textbooks, notebooks, stationery, and meals are free for students here.

After graduating from basic school, young people can:

• Get a vocational education at a vocational school, after which you can start working in your specialty. Training lasts from 2 to 6 years.
• Continue your studies for 3 years at a lyceum, where serious preparation for admission to higher educational institutions is underway.

Higher education in Finland

The Finnish higher education system includes:

• Polytechnic institutes
• Universities

Polytechnic institutes are focused on obtaining practical knowledge and skills in various fields. Here you can get a specialty in such areas as natural resources and transport, business and management, healthcare and education, culture and tourism, the service sector, etc.

Many polytechnics are located in regional areas, as students are expected to work in a specific area of ​​Finland after graduation. Each polytechnic institute has a department that, upon graduation, helps graduates find work in their specialty.

Universities are focused on obtaining academic knowledge. In these higher educational institutions, the most popular areas are the natural sciences and humanities, as well as technology.

Currently, Finnish universities have a two-stage training program: bachelor's degree - 3 years, master's degree - 2 years.

Subsequent studies for 2 years provide the opportunity to obtain a licentiate diploma - an average degree between a master's and doctor of science. To obtain a doctorate degree after a master's degree, 4 years of doctoral study are required.

Education at state universities is free for foreign citizens. However, you will have to bear the costs of accommodation and food yourself.

For master's and doctoral students, the Finnish higher education system provides various grants and scholarships.

Students in Finland are officially allowed to combine study and work, but the work must not take more than 25 hours a week.

How to enter universities in Finland

Full information about higher education institutions can be found on the official website of the Finnish Ministry of Education at www.minedu.fi.

Applications for admission to most universities can be submitted electronically:

• For applicants to polytechnic institutes - on the website admissions.fi.
• For university applicants – visit yliopistohaku.fi.

Applications are usually accepted until the end of April. Entrance exams take place in May-June, and training begins in mid-August. However, it is worth paying attention to the following:

• Not all universities allow you to submit an application electronically.
• Application deadlines for many English-language programs may be earlier than for Finnish- and Swedish-language programs.

Therefore, it is advisable to write to the chosen educational institution and clarify the information.

Thus, the process of admission to universities in Finland involves the following steps:

1. Select a university and study all the necessary information about this educational institution (programs, admission conditions, exam dates, required documents).
2. Write a letter to the chosen university and clarify the information again.
3. Submit an application for admission and attach the necessary documents.
4. Apply in advance for a short-term visa to take entrance tests.
5. Come to the entrance exams.
6. If accepted, apply for a student visa.

Applying for a short-term visa

To apply for a short-term Schengen visa, you will need the following documents:

• , signed personally by the applicant. A parent/guardian signs the form for a minor child.
• A valid foreign passport and a copy of the page of the foreign passport with personal data. The passport must be issued no later than 10 years ago, be valid for another three months after the visa expires, and have two blank pages.
• Old/canceled foreign passport (if any).
• 1 color photograph taken no more than 6 months ago.
• Visa fees.
• Insurance policy for those traveling abroad.
• Copy of internal passport (page with photo and registration in Russia).

If the applicant is a minor (under 18 years of age), the following will additionally be required:

• Birth certificate and copy.
• Parents' consent to the child's departure.

More detailed information on the official websites of the Finnish Embassy in Russia and authorized visa centers.

Applying for a student visa

If the period of study in Finland is more than 3 months, a residence permit, the so-called student visa, is issued.

To do this you will need:

• Two identical photographs, no more than 6 months old.
• A valid foreign passport.
• An invitation or certificate of enrollment from a Finnish educational institution confirming the student's status.
• Guarantees of financial security (bank statement confirming the availability of sufficient funds in the applicant’s bank account; usually at least 560 euros / month).
• The application fee is 330 euros, for minors – 230 euros.
• Insurance policy.
• Students under 18 years of age also provide:
  • Birth certificate.
  • Parental consent translated into Finnish, Swedish or English.

The application for a residence permit for a minor student is signed by one of the parents.

Detailed information can be found on the official website of the Embassy of Finland.

Prospects for Finnish university graduates

Education in Finland for Russians has many advantages. After graduating from university, you can stay and work in Finland. True, to get a good job, you will have to learn Finnish. And since Finnish diplomas are highly valued on the international labor market, if you wish, you can find work in any other country in the world.

Universities in this country operate on a 4+2 system, and technological institutes teach future engineers for 3-4 years. At the same time, half of foreigners give up their studies: they lack hard work. And if a student does not study well, they will simply refuse to extend his residence permit in the country.

Don't want to hit the thresholds? Send an e-mail to the Finnish university. Can't stand it when they hang over your soul? Create your own Finnish curriculum.

Do you want to study among those who became students not for the sake of a crust?

Welcome to Finland.

Who will undergo training

So try, even in school conditions, when you are controlled by your parents, class teacher and head teacher, to separate what you do thanks to their prodding from what you really want to learn. Recognize your learning goals.

Specialties at Finnish universities

At a decent European level in Suomi they study:

• forestry;
• biotechnology;
• ecology;
• architecture and design;
• IT specialties.

Nuclear scientists were and are being trained - without the diplomatic break that many European universities took after the Chernobyl accident. Also, every Finnish higher education institution has officially committed to complying with the national code of good scientific practice: this would be of interest to future scientists.

However, try to look for individual interesting specialties. There are, for example, the following: “Color in Computer Science and Media Technologies” and “Clinical Linguistics” (Joensu University), “Educational Technologies” and “International Studies in the Field of Performing Arts” (University of Tampere), a comprehensive program in economics, political science, history , cultural studies applied to Europe in a global context (University of Helsinki). By the way, all of them are included in the Erasmus Mundus register of master’s programs, that is, they are also available to students of Russian universities who wish to study as an exchange student.

Education system

Image: Finnish education system

Finnish language

Almost 400 programs at universities in Finland are offered not only in Finnish, but also in English. (You will have a test and an interview in English.) However, if you fundamentally do not want to limit yourself, learn Finnish.

In Russia you are an applicant. Translated into Finnish - ylioppilaskokelas; hard to pronounce! The need to master the difficult Finnish language well balances the advantages of studying locally in a specialty. It will not seem exotic to people who speak Udmurt, Mari, Mordovian, Karelian, Estonian or Komi languages ​​(all these are languages ​​of the Finno-Ugric group of the Uralic language family). And so - unusual roots (neither Slavic nor Latin); 14 cases instead of Russian six; uneasy alliances... But a Finnish-speaking professional will outperform someone who limited himself to standard English in establishing business and cultural connections.

If you are entering a university rather than a technical college, you will be allowed to master the language at the linguistic center right at the university. They work under Finnish for foreigners programs, a description of which you will find on the websites of specific universities. Applicants to other universities can contact the Center for International Mobility (www.cimo.fi).

Among the Russian textbooks on the Finnish language, the textbook by V. V. Chernyavskaya is considered the best. And already abroad you can buy a textbook of conversational Finnish “Oikeeta suomee” (authors Vesa Jarva and Timo Nurmi).

Now let's solve the problem with vocabulary. Finnish-Russian dictionaries are not such a rarity in bookstores. As for the Internet analogues of paper dictionaries, it all depends on the task. For easy translation to and from Russian, go to www.finessi.com/en or www.langtolang.com. The dictionary can be downloaded from the website www.ets.ru/udict-f-r-pocket-e.htm. And for those who are interested in comparative linguistics, there are dictionaries like http://fi.wiktionary.org/wiki/Etusivu and www.ilmainensanakirja.fi - with translations into many languages ​​at once, including the language ven@j@, that is, in Russian. In addition, you can find the 10,000 most common Finnish words to learn at www.verbix.com/documents/wordfrequency_fi.htm. Words are arranged in descending order. You can print them out and learn them little by little.

To get used to spoken language, listen to Finnish radio: www.yle.fi/radiosuomi or www.radiohelsinki.fi.

Need books in Finnish? They are published not only in Finland, but also here, in Russia; also visit www.gutenberg.org/browse/languages/fi.

However, you will not find books by the famous Finnish writer Tove Jansson there. She wrote in Swedish. The second official language in Finland - as well as the language of a number of educational programs - is Swedish, which is no more difficult than English and German.

Culture and student

Want to learn about Finnish life and culture? There are also many sources, from tourist trip reports to online diaries of emigrants. And if you want to keep abreast of Finno-Ugric culture as such, know that the Mordovian University now publishes the magazine “Finno-Ugric World”. By the way, natives of this world with a master's degree can receive a scholarship from 700 to 1000 euros per month - if they establish connections with a specific Finnish university and decide to get a second education there.

So, between Finns and Russians there is some - quite acceptable - difference in mentality. If you're still in 10th grade, it might be worth going to Finland for the holidays just to get to know the country. Or even visit an intensive on-site . Why not?

However, some cultural features that are significant for students should be named right here and now.

• The Finnish educational system is recognized as the best in the world, especially regarding its school stage (based on the results of international studies PISA - Program for International Student Assessment).
• In Finland there is no cheating; plagiarism is severely punished (by expulsion, and if the program is internationally recognized, then by a ban on enrolling in universities in EU countries for a year or more).
• Education in Finnish universities is clearly practice-oriented. Classical universities are closely connected with enterprises, and technical universities have much more practical training than in Russia. The location of universities in a particular region is related to the actual needs of the region.
• In universities in the country of Suomi, it is customary to assign assignments to a group, often an international one (students go to Finland from 40 countries). Therefore, you will have to take into account not only Finnish cultural characteristics.

Russian students in Finland sometimes tend to communicate within their diaspora. However, don’t miss the chance to explore a new culture and combine it with your own.

Where to study

If all Russian universities can be found on the website www.site, then all Finnish ones can be found on the website of the Ministry of Education of Finland www.minedu.fi. Try to get reviews about universities from Finnish students using the search for educational institutions in LiveJournal. And you will find the course you need among the four hundred programs taught in English on the website http://finland.cimo.fi in the International study programs section.

An electronic application system has recently been introduced for polytechnic applicants on the website www.admissions.fi. And the university application acceptance point is located on the website www.yliopistohaku.fi.

In most universities, the procedure is as follows: applications are submitted by April 30, exams take place in May or June, results are announced mainly in July, and the academic year begins around mid-August. However, the application deadline for many English-language programs is earlier than for Finnish- and Swedish-language programs. In addition, not all Finnish universities participate in the above-mentioned electronic system. Contact the university (or universities) you need yourself, if this is the case. It may turn out that applications are submitted there in the winter.

Study the admission procedure. Application, certificate, TOEFL certificate, essay (motivation letter), recommendations, diplomas, awards - each item here has its own share of troubles, but in the end all this is doable. In subjects - in addition to a foreign language - 2 exams. When going for exams, keep in mind that it will take some time to obtain a visa.

Upon enrollment at the university, you will receive a residence permit. To do this, submit an application to the Finnish consulate or embassy. You can expect the verdict already in Finland - and at the same time begin your studies. In the meantime, the Finnish side will consider information about your income.

Cost of education

Suomi universities are funded by the Ministry of Education and municipalities, so studying in Finland is free - if the future student has a bank account worth several thousand euros (the fewer benefits the university gives you, the larger this amount should be) or is provided with material resources in the amount of 500 euros or more per month. If a student works, his earnings can be considered as a means of subsistence and have a chance to be included in the stipulated amount of money. But the best way to financially prepare for the trip is in Russia.

500-700 euros per month will cost you accommodation and food. And also up to 90 euros per year to pay for educational materials and membership in student unions. This is money for health insurance. A student card entitles you to discounts on meals in the university canteen, travel on public transport, and visits to museums.

How to earn? Finnish Secretary of State Raimo Silas believes that the country faces a labor shortage despite the crisis. So take a look at www.mol.fi. This is the website of the Finnish employment service. Check out other local job sites as well. Maybe somewhere a new employee is expected to know Russian?

Students are allowed to work 20 hours a week, and during the holidays - any amount of time; In Finland it is generally customary to work overtime. What about making money? Let's say, in the field of information technology (if you have a diploma) they receive 4,000 euros per month on average. Complete this picture yourself.

It is recognized as the best in the world, but not many people know that this is not its only advantage. Here you can get a diploma without spending a lot of money.

Children of embassy workers study for free, while others are forced to pay. The cost of training depends on the class and ranges from 100 to 130 euros per month.

Children studying at this school receive a Russian certificate, but there are also differences from internal education. First of all, this is integration into the local flavor, in-depth study of the Finnish language. Excursions to museums and factories and meetings with leading scientists of the country are regularly held.

The secondary school is actively involved in extracurricular activities. There are clubs, interest clubs, and vocal groups. Studying here at the same time helps you integrate into a new society and not forget about your roots.

Higher education

Like schools, universities provide educational services free of charge to EU citizens. For Russians, the costs will only be for food and accommodation if you choose to study in Finnish - a great incentive to learn the language.

In 2019, English-speaking students will have to pay at least 1,500 euros for tuition. But there is also a chance of getting an excellent scholarship if you do well in your studies.

In total, Finland has 19 classical universities, 3 polytechnic universities, a higher military school, and also art and economic universities.

Polytechnic universities include both theory and practice in their program, so they graduate as full-fledged specialists.

The Bologna system, practiced here, involves two-stage training. Master - 4 years and bachelor - another 1-2 years. In Finland there is also a third degree - licentiate, similar to our candidate for doctor of sciences.

For any foreign applicants, including Russians, getting into Finnish universities costs a lot of effort. First of all, each university conducts exams at different times. The personal presence of the applicant is required.

Another difficulty is that the main teaching is conducted in Finnish and Swedish. Both of them are quite difficult to learn. It will be a little easier for those who are already familiar with the languages ​​of the Finno-Ugric group, for example, Mari, Karelian, Mordovian, Udmurt.

Universities also provide education in English. However, these programs are considered weaker than standard ones. Another obstacle is the limit on the admission of foreign students. Often the university limits their number to just three percent.

However, Finnish universities attract a large number of foreign applicants. This is one of the few possibilities.

Admission options

There are several options on how to apply and prepare for studying in Finland:

• Right after graduating from high school. But there is a slight difficulty in that final exams can coincide with entrance exams to a university.
• Enter after several years of study in Russia. This option takes longer, but it can be effectively used to prepare for exams and learn the language.
• Those who have successfully completed a bachelor's degree in any other country can continue their studies in a Finnish master's program.
• . You can’t get a Finnish diploma this way, but this is an excellent opportunity to conduct research and make a final decision about further education.
• Receiving a grant for studying a Ph.D program is the equivalent of a Doctor of Science in Russia.

Even before entering universities, you should take care of your financial condition. Without proper security, they may be denied. In addition, it is better to take exams in advance. The admissions committee does not always communicate the date on time.

Admission process

Each university has its own deadlines for submitting applications and conducting entrance tests. Carefully study the information on official websites. You can apply to study at several universities at once and use the results of the exam if it is repeated.

Please note that admission deadlines for bachelor's and master's programs are different.

To enroll you will have to take several steps:

1. Study university programs and send a letter specifying the deadlines and specifics of admission, as well as the exact list of documents. To enroll in 2019, the mailing list had to start already in 2018.
2. Submit your documents and wait for your exam call. At the same time you need to pass the entrance tests.
3. Appear for the exams and wait for a response from the admissions committee.
4. Great news - you got in. Now you need to apply for a student visa and apply for a hostel.

For Russians there is another option for admission. When there are significant shortages in certain specialties, admissions committees from universities come to Russian universities. Most often, these are the regions of Karelia and St. Petersburg.

More and more young Russians are planning to enroll in European universities. At the same time, Finnish universities are a particularly attractive option for Russian youth and youth from the former CIS countries. The most important factor: studying there is free. A foreign citizen does not pay tuition fees at any university in Finland. It is also important that Finnish universities guarantee a high level of education. Training in any specialty involves a serious immersion in theory and full-fledged practice.

The University of Helsinki is the oldest and largest university in Finland

As a result, a university graduate becomes an excellent specialist who has a wide choice: stay in the country of study, look for work in Europe, where Finnish education is rated extremely highly, or return home with a complete advantage over colleagues, with excellent career prospects. The choice of place to study is also influenced by the geographical proximity of Finland, mental similarity, loyal attitude towards Russian students and the already known positive experience of other Russians who received higher education in Finland.

Making your dream come true is quite possible

If such a dream has appeared and you decide to enroll in a Finnish university, then it makes sense to prepare in advance, study all the programs and universities offered, and think about a plan for admission and study. Although there are known happy cases when the idea of ​​​​entering a Finnish university came instantly and was carried out the next day: sometimes an admissions committee from Finland comes to Russian universities, especially in adjacent zones (Karelia, Leningrad region) and organizes direct admission to the university, usually for some then one program.

In Finland there are both multidisciplinary universities - there are 10 of them - and polytechnics. In addition, there are three arts academies and the Higher School of Economics. There is also the opportunity to study at polytechnic institutes, which last about three years and lead to a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Almost 15 thousand permanent students studying in Finland and 7 thousand those who come on short-term exchanges and projects are supervised by the CIMO organization (http://www.cimo.fi/)

Possible study options

So, let's look at all the possibilities for a Russian applicant to enroll in a Finnish university.

• Admission to study at the university immediately after school - first year, full training program.
• Admission to study at a university after the second or third year of a Russian university - with the loss of a year or two, also in the first year, the full program of study.
• Admission to a master's program is for those who have already received a bachelor's degree from any Russian or foreign university or have a master's degree in a similar profession.
• Study exchange trip: for several months, for a semester, for a year, until the end of study.
• Participation in a student project. Receiving a grant. Study after university - PhD (like our graduate school).

The two most important criteria

In any of these cases, two points are mandatory: the availability of money to ensure residence in the country (except for the lucky option when the student receives a grant for study) and knowledge of the language, or even better, languages. We are talking primarily about the English language, and also about one of the official languages ​​of Finland - Finnish or Swedish. Is it possible to get by knowing only English? You can: there are enough programs in which training is conducted only in English. And yet, not knowing the main language of the country will greatly limit your opportunities to communicate, gain additional knowledge and, most importantly, the prospects of staying in the country after studying and getting a job. Not that this would completely stop this possibility, but it would reduce it. Is it possible to study in Finland knowing only Finnish? It is possible, but many courses even at a Finnish university in a Finnish-language program are taught in English, and students and teachers use original English-language textbooks.

Is English or Finnish required?

Do I need to have a special international language knowledge certificate? No. Or, more precisely, not always. Naturally, it will give you an extra advantage when applying, but there are universities where it will be enough to simply demonstrate knowledge of languages ​​during an interview. There are also those in which you will be asked for a document confirming that you have passed TOEFL or IELTS. At some universities, if such a document is not available, the applicant will need to pass an additional exam in English or Finnish. Finnish language courses in the country are free, and they are available to students; you can learn Finnish along the way.

Submission of documents

When should I apply to study? Each university has its own deadlines. In addition, each higher education institution has its own entrance exam program. But the applicant has the opportunity to submit documents to several universities at once, and when entering the next university, use the exam results from the previous one. What turned out to be insufficient in one may well provide grounds for being enrolled to study at another university. These questions need to be clarified in advance by writing a request to the relevant university or studying its website.

As for the timing: the University of Jyväskylä, which grew out of a former pedagogical seminary, can be said to be starting the relay race; here the last day for accepting documents is in mid-January (except for some programs that are open until the end of February). The University of Helsinki is waiting for applications until January 31st. You can get to Turku before mid-March. Every year, the deadlines for submitting documents shift, so they need to be clarified further. In addition, there are separate deadlines for two-year master's programs. Some master's programs begin in the fall, some at the beginning of the calendar year. You can apply to several programs, but each time it must be a new application and a separate package of documents. A good assistant in the matter of admission to master's programs will be the website universityadmissions.fi.

Admission and studies

What specific steps do you need to take to become a Finnish student? Select a university and write a letter there to find out the deadlines and features of admission to this particular university, and find out exactly what documents are needed for this particular university. Send the documents and wait to be called to the exams, simultaneously submitting an application for a visa to the embassy. Having received an invitation to the exams, pass them with good results and wait for a positive answer around the end of July (if it happens in the summer). Apply to the embassy for a visa: admission to a Finnish institute is the basis for obtaining a visa. At the same time, you can apply for a hostel. However, you need to be prepared for the fact that the hostel will not be given right away and, perhaps, you will have to provide yourself with housing for several weeks or months.

Students of Finnish universities, including foreigners, have the right to take part in exchange programs and, thus, go to a third country for a certain period of study. The same applies to internship: it can be done in any other country, at home in Russia or Finland. Students determine the pace of their studies, the sequence of subjects, and even the study of some of them themselves. The training system is set up in such a way that it is impossible to study half-heartedly; full dedication is required. Foreign students in Finland are allowed to work, not all the time, but several hours a week.

Popular Universities

There are quite a lot of foreign students studying at each of the universities in Finland. Approximately a third of the total number of foreign students in Finnish universities are Russians. Most foreigners study in Helsinki; at the Finnish Academy of Arts there are more than 29%. The second largest number of foreign students - in 2011 there were 28% of them - is the University of Technology in Lappereranta. The new Aalto University is third on this list.

I would like to draw the attention of applicants specifically to Aalto University, named after the modern figure of European design Alvar Aalto. This university has three campuses: two are located in Helsinki and one in Espoo.www.aalto.fi. This is the most promising, interesting and multifaceted of universities, open to foreigners, combining long-standing traditions and modern teaching methods. It was founded in 2010, but not from scratch, but through the merger of three prestigious metropolitan universities: the University of Technology, the School of Economics and the University of Arts and Design. Aalto has many master's programs in English - more than 50. Among them are industrial and graphic design, New Media, International Design Business Management and Creative Sustainability. For a bachelor's degree there is only one program in English at the Higher School of Economics in Mikkeli. This university has a Bootcamp Aalto Venture Garage program, which is designed to give a new impetus to entrepreneurship in the Baltic region and help interesting business ideas find investors.

One of the largest and most impressive universities in Finland is the University of Tampere. More than 15 thousand students study here at six faculties. Particularly popular is the well-equipped Faculty of Medicine, which houses one of the most advanced hospitals in Finland. Admission to this university usually takes place in early spring. Tampere also has the University of Technology, which is a classic student town. Foreigners are welcomed here with pleasure: many students from Russia study here.

List of universities and other higher education institutions

There are 9 multidisciplinary universities in Finland.

Helsinki: humanitarian, pedagogical, medical, veterinary, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Law, Faculty of Forestry and Agriculture, Theological, Sociological

Turku: Humanities, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Medical, Legal, Sociological, Pedagogical

Jyvaskyla: Humanities, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Law, Pedagogical, Sociological, Economics, Faculty of Information Technologies, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports

Oulu: Humanities, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Medical, Pedagogical, Economics, Technical

Tampere: humanitarian, pedagogical, sociological, faculty of management and economics, medical, information technology

Kuopio: sociological, medical, pharmaceutical, faculty of information technology and economics, faculty of natural sciences and ecology

Joensuu: humanities, pedagogy, natural sciences, theology, sociology, forestry

Vaasa: humanitarian, economic, technical

Pedagogical, legal, sociological, faculty of arts

In addition, four universities study the humanities, art and music: the Art Academy, the Theater Academy and the Sibelius Academy of Music, and the University of Design and Art.

There are the Haaga-Helia Higher Trade School and the Hanken Higher Trade School, where teaching is conducted in Swedish, as well as the Swedish Åbo Academy and the Lappeenranta University of Technology.

Higher vocational educational institutions, which are usually called universities of applied sciences, make up the largest group: Häme, Jyväskylä, Kaijani, Kemi-Tornio, Seinäjoki, Vaasa, Kymenlaakso, Oulu, Tampere, North Karelia, Lahti, Turku, Satakunta, Mikkeli, Satakunta, Laurea, Metropolia, Savonia, Saimaa University of Applied Sciences.

Higher education in Finland is considered one of the most prestigious in the world. This was the result of a widespread active combination of theoretical knowledge with practical skills. Foreigners are attracted to Finnish universities because education here is completely free. But getting here is not so easy.

It is the oldest educational institution in Finland that provides higher education. It was built back in 1640, all the others appeared in the 20th century. The University of Helsinki is included in the ranking of the best universities in Europe. A wide range of disciplines are taught here. There are 10 semi-autonomous scientific research institutes with modernly equipped laboratories.

Helsinki has 11 faculties that train specialists in various professions:

• Faculty of Arts, which also includes the humanities: cultural studies, linguistics, history.
• Pedagogical school.
• Theology.
• Political, social and economic sciences.
• Faculty of Natural Sciences and Information Technology.
• Faculty of Ecology and Biology.
• Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry.
• Pharmaceuticals.
• Veterinary medicine.

Over 35 thousand undergraduate and graduate students study here at the same time. Contacts have been established with many educational institutions around the world. The educational institution takes an active part in.

Campus

The campus is located in the center of Helsinki, west of Senate Square. According to the areas of science, the campus is divided into 4 parts. Not only educational buildings are located on the vast territory. There are also dormitories, Finnish learning centers, snack bars, places for active recreation and sports, and much more interesting things for study and recreation.

The National Library of Finland is also located on campus. There is a huge collection of books in all areas of science. The library is annually replenished with new editions of books and periodicals. Its building itself is a cultural monument with unique architecture.

The infrastructure of the educational institution allows students to find work within the campus. If desired, the entire period of study can be spent without leaving the campus.

How to enter a Finnish university

The University of Helsinki accepts applications from November to January for all levels of study. Anyone can enroll and there is no tuition fee, you just need to pay an application fee of 80 euros.

For master's and postgraduate students there are courses entirely in English. In addition, you can apply for a grant from an international master's program. This must be done after enrollment. The money is small and will not be enough for all the years of study, but it will help a lot during the adaptation period.

Exams will have to be taken directly at the educational institution. Only 14% of applicants will be able to enroll. The competition is very high, but only the best of the best study in Helsinki; such a strict policy regarding applicants allows us to maintain a high educational level

Turku

The University of Turku ranks second in the ranking of the best educational institutions in Finland and is included in the 100 best universities in the world according to Times magazine. The official founding date is 1920, but they strive to continue the traditions of the oldest Finnish academy that was once located here.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the building was completely destroyed by fire, and the academy was moved to Helsinki. After 90 years, the educational institution opened in a new format. Now there are 25 thousand undergraduate and graduate students studying here.

Two presidents of Finland are graduates of this university.

• Studying the humanities.
• Faculty of Medicine.
• Legal department.
• Faculty of Sociology.
• Department of Natural and Mathematical Sciences.
• Faculty of Pedagogy.
• Economic School of Turku.

Bachelors are taught only in Finnish and Swedish. For master's and graduate students there is the opportunity to enroll in an international department, where they can receive education in English.

How to enter a university

To enroll in this university for a bachelor's degree, you need to make a copy of your secondary education certificate. All applicants will have to take a Finnish language test. Enrollments are carried out 2 times a year for each academic semester. The first is in September, the second is in January-February.

In the Turku master's program, each faculty conducts admissions independently, but this almost always takes place in January. To apply, prepare a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from any country. The language exam - Finnish or English - depends on the choice of study program.

Admission to graduate school takes place 4 times a year: in August, November, January and April. Here you will have to communicate a lot with a variety of scientists, so you need to know both Finnish and English well.

Dates may change at any time, so keep a close eye on the news feed on the official website of the University of Turku.

Jyväskylä

The University of Jyväskylä was founded in 1966 on the basis of an educational institution that trained school teachers. This is the only Finnish educational institution in which physical education is highlighted as a separate area. In total, 40 thousand undergraduate and graduate students study here. There are many reasons why you should choose Jyväskylä:

1. High level of training.
2. Serious practical work with students.
3. Opportunity to take direct part in modern scientific developments.
4. Calm and friendly atmosphere both at the university and in the city itself.
5. Opportunity to receive high-quality and free education.
6. The beautiful surroundings of the city and the measured pace of life do not distract from the main goal - to get an education.

Jyväskylä's papermaking technologies are considered the best in the world. The university is also strong in the fields of energy, programming, and environmental sciences. Representative offices of large world-famous companies directly cooperate with the university’s research laboratories.

This gives you the opportunity to express yourself while still very young and prepare a platform for your future career. All the necessary literature to prepare for classes can be easily found in the Jyväskylä University Library.

Admission

Bachelor's studies are conducted in Finnish and English. Applications for admission are accepted in April-March. There are many advanced scientific programs for masters: nanotechnology, nuclear physics, particle physics. In January-February you need to send an application for admission.

For admission, prepare:

• education document;
• certificate of passing the language exam;
• application and copy of passport;
• motivation letter, recommendation or cover letter.

After reviewing all documents, eligible candidates are invited for a personal interview. It is there that the final decision on admission to Jyväskylä is made. The main thing is to show interest in learning and good knowledge of the language.

Aalto

Aalto is a university of innovation. There is practically no classic sitting at a desk and boring lectures. During classes, students visit enterprises, work in laboratories, and solve real problems of real enterprises.

The main priority is the maximum development of practical abilities.

This is where the largest number of foreign students study - 11% of the total. Aalto operates a “Startup Sauna” that provides great assistance to young entrepreneurs. Among them are many students and graduates of the educational institution itself.

Aalto - University of Innovation in Finland

Education

Training at Aalto is conducted in 3 main areas:

• Technologies and exact sciences. Thanks to its developments, Finland is at the forefront of scientific and technological progress. The Aalto campus is located in the Otaniemi area, where many companies are located. This place is rightly called the most innovative in Europe. Students have direct contact with all developments and great prospects for the future.
• Aalto Business School is the leading one in Finland. It is almost the only one in the world with triple accreditation. In the field of business, you can get any academic degree and learn how to manage an international enterprise. Theory here goes side by side with practice.
• Art, architecture and design. The education received in this field at Aalto is the most prestigious in the world. The university trains high-class specialists. Many graduates become laureates of numerous prizes and awards in the field of art. The educational institution is closely connected with the centers of expertise of world brands. This gives students the opportunity to express themselves, and after graduation, students are already waiting.

The university has structured training in such a way that everyone creates their own individual training program. To do this, you need to select items from the proposed list.

It is interesting that students do not have to settle on one direction, but choose absolutely any course.

This allows us to produce specialists with a unique set of knowledge and skills. For the students themselves, this is a great opportunity to find themselves and their place in life.

The University of Eastern Finland began its activities in exactly this form in 2010. It arose when 2 large universities merged. These were Joensuu and Kuopio. Joensuu initially trained teachers, and its neighbor trained the best doctors in the country.

The University of Eastern Finland today trains students in 100 different specialties. The university includes 4 large faculties:

1. Faculty of Philosophy.
2. Forestry and Natural Sciences.
3. Faculty of Health.
4. Economic and social sciences.

The main task is to give students as much knowledge as possible so that they can give a worthy answer to the challenges that science poses to people:

• health and aging;
• learning in the digital world;
• intercultural connections and contacts;
• use of natural resources and climate change.

Here you can study in the Finnish department or in the international department, where teaching is conducted in English. Some courses are simply allowed for students to take. They do not accumulate points or take exams. They simply attend lectures for the sake of their development.