Finland has initiated a national strategy to create an "information society" which is based on their population having high levels of education and having higher education institutions with substantial research and development capabilities. As a result of this strategy, higher education has received greater attention and funding over the past decade or so. The government provides substantial funding for universities and polytechnic schools, which are the two types of degree-granting institutions available.

Finland University and College Directory

Admission to universities is highly competitive with acceptance rates varying by school but sometimes as low as 15 percent of applicants. Admissions decisions are made by individual university programs and are based on previous school performance and entrance exam scores. Students who are applying to polytechnics are allowed to apply to up to four specific programs through a centralized application system. Admission to polytechnics is also competitive and no student is guaranteed admission.

Tuition to Finnish universities and polytechnics is free to all Finnish and EU citizens and financial aid is available for living expenses to needy students. The Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for Finland's education system including higher education although the individual institutions are autonomous and have responsibility for their own governance.

Types of Schools and Degrees

Higher education in Finland is provided by over 15 universities and over 20 polytechnics, which are also known as universities of applied science. The universities provide an academic education with a focus on scientific research whereas the polytechnics provide a more career focused, practical education. Both types of schools offer bachelor's and master's degrees while the universities also offer doctoral degrees. As a result of recent reforms, all degree programs conform to the structure defined by the Bologna Agreement of 1999 which has resulted in all European degrees being considered equivalent.

Universities in Finland include two universities of technology, three universities of art and a university of economics and business administration. The remaining universities provide a wide range of study options. Students choose to study one major subject and one or more minor subjects. Bachelor's degrees take three years and master's degrees another two with both degrees being considered undergraduate degrees. Degrees in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine last six years and are called master's degrees.

The polytechnic bachelor's degree programs can take from three and a half to four years of full-time study and include an on-the-job training period and a bachelor's thesis. Master's programs are only available to those who have earned a bachelor's degree and completed three years of work experience. The polytechnics are focused on providing professional education to meet local labor-market needs and provide R&D to promote regional development. These institutions have only been in existence since the early 1990's.

International Students

Only about three percent of Finland's higher education students are international students. Foreigners are generally able to apply to bachelor's degree programs in Finland if they have completed a secondary school program that would make them eligible for higher education in their own country. Students will typically need to take an entrance exam as well. Foreigners should keep in mind that admissions are generally very competitive.

There are numerous exchange programs and international study programs taught in English available. These programs are the easiest way for foreigners to study in Finland. In the past, foreigners could study at any level for free in Finland but that is slowly beginning to change with English language master's level programs beginning to charge tuition to non-EU/EEA international students.

International students can obtain information about studying in Finland at the Study in Finland website.

About Finland

Finland is a Nordic country located in northern Europe between Sweden and Russia. It has a population of over five million people, the majority of whom live in the southern part of the country. The capital of Helsinki is also the largest city with a population of over 580,000. Finnish is the native language of most of the population with Swedish being spoken by over five percent and most of the population also able to speak some English.

Finland is a highly industrialized, innovation-driven country that is a member of the European Union. It ranked 6th on the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness report of 2009-2010. The United Nations Human Development Index ranks it 12th in the world.

Resources

Study in Finland

University Admissions Finland

Online Application to Polytechnics in Finland

Finland Ministry of Education and Culture