Finland
As the Finnish academic year is generally divided into two semesters, you also benefit from two university admission sessions:
Autumn semester: September
Spring semester: January
Orientation for International Students: September (autumn semester), January 2019 (spring semester)
Total Population: 4 Million (Helsinki- 650,058, Espoo- 284,444, Tampere- 235,615)
Capital: Helsinki
Life expectancy: Men 78 years, women 83 years
Highest Mountain: Halti – 1,324 m above the sea
Land area: 338,424 km2
Largest Lake: Suur-Saimaa (4400 km2)
National Day: 6 December (Independence Day).
Government: Republic, parliamentary democracy
Currency: Euro
Official language: Official languages are Finnish (spoken by 88.9%) and Swedish (5.3%). English is widely speaking all over the country and it is compaulsary subject in primary and high school
Member of EU:
Calling code: +35
Climate: July temperatures in Finland average 13 to 17°C. February is usually Finland’s coldest month, with temperatures averaging from – 22 to -3°C. In northern Finland.
Why you should select Finland?
- World’s best Educational system, free education if you know the language.
- Good social benefits
- Good freedom
- Advanced in the technology side
- Can get scholarships (50%-80% scholarship)
- Around (10,000 Euros/ Rs.2 million) course fees per year
- 560$ living cost per month (single)
- 8 million show money for couple (1.5 Million for single per year)
- Programs conducted in English
- 25 working hours per week
- Unlimited working hours during holidays and if it’s the same field
- Student accommodation (student guide)
- Easy to get Finnish PR
- Good job opportunities
- Can go with Dependent (Education free for children)
- One of the most beautiful countries in the world
- One of the most cleanest countries in the world
- Place where world’s most happiest people lives
- Finland offers highest salaries
According to the Finnish National Agency for Education, there were more than 40,000 international students coming to study in Finland and the number is expected to rise.
Furthermore, with an increasingly globalised world, international students can get into the niche market where their English-speaking skills are required by Finnish companies looking to expand their business. There is growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals and the country is looking abroad for talented individuals to fill the gap. It is also predicted that the nation will face a labour shortage in the future, when the post-war baby-boom age groups retire. Thus, this is the best time for you to pursue an education there and carve out your career. With a stable economy, strong public transport network, and access to affordable childcare services, Finland is a great place to study, work and raise a family.
Compared to other popular international student destinations such as Tokyo, London, Sydney, Vancouver or Paris, the cost of living is lower in Finland.
• Finland Is Ranked 1 As The Happiest Country In The World
• Unique Finnish Sports
• There Are 187,888 Lakes Within Finnish Territory
• Finland Has Free Education, Even At The University Level
• The Finnish Passport Is One Of The Best
• Freedom To Roam – The Right To Public Access
• In Finland When Someone Earns Their Ph.dd, They Get A Top Hat And Sword
• The Finns Regards Their Country As The Home Of Santa Claus, Or Saint Nicholas, And He Lives In The Northern Region Of Lapland
• There’s A Resort Where You Can Sleep In A Glass Igloo And Watch The Northern Lights.
Non-EU/EEA students taking English-taught Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programmes can also apply for scholarships with their respective universities and certain government bodies. For instance, the University of Tampere offers a host of scholarships to outstanding international students taking their Master’s degree programme in English.
Finland is home to some of the world’s best universities and this is a big reason why international students choose to study there. Eight Finnish universities were ranked in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2017, in its global top 500. The University of Helsinki scored the highest – 56th position.
With 10 multidisciplinary universities, eight of which making it to the top 500 global rankings, you’re guaranteed a high-quality education in Finland. The Finnish education system is one of the most advanced and best in the world, with a strong emphasis on problem-based learning. There are also a number of universities of applied sciences or polytechnics and these institutions focus on vocational training.
The University of Helsinki is the largest university in the country with more than 35,000 students and a sizable international student population. Some of the top scientists in the world are part of the university’s faculty. A degree from this university or any prestigious institution in Finland will make you competitive in today’s job market.
Like many students who are ambitious enough to pursue a degree abroad, you might consider cutting down the costs of your studies by taking a part-time job during your studies. So how does this work in Finland? Well, there are several ways you are allowed to do it:
- During the academic year: you can take up part-time employment if the work is related to your degree or it does not go over 25 hours/week.
- During breaks: you can work unlimited hours!
The most popular Bachelor’s disciplines you can study in Finland are:
- Bachelors in Business
- Bachelors in Computer Science
- Bachelors in Engineering
- Bachelors in Tourism
- Bachelors in Arts
- Bachelors in Science
Probably now you are wondering what are some great student cities. Everybody heard of Helsinki’s cosmopolitan vibe, so that would be an obvious choice. But if you don’t want to follow the flock, you might also want to consider student cities like:
- Tampere
- Espoo
- Kuopio
- Oulu
The most popular go-to institutions are the 24 universities of applied sciences (UAS) where most English-taught Bachelors are available. Highly appreciated, these former polytechnics are focused on research and development while also addressing the needs of the industry.
If you are from outside the EU/EEA, then you should save up between 4,000 and 11,000 EUR for academic tuition fees, depending on the programme.
Even so, there’s still hope. Tuition exemptions do exist for all students and there are also numerous scholarship options in Finland to get you covered. Wise DUCATION can find these scholarships for you. Solving the university tuition details is just half of the financial equation, as you also have to take into account the following expenses:
- Housing: ranging from 160 to 400 EUR/month depending on city and type of housing
- Food expenses: at least 150 – 300 EUR/month
Overall it would be wise to budget about 500 – 900 EUR/month for all the living expenses, including fun and transportation.
Residence permit
If you have studied and completed a degree in Finland,
- you may apply for a new residence permit on the basis of work immediately after you have found a job; or apply for a residence permit for seeking work if you are not yet employed.
Permanent residence permit
A permanent residence permit is valid until further notice. In other words, its period of validity is not limited. You may get a permanent residence permit if:
- you have lived in Finland continuously for four years with a continuous residence permit (the A permit); and
- the requirements for granting a continuous residence permit still exist.
The time period of four years begins:
- on the day of your entry into Finland if you had a continuous residence permit when you came to Finland; or
- on the first day of your first continuous residence permit if you applied for the permit in Finland; or
on the day of your entry into Finland if you have been granted a continuous residence permit on the basis of refugee status or subsidiary protection.
Minimum Salary in Helsinki, Finland
There is no official established minimum salary in Finland. But the minimum wages most professions receive in Finland is among the highest in the Eurozone. However, the minimum salary for new and renewal worker residence permit applications is €1,211 as of 2019, unless collective agreements for specific professions state otherwise.
Average Salary in Helsinki, Finland
The average salary in Helsinki is around € 2,800 euros per month. This figure is for net salaries. Helsinki has the highest salaries in Finland, but also the highest cost of living. The difference from other Finnish cities is notable especially when you consider property and rent prices. It is important to stress that despite Finland’s high cost of living; it is still considerably lower than in their Nordic neighbors such as Sweden and Norway.