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The Finnish higher education system consists of polytechnics and universities. The Ministry of Education and Culture Finland steer the activities of polytechnics and universities by means of performance management.
Universities are autonomous and so are independent in their affairs and research. Degrees and Masters degrees offered are similar to those in the UK.
Polytechnics have close contact with businesses and industries at a regional level. The degrees offered by polytechnics have an occupational emphasis, designed to meet the needs of the working world.
Full-time Bachelors degrees last three years and Masters degrees take two years. Both Bachelors and Masters degree courses are classified as undergraduate degrees in Finland.
Postgraduate degrees are the Licentiate degree, which lasts two years and the Doctoral thesis, which can be done in four years but often takes longer. Doctoral studies are closely linked with research work done at universities and international institutions. Students may start working for a Doctorate once they have completed a Masters degree.
The Discover Finland website has an international study programmes database, which gives information on courses taught in English in Finnish universities and polytechnics.
There are 16 universities in Finland. Ten are multi-faculty, two are universities of technology, one is a school of economics and business administration and the remaining three are art academies. There are 25 polytechnics which operate under the Ministry of Education and Culture. A list of universities and polytechnics in Finland are available from CIMO (Centre for International Mobility) and Universities Worldwide.
World university rankings may be found on the Top Universities website and at Times Higher Education.
Higher education institutions in Finland decide independently on the eligibility of foreign qualifications, so it is necessary to contact the admissions office at the institution you are applying to. Usually, if you would be eligible to apply for higher education in your home country you would be eligible to apply for it in Finland. You may be invited to take part in an entrance examination in Finland. For some Masters degrees at polytechnics, a degree and three years of work experience is required.
Application dates vary depending on institution, course and your country of residence (some have no application deadlines) and it is necessary to contact the institution you wish to apply to for more details. You should apply in plenty of time. The academic year runs from September to May.
Applications are made directly to the university you wish to attend. Forms are available from the universities and polytechnics. For contact details, visit Discover Finland.
Some universities use the University Admissions Finland Application System, which is an online admissions service. Check the website of the relevant institution to see if this is an option.
Each course and institution has different application procedures, but in general you may be required to complete a ‘motivation letter’ or personal statement and provide copies of your degree transcript.
There are no tuition fees for Finnish or EU/EEA citizens in Finnish universities or polytechnics. Non-EU/EEA citizens may have to pay tuition fees for some selected English language Masters degrees. This may start on a trial basis in 2010-2012.
The student unions in universities charge an annual membership fee of about €42-84 to cover their activities. Membership is compulsory for those who are studying for their Bachelors or Masters degrees, but optional for those doing a Doctorate. Student union membership in polytechnics is also optional.
Students in both universities and polytechnics have to pay for their books and other materials, plus their accommodation and living expenses. The average total monthly living expenses for a student are around €700 (Source: Discover Finland).
The following websites contain information about scholarships:
UK students on undergraduate degree programmes or postgraduate Masters and some PhD programmes may be interested in spending time studying in Finland through Erasmus. This programme is open to all subject areas but check with your institution's Erasmus coordinator first (usually based in the international office) to see which countries they have links with and in which subject areas.
As part of the Bologna Process, a Finnish postgraduate course is directly comparable to the UK equivalent. Full details on comparing international qualifications are also available from the UK National Recognition Information Centre (NARIC), which gives information and advice on vocational, academic and professional qualifications from over 180 countries.
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