Finland
Topping international league tables for education and coming in the top three for technological innovation, it's easy to see why Finland is an attractive prospect for students
There are two types of higher education institutions in Finland:
The eligibility of foreign qualifications is decided by the individual institution, therefore you should contact the specific admissions office of your chosen university.
You may have to take an entrance exam to do a Bachelors or a Masters, and at polytechnics you will need an undergraduate degree and three years of work experience to gain entry to the course.
When applying to do a Masters in Finland, your eligibility is based on the extent and quality of your earlier academic qualifications, your language skills and other possible faculty-specific requirements.
European Union (EU) citizens are entitled to attend university in Finland or any EU country (this means the 27 member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). The same conditions apply to all EU citizens whether a national of the country or not. Therefore, EU nationals don't have to pay tuition fees for higher education degrees in Finland.
For student exchanges, there can be a fee, especially if there's no agreement between the sending and receiving institutions.
Foreign students must have lived in Finland for at least two years for some other purpose than studies and be considered a permanent resident in Finland to apply for student financial aid.
There are scholarships available to study in Finland, which are issued based on individual circumstances. These include:
You may be eligible to apply for some study abroad scholarships in your home country and from international organisations and foundations. You should contact the individual organisation to find out more.
You also need to pay a small fee to your chosen university's student union. With this membership fee, you'll get subsidised meals and travel.
Students attending UK universities can take part in the flagship educational exchange programme Erasmus . The scheme offers work placements, study opportunities and language assistantships, which last from three months to one academic year in EU countries.
Financial support is also available to selected Masters and Doctoral students through the Erasmus Mundus initiative.
Your university must have a formal agreement with a partner university in Finland. Check that your university is involved in the programme and offers the Erasmus scheme in your subject.
It isn't necessary to speak the Finnish language, but if you want to, you can arrange intensive language courses before you go. Speak to the Erasmus coordinator at your university about available opportunities.
As an EU citizen, you are permitted to live in any EU country while studying as long as you:
Some countries require you to register with the local authority after three months. Find out how to register at Europa - Rights, Conditions and Formalities .
Internationally competitive in areas such as telecommunications, electronics and engineering, find out why Finland has plenty to offer those looking for work
Finland's job market has historically been dominated by the agriculture and manufacturing industries. However, it has now become a service society with most of its vacancies in the retail and industrial work professions.
Finland's main industries are electronics, metal and the wood and paper industry.
It is predicted that jobs will be created in healthcare and social work, as well as in services that support business life.
Led by phone manufacturer Nokia, Finland's telecommunications industry has made the country one of the most technologically advanced in the world.
Search for jobs in Finland at:
Finnish employers expect graduates to have relevant experience before they are hired.
Practical training placements in Finland are possible through European Union (EU) programmes such as Comenius , which provides experience for those wishing to work in education.
Internships and summer work placements for students can also be arranged by:
Volunteering can help you to improve your Finnish language skills and allow you to embrace the country's culture.
KVT (Kansainvälinen vapaaehtoistyö), which translates as the International Voluntary Service, organises work camps lasting from two to four weeks. The aim of the camps is to promote equality, social acceptance and respect for the environment, through getting out in to the community.
Make sure you thoroughly research all volunteering opportunities and always check the terms and conditions before committing yourself to a scheme.
The country has two official languages - Finnish (sometimes referred to as Suomi) and Swedish (spoken by only around 6% of the population). A basic knowledge of Finnish is important for most jobs, although this depends how far you are from the capital city, Helsinki. The type of job you do will also affect how good your language skills need to be. For example, you will be expected to have quite a high level of Finnish to work in the healthcare sector.
There are some Finnish language courses in the UK and many good websites exist to help you learn a language or improve your skills. One example is Finn-Guild - Finnish Studies , the largest Finnish-British organisation with 10,000 members divided between the two countries. It organises evening courses, intensive courses and private tuition.
According to the European Commission, EU citizens have the right to:
For more information and to check what conditions and restrictions apply, see:
EU nationals may also be entitled to have certain types of health and social security coverage transferred to the country in which they go to seek work. For country-specific information on social security entitlements, see European Commission - Your Rights Country by Country .
Depending on your occupation, your qualifications may be recognised in some countries. To find out more, visit Europa - Qualifications for Employment .