Study in Finland
DESTINATION FINLAND
Finland is the happiest, safest and cleanest country in the world. Studying in Finland can be anyone’s dream. Finland is located in Northern Europe and borders Norway and Sweden. The country’s educational system is one of the most important foundations of its society. The Finns are proud to have an educational system that gives equal chances to everyone, regardless of sex, finances or language. English is spoken by almost everyone and Finland has a lot to offer to international students who want to venture into its lands. The Finnish higher education institutions currently offer altogether over 450 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in English. Doctoral study and research options are available too. Summer schools are also at hand as they provide a large number of excellent courses. Two key factors which make Finland a great higher-eddestination are – the availability of jobs and affordably priced education. A student can earn their degree at 1/3rdof the cost in other countries like Australia and the US. Furthermore, there are plenty of jobs currently available and being created across a plethora of sectors.
Study in Finland
In close cooperation with selected higher education institutions, focus is to make the application procedures easier and more efficient for both students and the universities. We are here to support student mobility, make quality education more accessible, and to increase general knowledge about Finland worldwide. The most well-known universities in Finland are:
· The University of Helsinki
· The University of Turku
· Arcada University of Applied Sciences (Arcada)
· Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
· Helsinki School of Business (HELBUS)
· Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK)
· Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (KAMK)
· Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT)
· Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
· Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK)
· Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SeAMK)
· Turku University of Applied Sciences (TUAS)
Studying in Finland is not just about the studies, it’s a whole experience: the climate, the adventures you can experience in the safest country in the world, the friendships and networks you can build and the wonderful times you will be having on their beautiful coastline. Don’t think twice, choose Finland as your next study destination!
SUMMARY OF FINNISH SYSTEM
· Our universities are public, except HELBUS.
o Finnish Government monitors the universities closely so they maintain high quality
· All our programs are taught in English
o Over 450 English taught programs as we focus on international students
· Best programs to study in Finland
o STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths)
o Business
o Environment-related
o Health Sciences
o Sports Management etc.
· Intake
o Mostly Sept intake, but we have some programs with Jan intake (ask us!)
· Duration
o Programs in Finland are credit-based
§ If students study more credits at the same time, they will graduate faster
§ Average graduate in 3-4 years for Bachelors
§ Average graduate in 1-2 years for Masters
o Key Benefit:
§ Tuition fees are charged per year, not per credit. (Different from USA/Canada)
§ This means that if students study more credits at the same time, and graduate faster say for 2 years, they will pay only 2 years of tuition fees. (even if the amount of credits they need to graduate are the same as studying for 3 or 4 years)
· Entry Requirements
o Different for universities
o IELTS/TOEFL/entrance exams/interviews/motivation letter/motivation video, etc
o Entrance exams/interviews are held online. Students can do at home
· Scholarships
o 20-50% for 2nd and 3rd year of studies
o Not automatically given
§ Students need to apply for scholarships at the end of 1st year.
o Easy to get
§ Scholarships don’t need a high score to attain.
§ Universities just need the student to study a certain number of courses, and then will give scholarship
· Tuition and Living expenses
o Undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree – 6,000 to 11,850 EUR/year
o Postgraduate Master’s Degree - 10,000 to 15,000 EUR/year
o Doctoral Degree – no tuition fees
o Living expenses – approximately 7000 EUR/year (depends on location, kind of accommodation and lifestyle)
· Part-time work
o During Term-time: Max of 25 hours/week (more than other countries!)
o Outside Term-time: Unlimited
o Minimum wage: 9 EUR/hour; wages double during weekends
· Application Process
o Around 3-4 weeks
o Apply with us
o You will receive confirmation letter
o We will handle the application.
o Application sent to university to handle.
o Students receive unconditional offer letter
o Students pay 1 year tuition fee (unless otherwise stated)
o Students receive acceptance letter
· Application for Visas and Student Residency Permit
o Whole Process takes around 60 working days
o Visa for courses below 90 days
o Student Residency Permit for courses above 90 days (Bachelor’s/Masters)
o No English Requirement for Student Residency Permit/Visa
o List of required documents
§ Student bank account needs 6720 EUR as their living expenses(not other people’s bank account)
§ Separate from tuition fees
Acceptance letter and fee receipt from university Health insurance with 40,000 EUR coverage for 3+ year courses, 100,000 EUR coverage for 3 year courses Post-Study Stayback Visa 1 year, students can look for jobs Graduate Job opportunities Lots available Government wants more international students as they need more people to work there. 30000 new job opportunities created every year in the areas of Engineering (), . There will be a need for at least 20,000 employees in ICT alone.100,000 technology opportunities are expected to come up in the coming years
PR rights and Get Finnish Citizenship PR rights (4 years) Finnish Citizenship (7 years) Study period is also counted The Study period is halved for the purpose of PR and Citizenship application E.g. If the student graduates Bachelors in 3 years, this is halved (3/2 years) to become 1.5 years, calculated towards PR/Citizenship
· Student just needs to be in Finland for another 3.5 years (1.5+2.5=4 years) to get PR, and another 3 years (1.5+2.5+3=7 years) to get Finnish Citizenship.
No language requirements for getting PR. For Finnish Citizenship, need to take a simple exam to test the Finnish. Finland welcomes immigration, unlike many other countries – over 7000 Indians currently live/study in Finland.
Finland visa process
For any stay exceeding 90 days in Finland, you need a student residence permit which is granted 1 year at a time. This means that you will have to renew it every year. The renewal fee is 200€. To be able to renew it, students should have earned at least 45 ECTS credits during the academic year and have registered their attendance for the next semester. Success rate of 91.2%. If rejected, one can reapply post 3 months. Steps to apply for a residence permit
1. As soon as the offer letter arrives, the student must send a mail to the Finnish Embassy in India at visa.nde@formin.fi . It is important that the mail is sent as soon as the offer letter arrives to ensure timely appointments without any delay.
2. Format:
Name of applicant: Number of applicants: Online or offline application: Residence permit category: The appointment date is usually allotted around 4 weeks from the date of the mail (approx data).
3. The student must also submit an online application for the residence permit at EnterFinland.fi by providing the following documents:
CHECKLIST
1. A valid passport
2. The official admission letter from a Finnish educational institution
3. A clarification of income: you need to have 6720 EUR in your bank account (registered under your name). If your country’s currency is not Euro, you can ask the bank to translate and change the currency into euro. Written sponsorships from private guarantors are not accepted. There is no minimum time period before which the money should have been added to the account.
4. An insurance certificate (coverage of 40,000 EUR/year for UG and 120,000 EUR/year for PG):
If you have the insurance coverage that is asked, it doesn’t matter what country you take your insurance from as long as it covers you during your period in Finland. Take it from an Indian company you can trust such as TATA AIG, Trawelltag etc. Once you’re in Finland you can also take an insurance from a company there. PLEASE NOTE: Travel insurance is not valid to be eligible for a residence permit. Travel insurance usually covers only 90 days and your insurance should cover you during your complete period of studies. Failing to do so may delay your decision.
5. Passport photos size 36 x 47 mm
6. 300 EUR for the fee (can be paid online)
7. A clarification regarding the origin of funds:
If your parents or other guardians pay for your studies:
· If your parents/ guardians work, you should scan his/her/their employment contracts and bank account statement from the last 6 months.
· If your parents/ guardians run a business (e.g shop, housing rental) or are self-employed, you should scan their business certificate (the certificate that proves the business is legitimate by the government/ authority), their bank account statement from the last 6 months.
If you have a job that can finance your studies: You should scan your employment contract. Remember to print copies of your required documents as stated on the online application form.
Method of payment 1) Credit and debit card (visa credit, visa debit, Mastercard, discovery, American express). 2) You can also pay at the service point, which you must visit after you submitted your application online. If you are under 18 years old, you need a paper that shows “Consent from the guardian”, written by in English your guardian (for example, parents). This document can be added in step 4 in EnterFinland.fi when you submit other documents. Bring the required documents and Visit the Embassy/Consulate at the appointment time. You need to attend this appointment in person. At the Embassy/Consulate, you would have to give your (a) Fingerprints (b) Copies of your required documents as stated on you online application form. Some of the original copies will be returned to you after this appointment, but some will be taken by the Embassy/Consulate, such as the Bank Statement. You will be asked some questions such as: Where are you going to study? Who is sponsoring your studies? Where will you be living? After a few weeks, you will receive an email from the Embassy with the result. This email will contain all necessary information regarding when and where you should collect the student residence permit. If required, you will be required to attend a second round of interview. This will be intimated by the embassy.
SUMMARY
Wait for the offer letter from the university E-mail the Finnish embassy and book an appointment well in advance Fill in the online application at enterfinland.fi Bring the originals and a copy of all the documents you have uploaded with your residence permit application Be on time. REMEMBER the Finnish embassy is quite busy and it takes time to receive appointments so have all your documents in check, so the process is faster and you can begin your studies smoothly
UNIVERSITY
REQUIREMENTS
1. Arcada University of Applied Sciences
· Copy of higher secondary school certificate
· Copy of Passport
· IELTS (6.0), TOEFL (79)
· SAT- 1100 (Minimum 500 in reading, writing and language test, 500 minimum in math)
· MASTERS:
· GRE: minimum score of 150 in Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning and a minimum of 4 in Analytical Writing
· GMAT: minimum score 450
· Employment certificate, minimum 3 years
· Motivational letter
2. Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
· Copy of Passport
· Copy of higher secondary school certificate
· SAT- 500 points in Evidence-based reading and writing and 500 points in Math, 400 in Math for Hospitality Management
· MASTERS:
· Bachelor’s degree certificate
· 3 years’ work experience
· SAT: 600 in evidence based reading and writing and Math
· Additional requirements: Advance assignment, cv, skype interview
3. Helsinki School of Business (HELBUS), degree comes from University of Northampton
· Bachelor’s degree from any field
· Copy of Passport
· Copy of higher secondary school certificate
· IELTS: 6.0 (no section below 5.5) orTOEFL : 72 (no section below)
· Other documents: personal statement and academic reference letter
· MASTERS:
· Bachelor’s degree certificate and transcript
· IELTS: 6.5 (no section below 6.0)
· TOEFL: 90
· Other documents: personal statement, academic reference letter and CV
4. Häme University of Applied Sciences
· Copy of Passport
· Copy of higher secondary school certificate
· Entrance exam and interview OR SAT
5. Kajaani University of Applied Sciences
· Copy of Passport
· Copy of higher secondary school certificate
· IELTS: 5.5
· TOEFL: 46
· Other documents:
· Motivational letter and video
· Additional video that includes sports test for Sports and Leisure Management
6. Lappeenranta University of Technology
(LUT)
Master’s degree:
· Bachelor’s degree certificate
· Transcript of records (70%)
· Passport copy
· IELTS: 6.0TOEFL: 80
· GMAT or GRE(please consult us for degree specific instructions)
7. Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
· Copy of Passport
· Copy of higher secondary school certificate
· SAT: 500 in Math, Evidence based reading and writing
· MASTERS:
· Bachelor’s degree certificate
· 3 years’ work experience
· Other documents: pre-assignment and interview
8. Satakunta University of Applied Sciences
· Copy of Passport
· Copy of higher secondary school certificate
· IELTS: 5.5
· TOEFL: 46
· Other documents:
· SAT testOROnline exam
9. Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences
· Copy of Passport
· Copy of higher secondary school certificate
· Interview: this interview will test the students language skills, must be at par with an IELTS 5.5
10. Turku University of Applied Sciences
· Copy of Passport
· Copy of higher secondary school certificate
· IELTS: 5.5
· TOEFL: 46
· Motivational video
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