Study in Finland for Indian Students: Requirements, Fees, Scholarships

Are you thinking of studying abroad? Consider studying in Finland! With around 30 prestigious universities offering about 600 programs, Finland offers a unique blend of academic excellence and a supportive learning environment. Finnish universities provide a wide range of degree programs in English, making it an attractive option for international students. With a focus on innovation, research, and student well-being, Finland not only ensures a world-class education but also offers students opportunities to grow both professionally and personally. Don’t know where to start. Here is a comprehensive blog on how to study in Finland, requirements, fees, scholarships, and more.

Why Study in Finland?

Finland stands out as a top study-abroad destination for its world-class education system, safe environment, and innovative universities. Here are some advantages of studying in Finland for international students:

• Student-Centric Policies: Finnish students have significant influence on educational quality and access to free municipal library services and internet facilities.
• Differentiated Higher Education System: Students can choose between research-focused universities and practical-oriented Universities of Applied Sciences, providing tailored learning experiences.
• Safe and Secure Environment: Low crime rates and a welcoming society make Finland one of the safest destinations for international students.
• Egalitarian and Stable Society: Finland promotes equality, wage parity, and peace, offering a balanced lifestyle for students.
• Over 400 English-Taught Programs: A wide array of programs across fields ensures students can find a course matching their interests.

Finland Higher Education System Overview

Understanding its higher education system is crucial for international students wanting to study in Finland. There are 2 major sectors in Finland comprising of universities and Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS).

• Universities in Finland: These institutions offer Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctor degrees.
• Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS): UAS in Finland refer to higher education institutions that focus on applied training and research. They offer practice-orientated Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

Finland Grading System

Finland’s grading system for higher education typically follows a scale from 0 to 5, although it may vary slightly across universities. To ensure international compatibility, these grades are often converted to the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) grading scale, making it easier for international students to understand their academic standing.

Finnish Grade (0-5)	Description	ECTS Grade Scale
5	Excellent	A
4	Very Good	B
3	Good	C
2	Satisfactory	D
1	Sufficient	E
0	Fail	F

Courses in Finland for International Students

Finland education system for higher education offers more than 600 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs taught in English. Also, there are options for doctoral study and research. Here is what you need to know about courses in Finland for international students.

Level of Study in Finland	*Eligibility	ECTS Credits	Duration
Bachelor’s Degrees	Upper secondary school certificate and school-leaving document.	210-270	University: 3 years UAS: 3.5 to 4.5 years
Master’s Degrees	Completed a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. 2 years of work experience in the same field.	120	University: 2 years UAS: 1 – 1.5 years
Doctoral (PhD) Degrees	Completed a master’s degree in a related field of study.	240	4 years

*These are general eligibility conditions which may vary from one degree to another, so remember to check the details from the official website of the university you are interested in. And for non-native English speakers, IELTS or TOEFL scores are important to demonstrate their English-proficiency level.

While going through the table, you must come across the term “ECTS Credits”. What do you understand by the ECTS credits? In general, it shows the total volume of learning based on the set learning outcomes and their related workload. For example, 1 full-time academic year is equal to 60 higher education credit, where 1 credit corresponds to 25 to 30 hours of workload.

Popular Fields of Study in Finland

Finland is renowned for offering a wide range of disciplines across its universities. The following are some of the major disciplines you can pursue in Finland:

Art, Design & Media	Business & Management
Computer Science & IT	Engineering & Technology
Environment & Agriculture	Humanities
Law	Medicine & Health
Natural Sciences & Mathematics	Social Sciences, Journlism
Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries	Education

Top Universities to Study in Finland

Universities in Finland are known for providing virtual learning environments, free libraries, great infrastructure, and modern learning facilities. Finland has 13 universities and 22 universities of applied sciences (UAS), offering around 600 undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Moreover, all institutions offer scholarship opportunities for international students.

University	Location
University of Helsinki	Helsinki
Aalto University	Espoo
University of Oulu	Oulu
Tampere University	Tampere
University of Turku	Turku
University of Eastern Finland	Joensuu and Kuopio
University of Jyväskylä	Jyväskylä
LUT University	Lappeenranta and Lahti
Åbo Akademi University	Turku

Admission Process to Study in Finland

Do you know how to apply for admission into Finland universities? Well, there are 2 popular ways to do it:

• Joint application: It allows students to apply to up to 6 programs using a single application form.
• Separate application: It allows students to apply directly to their chosen degree at an institution.

Let’s first understand the general requirements for all courses.

Eligibility Criteria

• Bachelor’s courses: You need an IB Diploma, EB diploma, or vocational qualifications of 3 or more years.
• Master’s courses: You need to first complete your bachelor’s degree and possess a minimum of 2 years of experience.

Application Process

Applying to Finnish universities requires a few essential steps. Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to help you understand how to go through the process:

1. Research Available Study Programs:

Start by researching the study programs offered by Finnish universities. You can choose from a wide range of programs in English and Finnish/Swedish.

2. Choose Your Preferred Programs:

You can apply to up to 6 study programs with one application form. These can be from different universities or universities of applied sciences.

3. Understand the Application Rounds:

Spring Joint Application: This round includes English-taught programs. You don’t need to rank your preferences, and you may receive offers from multiple programs.
Autumn Joint Application & Finnish/Swedish-Taught Programs: In this round, you must rank your programs by preference. You can only be accepted to one program.

4. Prepare Required Documents:

Gather all necessary documents like transcripts, language proficiency certificates, CV, and recommendation letters. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for each program.

5. Submit Your Application:

Complete the online application form on the official Finnish university application portal (Studyinfo.fi).

6. Wait for Offers:

If you applied in the spring joint application, you may receive offers from multiple programs. However, if you applied in the autumn round, you’ll be offered a place in the program you ranked highest and meet the admission criteria.

7. Accept an Offer:

Once you receive your offer of admission, you can accept only one offer for the same academic term.

8. Check Supplementary Application Rounds:

If some programs have unfilled spots, supplementary application rounds will open. Check for new options and apply if available.

9. Prepare for Your Journey:

After accepting your offer, start planning your visa, accommodation, and other preparations for studying in Finland.

Documents Required

International students applying to UK universities must submit a few important documents as a part of their application. 

• A copy of the passport
• A copy of the visa
• Proof of English language test results from IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent 
• An offer letter from any UK university (in most cases)
• Academic transcripts
• Proof of funds
• Passport-size photographs

Cost of Studying in Finland

Finland tuition fees for international students depends on the study level and institutions.

• Bachelor’s courses: The tuition fee for international students for bachelor’s programs in Finland ranges from EUR 8,000 to EUR 20,000 per year.
• Student Union Fees: Apart from tuition fees, students also have to pay Student Union Fees of about EUR 50 – EUR 70 a year. It gives them access to student discounts in restaurants and public transport.
• Doctoral programs: Students in doctoral programs in Finland do not have to pay a tuition fee regardless of nationality.

Other conditions of fee exemption include those students with an EU Blue Card or permanent or fixed-term residence permit. Moreover, an exchange student may not have to pay the tuition fee. Also, if you choose to study in Finland, either in Finnish or Swedish, then you may be exempted from tuition charges.

Cost of Living in Finland

According to NUMBEO, the cost of living in Finland for a single person is estimated at around EUR 977.7. It is quite an expensive place to live but provides great returns due to its quality of education and other academic opportunities.

Particulars	Cost of Living in Finland in EUR
Meal for 2 People	80
Cappuccino	4.19
One-way Ticket	3
Taxi 1km	1.40
Utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, and more)	123.91

Source: NUMBEO

Scholarships for International Students to Study in Finland

To ease the financial burden of pursuing higher studies in Finland, students might opt for scholarships. Let’s take a look at some of the scholarships you can avail for studying in Finland:

• Finland Government Scholarships for International Students
• University of Helsinki International Student Scholarship Grant
• University of Turku Postdoctoral Research in Science and Medicine
• CIMO Doctoral Fellowship for International Students
• University of Oulu Masters Scholarships for International Students
• Aalto University Scholarship
• University of Helsinki Scholarships for International Students
• University of Tampere Scholarships for International Students
• EDUFI Fellowships Program for Young Doctoral Students
• Protein Science International Masters Scholarship at University of Oulu Finland

Student Visa to Study in Finland 

As an Indian or international student wanting to study in Finland, you need a valid passport and a visa to enter a new country.

• Single-entry Visa: It enables the holder to enter and stay in Finland for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
• Double-entry Visa: It allows holders to enter into Finland twice and may remain valid in the Schengen area for up to 90 days.
• Multiple-entry Visa: It is granted for various consecutive visits to the Schengen area and the total duration of the stay cannot exceed 90 days in a 180-day period and this is valid for a maximum of 5 years.

In case you wish to extend the validity of your visa while in Finland, you need to contact the local police authorities there.

Are you planning to stay in Finland for more than 3 months? Then, you will need a residence permit. Remember to apply for the residence permit before you move out to study in Finland. Your application will be transferred to the Finnish Immigration Service and you’ll be later called for an interview. 

Part Time Jobs in Finland

While studying in Finland, students often find it difficult to manage their expenses, making part-time jobs a popular option.

• Students in Finland can work for up to 25 hours a week while studying during the semester.
• During school breaks, you are allowed to work full-time.
• There is no limit on the number of working hours if your work is related to the degree you are pursuing in Finland. a student can work for. Students working in Finland usually make around 9 to 13 euros per hour depending on the working hours and the job sector. Usually evening shifts pay better compared to other shifts. Job sectors like software engineering and information technology pay really well for students.

Students often take up the following part time jobs – 

1. Working in a restaurant
2. Delivering food or newspapers (common part-time jobs for both Finnish and international students) 
3. Managing hotels, restaurants, ferries, shopping malls or company offices.

Post Study Work Permit in Finland

Finland allows students with Post-study work permit to stay and find employment within 2 years. This country is full of lucrative opportunities and high-paying fields for students to build successful careers.

Job Prospects for Students in Finland

When it comes to choosing a country to study abroad, ROI (Return on Investment) plays a crucial role. In the case of Finland, students find a wide variety of job prospects with in-demand job roles being:

Job Profile	Average Annual Salary (EUR)
Nursing	30,000 – 38,000
Healthcare Assistants	26,000 – 32,000
Psychologist	40,000 – 50,000
Dentist	60,000 – 80,000
Marketing Manager	50,000 – 70,000
Daycare Teacher	30,000 – 36,000
Financial Accountant	45,000 – 55,000
General Practitioner	60,000 – 90,000
Civil Engineer	45,000 – 60,000
Software Developer	50,000 – 70,000
HR Manager	50,000 – 65,000
Project Manager	50,000 – 70,000

*These salaries are approximate and can vary depending on factors such as experience, qualifications, and location within Finland.

Top Recruitment Agencies in Finland

Here is a list of the top recruitment agencies in Finland:

• StaffPoint
• Talent
• Boyden
• Barona Teollisuus Oy
• Experis Finland
• Eezy
• Talentbyte
• Horton International

FAQs

Interesting Reads

Top Courses to Study in Finland	List of Universities in Finland
Vocational Schools in Finland for International Students	Study IT in Finland: Free, Without IELTS, Requirements
Look for Jobs as an International Student with a Finland Post Study Work Visa	Cheapest University in Finland for International Students

So, what are you waiting for? Its time to bring your passion to study in Finland and discover why it is a great place to pursue your higher education. If you are interested in studying in Finland and would like to find out more, Leverage Edu can help you in choosing the right course and university, besides helping in services like student visa, loan, financing, scholarships, accommodation, work opportunities and what not!