Hyphen International Education Consultancy

WHY STUDY IN FINLAND?

The European Union member state and Nordic country, Finland, is one of the best destinations for international students intending to study abroad. The availability of wide range of courses taught in English language with the most sophisticated learning environment made Finland favorable destination for foreign students. Finland has developed its world class education system which offers students wonderful higher education opportunities in almost all fields of study. The reputation of its education system is high not only because it provides high standard of education but because also because it is continuously working and investing for increment in level of educational standards. As such, the national educational strategy is to invest substantial amount on research based education to develop the country as the information society.
The higher educational wings of Finland constitutes of Universities and Polytechnics which provide most advanced state-of-art facilities to its students. The educational culture of Finland includes coordination and support between teachers and students throughout the study period. Teachers are always available to support and solve the problem that may occur to the students.
The international students life in Finland is not just about studying, instead it will be the most exciting, enjoyable, and memorable time in their whole life time. The unique Finnish culture, the geopolitical location neighboring Sweden, Norway, Russia, and Estonia gives student a wonderful and once in a life opportunities to explore all these countries at once along with the chances to know the cultures of one part of the world. Student will also have wonderful experience of Finnish way of life which consists high-tech society with an unspoiled nature.

Instructions about the method to get admission in Finnish Universities
The admission procedures and practices vary from one university to another and one faculty to another. So, it will be wise to contact directly to the admissions department of related university for necessary admission information, application deadlines and procedures.
However, in Finland, the admission requirements can be categorized according to Degree Students and Exchange Students.
For Degree Students
For Degree Students, the common requirements for admission in Finnish educational institutions are:
Undergraduate Level Studies
It is very tough to get admission in undergraduate level studies for foreign students in Finland because each year limited number of students are granted opportunity to study in Finland for this level. Therefore competition is keen. Admissions are completely based on international students academic achievement on previous study levels.
The basic requirements for admission in undergraduate level for international students in Finland are:

1. Student must have completed an internationally recognized higher secondary education that is equivalent to Finnish Upper Secondary Education or Matriculation Examination.
2. Student must show good command in English by means of an internationally recognized English test like IELTS and TOEFL if English is not their first language.
3. Student must be prepared to take the entrance examination in which they must score sufficient mark that can satisfy admission officer.

Note: For technical subjects or for students intending to apply in Polytechnic Institutes or Universities of Applied Science, they must have completed internationally recognized higher secondary education that corresponds to their intended field of studies. The application procedure for programs conducted in English at Universities of Applied Sciences takes place through joint application system. Student are eligible to apply for up to four different degree programs using same application form. For more information please refer to www.admissions.fi
Postgraduate Level Studies
The basic requirements for admission in undergraduate level for international students in Finland are:

1. Student must have completed an internationally recognized bachelors degree.
2. Student must show good command in English by means of an internationally recognized English test like IELTS and TOEFL if English is not their first language.
3. Student must be prepared to take the entrance examination in which they must score sufficient mark that can satisfy admission officer.

Doctoral Level Studies
The basic requirements for admission in Doctorate level for international students in Finland are:

1. Student must have completed an internationally recognized masters degree.
2. If English isnt the first language of the students, theyll require to show proficiency in English Language by means of English Tests like TOEFL and IELTS.

STUDENT VISA PROCESS

Process to obtain Finnish Student Visa for international students
Depending upon the nationality, the process for the student visa and residence permit application for Finland may be different.
Student Visa For Students from Nordic Countries including Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Students from Nordic Countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland) including Switzerland and Liechtenstein do not need to obtain visa and residence permit do study, work, and live in Finland. Student from these country have no restrictions regarding documents and other visa related issues.
Student Visa For Students from European EU/EEA Countries
Students from member nations of European Union EU or European Economic Area EEA do not need student visa or residence permit before arriving in Finland. Theyll not need to obtain a student visa if they intend to stay upto 90 days in Finland. But if their study duration in Finnish Educational Institutions lasts longer than 90 days, then they must register their right to stay in Finland at a local police department.
The following are the conditions the EU/EEA students must meet to obtain right to stay and study in Finland for more than 90 days:

1. Student must show that they need to stay in Finland for the study purpose in Finnish educational institutions.
2. They must show sufficient funds to support their studies and living costs in Finland.
3. They must show that they have valid health insurance covering all the health risks during their stay in Finland.

Documents Required to Submit to Local Police Department for permission to reside in Finland

1. A completely filled application form along with a photograph attached with it.
2. A certificate or letter of acceptance showing that the student is enrolled for the full time study in Finnish educational institute including information related to study program and the duration of the program.
3. Accommodation documentation including information regarding the place where they are going to stay during their studies.
4. Health Insurance certificate covering all the health risks that is valid till the students education duration in Finland.
5. Financial support documents (It may be a certificate from a bank confirming that student have enough fund to support their stay in Finland or the necessary documents that show that students have received a scholarship, study grant or any other type of financial aid to study in Finnish educational institution or the documents from financer if the student is going to be financed by the local Finnish resident).

Student Visa For Students from Other Countries

Students from countries other than Nordic and EU/EEA must compulsorily obtain a visa prior to entering into Finland. If student have been accepted as an full time student and wishes to stay for more than 90 days in Finland for study purpose, then foreign student from these countries need to apply and obtain residence permit from the Finnish diplomatic mission in their home country before entering Finland. If international students are requested to take an entrance  examination before being admitted as foreign student in Finnish educational institutions, then they need to apply for a visa for the period of the entrance examination.

Documents Required to Submit in Finnish Diplomatic Mission to obtain Finnish Visa and Residence Permit

1. A completely filled application form along with a photograph attached with it.
2. A certificate or letter of acceptance showing that the student is enrolled for the full time study in Finnish educational institution including information related to study program and the duration of the program.
3. Accommodation documentation including information regarding the place where they are going to stay during their studies.
4. Health Insurance certificate covering all the health risks that is valid till the students students complete in Finland.
5. Financial support documents (It may be a certificate from a bank confirming that student have enough fund to support their stay in Finland or the necessary documents that show that student have received a scholarships, study grants or any other type of financial aid to study in Finnish educational institution or the documents from financer if the student is going to be financed by the local Finnish resident).

FINANCIAL AIDS

Scholarships and Financial aid available for International Students in Finland
There is wide range of scholarships and financial aid available for international students in Finland. The Center for International Mobility (CIMO) is responsible for scholarships and financial aid provided to foreign students in Finland. The scholarships are available for students from all countries and in all level and faculty. In an average, around 700 students get different scholarships and financial aid to study in Finnish educational institutions including various universities and colleges every year. Different scholarship program has different eligibility criteria, application deadlines and procedures.
The scholarships and financial aids program normally includes monthly allowances. The amount of allowance vary according to academic performance of the applicant in previous studies and according to scholarship schemes.
To know more about scholarships and financial programs available in Finland for International Students, visit the CIMO website.

LIVING COST IN FINLAND

Living Cost for International Students in Finland
In an average, the student living cost in Finland is high in comparison to its European neighbours. The cost of living in main cities like Helsinki can be even more higher. Students must be careful and must have special consideration while planning to study in Finland regarding high living cost that includes food, rent, health care, study materials, transportation, insurance, and any other costs . It is very difficult to support the living expenses, especially for the students from the Developing Asian and African Countries. If any financial assistance, grants or any scholarship is not awarded to students, it will be very difficult to maintain normal life standard. One of the way to support living expenses is to work in Finland up to 20 hours a week. But it is very difficult to find jobs in Finland as the unemployment rate is high and most of the employer seek the people who know Finnish language.

It is estimated that international student need around US Dollar USD 850 to maintain the normal student life standard in Finland. This amount may vary according to the area where student going to reside. The cost of accommodation, and other services will vary according to place they stay. In cities, it is obvious to be more expensive to live than in villages. If student will cook food for themselves in their own apartments, then considerable sum of money can be saved. It is compulsory to become member of the student union for the students studying at Bachelors and Masters degree level. Student Union will charge from USD 55 to USD 115 as a annual membership fee which entitles the student to a number of benefits including but not limited to health services, subsidized meals, cheap travel options and other discounts.