More than just a beautiful country, Finland can be an attractive destination for international students. Tuition is generally free for programs taught in Finnish or Swedish, while non-EU/EEA students usually pay tuition for English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs, so always check the rules for your specific program.
Medicine is one of Finland’s most competitive fields. It is available at five universities: the University of Helsinki, the University of Eastern Finland, the University of Oulu, Tampere University, and the University of Turku. If you’re thinking of studying medicine in Finland, it’s best to know these important points.
1. What are the requirements to study medicine in Finland?
Applicants need general eligibility for higher education. This can be shown with a Finnish matriculation examination, an IB, EB, RP, DIA, or AICE qualification, an eligible vocational qualification, or a foreign qualification that gives eligibility for comparable higher education in the country where it was completed. Applicants must also prove the Finnish or Swedish language skills required by the study option.
All medical programs use certificate-based selection and entrance-exam selection. In the joint application, applicants can apply to up to six programs, but medical applicants must choose between medicine and dentistry; they cannot apply to both fields in the same application round. The medical entrance exam is part of the universities’ digital entrance examination B and tests biology, chemistry, and physics.
For the University of Helsinki and the other universities, applicants should follow the current instructions in Studyinfo and on the national medical admissions website. Some applicants may need to upload identity and education documents, and documents not issued in Finnish, Swedish, or English may require an official translation. SAT scores are not listed as a current standard requirement for medicine.
2. In what language do you study medicine in Finland?
Medicine is taught in Finnish and/or Swedish, not English. Most study options are Finnish-speaking. The University of Helsinki also has a Swedish-speaking study line; however, students on that line still need Finnish skills because other teaching and patient contacts may require Finnish.
3. Can you study medicine in Finland as an international student?
Yes. International applicants can apply if they meet the same eligibility, selection, and language requirements. Unlike many English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs in Finland, medical programs are taught in Finnish or Swedish, and the University of Helsinki states that fees are charged only for English-language programs, not Finnish- or Swedish-language programs. Students should still budget for living costs, student fees, residence-permit requirements, and possible application-related costs.
4. What are the components of the medical curriculum in Finland?
Medical education is structured as a Bachelor of Medicine of 180 ECTS credits, usually completed in three years, followed by a Licentiate of Medicine of 180 ECTS credits, usually completed in three years. Students whose study right began earlier may still complete the older single-cycle Licentiate of Medicine degree of 360 ECTS credits.
The early years focus on the scientific foundations of medicine, research skills, health promotion, disease prevention, and basic medical sciences. Clinical and practical training then becomes increasingly important, with teaching in hospitals, health centers, and other clinical settings.
Teaching methods vary by university and may include lectures, small-group teaching, clinical skills training, independent study, seminars, and assessments. Medical students also complete an advanced-studies thesis or comparable written research work as part of the degree.
The University of Helsinki PhD Study Track is available to eligible students in Finnish and Swedish. It lets selected first-year medicine, dentistry, logopedics, and psychology students begin doctoral research alongside their degree studies and work in research groups during five summers before completing their licentiate or master’s degrees.
5. How many medical schools are in Finland?
There are five universities that offer medical education in Finland: the University of Helsinki, the University of Eastern Finland, the University of Oulu, Tampere University, and the University of Turku.
6. How difficult is it to study medicine in Finland?
Entering Finnish medical school is competitive because the number of places is limited and applicants are ranked through certificate-based and entrance-exam selection. In the medical fields, 70% of starting places are reserved for first-time applicants, and certificate selection fills just over half of the places before the remaining places are filled through entrance-exam selection.
Once admitted, completion rates have historically been high. A national evaluation of undergraduate medical education reported that 93% to 95% of students admitted to Finnish faculties of medicine graduated with a Licentiate of Medicine degree.
7. What do you need to become a doctor after you study medicine in Finland?
Medical students can work temporarily in limited medical-doctor duties before graduation only if they meet the conditions set by the Finnish Supervisory Agency and work under the direction and supervision of a licensed doctor. A medical student who has completed the studies and practical training intended for the first four years may work in a specialized medical care unit or a health center inpatient ward. After completing the first five years, a student may temporarily work in specialized medical care or in a basic health care operating unit.
After completing the Licentiate of Medicine degree in Finland, graduates apply to the Finnish Supervisory Agency for the right to practice as a licensed medical doctor. Medicine is a licensed profession in Finland, so only a duly licensed professional may work as a medical doctor.
The three-part examination, six-month internship, and limited-license route apply to physicians trained outside the EU/EEA, not to students who complete their Finnish medical degree. For non-EU/EEA-trained physicians, the examinations are the clinical examination, the Finnish health care system examination, and the practical patient care examination. Limited licenses during that process can be granted after examination stages and are generally limited to a total of two years.
After licensing, physicians can continue with postgraduate training such as YEK, which is specific training in general medical practice, and specialist medical training. YEK lasts three years and covers 180 ECTS credits, although doctors with a Finnish Licentiate of Medicine can usually count 60 credits toward it, making the remaining training period two years.
There are multiple reasons Finland is recognized for its education system, including its public universities, research-based teaching, and student support. Feel free to also check the Best Universities in Finland for International Students.
I hope this article was helpful. If you are interested, check out the available courses in Europe for international students.
