A quick Google search for the best countries in the world for international students would certainly include the European country of Finland. Finland’s education has garnered global acclamation as one of the best-curated and unique education systems in the world. Many global bodies like The World Economic Forum consider Finnish education as “the best” in the world.
The higher education completion rate has been one of the highest across the world thanks to its quality curricula, conditionally available free education, and generally well-read instructors. In this article, we will be looking at what it’s like to follow a higher education program in Finland as an international student.
What Grading System Does Higher Education in Finland Use?
Different levels of education and different pathways grade students’ progress differently in Finland. Similar to many other European countries, most higher education institutions in Finland use the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System. This might be useful if you are planning to get a transferable academic qualification that’s recognized elsewhere in Europe.
The ECTS credit score can be used to check your eligibility to follow other subsequent programs. 60 ECTS credits are equivalent to a full year’s worth of work or studies. The ECTS credits can also help understand the duration of a program. There are also other grading scales like a pass-fail scale and a 0-5 scale used in higher education institutions in Finland. This is entirely dependent on your program of choice.
Types of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Finland
1. Universities
Universities as opposed to universities of applied sciences are focused on a theoretical approach to a subject. It relies on scientific research and material to deliver skills required for students in an industrial setting. Programs offered at universities are categorically distinguished by several subsequent levels: bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral.
Universities offer programs across disciplines including the sciences, arts, humanities, education, and engineering. There are 13 universities in Finland, some of the most popular of them being the University of Helsinki and the University of Oulu. Most of these universities also offer multiple English-taught programs which can interest you if you are planning to study in Finland as an international student.
2. Universities of Applied Sciences
Universities of applied sciences on the other hand focus on pragmatic education, with an added inclination towards practical and vocational training through laboratory work and hands-on experience. Finland’s 24 universities of applied sciences offer English-taught programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
There are also other programs in professional specialization and open and professional teacher education at these applied universities. Turku University of Applied Sciences and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences are some of the universities of applied sciences in Finland that are popular among international students. Pursuing a degree at these applied universities might prove helpful if you are planning to accelerate your expertise in a specific industry and gain hands-on experience.
Types of Degree Levels in Finland
1. Bachelor’s Degree
The Finnish higher education system follows a three-cycle approach. Qualifying students that have a high school diploma or an equivalent, can follow a bachelor’s degree or an undergraduate program in the country. Students who follow a bachelor’s program automatically earn themselves study rights to pursue a master’s degree upon graduation. Since Finnish programs are known for their student-dependency, progress is highly dependent on an individual’s performance.
Generally, 180 ECTS credits are offered for the successful completion of a bachelor’s program. This corresponds to a study period of three years. However, the number of credits and duration may vary depending on the program of choice. For example, medical degrees that are more comprehensive take longer to complete, like the licentiate medical program offered at the University of Eastern Finland, which takes between six to eight years.
2. Master’s Degree
With a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent, students become eligible to pursue a master’s degree at any university in the country. If an applicant is seeking placement at a university of applied sciences in Finland, at least 2 years of postgraduate work experience in the field is required in addition to the bachelor’s degree. Following a master’s degree at a university or a university of applied sciences in Finland means you will have to complete two more years of full-time studies following your undergraduate program.
In general, students who complete a master’s program at a Finnish university earn around 120 ECTS, equivalent to two years of full-time study. At universities of applied sciences, master’s programs could take between 1 to 1.5 years, amounting to a total of 60 to 90 credits. It might have struck you that master’s degrees in Finland take longer than the usual 1 year in most other countries in the world. However, following a two-year master’s program ensures that you stand a better chance of being picked up for a doctoral program in the country. That’s not to say that there aren’t any one-year master’s programs in the country either. There are multiple one-year master’s degrees like the Master of Engineering and Information Technology programs at the Centria University of Applied Sciences which are highly acknowledged English-taught programs. Both bachelor’s and master’s studies in the country are tuition-free for students hailing from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland.
3. Doctoral Degree
Upon completion of both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, students can further pursue a subject of interest for their doctorate or licentiate degree. Regardless of your nationality, all students who are eligible to follow a doctoral program in the country can do so, entirely free of any tuition fees. Ph.D. students may also receive a stipend to cover up their living expenses making it a very worthwhile course of action for students. Doctoral programs aren’t offered at universities of applied sciences. A Finnish doctoral degree generally takes up to 4 years. Reputed universities like the University of Eastern Finland offer a number of doctoral programs across disciplines.
After a master’s degree, students also have the option to follow a licentiate study program which is a shorter research degree. This is quite similar to the MPhil qualification offered in the UK. A 2-year licentiate degree can be considered as a pre-doctoral qualification.
In conclusion, Finland’s education system is ideally very straightforward, with clearly defined eligibility criteria, language requirements, and educational pathways. There are also universities of applied sciences in the country that facilitate students who are looking for a quicker launch into the industrial arena.
Finland without a doubt is an excellent study abroad destination for international students looking to pursue their educational dream in one of the best countries in Europe. You can find more information about studying in Finland on the Study in Finland page! To learn more about studying in Europe, you can start by checking out the Available Programs in Europe for International Students!
