Free education in Finland

Over the past couple of years, Finland has introduced paid education for foreign students.Nevertheless, universities issue many scholarships that help applicants study and live in this country.We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the conditions for issuing grants and their amounts in this article.

Education system

There are three stages of higher education in Finland: bachelor's, master's and postgraduate (doctoral) degrees.Higher education institutions are divided into two types: universities and universities of applied sciences (UAS).Their main difference is that the latter do not offer doctoral degrees, but regular universities and UAS offer bachelor's and master's degrees.At the same time, there are more English-language bachelor's programs in UAS.

Finnish universities use the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System), which helps to measure student workload.One academic year equals approximately 60 ECTS.The system makes it possible to describe and compare curricula, as well as to award qualifications.For example, for 3 years of undergraduate studies in Finland, you must have received at least 180 ECTS.

Pros and cons of living and studying in Finland

Finland is a country with a high standard of living.Here you can count on good medical care, safety and a healthy environment.What is important for a student is that you will receive a quality education here.The country strives to improve the education system and regularly monitors its quality.For example, in Finland there is an independent education assessment center FINEEC, whose reports can be found in the public domain.In the Universities 21 ranking, the country's education system ranks 9th in 2017, in the Pearson ranking - 6th in 2016. There is also a good level of English knowledge among the population (according to the EF English Proficiency Index for 2017, Finland ranks 6th).

Finland is a northern country with something special for this regionclimate that is not suitable for everyone.There are also high prices, which can be an obstacle for the applicant, since not everyone can afford to pay for tuition and living in the country.Despite paid education, many universities offer a solution to this problem and are willing to issue scholarships on a competitive basis.

Scholarships

Most often, scholarship applications are submitted at the same time as the application for studies.But remember that the deadlines for applicants from countries outside the European Union expire earlier than for applicants from the EU.Most scholarships are for graduate students, but suitable options for bachelors can also be found.More often than not, despite submitting an application before admission, for the next year of study, you will also need to apply and confirm that you have accumulated enough credits (ECTS) in the first academic year.

Below you can see several scholarships and a complete list of universities that offer them.The procedure and conditions for obtaining it are similar in different educational institutions, but the size of the discount and the grant for accommodation, if paid, is different.

Aalto University

University tuition fees range from 12,000 to 15,000 euros, depending on the programs.However, there are no postgraduate fees.An applicant can receive a 100% discount on the payment of the fee (scholarship category A) or 50% (scholarship category B). Aalto University does not offer scholarships for accommodation, so the student must be prepared to pay for these costs themselves.The scholarship is paid for 3 years of study for a bachelor's degree or 2 years for a master's degree. Scholarship applications are submitted at the same time as the application for studies

Hanken School of Economics

Average tuition fee at HankenSchool of Economics is 12,500 euros.The university offers full and partial scholarships for future masters:

• Hanken Premium Scholarship.Covers the contribution and payment of accommodation in the amount of 8000 euros per year.

• Hanken Honors Scholarship.Covers the tuition fee.

• Hanken Support Scholarship.50% discount on tuition is offered.

Those students who receive a scholarship only for the payment of a fee, when applying for a residence permit, must provide documents that confirm their solvency: the student must have at the disposal of 6,720 euros ina year or 560 euros per month.

Lappeenranta University of Technology

The university offers scholarships that cover part or all of the cost of master's degree studies.30% of applicants who apply will receive a 50% tuition discount.Also, 35-40% of admitted applicants will receive a scholarship that will cover the full cost of training.The university pays for accommodation (5600 euros per year) and tuition for no more than 5% of students.To receive a scholarship for all 2 years of the master's program, a minimum of 55 ECTS is required in the first year.Additional documents for applying for a scholarship are not required, as it must be submitted together with the application for training.

Tampere University of Technology

Payment of the university fee for bachelor's programs is 10,000 euros per year, for master's programs -12,000 euros per year.The university offers 50% or full tuition fees, as well as a TUT academic excellence scholarship, within which it is possible to receive a living allowance of 7,000 euros per year.Scholarship and study applications are submitted at the same time.Students who did not initially receive a scholarship can apply for a second or third (in the case of undergraduate) year of study.At the same time, you need to show good academic performance and gain the required number of ECTS (65 ECTS to get 50% and 75 ECTS to get 100%).

University of Helsinki

Tuition fees at the university are from 13000up to 18,000 euros.The University of Helsinki offers scholarships for masters: full tuition fees and a grant of 10,000 euros for accommodation, tuition fees only or accommodation grant only.To receive a scholarship throughout your studies, you need to receive at least 55 ECTS in the first year.Also, scholarship holders automatically become members of the student union of the university, thanks to which they receive benefits for medical care, travel in public transport and other services.

Scholarships are also offered by:

• Åbo Akademi University : full tuition fees and a grant foraccommodation (6720 euros) or tuition fees (full or partial) for masters, as well as separate scholarships for masters and bachelors, which can be foundhere

• University ofthe Arts Helsinki : full or 50% tuition

• University of Eastern Finland : full or 80% tuition

• University of Jyväskylä : full tuition fees for masters

• University of Lapland:full or 50% tuition fees, accommodation grant 2000 euros

• University of Oulu : 85% or 100% tuition fees for masters

• University of Tampere : full tuition fees and grant (7000 euros)or tuition fees (100% or 50%)

• University of Turku : full or partial tuition fees for a magicianIstrov

• University of Vaasa : full or 50% tuition fees for masters

There are scholarships for graduate studentsfrom The Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI). EDUFI Fellowships covers from 3 to 12 months of stay in the country, the student is paid 1500 euros per month.The priority is given to students from Russia, Brazil, China, India, North Africa, Chile, butapplications are considered from all countries.The Finnish Government Scholarship Pool also pays 1,500 euros per month for research, which can last from 3 to 9 months.Only certain countries, including Ukraine, can apply.There is also Scholarship for Kindred Peoples, which can be applied for by students from Russia who meet the following requirements:

• graduated from the magistracy or conducted research inuniversities of the Finno-Ugric regions of Russia,

• live in Russia and know any Finno-Ugric language spoken in Russia,

• study Finno-Ugric languages.

The scholarship is paid up to 12 months and ranges from 900 to 1200 euros.

UAS also offer scholarships, but it is extremely rare among them to offer full tuition fees.Below you will see examples of scholarships offered by UAS:

• Metropolia University of Applied Sciences ,Saimaa University of Applied Sciences ,VAMK - Vaasa University of Applied Sciences : partial or full tuition fees

• Lapland University of Applied Sciences : 80% discount on tuition fees for the firstyear, 60% discount on subsequent

• Lahti University of Applied Sciences ,Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences : 50% payment for bachelor's and master's studies for the entire period

• Arcada University of Applied Sciences : offers 50% tuition fees for bachelors from the second year

• Karelia University of Applied Sciences,Novia University of Applied Sciences ,Oulu University of Applied Sciences and Centria University of Applied Sciences ,Savonia Universityof Applied Sciences: 50% tuition fees for bachelors and masters from the second year of study

• JAMK University of Applied Sciences: 50% tuition fees for bachelors for the entire period of study and 50% payment for masters from the secondyears

Work while studying

In Finland, students are allowed to work.This can be either an internship within the framework of training, which will be marked in a diploma, or an ordinary job.At the same time, it is allowed to work no more than 25 hours a week, and during the holidays, the time is not limited.Job vacancies can be found by contacting the company directly, by contacting the university's career center or by contacting the TE services.

Useful materials

• Higher education in Scandinavian countries

• How to save money for a student abroad

• How to prepare for a transfer to another country