Why study in Scandinavian countries

If you are planning to study in Europe, you should pay attention to Scandinavian universities. It is worth to go to Scandinavia not only for the unique northern nature, but also for quality education. The countries of this region are highly developed economically, the life here is not cheap, but higher education is completely free. In our article you will learn why it is worth studying in the Nordic countries.

Support for Research and Innovation

The Nordic countries are constantly conducting global studies evaluating innovation in the Nordic countries and Iceland. They rank high in research and development intensity, and Denmark got the top spot on the list for the number of researchers. This is reflected in the universities, many of which conduct research and develop innovations and support students in developing their own ideas.

One of the best universities in the world

The QS World University Ranking 2019 features 27 Northern European universities - 10 in Finland, eight in Sweden, five in Denmark and four in Norway. They are lower on the list than universities in Britain, Germany and the United States, but that's because the Nordic countries have much smaller populations and therefore fewer universities. In fact, the combined population of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland - about 26 million people - is less than half that of the UK (about 65.6 million) and much lower than the US (about 325 million). It's also worth keeping in mind that many Scandinavian universities are offering more and more opportunities to study in English.

Scandinavian lifestyle

The Scandinavian lifestyle is also appealing. These countries may not have the best climatic conditions, but they have a high quality of life and a developed system of social support. It should be noted that the cities in the Nordic countries are smaller than London or New York, so you will not get lost among skyscrapers or in a confusing subway scheme. Scandinavian cities pride themselves on combining city life with a nice, clean, relaxed atmosphere.

Free Education

In most Nordic countries, living is expensive, but this is offset by low tuition fees - you can even get a free degree! Nevertheless, note that there are not as many such opportunities as in previous years.

In Denmark education is free for all students from European Union countries and for exchange students. The cost of education for international students is €6,000-16,000 per year.

In Finland there is no fee for EU citizens, graduate students or students who are studying in Finnish or Swedish. Non-EU students must now pay fees for undergraduate and graduate programs in English. The price varies depending on the program: from €4,000 to €18,000.

The public universities in Norway are still free for students of all nationalities at all study levels. There is only a small fee of NOK 300-600 per semester. Private universities in Norway charge fees, but they are relatively low and the same for local and international students. Some public universities also charge fees for some specialized courses.

In Sweden there are no fees for students from the European Union and other Nordic countries. Doctoral programs are also free. Tuition fees for students from other countries range from SEK 80,000-145,000 per year for most bachelor's and master's programs. However, some subjects, such as medicine and architecture, may cost more.

There are also scholarships for international students, both government and university. You can find a scholarship at our site.