Life in Finland
Finland, widely known as the Republic of Finland is a geographical and cultural region within Northern Europe. It shares borders with Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Russia, the Gulf of Bothnia, and the Gulf of Finland. Finland is home to more than 56 Lacs people, spreading over an area of 338,455 square kilometers. Helsinki is the capital of Finland and also the largest city. Finnish, besides Swedish, is the official language.
According to the results, Finland ranks on top equally with the countries like Denmark, Norway, and Iceland. In terms of the quality of life, the quality of governmental institutions, and the extremely low crime rates in Finland, you will for sure feel secure in public. Some estimates put Finland as the safest country in the world. The saunas and art festivals are a significant part of Finnish culture. The Finnish countryside is quite varied, consisting of coastal plains, hills, lakes, and rivers.
Climate of Finland
The climate of Finland is of a humid continental type, with mild warm summers and cold long winters. The annual standard temperature is relatively high in the southwestern part of the country. The minimum temperatures during the winter season range from 0 to −4 °C while during the summer season range from 32°C to 35°C.
Study in Finland
Finland houses assorted leading higher education institutions. There are two types of higher education institutions universities and universities of applied sciences (UAS). The country has over 13 universities and 22 universities of applied sciences (UAS). The education system ranks globally. All universities and universities of applied sciences have scholarship opportunities for international students.
Finland has one of the highest-quality education systems in the world, as reflected by consistently high rankings in third-party international studies. The higher educational institutions offer more than 500 English-taught bachelor's and master's degree programs. The universities also offer English-taught doctoral degree options. And today, Finnish higher education institutions boast over 20 000 international students studying in different locations around Finland.
The higher education institutions of Finland apply the ECTS system (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System). Under this system, the student's workload is calculated and credited accordingly. One full-time academic year is equivalent to 60 higher education credits. And after successful completion of studies, students are awarded ECTS credits. Moreover, the higher education system aims at memorizing stuff and practicing skills rather than focusing on the theoretical part.
Advantages of studying in Finland
Studying in Finland has its rewards, some of the reasons that make Finland a selective place to study are-
- The cost of education in Finland is way lower than those offered by higher education institutions in Canada, the UK, and US universities.
- The Universities offer quality educational programs, enabling students to unlock their potential to the fullest.
- The Finnish Universities are a part of the Bologna process.
- The higher education institutions of Finland apply the ECTS system (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System). And after successful completion of studies, students are awarded ECTS credits.
- The European Union’s Law permits students to carry out a part-time job for 20 hours per week. And hence, allowing the students to gain work experience along with their studies
- Access to Finland’s Schengen Visa equals the right to enter and travel freely within the 26 participating Schengen countries or the Schengen Area.
- In addition, some of the Universities in Finland grant internship opportunities for their students depending on their grades and other criteria.
Medium of Instruction in Finland
Finland aims to offer an extensive range of study programs to the local and permanent residents as well. Several international schools provide programs that offer completely English-taught programs. Besides, English-taught degree courses several other programs are also rendered in languages such as German, French, Russian and Spanish. Additionally, Finnish higher education institutions currently offer more than 500 Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in the English language.
Scholarship in Finland
Finnish Universities run different scholarship programs for national and international students as well. And, thus it is better to check out the Finland Scholarships before applying for study programs at universities. Generally, the students apply for a scholarship from the university at the same time as applying for admission.
With the different scholarship programs, meritorious students can easily get benefitted through the student exchange program. The scholars get the chance to carry on their higher education at partnered universities. However, the call for application for these scholarship programs has to be made by the students beforehand. Any student willing to Study in Finland must keep track of the deadline dates for scholarship application.
Indian Students in Finland
Finland offers low-cost study programs, excellent academic institutions, high-quality life, and so on. And hence affordability of study programs is a major attractive feature that attracts foreign students. Moreover, International students mainly prefer to study in Finland due to its inexpensive cost of living. In addition, Finnish Universities offer qualitative education making it the finest location for students keen to study abroad. And currently, more than 500 Indian students are enrolled in different study programs at various universities.
If you are a student planning to study in Finland, it is the right choice for you. The country not only offers a world-class education system but also a safe and healthy social order.
Program Intake
The Finnish Universities offer two main intakes each year: Autumn intake (September) and spring intake (January). For the autumn semester, application starts in the month of July-Aug. And, for the spring semester, application begins in Nov-Dec. If you are a student planning to get enrolled at Finnish University, you can choose either of the two intake periods.
However, the admission deadlines for enrolling in different programs may vary on the University. Accordingly, any student willing to go for study in Finland must start the application process early to steer clear of hassles at the very last moment.
Eligibility Criteria for Admission
For admission to Finnish universities, the candidate must meet the requirements stated below
- A minimum score is 55% and above in Class XII.
- The student should have attained 18 years of age or above.
Many Universities may ask for higher academics or additional qualifications depending on their Program.
Admission Procedure
For admission to Finnish Universities, the students are required to submit the following documents
- 10th / 12th school mark sheet’s transcripts
- School Leaving Certificate
- Passport or ID card (with the validity to duration of your stay)
- Passport-sized photographs.
- An essay or a letter of motivation (if asked by the university)
- Proof of language proficiency (in the English language).
- Registration fee.
Study in Finland at the cost of India
The cost of study in Finland, for example, management program ranges between 4,000 – 18,000 EUR/ year while the overall cost of studying a Management Program in India would range from 20 to 50 Lacs (24,000 EUR to 38,000 EUR). Moreover, the cost of studying in top management colleges in India would be Rs. 7.5 to 25 Lacs a year approx. Thus, we can say that the overall cost of study in Finland is comparatively lesser than that of India. Besides this, Indian students get the added benefit of comprehensive work experience and realistic organizational skills.
Hostel or Accommodation in Finland
An international student can juggle between the options when looking for accommodation in Finland. Students can either go for the established student housing foundations or private accommodation. The average monthly rent for a single room (shared basis) in a student flat would range from EUR 160 – EUR 380. Additionally, single apartments or family flats are also available, but the rented ones might be more costly than the non-shared apartments, and also they often have long waiting lists.
Nonetheless, the student must check for accommodation options at the university or other locally available student accommodation alternatives beforehand. You can find the related information on the website of your Finnish university.
Cost of living in Finland
The cost of living in Finland is comparatively lower than that of the UK, Canada, or the US.
However, the living cost in bigger cities is typically higher than that of smaller cities or towns. The total cost of living for students (including food, accommodation, travel, etc.) approximately would be around €250 – €300. However, the overall monthly expenses would depend on the location you decide to reside and your living habits too.
Part-Time Jobs for Indian Students
As per the European Union Law, an International student holds the right to work Part-time jobs in Finland. In addition, depending on the job role one can earn up to €600 to €1000 for 20-40 hours of work per week. As, there is no minimum wage in Finland for international students, on average one can easily earn 9-13 euros per hour. So, one can earn 900-1300 Euros per month depending on the sector, which is good enough to manage travel, education, and other monthly expenses.
Programs offered in Finland
1. Management Programs in Finland
Some of the top ranking universities of Finland include Aalto University School of Business, Hanken School of Economics, Turku School of Economics TSE - the University of Turku, University of Vaasa School of Management, University of Oulu – Oulu Business School, Faculty of Management- University of Tampere, University of Eastern Finland, University of Lapland and so on. Some of the preferred Management programs in Finland include Business and Management, Global Innovation Management, Industrial Management, Product and Project Management, Data Analytics and Project Management, and so on.
2. Engineering Programs in Finland
In Finland, some of the best universities provide top-quality engineering programs to students. Not only do these universities rank nationally but also globally reputed. The study programs like Industrial Engineering & Management Engineering Technology Mechanics and Mechanical Engineering, Production engineering, Mechanical engineering, Industrial Engineering & Management, etc. are quite presented to the students.
3. Medical & Paramedical Programs in Finland
The Medical & Paramedical study program in Finland provides specialization for emergency medical care for inpatient outpatient care, diagnosis and treatment, and so on. Some of the Finnish Universities are University of Helsinki, University of Tampere, University of Jyvaskyla, University of Oulu, and University of Eastern Finland.
4. Hospitality and Tourism Programs in Finland
Lapland University of Applied Sciences and the University of Eastern Finland are one of the best universities that offer a Tourism and Hospitality Management program in Finland. The students keen to get a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Programs hold the opportunity to develop practical skills and to work in a multicultural environment, which has evolved into a necessity in today's time.
5. Natural Science Programs in Finland
Students planning to opt for Natural Science in Finland are presented with several degree programs such as Integrative Plant Sciences, Physical and Chemical Sciences, Forestry, Chemistry, and Molecular Sciences, etc.
6. Arts & Science Programs in Finland
Some of the top universities comprise Aalto University School of Arts Design and Architecture, Lab University of Applied Sciences Lahti Campus, Novia University, South Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, and many more. Some of the available study areas of include science, law, technology, finance, social sciences, and the arts.
Visa Processing in Finland
In Finland, the visa processing time may take up to 15 working days. Thus, the students are suggested to initiate the visa application process as soon as possible. However, it's always best to do so two months before students plan on moving to Study in Finland.
Job Opportunities
Finland has a vibrant innovative network. The education system of Finland is not only sturdy but also enables the students to adapt to the work culture. The country sustains a booming startup prospect and is one of the leading ICT and gaming industries in the world.
The Finnish industry offers plenty of work opportunities in ICT, gaming, world-changing innovations, mobile data, operating system and technologies, AI, industrial IoT, and more.
Finland aids you with advanced career opportunities in every single industry. Moreover, the employee-friendly working environment along with excellent work-life balance is all you need. The country is voted best in skills development and hence working here will bring a boost to your career journey.
Also, world-class education benefits the students to gain experience that meets international standards. Many students prefer taking a job in the country of their studies. In Finland, all the students enjoy the right to work which helps them work on building their careers while studying abroad. Moreover, the internship drive helps the students to get placement in reputed firms and trending companies.
You can refer to the table given below for the most preferred job titles in Finland and the average salaries offered – (1 Euro = 80.16 INR)
Popular Job Roles in Finland | Average Salaries (Per Year) |
---|---|
Allied Healthcare Professional | 84000 EUR |
Business Manager | 76200 EUR |
Engineer | 52000 EUR |
Finance / Investment / Accounting Manager | 78000 EUR |
Financial Analyst | 67000 EUR |
Hospitality / Tourism | 60000 EUR |
Marketing Manager | 96000 EUR |