Come to Study in Finland!

• Study In Finland, Study Programmes
• Admission to Higher Education Institutions
• Erasmus and Other Exchange Programmes
• Financial Aid for Foreign Students
• Student Residence Permits
• Related Links

Learning is well respected in Finland, and the high standard of education is one of the cornerstones of Finnish culture. For foreign students, studying and training in Finland is a perfect way to acquire academic and professional experience as well as personal growth through living in one of the world's most peaceful, sustainable, and innovative countries. A great place for independent thinkers! Finland is a safe country where things work and nature is always close by.

Finnish educational institutions cooperate extensively with their counterparts in many countries, so there are lots of ways for you to come to study in Finland. This page provides a good starting point.

If you are already in Finland, see also:

• The Finnish Education System - Overview & How to Join
• Student Financial Aid
• Student Housing in Finland

Study In Finland, Study Programmes

There are two sites which will tell you all you need to know:

Study In Finland is the site to start at if you'd like to do a Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral degree in Finland. It lists all the Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences, including English-taught study programmes available, and links to the institutions' homepages. Study in Finland also includes information on:

• Finland as a study destination, and living in Finland
• Student exchange programmes
• English-language degree and non-degree programmes
• Tuition and scholarships
• Admissions systems and procedures
• Summer schools, Open university, Practical training placements and more...
• Visit www.studyinfinland.fi

The Finnish National Agency for Education promotes international cooperation and mobility with emphasis on education, training, employment and young people. They implement and administer exchange and trainee programmes and award scholarships for students, researchers and teachers.
Student scholarships are mainly intended for postgraduates who have completed a master’s degree.
Visit www.oph.fi to learn more.

Admission to Higher Education Institutions

Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) independently select their students. Applications to degree programmes can be made directly to individual universities or via joint application, which allows you to apply to up to 6 programmes with one application form.

The following links will inform you about:

• Eligibility criteria and the admissions system
• How, when and where to submit your study application
• The required documents and certificates
• Language requirements
• Entrance examinations

StudyInfo: opintopolku.fi
Study In Finland: studyinfinland.fi

Finnish Universities - Admissions Pages

Erasmus & Other Exchange Programmes

For all programmes, your best first step is to contact the International Office of your home institution for information about the possibilities available.

Erasmus Programme
More than 7000 foreign exchange students annually come to Finland via the Erasmus exchange programme to spend a semester, or a whole academic year, at a Finnish Higher Education Institution. The Erasmus exchange is targeted at European students who are studying for a degree programme at a higher education institution in Europe, and have completed at least one academic year of studies. The students receive a grant for the studies abroad from their home institution.
See Erasmus+ Programme at oph.fi

Other programmes operating in Finland include the Artist Protection Programme, FIRST+, HEIICI, Nordic Master, and Scholar Rescue Fund
See Higher Education Cooperation at oph.fi

Financial Aid for Foreign Students

Summary only. Source: Kela, January 2019
If you are not a Finnish citizen and have come to Finland for study purposes, the general rule is that you cannot get financial aid from Finland. However, you may qualify for financial aid:

• if you have been granted a continuous or permanent residence permit or an EU residence permit for third-country nationals. If you are a citizen of another EU or EEA country or of Switzerland, the family member of such a person, or a citizen of a Nordic country, you only have to register your right of residence or present your residence card.
• if you are living in Finland permanently and you have arrived in Finland for some other reason than to study. Such a reason can be for example employment, family ties or return migration.

If you are a citizen of another EU or EEA or of Switzerland, you can get financial aid even if you have come to Finland to study. This requires that:

• you are employed in Finland for at least 4 months with an average of at least 18 hours of work per week, or that your insurable earnings under the Self-Employed Persons' Pensions Act are at least €1,000 per month, or
• you have been granted the right of permanent residence in Finland under the Aliens Act.

Visit Kela for current information and application procedures: www.kela.fi/students
Eligibility: www.kela.fi/financial-aid-for-students-eligibility

Related Links
Links to other sites are direct to the relevant page, where possible

• Higher Education in Finland: PDF Finnish Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences, and Fields of Study
• Foreign Qualifications: Recognition and international equivalency of qualifications gained outside Finland
• Suomi.fi: Information and e-services from Finnish government agencies and authorities, for residents, companies and organizations
• infofinland.fi: Information for immigrants, in 12 languages

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