Studying in Finland
Finland's universities are generally well-regarded and offer many exchange programmes. Although Finland is not one of the big study destinations, in relation to the local population there are quite some international students at most universities. Exchange programs are often in English, as are some advanced courses. While other lectures are usually conducted in Finnish (or Swedish as in Åbo Akademi or Novia), most advanced text books are in English, except where international literature is less relevant. It is often possible to complete all courses through assignments and exams in English. Universities also offer the option to study Finnish (or Swedish) at various levels.
For visitors, the open universities may be of special interest. These may be run directly by the universities or by other institutions employing university teachers for the courses. The primary audience is the academically interested public, including professionals who want to broaden their competence and people who want to deepen their understanding of current issues. In the semesters, the courses are held more or less as any other ones (although often in evenings), in summer there are "summer universities" in summer destinations such as Hangö and Mariehamn. The open university courses are not free, but the fees are modest.
Another educational institution for the public are the so called workers' or citizens' institutes (Finnish: työväenopisto, kansalaisopisto; Swedish: arbetarinstitut, medborgarinstitut). These offer courses in languages, handicraft, basic computer usage, current issues and much more. Most courses last a semester and you often have to be quick when enrolment starts. There are also individual shorter courses and individual lectures. Fees are very modest.
In the 1990s, privately paid education emerged, and later foreign-paid "education export" became a thing. In these programmes, educational institutions act like businesses and normal rules on e.g. validity of exams and social security of students don't apply, and there have been some scandals about students left to care for themselves, with huge bills. Read the fine print and check whether you trust all involved parties. Better yet: keep to the programmes financed through tax money (whether or not you personally pay tuition fees). Some programmes with businesses or external funding involved are indeed good, but the general assumption that things work as they should in Finland may not hold.
Locations
Most of Finland's exchange students end up in Helsinki's universities. Almost 20% of Turku residents are students and many of them are exchange students or otherwise from abroad. A third major university town is Tampere.
Northern Finland is served by the universities in Oulu and Rovaniemi, the former known also for its high-tech achievements. For Sámi trades, such as reindeer husbandry, check also the Sami Education Institute in Inari.
Fees
There are no tuition fees for regular degree students, including foreign degree students studying in Finnish or Swedish and exchange students, but tuition fees (in the range €4,000–18,000/year in 2020) were introduced in 2017 for new non-EU/EEA students studying in English for a bachelor's or master's degree. A system with scholarships was also set up. As of 2023, it seems that the fees are going to be sharply raised in the future
Activities
There are usually quite a lot of activities for students from abroad, arranged by the student unions and exchange student associations, including social activities and excursions to other parts of the country or other interesting destinations – Finnish Lapland, Tallinn, Stockholm and formerly Saint Petersburg being typical – in additions to all the activities for students in general.
Structure
The Finnish higher education system follows the German model, which means there are two kinds of universities: academic (yliopisto/universitet) and vocational (ammattikorkeakoulu/yrkeshögskola, abbreviated AMK in Finnish; many of these were formerly known as polytechnics).
Yliopisto students are mostly expected to graduate with a master's degree; the university bachelor's degree is meant as an intermediate step, except for a few usable exams (such as for pharmacists, only some of which take the master's). For foreigners, there are some master's programs in English. The bachelor's and master's are expected to require three and two years, respectively.
AMK students are expected to graduate as bachelors and enter the workforce directly. An AMK bachelor does not directly qualify for academic master's programs; if accepted, about a year's worth of additional bridging studies are needed.
Formally the academic year is August–July, with the autumn term Sep–Dec and the spring term Jan–May, with some universities dividing these terms in two, with shorter courses running for two months or two months and a half. First-year students show up for the last week in August, foreign students an additional week or two in advance, to get accommodated and introduced (foreign exchange students coming for the spring term has a similar introduction, although shorter). In practice, there is little studying in May, as many students leave for their summer jobs.
Finnish students are expected to have summer jobs, if possible in their field of study at least the last years, thus being experienced in their real work before graduating. Many work a little also in the terms, mostly for the money, but some in relevant fields. It is possible to study in the summer, but then mostly by reading on one's own and writing assignments, or at the summer universities.
Costs
Except possible tuition fees, the main costs are for housing and general living. As a student, you probably have expenses also for a computer and course literature. There are computer labs, but relying on them for all online work might get hard. There is also a system with coursebook libraries, with most of the required reading available for free, but depending on field and course, there may be quite some competition for the books, and you might want to have some in your shelf also later. A reasonable monthly budget (including dorm housing) would be €700–1,000. There are many temptations; going out is often expensive. Don't isolate yourself, but keep an eye on your spendings.
Student union membership at around €100/year is obligatory for undergraduate studies. In exchange programs and similar housing may be arranged, but otherwise getting housing is the responsibility of the student. Many exchange programs fully or partly subsidise accommodation in student dorms. Housing is scarce when students arrive in autumn, in practice from July or so, when people start to secure theirs; there are waiting lists for student housing and some years emergency housing in shared rooms. All people from out of town are often prioritised, and coming from abroad you may be allowed to jump the queue. The situation often sorts out for everybody before October.
Student housing is usually in locations owned by the student unions either directly or through foundations, and costs from about €250–400/month in a room with shared kitchen and bathroom (nowadays mostly 3-person apartments – which often results in getting two friends) to about €500–700/month for independent one-room apartments (also larger apartments are available, primarily for families). Rents on the private market vary depending on location such that in Greater Helsinki and particularly Helsinki proper prices may easily be two times that of cheaper locations or student housing. A couple of friends sharing a bigger apartment is quite common, but check how to write the contract to avoid pitfalls. If you are (counted as) a cohabiting couple, your partner's incomes will be taken into account in possible living grants, and in some configurations you may become responsible for unpaid rents etc.
Basic health care for domestic students (including AMK ones) is arranged by a foundation founded by the student unions. From 2021 the yearly fee is paid to Kela/Fpa instead of being included in the student union membership fee. The service is comparable to that at municipal health care centres, but also basic dentistry is included. Only regular degree students (for bachelor or master) in mainland Finland are served, not those studying in Åland, exchange students, or students of non-degree programs. Check details.
Students, at least those with the Finnish student card, get discounts at many places, notably at transport, museums and e.g. theatres. Many restaurants have student discounts of 10–15% (ask for it when ordering). The state-subsidised student lunches are a bargain, and some student cafeterias serve them also late in the day and in Saturdays. Student gyms and sports arranged by the student union may also be available for cheap.
Visas
EU/EEA citizens can simply enter the country and register as a student after arrival (if accepted to some programme), while students from elsewhere will need to arrange their residence permit beforehand. CIMO (Centre for International Mobility) administers exchange programs and can arrange scholarships and traineeships in Finland, while the Finnish National Board of Education offers basic information about study opportunities.
Language
Most institutions education have either Finnish or Swedish as their language, a few are bilingual. Most courses are formally in that language, although writing exams and assignments in the other language or English may be possible – and the course literature may be in English. Even if you primarily attend a course or programme in English, the main language may be of interest – for social life and for courses you might stumble upon and would like to take. Universities also offer the option to study their language at various levels.
If you have the choice to study at either a Finnish or Swedish institution, there are a few things to consider. Finnish is the main language of Finland, and knowing it may be essential. On the other hand, as Swedish is Indo-European, learning it is probably easier for you. A step into the tighter Swedish-speaking community in Finland has its advantages, and Swedish opens doors to all the Nordic countries.
Helsinki University and Aalto university (also in Helsinki) are bilingual, with the overwhelming majority of staff and students Finnish-speaking, but some programmes partly or entirely in Swedish, and some other significant pockets of Swedish speakers. There is also a Swedish business school in the city.
In Turku, the universities cooperate tightly regarding international students. Normal degree students study at one institution, although they are allowed to take courses at the other. At ÅA, some 20–20% of the students have Finnish as their mother tongue. Also Vaasa has institutions of both languages.
In the rest of the country, the universities are Finnish (with a few Swedish vocational "universities" also e.g. in Åland and along the coast).
Exchange programs are often in English, as are some advanced courses. While other lectures are usually conducted in Finnish (or Swedish as in Åbo Akademi or Novia), most advanced text books are in English, except where international literature is less relevant. It is often possible to complete all courses through assignments and exams in English.