“Higher education creates tomorrow”
“A whole variety of courses I wouldn’t have been able to take elsewhere.”
“An inspiring cross-cultural environment: Western tradition enriched with Eastern influences combined with a Nordic lifestyle.”
Facts:
Finnish higher education institutions get a lot of praise from foreign students for the high standard of teaching and facilities. Buildings are modern and functional, libraries are well stocked and the latest developments in information technology are integrated into every field of study.
Foreign students also enjoy the efficient yet relaxed atmosphere. Teachers are easy to approach and committed to supporting their students throughout their studies.
Zhou Wei, studied Food Engineering at Helsinki University, graduating from the University of Haaga Helia Applied Science, majoring in International Business. “I was most impressed by Finnish education. Firstly, practice is very much emphasized, with opportunities to work on real business cases. You can go to work for a few years, then come back again to study. Secondly, teamwork is really encouraged. Students form different teams to work on projects. During the process, they learn to communicate and draw on each other’s strengths. All these lay a solid foundation for a career.”
Fang Hai, Doctor of Arts in the University of Art and Design Helsinki, worked in the university after acquiring a PhD. He was awarded the ‘Cultural Achievement’ prize by the Finnish Architects Association and received tenures as professor at several universities in China.
“Finland boasts a high level of comprehensive scientific and technological competitiveness and contemporary architectural design, based on its advanced modern education system. Primary education already covers architectural design, which really shows how important is the cultivation of students’ design ability while they are still kids.”
Finland’s higher education system is efficient and well organized, with excellent support services to help foreign students.
Investment in knowledge and competence is at the core of Finland’s national success strategy. This explains why education is so highly valued in Finland, and although the population density is among the lowest in Europe, its network of higher education institutions is among the densest.
The universities and polytechnics in Finland fully support internationalization. In 2008 there were 306 000 degree students in Finnish universities and polytechnics, of which about 4 % were foreign students. By 2015, the number of non-Finnish degree students is set to double, and in graduate schools non-Finnish students will be 20% of the total.
Language is not a problem. Most young Finns speak English. There are over 450 international study programs taught in English. There is everything from short-term training to Bachelor, Master and Doctor degree programs in a wide range of subjects from hi-tech to the arts.
Talented non-Finnish students and researchers who choose Finnish higher education institutions are also attracted by the opportunities in Finnish working life and the high quality of research. Public and private R&D funding will increase to 4% of GDP by 2011 - one of the highest levels in the world.
For the time being there are no tuition fees for students enrolled in degree programs at Finnish institutions, in the future they may collect tuition fees on trial basis from non-EU/EEA nationals enrolled in selected master’s degree programs.
For more information check out the International Study Programs Database at the CIMO’s website:
www.studyinfinland.fi
Facts:
In OECD PISA study Finnish pupils are at the top of the world in reading, mathematics and science literacy.