Study in Finland
Finland, a Nordic country in Northern Europe, which shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bothnia to the west and the Gulf of Finland across Estonia to the south, is a perfect destination for Nepalese students. Before 2017 the education was totally free for all but now you need to pay tuition fees if you are non EU/EEA citizen. However, you can get a tuition fee waiver depending upon your academic performance and how well you can cope with their local language.
Finland’s higher education system offers more than 500 English-taught bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in 13 universities and 22 universities of applied sciences (UAS) along with English-taught doctoral degree options. Finnish higher education institutions have over 20,000 international students studying in several locations around Finland.
It is simpler for students to find the finest possibilities for themselves in Finland because you can select the modules you want to take. In contrast to other nations, it also aids students in graduating with a higher, more varied set of abilities to which Finland’s universities like to refer to it as “Academic Freedom.” Finland’s universities make sure that each student has an equal chance to learn and an equal opportunity to get a higher-quality higher education.
Let’s begin with the higher education system which comprises Universities and Universities of applied sciences (UAS). Universities are responsible for education and research and thus provide doctorate degrees as well. Whereas, UAS basically provides vocational and Bachelor degrees.
Nine universities in Finland are ranked among the top universities in the world by QS world ranking including university of applied sciences. University of Helsinki, University of Turku, University of Oulu, Aalto University, University of Eastern Finland, University of Haaga-Helia etc. are popular ones.
So be wise enough to choose your university or UAS to study.
INTAKES:
Finland offers two major intakes. Autumn intake in which class starts in September for which application starts in January. It is the primary intake in which all universities offer all the courses to international students. Another is spring intake in which class starts in January for which application starts in September. This is secondary intake and courses are available but can be limited at times for students.
FEE STRUCTURE:
For non EU/EEA, one needs to pay tuition ranging from 600 to 16000 Euros per year depending upon the course. Tuition fees can go high for courses like MBA. Moreover, universities do offer tuition fee waivers under grants and scholarships.
ENTRANCE EXAMINATION:
International students are supposed to give an online entrance exam as directed by the universities that depend on the course selected and is based on the two phases. First phase is an online exam which consists of an Essay section, Multiple Choice Question and Logical Thinking and Mathematics. Whereas, the second phase is online speaking for which students qualify only if passed in each section of the first phase with minimum points. Students can opt for an SAT score if they don’t want to go through the entrance examination.
WORK WHILE STUDYING:
International students can work up to 30 hours per week in term time, and full time during holidays. In addition, students do not require a special permit to work while studying for part-time jobs.
POST STUDY WORK VISA:
Students can apply for the work permit up to 5 years after graduation.