What Happens after the Studies Are Completed?

After completing the studies, the student may remain in Finland if he or she can be granted a new residence permit on other grounds. The permit may be granted, for example for postgraduate studies in the same field of study or on the basis of family ties or employment.

A foreign student who has graduated from a Finnish university of applied sciences can be issued a temporary residence permit so that he/she can look for work. A new temporary residence permit can be issued once for a graduate for six months after the previous residence permit has ended. Students who have completed a degree in Finland and have sufficient skills in the Finnish language have good opportunities to find employment in Finland.

Further information on the residence permit for students and on how to apply for it will be given also by the police.

Note: It's really important that you learn atleast basic Finnish by the time you graduate.

Accomodation

If you have been admitted to the universities of Finland you can reserve your accommodation using application form .If you want to make sure that you have an accommodation, you should make the accommodation reservation at least 5 weeks before the tenancy begins. If you are looking to start renting in the autumn, you will find it much easier to begin renting in August. If you choose to request rental from September, however, you may not be guaranteed with the accommodation. Accommodation is available either on the private housing market or in the halls of residence. Student accommodation in Finland is of high standard. The apartments and rooms are in very good condition and include central heating, cooking and washing facilities and internet access. Both furnished and unfurnished rooms are available.

The price of accommodation varies depending on the type of the accommodation. The rents for study-bedrooms vary between € 151 and € 219 per month. Rent is paid by the month, not later than the 6th day. There is a rent deposit that must be paid before signing the rental agreement.The deposit for shared apartments is usually 250 €, and for other apartments 400 €. The deposit will be refunded when the tenancy has expired, if the rents have been paid and the apartment is in normal condition.

Note: If you are given a place on the waiting list, you will be notified about the accommodation that has become available for you by e-mail.

From admission to visa application

After the entrance result is out,the result is shared by the cooperating colleges. The first option decides first for admission and the rest three option wait. Students who are eligible to get admission and who are on waiting list is first confirmed by first option college and then order wise to 2nd,3rd or 4th option.eg-if you are on waiting list of first option you may get admission on second option depending on your entrance results.Once you get admission on you second option you will be removed from waiting list of first option.If you get admission in your first option,the second option will not include you on accepted list. The admission procedure is carried out by Joint Application Network(www.admission.fi) itself to minimize the multiple acceptance.

Now if you choose to study on your second,third or fourth option you need to inform your corresponding option college regarding your admission on it.In case if you have the multiple acceptance letter you need to confirm where you want to study. The confirmation of your study place should be done before the deadline. The confirmation letter should be posted to the corresponding college on given time periods.

At the meantime you have to apply for residence permit. The documents need to apply for residence permit are your original academic certificates and their photocopies, acceptance letter and its copy, passport,Bank statement and transaction showing balance of 6000 Euros, insurance papers and visa application fee approximately 55 Euros. Embassy informs you after your residence permit is granted.The visa-application process may take 15-45 days.

After Visa

After visa one must plan for travel to Finland. So its necessary to take care of some important things so that you dont miss anything and have a smooth travel to Finland.

Inform college
Foremost thing after visa is to inform college about your arrival date and time to the college(student supervisor from college who mails you)so that u will be received at the airport.


Must bring
# Passport
# Plane Ticket
# Bank Draft of 6000 Euro
# Cash or Travel Cheque of minimum 500 Euro
# Your Documents including, Acceptance letter from college, previous academic certificates,insurance papers,...

Money to carry
After being in Finland you will need to have immediate expense on things such as bus fare to travel to your city from Helsinki,call back home,room rent and deposit,kitchenwares and other important stuffs. So its necessary to carry 500 EUR cash or travel cheque. Personally iIrecommend to carry cash,its easy for immediate use.

Note: It's always recommended to book ticket atleast 2 weeks before you intend to travel. This is highly recommended to students from Asian countries.

How to know entrance results?

The entrance results are generally published at most of the college's website and all the students are informed through email. Every student gets a mail regarding the score obtained and the study place offered to him/her. It is also good to contact the college and know your result but remember it has to be yourself who makes the call. The results are not given to anyone other than the examinees.

Note: As soon as the results is published links to the page will be provided here.

Finnish Education System

A Fin usually starts his school education at the age of 7 and ends at 16. The Finnish government is always trying their best to provide all children and young people with equal basic education services.

Both municipal and private day-care services are available for children below school-starting age, up to the age of six. All 6-year-olds are entitled to pre-school education for one year before starting basic education. Pre-school education is available in both schools and day-care centres.

Pupils normally start their comprehensive school education in a local school indicated by the municipality. Having completed comprehensive school, young people may seek further education in upper secondary schools or vocational schools.

Some upper secondary schools specialize in education with an emphasis on music, physical education, the fine arts, languages or the natural sciences, for example. The schools have no grades. The idea is to complete the courses in three years. The upper secondary school-leaving certificate qualifies the student for studies in universities and other university-level institutes. Matriculation examinations are arranged twice a year. Upper secondary schools for adults also provide an opportunity to take the matriculation examination and to supplement the upper secondary school curriculum.

Vocational schools provide vocational qualifications. The studies take three years. Practical training is part of vocational school education. In addition to written exams, professional skills must be demonstrated in practice. Completing vocational education qualifies the student to seek admission to polytechnics or universities.

Finland also operates an apprenticeship training system. Young people already in working life can obtain basic vocational qualifications through apprenticeship training.

Finland has two types of higher education institutes, universities and polytechnics. The universities concentrate on academic and scientific research and teaching methods. The role of polytechnics is to respond to the needs of working life. The education focuses on developing professional skills.

Adult education and training offers citizens the opportunity to obtain education and complete qualifications at any stage of life. Adults can study either in the same educational institutions as young people, or at institutions and units aimed at adults, as is done in liberal adult education.

Tutorials

coming soon

Job Opportunities

Do you get a job? Do I get a job? Will I ever get a job ? There are too many questions about job opportunities .Wait. Don't give up. Even if it takes a bit longtime you'll find. All you need is Self determination and a little bit of luck .

How to get a job in Finland?

To find a part time job here is extremely difficult but not impossible. All you need to do is make an open application for a job in a company of your interests even if they have not informed about the vacancies. Always be active and motivated. Keep in mind that most companies keep the open application for later use.

The other essential task you need to do is contact employers directly by phone or to visit a company.

Where to apply?

All the vacancies available are published on www.mol.fi. Prepare a good C.V about your qualifications ,work experience and possible transderable skills inorder to define your core competences. Make application , get the employer information and contact them as soon as possible.

Some useful links in finding job:

• www.varmiespalvelu.fi
• www.opteam.fi
• www.adecco.fi
• www.mol.fi
• www.jobstep.net

Note: All the vacancies are written in Finnish language so its good to get help from your finnish friend. It is also equally important that you learn some basic Finnish as soon as possible.

Information on Entrance Examination

For Bachelor´s degree programme it is required to participate in entrance examination. Students who get invitation letter from the applying university or polytechnics are eligible to appear in entrance examinations. Students should better write their current address or GPO Box address when filling up the online application especially if their permanent address is in a remote area .One part of the exam usually is a language (English) skill test. However the entrance exam differs with the subject you are applying for. Exam is usually conducted by British Council and Embassy of Finland in respective countries. The colleges themselves decide where their exams are held, students get the information of the exam location, date and time when they receive the exam invitation letter.

Note: Check your emails regularly and the home page of your first option college as they publish the pre-reading material for entrance examination .

Finish Society and Culture

Finns are open, warm, honest and very friendly. Finns do not have anykind of sexual discrimination. They have gender equity. Finns are very punctual. Most of the people speak Finish and Swedish language. It is quite interesting that many people almost do not speak English at all. People like to visit each other regularly. It is good to take a small gift when you are invited to a Finnish home. Be careful to take off your shoes at the outdoor.

When we meet somebody for the first time or after many years we are expected to shake hands but as you get familiar and closer to someone it is not necessary to shake hands every time you meet each other.

The location between east and west has reflected in Finish fooding style. People widely eat fish. Finnish berries like lingonberries, cloudberries etc are very tasty. The potato is very much familiar to the Finns. It is the part of almost every meals. Finns also love to eat a lot of vegetables. Water, milk and juice are the common drinks in home. In some occasions you may be served with wine or beer. It is very interesting to know that Fins take on average, nine cups of coffee. It is a world record. If you visit Finnish home you are served with coffee.

Finns begin the day with breakfast and then lunch between 11.00 and 13.00. Dinner is eaten at home at around 17.00 to 18.00.

Finns drink slightly over 10 litres of alcohol per person per year. In fact Finns have the reputation concerning drinking. Alcohol can be bought in the special stores called Alko. Beer and cider can be found in grocery stores also. The age limit for purchasing beer and wine is 18 and 20 for the hard drinks. You are not allowed to drink in the public places. Smoking at any place is forbidden. You should go to the smoking place and smoke. People do not smoke inside their own house. They generally go to the balcony to smoke.

Drugs are strictly prohibited. Possession or using drugs is illegal.

Sauna is the part of Finnish culture. You can find Sauna wherever you go on Finland. The fact that there are 5.2 million Finns and 1.7 million sauna proves it how familiar people are with sauna. In general woman and man bath separately except within the family. Finnish sauna is one form of the ancient sweat bath tradition. It relaxes the muscles and relieves muscular aches and pains.

Living in Finland

Finland is a beautiful country with a very few population around 5.2 million. It is a well developed country with modern technology. It is very good to learn basic Finnish as soon as you arrive in Finland .

About the climate?

Be sure and bold, you are going to face -30 degree Celsius. It is not a joke. Finland is marked by very cold winters and warm summers. You need to carry lots of warm clothes.

About the Entertainment?

You can go to some theatre to watch movies or see drama. You can also go to swimming pool, sport hall and have fun with what you like to play. If you love to go for a journey then you can surf different lakes all around Finland. The other options for entertainment can be the night clubs and different restaurants.

About the monthly expenses?

Well it is very much similar to all other European countries. The groceries are very expensive. There are lots of supermarkets and you can get anything you want. The accommodation here varies with the type of room you are living in. Overall a student can manage his month within €400-€600. Anyway that depends on how you are going to live your life.

Monthly costs for students are roughly estimated to be:

Accommodation	140-350 EUR
Lunch at student canteen	40-64 EUR
Self-catering	85-120 EUR
Other expenses	85-120 EUR

Any threats?

Be calm you will get a warm response from the people living here. People are very social. There is no any security problem. You can be a free man but be sure to be abide by the Finnish rules and regulations.

List of universities and colleges in Finland

There are 20 universities in the Ministry of Education sector: ten multidisciplinary universities, three schools of economics and business administration, three universities of technology, and four art academies.

• University of Helsinki
• University of Joensuu
• University of Jyväskylä
• University of Kuopio
• University of Lapland
• University of Oulu
• University of Tampere
• University of Turku
• University of Vaasa
• Åbo Akademi University
• Lappeenranta University of Technology
• Tampere University of Technology
• Helsinki University of Technology
• Helsinki School of Economics and Business Administration
• Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration
• Turku School of Economics and Business Administration
• Academy of Fine Arts
• Sibelius Academy
• University of Art and Design
• Theatre Academy

There are 26 polytechnics in the Ministry of Education sector: six are run by local authorities, seven by municipal education consortia and 13 by private organisations. In addition there is Åland University of Applied Sciences in the self-governing Province of Åland and a Police College subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior.

• Arcada Polytechnic
• Central Ostrobothnia Polytechnic
• Diaconia Polytechnic
• HAAGA-HELIA Polytechnic
• Humanities Polytechnic
• Häme Polytechnic
• Jyväskylä Polytechnic
• Kajaani Polytechnic
• Kemi-Tornio Polytechnic
• Kymenlaakso Polytechnic
• Lahti Polytechnic
• Laurea Polytechnic
• Metropolia Polytechnic
• Mikkeli Polytechnic
• North Carelia Polytechnic
• Novia Polytechnic
• Oulu Polytechnic
• Pirkanmaa Polytechnic
• Rovaniemi Polytechnic
• Saimaa Polytechnic
• Satakunta Polytechnic
• Savonia Polytechnic
• Seinäjoki Polytechnic
• Tampere Polytechnic
• Turku Polytechnic
• Vaasa Polytechnic

Courses offered in Finland

Finnish institutions provide close to 400 English-speaking degree and non-degree programmes. Some of the programs are short courses, which can usually only be taken as part of an exchange program whilst whole degree programs take several years to complete and lead to an official Finnish higher education degree.

Graduate Programs:

Arts & Design

* Architecture Courses
* Art and Design Courses
* Computer Animation
* Design Courses
* English Literature Courses
* Fashion Design Courses
* Fine Art Courses
* Interior Design Courses
* Liberal Arts Courses
* Product Design Courses

Biological Sciences / Health

* Biological Sciences Courses
* Microbiology Courses
* Neuroscience Courses
* Nursing Courses
* Pharmaceutical Sciences
* Physiology Courses
* Sports Sciences Courses


Business / Finance / Management

* Advertising and Marketing Courses
* Business Administration (MBA)
* Business Education
* Careers in Business Management
* Courses in Management
* Economics Courses
* Entrepreneurship
* Finance Courses
* Finding the Best Graduate Business School
* Hospitality Management
* Information Management Courses
* International Management & Finance
* MSc Tourism
* Small Business Management
* Tourism Courses


Engineering

* Aeronautical Engineering
* Biomedical Engineering
* Built Environment Courses
* Chemical Engineering Courses
* Civil Engineering Courses
* Electronic Engineering Courses
* Engineering Courses
* Manufacturing Courses
* Marine Engineering Courses


Languages

* Finnish Courses
* French Courses
* German Courses
* Language Courses Overseas
* Modern European Languages
* TEFL Courses


Law

* Corporate Finance Law
* European Law Courses
* European Law Programs
* Intellectual Property Rights
* International Law Association
* Public International Law


Social Sciences / Humanities

* Archaeology Courses
* Art History Courses
* East Asian Studies
* East European Studies
* Human Rights Courses (MA)
* Librarianship and Information Services
* Philosophy for Children - Education in the Classroom
* Politics Courses
* Social Sciences Courses
* Social Sciences Master's Degrees


Sciences / Information Technology

* Chemistry Courses
* Computer Science Courses
* Forensic Science Programs
* Information Management Courses
* Information Technology Courses
* Materials Science Courses
* Mathematics Courses
* Neurocomputing Courses
* Physics Courses
* Polymer Science Courses

Why study in Finland?

During the last year of 1990´s why the number of international students in Finland has increased so much? Why is Finland being the destination of more and more international exchange students? Why FInland? What may be the reason behind it? Based on my personal experience and observation over last three years and questionnaire with foreign students living here i have found a conclusion and answer to my question,why Finland?

• Affordable :

Finland is the only country in Europe which is very much affordable for all groups of people. The universities and colleges do not charge any tution fees which means you have to just concern for your living costs. The main reason for the increased number of students is high level of education at very little cost (living expenses).

• Exchange Programme
  

A convenient channel is provided by the many interntional exchange programmes launched in late 1980s and 1990s for an increasing number of international students to come and study in Finland.The ERAMUS and NORDPLUS programs has opened flow of students between Finland and European countries ,Finland and other Nordic countries.Students from U.S,Canada, Mexico, Australia, the Republic of Korea and Japan have found their way to Finland through the multilateral exchange program of ISEP launched in the late 1990s.

• Different international subject programmes being taught in English

The other main reason why a growing number of international students today come to study in Finland is the availability of a great variety of international study programs taught in English at Finnish universities and polytechnics. The study programs taught in English are intended for both international and Finnish students and cover a great variety of fields. These include, for example, fields known as Finland's special areas of strength, such as Architecture, Art and Design, Russian and Baltic Area Studies, Information Technology and Engineering, Environmental Science and Forestry.

• Perfect for so many fields of studies

Art and design, architecture, communications, environmental science and technology are the most popular fields of studies in Finland. The Finnish system of higher education is regarded as excellent and its universities are highly ranked worldwide. One can choose university or polytechnic for different types of subject programmes taught in English. Studies in Finland are practical based. Students get the oppurnity to be practical with the subject matter they are being taught. So it becomes easy for students to remember and practical based education is utmost for finding the appropriate type of job one is waiting for.

• Modern studying facility and advanced technology

Presence of advanced technologies and modern studying facilities has been one of the main reason why Finland is being the destination of hundreds of international students. Everyone carry a intrest to work and study in advanced technology and live a modern life. And this is easily possible in Finland.So Finland is the ultimate destination for international students to work and study.

• Where will all this magic take place?

Finland's natural green environment,its lakes,forests,white winters,colorful.....seem to attract international students to Finland a lot. Finland is in actuality a land of tremendous natural splendor and great adventure. It is inhabited by intellectual people with a love for learning, sports and... saunas. And if you make the right decision, it'll soon be inhabited by you, too.

Facts about Finland.

Background

Ruled by Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries and by Russia from 1809, Finland finally won its independence in 1917. During World War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and fend off invasions by the Soviet Union and Germany. In the subsequent half century, the Finns have made a remarkable transformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is now on par with Western Europe. As a member of the European Union, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999.

Population: 5,167,486 (July 2000 est.)

Area:

Total: 337,030 sq km
Land : 305,470 sq km
Water : 31,560 sq km

Climate:

Cold temperate; potentially subarctic, but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes

Ethnic groups:

Finn 93%, Swede 6%, Lapp 0.11%, Roma 0.12%, Tatar 0.02%

Nationality:

Noun: Finn(s)
Adjective: Finnish

Religions:

Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Greek Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other 1%

Languages:

Finnish 93.4% (official), Swedish 5.9% (official), small Lapp- and Russian-speaking minorities

Information on applying to study in Finland

Applying for Bachelor’s degree programmes:

Intake 2009

The application period for the 2009 intake begins on 12 January 2009 and closes on 13th February 2009 at 4:15 pm(GMT+2). Applications for the programmes are submitted through the joint application system in Finland.

How to apply for Bachelor’s degree programmes in Finland?

The application takes place through the joint online application system .The system is open during the application period.One can apply for four different Bachelor’s degree programmes at Finnish universities of applied sciences using the same joint application form.One has to think carefully in choosing the preference order as it cannot be altered after the application period is closed.

Click here to apply online.

Note: Applying to different degree programes means that you need to participate different entrance exam. Practically outside Finland it's better to apply same degree programmes as you may not be able to participate in the different entrance exam. Consult with the Finnish Embassy in your country for the detailed information.

What to do next?

After filling the online application form send all the attested copies of your certificates to the university of first preference. You are then invited to entrance exam and on the basis of the points you get you are being admitted..If you are admitted to the option of your first preference, you cannot be admitted to the option of your second, third or fourth preference. If you are not admitted to the option of your first preference, your points will be checked to see, if you can be admitted to the option of your second, third or fourth preference.

Exam Venue Outside Finland:

The entrance exam is organised by the Finnish embassy or by British Council.Contact the embassy for the exam venue.The exam fee depends on the country you are applying from however generally it doesn't exist 100 euros.

Study in Finland