The Finnish education system today is considered one of the best in the world. That's why studying in Finland for Russians is a great opportunity to get a good education and a diploma that is valued all over the world.

• High-quality European education.
• Free education for both citizens of the country and foreigners.
• Many international programs taught in English.
• A neighboring state, which is convenient to reach by almost any means of transport. This is a particular advantage for residents of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region.
• A beautiful and quiet country with very high level life (for many years Finland has been among the TOP 10 countries in the world in terms of living standards according to the world rankings).

Primary and secondary education

In Finland, children start school at 6–7 years old. Compulsory education continues until age 16–17. It is worth noting that education in Finnish schools is aimed at an individual approach to each student.

Much attention is paid to foreign languages. School program includes compulsory study of 3 foreign languages. Textbooks, notebooks, stationery, and meals are free for students here.

After graduating from basic school, young people can:

• Get professional education in a vocational school, after which you can start working in your specialty. Training lasts from 2 to 6 years.
• Continue your studies for 3 years at the Lyceum, where serious preparation for entering higher education is underway educational establishments.

Higher education in Finland

The Finnish higher education system includes:

• Polytechnic institutes
• Universities

Polytechnic institutes are focused on obtaining practical knowledge and skills in various fields. Here you can get a specialty in areas such as Natural resources and transport, business and management, healthcare and education, culture and tourism, service sector, etc.

Many polytechnics are located in regional areas, as students are expected to work in a specific area of ​​Finland after graduation. Each polytechnic institute has a department that, upon graduation, helps graduates find work in their specialty.

Universities are focused on obtaining academic knowledge. In these higher educational institutions, the most popular areas are the natural sciences and humanities, as well as technology.

Currently, Finnish universities have a two-stage training program: bachelor's degree - 3 years, master's degree - 2 years.

Subsequent studies for 2 years provide the opportunity to obtain a licentiate diploma - an average degree between a master's and doctor of science. To obtain a doctorate degree after a master's degree, 4 years of doctoral study are required.

Education at state universities is free for foreign citizens. However, you will have to bear the costs of accommodation and food yourself.

For master's and doctoral students, the Finnish higher education system provides various grants and scholarships.

Students in Finland are officially allowed to combine study and work, but the work must not take more than 25 hours a week.

How to enter universities in Finland

Full information about higher education institutions can be found on the official website of the Finnish Ministry of Education at www.minedu.fi.

Applications for admission to most universities can be submitted electronically:

• For applicants to polytechnic institutes - on the website admissions.fi.
• For university applicants – visit yliopistohaku.fi.

Applications are usually accepted until the end of April. Entrance exams take place in May-June, and training begins in mid-August. However, it is worth paying attention to the following:

• Not all universities allow you to submit an application electronically.
• Application deadlines for many English-language programs may be earlier than for Finnish- and Swedish-language programs.

Therefore, it is advisable to write to the chosen educational institution and clarify the information.

Thus, the process of admission to universities in Finland involves the following steps:

1. Select a university and study all the necessary information about this educational institution (programs, admission conditions, exam dates, required documents).
2. Write a letter to the chosen university and clarify the information again.
3. Submit an application for admission and attach the necessary documents.
4. Apply in advance for a short-term visa to take entrance tests.
5. Come to the entrance exams.
6. If accepted, apply for a student visa.

Applying for a short-term visa

To apply for a short-term Schengen visa, you will need the following documents:

• , signed personally by the applicant. A parent/guardian signs the form for a minor child.
• A valid foreign passport and a copy of the page of the foreign passport with personal data. The passport must be issued no later than 10 years ago, be valid for another three months after the visa expires, and have two blank pages.
• Old/canceled foreign passport (if any).
• 1 color photograph taken no more than 6 months ago.
• Visa fees.
• Insurance policy for those traveling abroad.
• Copy of internal passport (page with photo and registration in Russia).

If the applicant is a minor (under 18 years of age), the following will additionally be required:

• Birth certificate and copy.
• Parents' consent to the child's departure.

More detailed information on the official websites of the Finnish Embassy in Russia and authorized visa centers.

Applying for a student visa

If the period of study in Finland is more than 3 months, a residence permit, the so-called student visa, is issued.

To do this you will need:

• Two identical photographs, no more than 6 months old.
• A valid foreign passport.
• An invitation or certificate of enrollment from a Finnish educational institution confirming the student's status.
• Guarantees of material security (bank statement confirming the availability of sufficient funds for bank account the applicant; as a rule, at least 560 euros / month).
• The application fee is 330 euros, for minors – 230 euros.
• Insurance policy.
• Students under 18 years of age also provide:
  • Birth certificate.
  • Parental consent translated into Finnish, Swedish or English language.

The application for a residence permit for a minor student is signed by one of the parents.

WITH detailed information can be found on the official website of the Embassy of Finland.

Prospects for Finnish university graduates

Education in Finland for Russians has many advantages. After graduating from university, you can stay and work in Finland. True, to get a good job, you will have to learn Finnish. And since Finnish diplomas are highly valued on the international labor market, if you wish, you can find work in any other country in the world.

Please note that on our website there is only a part of educational institutions and training programs.

Contact us and we will select an option according to your request!

Universities in Finland

Russian applicants are offered a large list of higher educational institutions:

• Aalto University
• University of the Arts Helsinki (merged Sibelius Akatemia, Tetterikorkeakoulu and Kuvataideakatemia in 2013)

List of universities in Finland

Åbo University, Turku
Abo Akademi University

• biotechnology;
• computer science;
• organic chemistry;
• human rights;
• information and structural biology;
• natural sciences and polymers;
• engineering sciences.

Like universities in the UK, Abo University teaches in English.
On English language 3 programs offered master's degree:

• laws of international law;
• engineering chemistry;
• business through electronic and mobile communications.

Submission of documents- until March 30.

University of Vaasa
Vaasan Yliopisto

University of Vaasa(west Finland, near the border with Sweden) was founded in 1968. Today it is studying 5,000 students, of which 400 are foreigners from 35 countries.

The university has 4 faculties:

• Faculty of Business;
• Faculty of Humanities;
• Faculty of Administration;
• Faculty of Technology.

University of Vaasa first in Finland entered in-depth study technological disciplines in economics and business administration programs.

On English language offered 5 programs master's degree:

• finance;
• international Business;
• intercultural communications and administration;
• telecommunications engineering;
• industrial management.

Submission of documents- from January 1 to February 28

University of Lapland
Lapin Yliopisto

University of Lapland founded in 1979 in the city of Rovaniemi - the capital Lapland. This is the northernmost University Europe. Currently there are about 4,000 students, of which 150 are foreigners. University of Lapland cooperates with 260 universities around the world. A significant part University is Arctic Research Institute.

• right;
• natural Sciences;
• education;
• art and design.

On English language 1 program offered master's degree– resources of the North.
Submission of documents – until April 25.

University of Oulu
Oulun Yliopisto

University of Oulu was founded in 1958 in North-west Finland. Currently studying there 15,000 students, of which about 500 are foreigners.

6 faculties form the basis educational And research programs:

• Faculty of Humanities;
• Faculty of Education;
• Faculty of Natural Sciences;
• Faculty of Medicine;
• Faculty of Economics and Business;
• Faculty of Technology.

On English language offered 4 programs master's degree:

• finance and management;
• international Business;
• international education;
• education and globalization.

Submission of documents– until January 31.

University of Tampere
Tampereen Yliopisto

University was founded in the southern part Finland V 1925. Today it is studying 18,000 students, of which about 800 are foreigners.

In the University 9 institutes And 6 faculties:

• Faculty of Education;
• Faculty of Humanities;
• Faculty of Information Sciences;
• Faculty of Medicine;
• Faculty of Social Sciences.

On English language University of Tampere offers 1 program baccalaureate(social sciences) and 5 programs master's degree:

• Informatics;
• Social sciencies;
• economics and administration;
• medicine;
• bioinformatics.

Applications are accepted for most programs from early January to March.

University of Turku
Turku Yliopisto

University was founded in 1920. Located in the southwest Finland. Today there are about 18,000 students, of which 1000 are foreigners. University of Turku is the second largest in the country, with 3,000 faculty and staff.

In the University 6 faculties:

• humanitarian;
• mathematics and natural sciences;
• medical;
• legal;
• social sciences;
• education.

On English language offered 8 master's programs:

• oriental studies;
• study of the Baltic region;
• bioinformatics;
• environment and ecology;
• European Heritage and the Information Society;
• information Technology;
• Social sciencies;
• education.

Submitting applications- since the beginning of January.

University of Helsinki
Helsingin Yliopisto The University of Helsinki

The university was founded in 1640 in Turku, and in 1828 moved to Helsinki. To date University of Helsinki offers the most big choice training programs (there are only business and technology programs), and is the largest in Finland. Today it is studying 40,000 students, of which 2,000 are foreigners.

Education in the field of law, theology, medicine, humanities, sociology, natural and agricultural sciences, biosciences, veterinary medicine, pharmacology, forestry is considered one of the best in Europe.

The university is famous for its graduates– 7 out of 11 presidents Finland studied at University of Helsinki. University of Helsinki is a full member of the European League Research Universities and has branches and research centers in 17 cities Finland.

On English language only programs offered master's degree:

• atmospheric-biosphere phenomena;
• statistics and analysis;
• bioinformatics;
• biotechnology;
• food technology;
• forestry and business;
• ethnic relations, cultural diversity and integration;
• geoinformatics;
• space sciences;
• crop production

Submission of documents from mid-November to the end of January next year. (There may be slight differences in submission deadlines depending on the program).

University of Jyväskylä
Jyväskulän Yliopisto

University founded in 1934 in the center of the southern part Finland. Currently there are about 15,000 students, of which almost 500 are foreigners. Last few years University of Jyväskylä was noted as the most popular among students.

For various research programs University cooperates with almost 900 universities peace. The University of Jyväskylä has 3 campuses. The main campus was designed by the famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto; 2 new ones - built around the lake, in the center Jyvaskyla.

University offers 14 programs master's degree on English language:

• cultural diversity;
• music, consciousness and technology;
• biology and physical activity;
• corporate environmental management;
• family business;
• economics and finance;
• education;
• nanoscience;
• renewable energy sources;
• sports and physiology;
• information technology and business.

Most popular programs:

• sports management;
• intercultural communications;
• information Technology.

Submission of documents– until January 31.

Lappeenranta University of Technology
Lappeenrannen Teknillinen Yliopisto

University founded in 1969 in the city Lappeenranta. Today it is studying 5000 students, of which about 200 are foreigners. Teaching and scientific activity carry out 900 teachers and employees.

Strength: proximity to Russia, which largely determines how curriculum , and the field of scientific and practical activities, especially in the field business And technologies.

University offers 6 programs master's degree on English language:

• engineering mechanics;
• information Technology;
• chemical process engineering;
• bioenergy technologies;
• electromechanics;
• new packaging technologies.

Submission of documents, usually from January/February.

Tampere University of Technology
Tampereen Teknillinen Yliopisto

University of Tampere was founded in 1965 as a new division Helsinki University of Technology, and in 1972 it separated and received the status of an independent university. Today it is studying 12,000 students, of which about 700 are foreigners.

University specializes in programs:

• bachelor's degree in the field of Architecture and Technology;
• master's degree in specialties: Technologies in Natural Sciences, Architecture;
• doctoral studies: Technology, Architecture, Philosophy.

On English language offered 7 master's programs:

• biomedical engineering;
• business and technology;
• information Technology;
• mechanical engineering;
• automation of mechanical engineering;
• radio electronics;
• natural sciences and bioengineering.

Submission of documents from January 1 to March 31.

Hanken School of Economics
HANKEN School of Economics

Hanken School of Economics one of the leading universities economic profile in Scandinavia, with over 100 years of teaching experience in economics and management. The education received at the Hanken School of Economics is internationally recognized and valued throughout the world. For training, you can choose programs at any level - from bachelor's to doctoral studies, there is also the opportunity to take individual courses and subjects, as well as undergo training in the executive education program.

Hanken School of Economics is the only independent business university in Finland. The university buildings are located in Helsinki And Vaasa. The main campus of the university is located in Helsinki.

Thanks to the international EQUIS accreditation, Hanken University's diploma is valued all over the world.

Hanken School of Economics offers programs Master's programs in English(duration 2 years) in specialties:

Business and Management

Corporate Governance

Finance and Accounting

Intellectual PropertyLaw

Traditionally, close contacts are maintained with business schools in Northern Europe.

Submitting applications– from January to early April.

Prepare your sleigh in the summer, and prepare it for entering a Finnish university in the winter. So one could paraphrase a well-known saying. True, you can prepare for a Finnish university twice a year! Both in winter and in summer.

Yes, you can enroll in Finnish universities 2 times a year. The admission process takes a lot of time. The Finnish school year is conventionally divided into “autumn” and “spring”. Acceptance of applications for admission begins approximately 2 months before exams and long before the start of the academic season. For studies in winter (spring) 2017, we send applications in September 2016, and for the autumn academic year 2017 the schedule will be approximately as follows: submission of applications - early January. Entrance exams - April. Enrollment information is due in June. Start school year 2017 - end of August. Exact dates for 2017 will be given on the official website http://www.studyinfinland.fi/ in August.

But by then we will need to decide on the university, exams, contact the university and submit an application! And yes, and get a visa, of course. So it's time to start!

Together with the Finns, applicants from European and Asian countries apply annually, attracted by the free education. The likelihood of obtaining student housing, safety and many other factors make Finnish education very popular for Russians. The most attractive thing is the opportunity to stay in the country permanently if you find a job after completing your studies. Unlike other countries, this is given for six months. And, of course, a very important attractiveness of Finnish education is its quality, recognized throughout the world.

We need to hurry on the road, we need to find out what kind of bird I am.

1. Choose a university.

Those who decide to conquer the Finnish expanses should have a good understanding of the country’s universities, the programs offered, and the professions in demand. Very often the names create confusion: the University of Applied Sciences is not a university in the usual sense. And the Higher Professional School is not a school at all.

University or "polytechnic"?

Higher education in Finland exists in two parallels:

classical Universities – multidisciplinary or yliopisto and Professional universities– as soon as they are not called: “polytechnician”, AMK, ammatikorkeakoulu, Higher Vocational School or University of Applied Sciences (UPN), UAS, University of Appliance Scienc

DIFFERENCES

Universities are still more popular, with 60–70% of students studying there. Finns and Russians more often choose “polytechnics,” while residents of Europe and Asia choose “universities.” It is believed that entering the University is more difficult, studying there is more honorable, but graduates of “professional universities” are valued by employers.

According to a recent media survey, the most prestigious educational institutions in the country are:
University of Helsinki, further Technical University Espoo and the Helsinki Higher School of Economics.
It's not easy to get here. In 2014, the University of Helsinki received a record 26,632 applications. But only 16% were admitted. The largest competition is always at the Faculty of Psychology - approximately 17 people per place, for the specialty "biochemistry" - 12-13; at the faculties of government and sociology - 9-10, and at the medical and legal faculties, on average, 6 people per place.
It is interesting that in Finland there has been a significant increase in interest in theological faculties (“study of God”, a kind of symbiosis of philosophy and religion).

There is also competition for admission to professional universities: in 2015, for example, there were 67,300 applicants for 16,000 places.
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AALTO UNIVERSITY www.aalto.fi

2.What does Russia choose?

Russian students are, of course, the largest group (we are ahead of the Chinese!).
The troops of Russian students landed most extensively near the borders:

• Saimaa University of Applied Sciences, the most popular.

• Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences in Kouvola and
• Capital universities: HAAGA-HELIA, Metropolia, Arcade (in order of popularity).

• professional “universities” of Lahti, Jyväskylä and, finally, Mikkeli

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Strategy and tactics of the “autumn conscription” 2013.

Armed with all the knowledge, we are developing a plan for the future “battle.”

1. Preparatory stage: What? Where? When?

Finnish or English?

If you have chosen to study in Finnish, all doors are open to you: you can find a sought-after specialty, a faculty without competition, a program without exams!! Yes, yes, there are such universities in Finland.

If you plan to study in an international program, you will need English at a fluent level, as evidenced by the TOEFL or IELTS test you passed. Both are qualitatively different from the Russian Unified State Exam in English. IELTS in Finland is considered more modern and preferable, but the choice is yours.

• Required for universityIELTS (6.5) or TOEFL (580/92),
• for “polytechnician” IELTS (6.0) or TOEFL (550/80).

ATTENTION: Since 2013, several universities have appeared that accept students without IELTS or TOEFL; English is taken as an entrance exam at the university. (Universities of Kymenlaakso in Kouvola, Savonia in Kuopio, etc.).

We choose a specialty and university.

— When choosing a specialty, of course, the main thing is your abilities, but you should not forget that the more “popular” the profession, the more competitors you have. Both when applying and when looking for a job. Think most of all about how and where you will use your education in the future.
— It is also important whether the university provides student housing, whether it can help with municipal housing, or whether you will have to rent an apartment at “private” prices.
— According to the admission rules, an applicant can choose several specialties for admission. In 2013, the admission rules were significantly changed: when entering a professional university you can choose 4 programs, and when entering the University there are as many as 9!

Reception features.

The 2016 admission rules state that foreigners with incomplete secondary education in 2016 are not allowed to take the exams (as was previously the case). Nevertheless, ask about all these and other points at the institutes where you are applying. In Finland, each university sets its own rules.

You can enroll in several programs at once; the most important one for you is chosen first on the list; if you don’t have enough points, you participate in a competition for the specialty for which there are enough points.
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2. Main stage: Measure a hundred times - cut once (or rather, serve)

Submitting an application.

So, have you found out “what kind of bird you are”, chosen the direction of flight - the right universities and “your” specialties? Then, go ahead and fill out the online applicant application form.
For those planning to study in the fall of 2016, online access for applications to
— Institutes of Applied Sciences will be opened
2.09 - 13.09 to 16:15 “Finnish time”
— Application deadline for classical universities is 16.09-1.10 to 16.15 hours.

— The University of Helsinki closes applications from 19.10 to 31.01 links to application sites

Remember, when choosing a university and a program, first you put the one that is most preferable for you, because having scored a certain number of points, you will first enter exactly “this” program, and only then, if you don’t get enough points, you will automatically be among those wishing to enroll in the specified one you “second” (3rd, etc.) program. And if you qualified for the second program through the competition, then you will no longer be able to apply for the third one on your list.
You can change programs only before the end of the agreed period, by sending a separate letter to the site administration.

If everything went well with filling out the electronic form, email You will immediately receive a confirmation, which will indicate the address for sending copies of your documents.
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Documents and conditions of admission.

An exact list of required documents, their correct design and the requirements for exams are guaranteed only by the university you are enrolling in, do not be shy or lazy to apply there. This is especially true for Universities, where each faculty puts forward its own rules. On the website of all universities there is email address, and in each institute there is a “specially responsible person”.
Even if you have a curator at Russian territory, who organizes the reception of documents and exams, it will still not be superfluous to clarify ALL the information at the university itself. In English, of course. Moreover, you don’t trust Internet sites.
Copies (COPIES ONLY!!!) documents are sent ONLY by mail to admissions committee the university whose specialty you chose first in the applicant application form. It is very important that the documents arrive at the university on time: for example, to “vocational universities” before September 23, 2016, 4:15 pm Finnish time. It is better to send by special mail or from Finland. Russian Post is known to be an unreliable postman.

3. This terrible word is exam.

The signal for the start of hostilities is the receipt of a letter with an invitation to exams, which most often take place all on the same day. Don't forget to find out about the ORIGINALS of the documents. There are universities that take responsibility for storing and transmitting originals; they collect them before the exam. But, as a rule, the university requires the originals “upon admission.”
Get ready for a very difficult day: at 9 am there is usually a language test (an essay on a given topic) and a grammar test (if you are applying in English), after which it is the turn of mathematics.

And finally, applicants are invited from the list for a personal interview.

The last applicant is sometimes released only at 6 o'clock.

Applicants' work is checked in almost the same order - the language test for knowledge of the basics of the language comes first. Mathematics work is checked only for the remaining part .

But, as a rule, the applicant receives the most important “plus” or “minus” during the interview. This is where the secret choice of future students takes place: sociability, intelligence, broad outlook, abundance of interests, desire and ability to learn and many other important qualities will be quietly “revealed” from the most ordinary questions and answers in a casual conversation. Quarrelsomeness, aggressiveness, stubbornness and uncertainty also cannot be hidden from experienced teachers. For guys who didn’t cope with something during an interview, the essay is checked formally with a negative mark.
This is an approximate picture of what is happening, depending on the university and language program you choose, the “battlefield” and the scale of the battle may differ, for example, a subject in your specialty will be added. You may need to take some additional exam; not all institutes accept results from other universities.
Universities have their own exams, and many accept them without them at all, but they require a letter of motivation: why here, why this subject and why you.
Russians call the math exam easy; some compare it to grades 6-9 at school. The same is said about physics and chemistry. But the English exam turns out to be difficult for many.
The results of the “battle” come by mail, and those who pass the exams successfully can see the results of the competition by gaining access to the applicant’s online account.
Those who did not pass the exams can try their hand at it in the next six months, which is already a useful experience.
Those interested can request their work from the university to see any errors.Appeals are not accepted in the country and are useless.

4. We got in!

Very important points that need to be done right away...

1. After receiving letterson successful completion of exams, you need to apply “for housing.” There are very few places, they are distributed according to the principle of “who gets up first gets the slippers.” Finnish universities themselves do not manage housing; each city has its own organization. In Helsinki it is HOAS ( www.hoas.fi). An application for a hostel is sent through the websites of such organizations.
2. Do not miss postal letter from the university with information about that you are enrolled in the course And

— immediately confirm in writing that you are among the “winners.” By putting it off until “later” you can forget and the “prize” place will be given to someone else.
— We’ll go straight away to get a visa. The waiting process can take up to 2 months.
The first student “residence permit” is issued for a year “at the place of residence”, at the Finnish consulate. More details - migri.fi.studying_in_finland
The main thing you will need:
- an account statement indicating the availability of 6,000 euros in the name of the applicant (from any bank in any country) and
- medical insurance.

5. Student happiness

Finally! Shimmering with happiness with all the colors of the rainbow, with a visa and things, you are heading to the treasured “land of blue lakes”.
Where will you live?
There are options. Some universities provide “student housing” - apartments and rooms for a nominal fee (all “their” Finnish students are provided with just such housing). Here is one of the student houses in Helsinki:


Or another, This is no longer just a house for students, it is a “House of Students and Youth.” Here, as a rule, everyone has their own apartment.







A less preferable option is a student hotel (here’s a room - 100-200 euros/month at your own expense),

If you couldn’t get it, you might be able to get housing from the municipality (prices vary greatly depending on the city, Helsinki 200 -400e for a room or 500-600 for a 1-room apartment), or you will have to rent private apartment: Helsinki, 700-1000 euros. Of course, in small towns further from the border, housing prices are much cheaper. For example, in Turku, a 1-room apartment costs 300-400 euros.
What to live on?
We'll have to do it on our own. Or parents. Or for the 6000 that you have in your account, if you didn’t borrow it temporarily, for a visa. Scholarships are available only to Finns and master's degree students. The approximate cost of living for a student is 600-700 euros per month. In large cities, for example, Helsinki, food distribution is held 2 times a week
Privileges?
Virtually none: 25-50% discount on a travel card, swimming pool, various museums, etc. There may be a discount on food in the institute canteen (or 1 free dish).
Work?
Possibly up to 20 hours a week. During the holidays - no restrictions. True, work in the country is not lying around every corner, but, without knowing Finnish, it is generally hidden from your eyes.

Since 2017, the Finnish government has introduced tuition fees for students from non-EEC countries. Finnish universities complied, but today it is clear: they need students no less than money. While charging tuition fees with one hand, they offer scholarships with the other.

We stopped by the Study in Finland educational fair at the Consulate General of Finland to find out exactly how much you will have to pay for a Finnish diploma. The organizer of the fair is the state company CIMO, which oversees all issues related to the study of foreigners in Finland. What has changed in the admission rules over the past two years? We addressed this question to CIMO Senior Advisor Outi Jappinen.

The main news: from the beginning of 2017, for students from countries outside the European Union, studying at Finnish universities in programs not in Finnish or Swedish will be paid. There is an advantage for those who know Finnish: non-EU residents can study in Finland for free in Finnish-language programs.

Have the admission rules changed?

Nothing has changed in the admission rules. On Studyinfinland.fi you can get general information about studying in Finland and choosing a program in English. Application for admission (online application) for all programs - in English, Finnish, Swedish - is submitted on the studyinfo.fi page.

The government has established that a year of study at a Finnish university cannot cost less than one and a half thousand euros. What is the upper limit?

Universities set the size independently, but, as is known, at the moment it ranges from 3,500 to 15 – 20 thousand euros. Expensive universities include, firstly, universities in the central region and universities that use a lot of high-tech equipment for teaching. For example, at the University of Helsinki, some programs cost up to 20 thousand euros per year, and at the Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) from 10 thousand euros per year. Business programs are much cheaper. Universities publish information about prices on their websites.

Will students who participate in an exchange program have to pay tuition?

No, they shouldn't. We have such a program FIRST - FinnishRussianStudent. This is a student exchange program similar to the Russian Erasmus. Students who come to us to study under this program do not have to pay tuition. But it must be said that exchange studies can last no more than 9 months.

IMPORTANT!

1 The application deadline for bachelor's programs is from 9 a.m. on January 10 to 4 p.m. on January 25, 2017. Do not forget that it will not be possible to submit an application after the established time.

2. For submitting an application, applicants who received their education in countries other than the EEC will be charged a fee of 100 euros. This amount pays for the possibility of simultaneously submitting 6 applications to different programs at different universities.

3. You must have a certain amount in your account (about 8 thousand euros) to confirm your creditworthiness.

4. An application for a scholarship must be submitted along with the application for admission. The decision to issue a scholarship is announced along with the admission results.

DON'T LOSE TALENTS

How much will scholarship programs reduce the financial burden for non-EEA students? To get an answer to this question, we turned to representatives of universities who came to the fair. There were twenty of them in total, and about 450 people came to the fair. And this means that not all applicants in St. Petersburg gave up their desire to study in Finland after the introduction of fees.

According to Outi Jappinen, the group of Russian-speaking students is the largest foreign group in Finnish universities. After the Russians come Chinese and Vietnamese students. It is not yet clear from what resources the scholarship programs will be financed. Many universities will use their funds. CIMO like government structure, does not have a foundation, but is now awaiting permission to create its own scholarship program, with which it will be possible to support talented students.

It would be very sad if we lose talented students due to the need to charge fees, says Outi Appinen.

The same idea was expressed by representatives of almost all universities with whom we were able to communicate at the fair. This is confirmed by the scholarships that universities are ready to offer to students from Russia. Let's look at examples. A year of study at Aalto University will cost 12 thousand euros. The university offers two types of scholarships: with a 100 percent discount and 50 percent, which are given for the entire period of study. The most popular faculties among Russian students are IT, business and economics, electrical engineering, and design.

How are things going in other regions? The University of Applied Sciences in Kaijani trains specialists in international business, sports and leisure management and tourism. In the first year, the tuition fee will be 6 thousand euros; if you study well in senior years, a 50 percent discount will follow. A student from this university assured that it is possible to find a job as a specialist in the field of sports or tourism in a country where there are 38 national parks and citizens love sports and travel.

Savonia University of Applied Sciences. The base price for a year of study is 5 thousand euros, but the university provides a discount. The first year you will have to pay 1500 euros, if for the next 3 years the student shows positive progress in learning, the price will be 2500 euros.

Let's see what's happening with our closest neighbors. The Karelian University of Applied Sciences has perhaps the largest Russian representation. But not only due to students from Petrozavodsk, Sortavala, Kostomuksha, St. Petersburg and Moscow. The children of those Russian-speaking migrants who moved to Karelia in previous years also study here. Many students come here to study as exchange students from the St. Petersburg Forestry Academy. Here, when passing exams, they don’t even require official language knowledge certificates. The applicant himself determines whether he knows the language well enough to enroll and study. The level of language proficiency is assessed during an interview and a written exam.

The usual tuition fee for Russian students at Karelian University is 5,500 euros per year. The student will have to pay this amount in the first year of study. If the results of your studies are positive, in the second and subsequent years the cost of training will be 2750 euros. Moreover, after graduating from university, the amount of 2,750 euros is returned.

Saimaa University of Applied Sciences provides attractive financial conditions for studying. There are bachelor's programs in mechanical engineering and technology, business administration, tourism and hotel management, as well as a master's program in international business management. The cost of studying for a bachelor's degree is 4300 euros, for a master's degree - 5100. A student can receive a scholarship that covers the cost of training in full or in part. The cost of tuition for first-year students is covered 100%; the scholarship amount for 2nd-4th year students is 50-100%.

Finally, Lappeenranta University of Technology – LUT. There is only master's programs in English, and training is expensive - 10 thousand euros. But three types of scholarships are provided: the first covers training and accommodation, the second - all training, the third - half, 5 thousand euros. The decision on the scholarship for the second year is made in accordance with the grades at the university.

The overall picture is this: many universities have not yet decided on the level of scholarships, but their representatives confidently said that they would be available. All of the above indicates that Finnish universities are interested in foreign students. Scholarships, of course, will not alleviate the situation of applicants, or rather their parents, completely; they will have to be nervous and empty their nest eggs, but, nevertheless, they will give a chance to ease the financial burden.

Obviously, in the next month, universities will decide on scholarship programs, and it will be possible to choose a university not only in accordance with the desired program, but also the monetary discounts that the university gives to foreign students. You just have to remember that you need to study well for these concessions, otherwise you can lose them. From this point of view, there is common sense in paid education.

Most Russians are unaware that the educational system of Finland, Russia's closest western neighbor, is recognized as the most advanced in the world. Close, but not always well known, Finland is an opportunity to get a high-quality European education without spending a fortune, and a diploma that is valued all over the world.

pros

1. Higher education in Finland is free for both citizens of the country and foreigners.
2. Abundance of English-language programs, especially master's programs. There are many English-language undergraduate programs, mainly in polytechnic institutes. In addition, Finns speak excellent English, so there will be no problems with communication both at the university and outside its walls. If you want to learn Finnish, you can sign up for free courses for foreign students - many universities offer them.
3. Freedom of choice. University students determine their own class schedule and exam schedule. In addition, with the exception of a few compulsory courses, students decide for themselves which courses they want to take.
4. The cost of living in Finland is not that high compared to others European countries. True, food is not cheap, but there is always a way out in the form of a university canteen, where the food is hearty and inexpensive. In addition, with a student card you can get a discount in a variety of places - from the swimming pool to the hairdresser.
5. Fifthly, students have the right to work no more than 25 hours a week. You can’t always count on getting a job in the specialty you are studying, but you can find a part-time job - this experience will be especially useful for those who study Finnish.

Minuses

1. If you want to find Good work in Finland, you will have to learn a difficult language. You can study in English, but Finnish will be necessary for your future life and career in Finland.
2. Climate. Finland is known for its long winter nights and depressing weather. For some this is nonsense, but if you are dependent on the weather and don’t want to wait for the sun for months, then Finland is unlikely to be the best option for you.

In its current form Finnish system education began to take shape about sixty years ago (in the post-war period). The Finns' reverent attitude towards children is manifested in constant attention to the development of children, which begins as early as before school education. Finnish kindergartens accept children from nine months. The fee for a child is minimal (from 23 to 250 euros), there are state (municipal), family, and private kindergartens. In any kindergarten a group of children per teacher does not exceed four people. From the age of six, compulsory preparation for school is introduced.

School education

Basic school education is free and fully controlled by the state. No country in the world, like Finland, spends up to 15% of the state budget (more than five billion dollars) on education. Of these funds, the lion's share is intended for school education.

Private schools are not popular in the country. They are impractical, since there are enough schools, the quality of education is high in any school, regardless of the region. State policy declares the same high quality education.

For this purpose, special measures have been introduced - there is no differentiation into main and auxiliary subjects, only teachers with a master's degree are allowed to teach, two teachers work with the class at the same time. Individual work with each child, the absence of exams, trusting relationships with children - lead to the optimal disclosure of the abilities and inclinations of each student.

In basic school, children study from seven to seventeen years of age. In addition to the study itself, children receive free food, textbooks, and school supplies.

The attention of the Finnish school to language education is characteristic. From the third grade, English is introduced, from the fourth - another foreign language (German, French, Russian), from the seventh grade, Swedish is studied as a compulsory language. As a result, all Finnish schoolchildren graduate from basic school with decent knowledge of three foreign languages.

The third stage of school education includes high school, divided into gymnasiums and vocational schools (approximately equal in number of students). Vocational schools should not be taken as inferior education. They prepare students professional activity, for admission to higher technical universities and universities. The only difference is that in the lyceum there is a competition (based on the average grade of the basic school), students purposefully prepare for admission to a classical university. Study in high school free. In addition to meals and textbooks, students are paid travel expenses.

The final national exam (the only one for the entire school course) could be called formal. For Finnish higher schools, its results are not important, they
are taken into account only when entering foreign universities. This school education system has allowed Finland to take first place in the world educational rankings of secondary schools.

Higher education in Finland

Finnish higher education is not rated so highly in Europe. There are 19 classical universities and three polytechnic universities in the country. These are equivalent to three higher economic institutes, four artistic higher schools, higher military school.

Finnish polytechnic universities, like German and French ones, have a practical orientation, combining educational process With professional practice. In addition to the generally accepted bachelor's and master's degrees, in Finland there is a licentiate degree, which can be equated to the Russian candidate of science degree.

The country's oldest university was opened as the Royal Swedish Academy. (1640). It was located in Abo (now Turku), in the nineteenth century it moved to Helsinki and was renamed Alexander University. All other universities were opened in the twentieth century.

It is quite difficult for a foreign applicant to get into a Finnish university. In addition to entrance exams (which are determined by each university independently), knowledge of Finnish or Swedish, since these are the main languages ​​of instruction. There are also English-language international training programs; the quality of such education is rated lower, as is the qualifications of the teaching staff. The number of specialties is also smaller. In addition, many universities limit the number of foreign students. These are the reasons why a small amount of foreign students (about 3%) in Finnish higher schools.