Higher Education in Finland Age 24 The Finnish

Higher Education in Finland

Age: 24 – The Finnish education system 19 – 16 – Universities 3– 5 years General upper secondary education 3 years Polytechnics 3. 5– 4 years Initial vocational education c. 3 years 7– Comprehensive school 9 years

Finnish higher education offers plenty of choice an extensive network of institutions covering the whole country 20 universities and 28 polytechnics all institutions internationally oriented with special regional features for the moment no tuition fees for regular degree students and exchange students

Finland has one of the densest networks of HEIs (Higher Educational Institutes)

Universities promoting research and artistic learning 20 universities - 186, 000 students 10 multi-faculty universities 3 universities of technology 3 schools of economics and business administration 4 art academies all institutions are state-funded, and for the moment state-owned still they enjoy full autonomy in teaching and research

Universities promoting research and artistic learning provide academic education based on research study time 3 years to complete Bachelor’s degree (180 credits) 2 years to complete the Master’s degree (120 credits) 4 years to complete the Doctor’s degree (240 credits) exception: medicine and dentistry continue with the system of one cycle (Licentiate´s degree, 6 years and 360 credits) joint application system starting for international students for Master’s degree programmes (www. universityadmissions. fi) ECTS credit system fully adopted

Polytechnics geared towards professionalism 28 polytechnics (universities of applied sciences) 8 fields of study: Natural resources and the environment; Natural sciences; Technology, communication and transport; Social sciences, business and administration; Tourism, catering and domestic services; Social services, health and sports; Culture; Humanities and education institutions are mostly state-funded 142, 000 students

Polytechnics geared towards professionalism • provide professionally-oriented education tailored to the needs of the labour market • study time • 3. 5– 4 years to complete Bachelor’s degree (210– 240 credits) • 1 -1. 5 years to complete the Master’s degree (60 -90 credits) after 3 years of work experience • joint application system for international students for Bachelor’s degree programmes (www. admissions. fi) • ECTS credit system fully adopted

Recent HE policy developments Bologna reforms (degree structure, ects/ds, quality assurance) Structural developments, merging of institutions Changes in ownership, management of universities Internationalisation: student and teacher exchanges, foreign degree students, joint study programmes and degrees Market-oriented approach to internationalisation: custom-made education, a trial on tuition fees?

International students in Finnish HEIs • Degree students (2014): • Universities: 6 434 • Polytechnics: 5 632 Total: 12 066 • Exchange students (2014): • Universities: 5 875 • Polytechnics: 4 316 Total: 9 697

International Strategy for Finnish HEIs By 2020 35, 000 student exchanges annually 15, 000– 20, 000 international degree students Emphasis on Bologna process increase of international programmes clarification of entry and residence requirements of students marketing of Finnish HE student services

A large number of courses taught in English over 400 international study programmes taught in English courses ranging from short-term programmes to entire degree programmes an excellent choice of subjects spanning from high-tech know-how through to fine arts internationally acclaimed expertise in many areas e. g. ICT, bio-technology, forestry and environmental sciences, architecture and design

Why Study in Finland ? good and effective education system affordable higher education variety of programmes taught in English based on Finnish know how modern facilities and well trimmed student services peaceful and well-organised country advanced and unusual

How to make your way to Finland as a foreign Student? Exchange students Limited opportunities available: bilateral agreements, multinational programmes Degree students (BA and MA) eligibility for higher education in own country entrance examinations mostly required good command of English application deadlines mainly from January to May

How to make your way to Finland as a foreign Student? Post-graduate students (Ph. D) and researchers scholarships available - bilateral scholarships - CIMO Fellowships - post-graduate and advanced studies of Finnish language in Finnish university