Finland

Why Study in Finland?

Finland is a small Nordic Country in Europe. It has a high quality education system due to which it is a favorite for international students as a study destination. The Finnish government has a pool of scholarships to financially support the education cost for international students here. Top ten Nationality groups among non Finnish applicants from Nepal stands at number four. There is a diversity in the population of students who come from outside EU countries and due to which student selection has become competitive in recent years.

Why should you study in Finland?

The most obvious reasons as to why you should study in Finland as international students are summarized below:

1. High quality education system with scholarships

   Finland has a high quality and accessible education system. Their Colleges and Universities offer a wide range of programs with hands-on resources for practical learning. The scholarships provided by the Finnish government are offered by various Universities of Finland.

2. Multi cultural learning experiences

   Finland welcomes international students from all parts of the world. There is diversity in students and a shared learning experience with cultural assimilation. Together they can broaden the classroom learning environment.

3. Post study work:

   After completion of formal study students from international countries like Nepal can apply for work Visa to stay upto a year in Finland to search for a paying job matching qualifications. To start up business students can also apply for a start up Visa in Finland.

4. Healthiest and safe food staples:

   Finland is excellent in producing fresh and clean food staples. They have their own raised livestocks and wild forests also add food sustenance for Finnish people with oats, organic crops, berries, fruits and more healthy and nutritious foods. The water is fresh and loaded with minerals from fresh water reserves.

5. One of safest country in Europe and in World

   Finland is the safest country to live with no reported crime rates so far. There are security officers, who protect citizens from crimes and offenses and also tight emergency services for breakthrough.

Key Facts to study in Finland for Nepalese Students

Finland is an indigenous heritage of people, and people's spoken languages are Finnish and Swedish along with other fewer spoken languages also. Most of the people follow Lutheran Protestantism. The oldest City of Finland is called Turku.

Here are some interesting facts for your information about Finland to go and study:

• Children don’t go to school till the age of 7.
• There are no standardized form of test in Finland which makes students go easy
• Finland beliefs in principle of equality
• Teachers in England to teach students should all have to get a Masters degree minimum. They get highly respected.
• You cannot find any private Schools in Finland
• Finland has an innovative teaching style where students are allowed to be creative and plan their own study periods
• 50 percent of University students have jobs to earn part time income which is allowed to collect work experiences for graduating students.
• It is also one of the best English speaking countries.

Benefits for studying in Finland for Nepalese Students

The main benefits for Nepalese students pursuing their further education in Colleges/Universities of Finland are:

1. Get the best education experience at an affordable tuition fees
2. Finland has a longer time for work along with excellent facilities and programs with exploratory learning methodologies.
3. Good working opportunities with part time job options for international students
4. Equality and freedom are the main principles of national and non national students and citizens of Finland
5. Better for traveling at various destinations of Europe
6. Better quality of life in a stable and safe environment
7. The nation has the world’s cleanest air
8. Indepth research with consideration for future employment gains
9. Ten of Finnish Universities are in the QS World University Rankings

Requirements to study in Finland by Nepalese students

Here are some of the admission requirements for international students to study in Finland Universities and Institutes:

• Official document copy of Higher Secondary School Certificate or any vocational qualifications
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Clear copy of passport ID page
• Transcript records 50 percent GPA requirement
• For Bachelor level completed upper secondary equivalent to the Finnish Matriculation examination
• Masters level should have completed Bachelors level in relevant field University of Finnish National Agency for education access academic requirements to study in Finland

The students looking forward to study degree programs should have :

• Acceptance letter from Finnish University
• Proof of Financial Capacities showing sufficient fund during stay in Finland
• Valid health insurance
• Language proficiency results.
• For some programs, employment certificate of minimum two years experience
• GRE, GMAT test
• Motivation video letter
• SAT exam score or entrance exam score

Language proficiency:

Here are the English language proficiency requirements for admission in different programs offered by Finnish Universities for international students:

• IELTS academic overall score 6.5 with minimum score 6.0 in writing session
• TOEFL ibt 92, minimum score 22 in writing session
• CAE ( Certificate in Advanced English) 1 and 2 with A,B, C or C1 certificate
• PTE ( Pearson test of English) Academic overall score 62 with 54 in communicative English sessions

Admission Criteria:

To study in Finland for international students including Nepal documents needed for applying are:

• Acceptance letter from University of Finland
• Proof of Financial statement to show your financial worth while living and studying in Finland
• Health insurance copy
• Language proficiency test copy
• Work employment certificate if any
• Admission test scores and GPA from recognized Nepalese boards in Finnish Colleges and Universities
• Should not have any travel restriction in Schengen area

Financial proofs:

To show that you can support the living and study expenses financially you can provide following financial evidences in your favor to the administrative authorities:

• Document of your financial plan to cover your study
• Document of fee payment to residence permit application
• Statement from your bank account
• Copy of certificate for scholarship from your awarded institution
• Sponsorship agreement provided by the relatives
• Benefits offered by your educational institution if it is there can be stated
• Attach a copy of the employment contract if you are employed.

Health insurance

International students should have health insurance compulsorily to study and live in Finland. It must personally cover the cost if you become ill in Finland. The insurance may not have to be more than 300 Euros. If your stay is less than one year, insurance must be valid throughout your entire stay in Finland. Your insurance must be valid when you arrive in Finland. If it is for more than one year, your insurance should be valid without a break for one year. For two years study period the insurance policy of yours should cover health and medical expenses upto 40000 Euros. If less than two years, then your policy must cover medical expenses upto 120000 Euros.

Intakes in Finland for Nepalese Students

Intakes pattern of Universities of Finland in their academic programs to students are tabulated as follows:

The main intakes seasons by Universities of Finland are in Autumn and Spring seasons which fall from September till December and February intakes. Summer is the vacation period in Finland and there are no intakes in this period.

Cost of Living in Finland for Nepalese Students

Living costs in Finland for international students range from 700 to 1100 Euros per month on average for international students. The minimum reserve at students' disposal is 560 Euros per month. The cost of living is affordable for international students. The Capital city of England is more expensive than other parts of Finland for students.

Here are some of the cost sheet spread of the cost of living affordable for students in Finland:

Tuition and Scholarships in Finland for Nepalese Students

From Finnish Universities you can pursue Bachelor, Masters and Doctorate degrees of your preference. There is a regular University and a University of Applied Science which has different ECTS credit hours of studies. The requirements for each programs to the international students are as follows:

Scholarships in Finland

Finland offers scholarships for students outside EU/EEA countries. Finnish Universities offer student scholarships upto 5000 Euros covering first year tuition and relocation grants for Masters and also 2000 Euros including arrival grant for Doctorate studies.

Above are some of the scholarships, grants of some foundations of Finland for education and research works.

To become eligible to apply for scholarships:

• Must be applying for Undergraduate/ Master's program from Finnish Universities
• Be liable for tuition fees
• Meet entry visa and resident permit requirements
• Show excellent academic performance in previous studies

Work Opportunitites in Finland for Nepalese Students

As a student in Finland, there are various post study job opportunities in Finland. Finland plans to employ 75 percent of 15000 international students by 2030. There are various job positions which post study work can be resumed by international students some of them are:

• Advertisement delivery
• Food delivery
• Content creation
• Research Assistant
• University Projects
• Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
• Doctors
• Nurses
• Cleaners
• Cook

To stay back and work after a Masters degree a separate permit is required. One resident permit is to find second type jobs on the basis of employment in Finland.