Outstanding education and living in the north
Broaden your horizons! Take a degree from Helsinki, the capital of Finland!
As a student at one of our great institutions you will find opportunities to study practically anything your heart or mind desires, and all free of charge, since universities in Finland do not charge tuition fees.
The modern global job market is very competitive, and diverse education will give you a cutting-edge advantage. Find out what you can be, if you choose a different path in your education - in Helsinki.
The Finnish educational system differs greatly from other systems by being, in addition to high quality, very flexible and liberal. Each student has a great deal of choice in deciding what they study, when they study it and how they plan on taking/passing the course.
Such flexibility can allow combining studies with work or completing a degree quicker than normal. The language will hardly be a problem. Entire degrees can be taken in English, many Finns speak fluent English and various levels of Finnish language courses are available to international students.
Helsinki area has nine universities. In addition to the University of Helsinki, which is a leading European research university, there are two internationally accredited business schools, an internationally respected technological university, four universities specializing in arts, design, music and theatre, and the National Defence College.
The education offered by these institutions is of high quality and access to the programmes is competitive. As an example, graduate students can choose from a variety of up-to-date 2-year Master's programmes which are taught in English and compatible to the all-European degree structure (Bologna agreement). Our universities also offer world class doctoral programmes in an international research environment.
The high level of Finnish education and quality of life is closely tied to our nature, surroundings and climate. Finland is a true land of four seasons and each season will bring inspiration, determination and motivation, factors crucial for those who want to prosper, to students from all over the world who come here to study. The location of Helsinki in the shores of the Baltic Sea ensures that it hardly ever gets too hot in summer or too cold in winter. Large forests and relatively small population bring about wonderfully fresh air, to help your brain absorb high volumes of knowledge. The water is some of cleanest in the world.
Our long dark winters will help you concentrate on your studies and our warm, sunny summers will make you want to stay up late with your favourite book. It is easy to keep being motivated in Finland, and motivation is a key to international success!
Helsinki is a metropolis on a human scale - large enough to offer you a multitude of choices, yet small enough to be comfortable. Here you will find anything from historic monuments and grand buildings to ultra modern architecture and centres of high-tech, from rivers to open waters, from parks to forests, from urban beat to nature, and all within literally minutes from one another, very handy for those of us who value time. It is an innovative, liberal and tolerant metropolitan. In addition, Helsinki and the whole country are very safe, wealthy, uncorrupted and highly organised.
Finland has placed on top in several international rankings when it comes to quality of life, competitiveness, and other factors.
Even though the cost of living might at first glance seem relatively high compared with some other countries, the lack of tuition fees makes Finland one of the most affordable countries within the OECD countries to study in. Regardless of your personality, ethnicity or preferences, you will find your place in Finland and a warm place in your heart for Finland. So come and join thousands of other international students who have already discovered the benefits of studying and living in the north, in Finland.
Text: Mikko Toivonen
Photo: Veikko Somerpuro
