Finland is a popular destination and home to top-ranked educational institutions offering over 500 English-taught study programs. As per Data on Students’ Residence Permits, a record-breaking 7,000+ international students received a residence permit (grants permission to stay in the country for more than 90 days) by October 2022. So, if you are planning to pursue your higher education in Finland, read this guide to know the top universities in Finland, eligibility criteria, and other interesting details.
Key Highlights
- Why should you study in Finland?
- Top 5 universities in Finland
- University of Helsinki
- University of Aalto
- University of Turku
- University of Oulu
- Tampere University
- Popular courses to study
- Eligibility criteria in Finland universities for international students
Why should you study in Finland?
- Finland has one of the most efficient education systems in the world and even scores well on global rankings indices. 7 Finnish universities are among the top 500 universities of the world as per the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2023.
- Students can work part-time for up to 30 hours per week while studying.
- The country is planning to increase the number of international students to 15,000 by 2030. This implies higher intakes of foreign students in the coming years.
- The average annual tuition fees for postgraduate courses in Finnish universities range between €6000 to €18000 (∼INR 5.40 lakhs to ~INR 16.21 lakhs). The affordable tuition fees motivate students to choose Finland as their study abroad destination.
Top 5 universities in Finland
University of Helsinki: Established in 1640, the University of Helsinki is the largest and oldest educational institution in Finland. It has 4 campuses in Helsinki and ten other locations within Finland. Being considered among the top 1% of the world’s universities, it offers 36 international master’s programs and 33 doctoral programs.
| Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Rankings 2023 | 1 |
Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings 2023 |
1 |
University of Aalto: University of Aalto is one of the best universities in Finland for studying master’s courses in domains such as Art & Design, Technology & Engineering, and Business & Economics. The university is home to over 12,000 students and about 400 professors.
| QS Rankings 2023 | 2 |
THE Rankings 2023 |
2 |
University of Turku: Established in 1920, the University of Turku is a leading international university offering research opportunities in 8 areas of specialisation, such as Science and Technology. The academic institution offers masters, doctoral and other degree programs in the English language to a vibrant community of over 25,000 students.
| QS Rankings 2023 | 3 |
THE Rankings 2023 |
6 |
University of Oulu: It is one of the largest universities in Finland, which is ranked among the top 3% of the world’s universities. It has two campuses: Linnanmaa and Kontinkangas with 8 streams, such as Business Management and Humanities, and ~13,800 students. Students can choose from 21 master’s degree programs (two-year course duration) in domains like Natural Sciences, Health Sciences, and Engineering, to name a few.
| QS Rankings 2023 | 6 |
THE Rankings 2023 |
4 |
Tampere University: Tampere University is recognised worldwide for adopting a multi-disciplinary education approach that strengthens students’ domain knowledge. With a student population of over 30,000, it offers multiple international degree programs.
| QS Rankings 2023 | 7 |
THE Rankings 2023 |
5 |
Popular courses in Finland
Mathematics & Statistics |
Business & Management |
Economics |
Arts, Design & Architecture |
Business Analytics |
Agricultural Sciences |
Education & Training |
Engineering & Technology |
Computer Sciences & IT |
Eligibility criteria in Finland universities for international students
International students need to submit the following documents to Finnish universities as a part of the application process:
- Academic transcripts (higher secondary certificate, bachelor’s degree, and other certificates)
- Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) results
- Be ready with the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores.
- Letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Curriculum Vitae
- Work experience certificates (if any)
The specific criteria may vary from one varsity to another. For instance, those students who have completed their previous degrees in the English language from countries like Canada, Australia, the UK or the US are exempted from demonstrating their English language proficiency. Therefore, they can apply to Finland universities without IELTS or TOEFL scores. Thus, verify university and course-specific requirements before applying.
So, if you are planning to study in Finland, but financial obstacles are stopping you, this is the right time to apply for an education loan for study abroad programs. At Avanse Financial Services, we offer education loans with benefits like 100% finance, quick sanctions, and flexible repayments. To know more about loans for students, connect with us today!
