Study in Helsinki in English: Local’s tips to Student Life in Finland

​*In commercial collaboration with Haaga-Helia, the business-orientated university of applied sciences in Helsinki. 

Can you study in English in Helsinki? What’s it like to study in Finland? What should you know about the application process?

This topic is huge, I know.

In this post, I share my thoughts about studying in Finland and Helsinki, specifically. In my opinion, the most important question is not “How can I get to study in Finland?”. A better question is: “Is studying in Finland the right choice for me?”.

I hope my past experiences as a student at two universities and a course assistant working at a university will help you better understand Finnish education culture.

The autumn joint application period is from 28 August 2024 to 11 September 2024. You can read more about the process and different programs here.

This is a long post, so grab your favorite beverage and let’s dive in!

First things first… Basics about Universities in Finland

Finland is known for its world-class higher education system. There are two types of higher education institutions here: universities and universities of applied sciences ((later referred to as UAS’s).

The difference between universities and universities of applied sciences in Finland is that a UAS focuses more on practical working life than universities, where research is the most important thing. 

Also, almost all programs at UAS’s include practical training or work placements. 

I studied my Master’s degree at a university. Then, a couple of years ago, I wanted to grow as a business professional, so alongside my work I studied service design at Haaga-Helia UAS in Helsinki. 

My experience there was so wonderful that right now, I’m back as a student at Haaga-Helia, getting my teacher qualification alongside being an entrepreneur.

The concept of lifelong learning is big in Finland, and studying can be very flexible. As you can see from my study path, you can mix your studies to make the perfect learning cocktail for yourself. 

Study in Finland in English

Great news! You certainly don’t need to speak Finnish to study in Finland. There’s a plethora of programs and courses offered in English.

There are excellent schools and national study sites that help you search for information, plan your studies, and make your online application.

At first, the amount of information might seem overwhelming. 

There’s a reason for that. All education is transparent in Finland. 

That’s why sites have all the information you can imagine, from student admission criteria to a specific course syllabus. 

Your job is to search, analyze, and make decisions based on the given information. Consider this your first test of the independent style of academic life in Finland. 

What Can You Study in Finland in English?

There are five ways to become a part of the Finnish higher education system:

• Study as an exchange student
• Earn a Bachelor’s degree
• Earn a Master’s degree
• Earn a Doctoral degree
• Enroll in Non-Degree studies (for example, Open University or Summer School in English, like in Haaga-Helia)

How Much Does It Cost to Study in Finland?

I’d split the costs into tuition fees and general expenses. Living in Finland is not cheap, and everyone must be able to support themselves while studying. But let’s first discuss the tuition fees. 

Tuition Fees in Finland

For example, when it comes to Master’s and Bachelor’s programs, you may have a tuition fee. That depends on your citizenship and/or residency.

Studies are free of charge for students who come from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, or who have, for example, permanent residence in Finland.

For most others, there’s a tuition fee. Usually, a 4-5 digit number in euros per year. Remember to check if you’re eligible to receive a scholarship. 

General Expenses in Finland and the Helsinki Area

It’s good to know that housing costs, meal plans, and insurance are generally not included in the tuition fee. So, make sure you have enough financial means to pay your rent, personal expenses, transportation costs, meals, etc.

Finnish immigration service states that you must have at least 560 € at your disposal every month to pay for your general expenses. So, in addition to the tuition fee, you must have 6720 € per year to study and get your residence permit in Finland.

More information about student income requirements is available on the Finnish immigration service´s website. 

Student discounts are good, but planning around 700 euros for monthly expenses is wise. Also, please note that Helsinki is the most expensive region. 

As a student, you can apply for affordable student housing. You’ll get inexpensive sports activities, as well as cheap and delicious meals on campus. 

Your student card gives you a discount on many things, such as public transport in Finland.

Because of the weather, you’ll need to invest in warm, insulated, and preferably waterproof outerwear.

How To Work in Finland During or After Studies?

You can work during your studies, but the amount you can do varies depending on your residency and permits.

When it comes to working in Finland, here are some useful things to know: 

• Practical training or work placements may lead to paid work opportunities. As a trainee, you may also receive a small salary.
• Summer jobs and your thesis are both great ways to get working for a Finnish company.
• Your social network will help you seek out job opportunities. Get connected with Finns through hobbies and in the classrooms. Read more here about how to befriend a Finn. 
• Speaking Finnish is a valuable asset. Nobody expects you to be fluent in a heartbeat, but you can start today by enrolling in my free Finnish class called Spark Your Finnish. 
• Even if learning Finnish feels challenging, don’t be discouraged. Keep your head up and continue your studies. Just imagine where you’ll be in six months. Your attitude, ability to learn, and social skills are the biggest factors in scoring a job.

What You Need to Know about Applying

#1 Think of the application process as your first academic assignment.

Higher education studies are all about collecting enough information and making an analysis based on it.

If you don’t have the patience to read through the school site, and are immediately tempted to write the school a “How can I get in?!?” email, this isn’t a good sign for your academic success.

#2: Check the application period and start early.

There’s a lot of information to go through. Studyinfo.fi is the official and up-to-date website with all the information about study programs leading to a degree in Finland.

You’ll have to make important decisions when selecting the university you’d like to attend, as you need to compare possible tuition fees, school profiles and check all the other requirements.

#3 No application fees

Applying for higher education degree studies in Finland is done online at Studyinfo.fi. Applying is always free of charge. Everything is designed so that you can complete the application yourself. 

#4 Attach before you submit

Make sure you attach all the required documents to your application so that the university is able to process it. For example, copies of your high school diploma or SAT test result are often required.

Take your time, proofread and preferably ask someone to comment on your application before you press submit.

#5 Most schools offer scholarships.

A scholarship may sound hard to get, but, in most cases, it is not. The requirements are clearly stated by each school because, as I told earlier, all education is transparent in Finland. Finns always play by the book.

Most schools have scholarships that are connected with the advancement of studies.

Some schools require a prior history of excellent grades. Other schools automatically give a scholarship to first-year students. In many schools, you must show progress in your studies to get the scholarship for the following year. 

#6 Think about what you can do in your country to increase your chances of getting accepted.

Many schools require a CV. Volunteer or work in your desired field. In your application letter, make sure you have examples showing that you are a motivated and proactive person.

#7 A Finnish school may hold an entrance exam in your country.

Most likely you don’t have to travel to Finland for your exam. The exam locations of each institution are clearly stated at Studyinfo.fi.

#8 Remember that in the exam, you may have questions with more than one right answer.

For example, you might be asked to read an article and reflect. In that case, don’t summarize the article, but rather show your thinking.

Study in Helsinki in English

As a student at Haaga-Helia, I really enjoyed the learning style, which included group work, presentations, and the combination of research with practical business life. 

I think that studying is a fantastic gateway to Finnish business life for both Finnish and foreign students alike. In my classes, I made a lot of new acquaintances, and many of us have continued to benefit from those connections in our work life, too. 

Haaga-Helia offers degree programs in tourism & hospitality, sports and different business topics in English. All Master’s degree programs and the Bachelor’s degree in International Business have evening classes so they are perfect if you work. Check out all the programs available in English here.

What You Need to Know about Student Life

In the first paragraph of this post, I asked: “Is studying in Finland the right choice for you?”. If it is, you’ll thrive. And that’s what I hope for all the international students in Finland. 

In my opinion, the two main ingredients for a successful Finnish student life are:

A) The Finnish way of studying suits your learning style

B) You feel comfortable with the Finnish lifestyle

Finnish Way of Studying

If you are looking for an elementary school feel, in which the whole class advances as a team, Finland might not be the right place for your higher education studies. Studying here is very independent.

If you are looking for debates between the professor and students, arguing their points and learning through collective discussion, Finland might not be your place either.

Not all classes are mandatory, you make your own study plan. This makes studying very flexible. If you have a job, you can study at the same time.

Finland is not a great fit if you want to write long essays and reports. We use multi-method learning and a variety of techniques (group work, presentations, case competitions, etc.) in the courses.

In my studies at Haaga-Helia, I love that my program has students from various backgrounds, and I enjoy listening to all their perspectives. This has not only given me great new friends but also a lot of fresh ideas. Find out more about Haaga-Helia for international students.

If you are looking for a nine-to-five schedule, it’s rare. You may have three days of school a week, a bunch of independent work, and a big group assignment, which you’ll have to plan and schedule.

To be more specific, your advancement is unique. Because of a thing called recognizing of prior learning, you can test your way through many courses if you already have the skills.

For example, I passed my French, German, Swedish, and English courses by showing the teacher my knowledge through an interview and then taking the final course exam. This approach helped me secure 12 credits in one week.

Lastly, teachers truly evaluate you based on your know-how in Finland. Their salary doesn’t depend on the advancement of their students.

The Finnish Way of Life

Here on my blog, you can investigate the Finnish lifestyle and how it fits your own lifestyle.

I warmly recommend to check out these posts:

• 30 Cultural Facts on Finland that Help You Understand a Finn
• How to Make Finnish Friends
• Best Finnish Language Learning Resources for Beginners
• Funny Finnish Small Talk and Gifting Habits that You Will Run Into in Finland
• 100 Ideas of what to do in Helsinki

What else would you like to know about studying in Helsinki or Finland? Please comment below and let me know!