Postgraduate Studies in Finland

Finland is an increasingly popular destination for post-graduate students. The great quantity of graduate courses taught in English, with internationally competitive expertise in many fields, combined with the high standard of facilities for students, add to the attractiveness of Finnish universities.

There are 20 university-level institutions in Finland, all of which offer education up to the doctoral level. Ten of these institutions are multi-faculty universities; three are schools of economics and business administration, three universities of technology and four art academies. The universities offer education in 20 major fields of study, the largest being engineering, humanities and natural sciences.

The Degree System
In most fields of study, both Bachelor's and Master's degrees are conferred. It should be noted, however, that the three-four year Bachelor's degree is mostly regarded as an intermediate one, as the five-year Master's degree is the 'basic university degree' in the Finnish system of education.

The main post-graduate degree is the doctorate, which is earned mainly through independent, supervised research work. It should be possible to obtain the doctorate after three-four years of full-time study, although the typical studying times are often longer than this. Doctoral theses are, as a rule, published and defended in a public debate. In addition to the thesis, the postgraduate student is expected to participate in research seminars, and in some cases, to undertake subsidiary studies or produce scientific publications.

Internationalisation
Throughout the 1990s, all universities have made efforts to internationalise their teaching and research functions - for example, by trying to attract increasing numbers of foreign students and scholars. Currently, some 2.2% of the 147,000 degree students enrolled in Finnish universities are foreign nationals. However, in scientific post-graduate studies the proportion of international students is as high as 5.5%, particularly as the number of students from Asian countries has grown noticeably over recent years.

Study in English
One secret behind the success of internationalising Finnish higher education is the rapid proliferation of international programmes (degree or otherwise) taught in English, and occasionally in other European languages. There are currently dozens of degree-oriented programmes taught in English, and hundreds of shorter programmes which can usually be completed within an academic year. There is an especially wide range of 'area studies' programmes targeted at exchange students, as well as courses in Finnish language and culture for foreigners. The international programmes are listed annually in a publication called 'Study in Finland', published by the Centre for International Mobility, CIMO.

Exceptionally strong programmes exist in environmental studies, forestry, Arctic studies, industrial design, and Russian and East European studies - fields often presented as 'national areas of expertise'. However, Finnish universities are proud to offer post-graduate training at an internationally competitive level in several other areas as well. The development of both basic scientific research and applied research and development has been a priority of the Finnish government over the 1990s.

Each university decides independently the eligibility of foreign students for postgraduate studies. A Master's degree or an equivalent - with a good rating in the major subject - is usually required.

Sources of funding
Finnish higher education is normally free of charge, except for a small student union membership fee to cover health care, discount travel tickets, discount meals in student restaurants and other benefits. This annual fee is optional for postgraduate students who are, nevertheless, often advised to join this scheme, for they may otherwise be ineligible for public health care. Some doctoral programmes charge tuition fees, which vary considerably in size. Exchange students are usually exempted from paying fees.

National student support is usually not granted to foreign students who come to Finland for the purpose of study. However, CIMO, the Academy of Finland and the universities offer some grants to foreigners. Many universities have recently established salaried post-graduate research positions in so-called graduate schools, which are PhD programmes that enable the candidate to do full-time research work and earn the doctorate in four years.

Private and public foundations provide funding for postgraduate studies to Finnish and foreign students. The National Union of Finnish Students and the universities publish information on this type of financial support.

How do I get started?
Candidates for postgraduate programmes should make direct contact with the university and the department in which they wish to study. The university departments or faculties will then take the decisions on admission on a case-by-case basis.

There are no specific application dates for most programmes. Applicants should apply in good time and take into account that the academic year runs from September to the end of May. The situation is different for specialised fee-paying international programmes, which have strict application deadlines, generally during the winter or spring preceding the desired academic year of entry.

Useful websites:
The Centre for International Mobility (CIMO): cimoinfo@cimo.fi
http://www.cimo.fi
http://finland.cimo.fi

The Academy of Finland
http://www.aka.fi

The National Union of Finnish Students
http://www.syl.helsinki.fi

Author
Dr. Aaro Ollikainen
Centre for International Mobility - CIMO