Study in Finland Starter Guide (€8)
Welcome to study in Finland Starter Guide
Study in Finland Starter Guide
You are warmly welcome to Finland to study, work, build a business and create a good life.
Finland values honesty, respect for the law, equality and responsibility. By respecting these principles,
you will find Finnish society welcoming and supportive.
As we say: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Learning local customs and following Finnish laws
will help you settle in successfully and enjoy everything Finland has to offer.
We start with the
Checklist for Immigrants
Clarify residence permit and permit matters before immigrating.
Find suitable housing for yourself or your family. Rental apartments are offered by companies, private individuals,
cities, foundations, associations, insurance companies, and banks. Linwell Oy also offers rental apartments for short-term rentals.
Rental apartments are mostly apartments in apartment buildings, but you can also rent a detached house or a terraced
house apartment. Rents vary significantly from city to city. The most expensive apartments are located in the city centres of large cities.
In addition to rent, monthly water fees per person, electricity consumption, and electricity transmission costs must be paid.
Other possible costs include parking fees, sauna fees, or fees for using the laundry room.
Submit a notification of move and arrange home insurance.
Have your documents legalised.
Register yourself as a resident.
All immigrants must register with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (Digital and Population Data Agency)
in order to receive a Finnish personal identity code and a municipality of residence.
Apply for a tax card from the tax office.
If you work, you need a tax card from the tax office. Without a tax card, 60% tax will be withheld from your salary.
Persons working in the construction or shipyard sector additionally need a separate tax number.
Open a bank account.
A bank account can be opened, among others, at Osuuspankki, Danske Bank, Nordea, Aktia, Säästöpankki, or S-Bank.
You need online banking credentials in order to use electronic services of the authorities (strong electronic identification).
Clarify your right to social benefits if necessary:
https://www.kela.fi/coming-to-finland
Apply to Kela for a decision regarding your inclusion in the Finnish social security system as well as for a Kela card.
This entitles you to benefits and reimbursements for doctor visits.
Important Notice for EU Citizens
EU citizens must also register their right of residence.
If you are a citizen of an EU country and plan to live in Finland for longer than three months, you must register your
right of residence. The registration must be applied for within three months after your arrival.
Registration with the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) is different from registering your place of residence in the
Population Information System of the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.
If you stay in Finland continuously for less than three months, you do not need to register your stay with the
Immigration Service.The three-month period is always calculated from the date you last left the Finnish borders.
Residence Permits for Finland
You need a residence permit for Finland, either a temporary or a permanent one.
A temporary residence permit may be valid for one year or up to four years.
The period of validity depends on the reason for immigration.
If you decide to move to Finland, you must apply for a personal identity card and a social security
number, even if you only intend to work in Finland for a short period.
We assist with various permit matters, for example also with preparing establishment documents for companies.
Reasons for Moving to Finland
People usually move to Finland for the following reasons:
• work
• studies
• starting a business
• marriage
• family reunification
If you are not a citizen of an EU country or a Nordic country, you must apply for a residence permit in advance.
If you move to Finland for work, you must present a signed employment contract. Based on this, you can receive
a work visa and a residence permit.
Residence permits for students may be valid for up to two years or may also be issued for a shorter period.
Universities in Finland
There are two categories of higher education in Finland: Universities as they are understood internationally and the
Finnish specialty Universities of Applied Sciences.
Universities of Applied Sciences are practice-oriented and include many projects and internships.
Universities place a stronger emphasis on theory and scientific research.
University of Helsinki
University of Helsinki https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculties-and-units
Faculties:
-Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
-Faculty of Arts
-Faculty of Medicine
-Faculty of Pharmacy
-Faculty of Science
-Faculty of Social Sciences
-Faculty of Theology
-Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Svenska Handelshögskolan
Aalto University
Aalto University https://www.aalto.fi/en
University of Tampere
Tampere University https://www.tuni.fi/en/about-us/tampere-university
Faculties:
-Faculty of Built Environment
-Faculty of Education and Culture
-Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
-Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences
-Faculty of Management and Business
-Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology
-Faculty of Social Sciences
University of Turku
University of Turku https://www.utu.fi/enhttps://www.utu.fi/en/study-at-utu
Bachelor’s Degree Programmes:
-Economics and Business Administration
-Technology and Engineering
Master’s Degree Programmes:
-Economics and Business Administration
-Education
-Health and Biomedical Sciences
-Technology and Engineering
-Natural Sciences
-Social Sciences and Humanities
Åbo Akademi
Åbo Akademi https://www.abo.fi/en/
Other universities and higher education institutes
University of Vaasa https://www.uwasa.fi/en/education
University of Jyväskylä https://www.jyu.fi/en
Lahti University Campus https://lahdenyliopistokampus.fi/en/front-page/
University of Eastern Finland https://www.uef.fi/en/stud
LUT University https://www.lut.fi/en
University of Ouluhttps://www.oulu.fi/en
University of Lapland (Rovaniemi) https://ulapland.fi/en/frontpage/
Universities of Applied Sciences in Finland
The five most popular Universities of Applied Sciences in Finland (as of 2020) are:
-Metropolia
-Tampere UAS
-Haaga-Helia
-Turku UAS
-XAMK.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_applied_sciences_(Finland)
There are 24 Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS/AMK) in Finland.
These institutions are practice-oriented and prepare students directly for working life.
UAS studies usually last 3.5 to 4.5 years and often include internships.
Universities of Applied Sciences in Finland:
-Arcada Centria University of Applied Sciences
-Diaconia University of Applied Sciences (Diak)
-Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
-Humak University of Applied Sciences
-Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK)
-Högskolan på Åland
-JAMK University of Applied Sciences South-Eastern Finland
-University of Applied Sciences (Xamk) Kajaani
-University of Applied Sciences (KAMK) Karelia
-University of Applied Sciences
-LAB University of Applied Sciences
-Lapland University of Applied Sciences
-Laurea University of Applied Sciences
-Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
-Oulu University of Applied Sciences (Oamk)
-Police University College
-Finland Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK)
-Savonia University of Applied Sciences
-Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SeAMK)
-Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK)
-Turku University of Applied Sciences
-Vaasa University of Applied Sciences (VAMK,)
-Novia University of Applied Sciences
Common degrees of UAS
Typical degrees include:
-Bachelor of Engineering (AMK)
-Bachelor of Business Administration (Tradenomi)
-Registered Nurse (AMK)
-Bachelor of Social Services (Sosionomi)
-Bachelor of Hospitality Management (Restonomi)-
-Bachelor of Media and Design (Medianomi)
Vocational Education in Finland (Upper Secondary Level)
Vocational education in Finland is organised by various bodies, including municipal federations, municipalities,
and private institutions. It is impossible to list all hundred educational institutions, but here are the most important
and largest vocational education providers by region:
-Helsinki Metropolitan Area and Uusimaa Stadin AO (Helsinki)
– the largest vocational education institution in Finland
-Omnia (Espoo, Kirkkonummi)
-Varia (Vantaa)
-Keuda (Central Uusimaa)
-Careeria (Eastern Uusimaa, e.g. Porvoo)
-Luksia (Western Uusimaa)
-Hyria (Hyvinkää, Riihimäki)
-Southwest and Western Finland Turku Vocational Institute (TAI)
-Raseko (Raisio region)
-WinNova (Satakunta and Vakka-Suomi, e.g. Pori and Rauma)
-Sataedu (Satakunta)
-Vamia (Vaasa)
-Inland Finland and Pirkanmaa Tredu (Tampere region)
-Gradia (Jyväskylä, Jämsä)
-Sasky (Sastamala, Ikaalinen, Mänttä-Vilppula)
-Eastern and Northern Finland Riveria (North Karelia)
-Sakky (Savo region, e.g. Kuopio)
-Esedu (South Savo, Mikkeli)
-OSAO (Oulu region)
-Lappia (Kemi, Tornio)
-Redu (Rovaniemi, Lapland)
Special Education Institutions and Private Providers:
-Luovi, Spesia, and Kiipula
– special vocational education Business College Helsinki
– specialised in business and IT
-Perho Business College
– hospitality, tourism, and business
-Taitotalo – Finland’s largest adult education provider
More information:
https://eperusteet.opintopolku.fi/#/en/selaus/ammatillinenhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Finland
General Upper Secondary Education in Finland (Lukio)
General upper secondary education in Finland lasts three years and is an academically oriented upper secondary
education preparing students for studies at universities and Universities of Applied Sciences.
For underage students, education is free of charge, including textbooks and devices.
The studies conclude with the national matriculation examination (Ylioppilastutkinto), which provides eligibility
for higher education. Adult Upper Secondary Schools Examples:
-Helsinki Adult Upper Secondary School Eira
-Adult Upper Secondary, School Tampere
-Adult Upper Secondary School, Itä-Häme High School (IHOP)
-Otavia Online Upper Secondary School
Key Features of General Upper Secondary Education
-Structure and Content:
Upper secondary school is non-graded, allowing students to determine their own pace of study (usually 2–4 years).
Studies consist of compulsory and optional subjects.
-Scope Youth upper secondary school: 150 credits.
-Adult upper secondary school: at least 88 credits.
Application Process:
-Applications are submitted after comprehensive school through the national application portal Opintopolku.
-Foreign applicants may also apply outside the regular application period if they do not possess a Finnish
school-leaving certificate.
Adult Education:
-Adults can study through special programmes or dedicated adult upper secondary schools.
-Examples include Otavia Upper Secondary School, Eira Upper Secondary School and
Itä-Häme Upper Secondary School.
Specialised Upper Secondary Schools:
-Finland also has specialised upper secondary schools focusing on areas such as music, sports, performing arts,
or advanced language studies.
Language of Instruction:
-Teaching is mainly provided in Finnish or Swedish, but some programmes are also available in English.