General Information

Finland is a global leader in information technology and also enjoys gender equality and low levels of corruption. It has got one of the most advanced education systems in the world, and as a result of its innovative mindset and investing in education we are blessed with high standard of living and quality of life.

Finland’s universities, like the rest of its education system, are among the best in the world. The Finnish government takes responsibility for educating each and every citizen, which means free education is available all the way through graduate school for students who can get admitted. At present, the availability of free public education is not limited to citizens of Finland – foreigners and exchange students can also take advantage of the free educational services paid for by the Finnish government. There have been efforts in the government in recent years to change this policy due to budget pressures, but for now it remains in place. People come to Finland to study a number of different subjects, but universities here are especially well known for their programs in architecture and design.

The system of higher education in Finland is split into two parts: universities and polytechnics (ammattikorkeakoulu in Finnish). Essentially, the universities teach academic subjects and are designed to prepare students for graduate school, whereas polytechnics teach more applied subjects and are usually terminal – that is, graduates from polytechnics rarely go on to get more advanced degrees. In the past, the division between universities and polytechnics was rigidly maintained by the academic establishment in Finland, but this is rapidly changing as a result of reforms initiated by Finland’s accession to the European Higher Education Area. The EHEA, an overarching governing body designed to help European countries integrate and standardize their education systems.

The college admissions process in Finland is heavily standardized, and entrance exams play a huge role in determining the final decision. In fact, college admissions decisions are based solely on test scores and grades – there are no essays, no interviews, and no holistic views of applicants of the sort that American colleges and universities use to evaluate applicants. It’s purely a numbers game, which is seen as more objective and therefore more fair by college authorities. Fortunately, the college entrance examinations are more comprehensive than standardized tests in places like China or the United States, so it’s easier for well-rounded students to do well. Nonetheless, competition for spots in Finnish universities is quite intense as a result of their quality, the limited number of spaces, and the fact that the education is free.