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Higher Education in Finland • Why Finland? Centre for International Mobility 10/2006 Age: 24 – The Finnish education system Universities 3–5 years Polytechnics 3.5–4 years 19 – General upper secondary education 3 years Initial vocational education c. 3 years 16 – Comprehensive school 9 years 7– Centre for International Mobility 10/2006 Finnish higher education offers plenty of choice • an extensive network of institutions covering the whole country • 20 universities and 29 polytechnics • all institutions internationally oriented with special regional features • for the moment no tuition fees for regular degree students and exchange students Centre for International Mobility 10/2006 Finland is a slender lady with plenty of HEIs Centre for International Mobility 10/2006 Universities • 20 universities in a country of 5.2 million people • 10 multi-faculty universities • 3 universities of technology • 3 schools of economics and business administration • 4 art academies • all institutions are state-funded • 174,000 students Centre for International Mobility 10/2006 Universities • reform of the university degrees started in autumn 2005 – transitional period up to 2008 • two-tier degrees: lower Candidate´s (BA) and higher Master´s degrees • also post-graduate Doctor´s degree (4 years, 240 credits) • exception: medicine and dentistry continue with the system of one cycle (Licentiate´s degree, 6 years and 360 credits) • BA takes appr. 3 years and 180 credits, MA 2 years and 120 credits • content of the degrees is also modified • ECTS credit system fully adopted Centre for International Mobility 10/2006 Polytechnics • 29 polytechnics • 8 fields of study: Natural resources and the environment; Natural sciences; Technology, communication and transport; Social sciences, business and administration; Tourism, catering and domestic services; Social services, health and sports; Culture; Humanities and education • all institutions are state-funded • 130,000 students Centre for International Mobility 10/2006 Polytechnics • non-university higher education with professional orientation • study time • 3.5–4 years to complete Bachelor’s degree (210–240 credits) • 1-1.5 years to complete the Master’s degree (60-90 credits) after 3 years of work experience • joint application system for Finnish students and now also for international students for Bachelor’s degree programmes (www.admissions.fi) • ECTS credit system fully adopted Centre for International Mobility 10/2006 International students in Finnish higher education institutions • Degree students (2005): • Universities: 4 940 • Polytechnics: 4 320 Total: 9 260 • Exchange students (2005): • Universities: 4 629 • Polytechnics: 3 068 Total: 7 697 Centre for International Mobility 10/2006 International Strategy for Finnish HEI’s By 2010 • 28,000 student exchanges annually • 10,000–15,000 international degree students Emphasis on • Bologna process • increase of international programmes • clarification of entry and residence requirements of students • marketing of Finnish HE • student services Centre for International Mobility 10/2006 A large number of courses taught in English • close to 400 international study programmes taught in English • courses ranging from short-term programmes to entire degree programmes • an excellent choice of subjects spanning from hightech know-how through to fine arts • internationally acclaimed expertise in many areas e.g. ICT, bio-technology, forestry and environmental sciences, architecture and design Centre for International Mobility 10/2006 Why Finland ? • good and effective education system • affordable higher education • variety of programmes taught in English based on Finnish know how • modern facilities and well trimmed student services • peaceful and well-organised country • advanced and unusual Centre for International Mobility 10/2006 How to make your way to Finland? Exchange students • many opportunities available from bilateral agreements to multinational programmes Degree students • eligibility for higher education in own country • entrance examinations mostly required • good command of English • application deadlines mainly from January to May Centre for International Mobility 10/2006 How to make your way to Finland? Post-graduate students and young researches • scholarships available - bilateral scholarships - CIMO Fellowships - post-graduate and advanced studies of Finnish language in Finnish university Centre for International Mobility 10/2006 More information • To discover Finland visit: http://finland.cimo.fi Centre for International Mobility 10/2006