Cost of Studying in Finland for International Students
Most people keep wondering about the cost of Studying in Finland, it feels great studying in one of the most innovative countries, let’s get you started on all you will need to expect and all you will need to do regarding the cost of studies while staying.
Finland possesses a quality education, its academic freedom, and its student-centred support services are just top-notch as such, every vital cost you will make before leaving for Finland and even while in Finland is made available in this article for you.
Education System in Finland
The Finnish education system consists of early childhood education and care which is provided for children before compulsory education begins, pre-primary education which is provided for children in the year preceding the beginning of compulsory education,
a nine-year basic education (comprehensive school), which is compulsory, an upper secondary education, which is either general upper secondary education or vocational education and training, and higher education provided by universities and universities of applied sciences.
The Finnish strategy for achieving equality and excellence in education has been based on constructing a publicly funded comprehensive school system without selecting, tracking, or streaming students during their common basic education.
Part of the strategy has been to spread the school network so that pupils have a school near their homes whenever possible or, if this is not feasible, e.g. in rural areas, to provide free transportation to more widely dispersed schools.
Inclusive special education within the classroom and instructional efforts to minimize low achievement are also typical of Nordic educational systems
There are two forms of tertiary education in Finland, namely universities, and polytechnics. The latter focus on practical skills and do not involve themselves in research (although they may engage in industry development).
By way of example, they train nurses, whereas doctors go to university. Polytechnic graduates can cross over between programs at the master’s degree level.
Cost of Tuition Fee in Finland
Tuition fees at universities in Finland only apply to international students, i.e. students that come from a country outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland. The tuition fees apply to full-time students in Bachelor or Master programs, but Doctorate programs (PhDs) are usually tuition-free.
However, not all international students have to pay tuition charges. Exchange students from other countries do not pay tuition in Finland.
If you are a non-EU/EEA student and starting your Master’s degree this autumn or later, you are required to pay tuition fees.
But it’s always good to remember that each university defines its tuition fees independently. In Finland University member universities, tuition fees can range between €13,000 to 18,000 EUR per year.
Cost of Accommodation in Finland
According to the Finnish Immigration Service, a student needs to have sufficient means of studying in Finland, which is approximately €750 per month.
In case the educational institution provides you with free accommodation, your required monthly reserve should be around €280. The real costs, of course, depend on where you study and how you budget your student life.
As often is the case around the world, living expenses in Finland are higher in metropolitan areas or in larger cities than in smaller towns.
To draw a rough comparison between living expenses in other countries, the cost of consumer prices in London is 7,70% higher than in Turku, while rent is 24,15% lower in Finland than in the United States.
Cost of Medical Insurance in Finland
Only permanent residents of Finland are covered under the Finnish National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme of Kela (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland).
Therefore, international students residing in Finland on a temporary student residence permit are not covered by the NHI scheme.
If you are not insured by a corresponding insurance system from your home country – or if you do not have a European Health Service card it is highly recommended to obtain medical and accident insurance from a private insurance company before you arrive in Finland.
Healthcare for university students studying at a Master’s level is offered by the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS in Finnish, the acronym is YTHS).
The YTHS student health services are not available for Doctoral students, so if you are aiming for a PhD, it would be advised to contact your hosting Finnish university for advice on the local health care services and options.
Cost of Transportation in Finland
The long-distance bus network in Finland is comprehensive. You can travel almost anywhere by taking a good quality bus from Helsinki.
Unfortunately, normal ticket prices are even more expensive than flying but often there is no need to pay the normal price. You can as well rent a car and this would cost you around 230 EUR for 5 days
Using boats is only possible at the coast. A boat connection is a good option when you want to exit Finland to Stockholm or Tallinn or to have a cruise just to visit them quickly.
Remember to avoid weekends or Friday evenings because tickets are expensive. During weekdays a good ticket price to Tallinn is about 20 euros return and to Stockholm, about 40 euros return including your cabin.
Finnish trains are comfortable but they are not as fast as bullet trains. Many people find them, however, the most comfortable way of travelling. So head to VR to find train connections.
Trains should always be booked early because otherwise, they will be an expensive way of travelling. By booking tickets at least 1 month in advance you may get a 70% discount. A good price for 2 hours train ride will be about 10 euros.
Cost of Visa in Finland
Depending on your nationality and the length of your stay in Finland, you will require a visa or a residence permit. Citizens of the EEA countries (European Economic Area = EU countries and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) need not apply for a visa or a residence permit before arriving in the country if they intend to stay for less than 3 months.
Citizens of the Nordic countries may arrive, reside, study, and work in Finland without limitations.
Presently, a student’s cost of living in Finland stands at EUR 560 per month. This translates to a minimum of EUR 6720 per year. Provide a recent statement of your financial situation from your bank that shows you have at least EUR 6720 in your bank account.
Students undertaking degree courses in Finland must have funds for one year at a time, while Exchange Students must have funds for the entire duration of their stay in Finland.
CSN Team.
