Finland

Finland

Quick Facts & Figures

  • capital

    Helsinki
  • language

    Finnish, Swedish
  • currency

    EUR (Euros)
  • government

    Parliamentary republic
  • religion

    Christianity
  • weather

    Continental
  • timezone

    GMT + 3
  • internet domain

    .fi

Study in Finland

Studying in Finland might not be at the forefront of your study abroad destinations but it would be a mistake to overlook this country which has a lot to offer to its students.

Helsinki, the capital of Finland, with only 600,000 inhabitants is a great hub of art, culture, and also a startup scene. You can enjoy the beautiful landscapes, travel to nearby Scandanavian countries, and of course, experience the best that progressive higher education has to offer.

Finland is famous for being the country with one of the best basic education system in the world. Their higher education system has resulted in universities and institutes that specialize in giving good training and also being a place where quality research is being produced.  

With partner schools in Helsinki to name a few, Filipino international students have a lot to choose in pursuing their international studies.

We have over 1 Finnish school and universitiy on our website that you can search and apply from!

Why study in Finland?

Finland is a great destination for Filipino international students thanks to its top-ranking universities and liveable cities. There are a handful of reasons why Filipinos should study in Finland.

  • Lively International Community
  • Innovative Research Universities
  • Superb Quality of Life

Schools in Finland

Finland's innovative education system is ranked 20th in the QS Higher Education System Strength Rankings 2018.

Life and Culture in Finland

International students may have heard of Finland’s unconventional student culture. Regardless of what they’ve heard, there are a handful of activities that students engage in which in turn, increases their school spirit and unity.

Study and work opportunities in Finland for Filipinos

Part-time work for students is relatively more flexible than other countries. International students can work part-time in Finland for 25 hours a week while school is in session, and full-time during the holidays.

Student and work visa requirements in Finland

Learn all the requirements, processing time, fees, and everything Filipinos need to know to apply for a study and work visa in Finland. Discover how you can apply for a student and work visa in Finland. 

Top 10 FAQs on Getting a Finland Student Visa

How to Get a Student Visa for the UK

Scholarships in Finland

All universities in Finland are now required to to have a scholarship program for non-EU international students. So far, only PhD students can apply for a scholarship.

With this in mind, undergrad students can look for programs that can help finance their studies through the Erasmus Mundus. Non-EU students with excellent academic performance are eligible to have their tuition partially or fully waived. This scholarship is offered by the government of Finland.

Grid
Grid

Partner Schools

Studying in Finland

What are the requirements for studying at a school in the ‘country’?
Generally, schools in Finland request the ff:
  • Educational certificates (Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, etc.)
  • English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)
  • Entrance examinations
  • Work experience (Graduate studies)
Do I need a visa? How do I get it?
Studying in Finland will require a visa and studying there for more than 90 days will require a residence permit for studying.

Requirements:
  1. A visit to the Embassy in person (also minors)
  2. A Philippine passport (which is valid at least three months following the end of the visit) and a copy of it
  3. A Schengen visa application form carefully completed, dated and signed by the applicant – visa application forms can be downloaded from the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs
  4. A recent color passport photograph, taken within the past six months (size 36 mm wide x 47 mm high, facial dimensions being 32 mm X 36 mm, against an off-white or light background)
  5. Flight reservation (Please DO NOT purchase the actual ticket beforehand. Submission of the ticket is only upon the approval of the visa)
  6. Travel insurance (Submission of travel insurance is only upon approval of the visa)
  7. NBI clearance (National Bureau of Investigation, purpose for Travel abroad, max. 12 months old)
  8. A Valid Birth certificate (Note: Only National Statistic Office (NSO) certificates printed on a security paper are accepted by the Embassy)
  9. Other documents may be required on a case to case basis
Are there scholarships available? How can I finance my studies?
There are many scholarships offered by both the government of Finland and the schools themselves. Visit the Edukasyon profiles of the schools you are interested in to check if they are offering any scholarships.

There are also some international student loans available from different loan giving bodies. University representatives usually work in tandem with their financial aid department that focuses on helping students find options to finance their education. Explore our partner schools here, and click "Send Inquiry" to get connected with your university representative.
Why should I study in the ‘country’?
Finland’s idea of education is for everyone to have equal learning opportunities regardless of background. Instead of comparing students, the focus is on supporting each student with special needs. There is also no standardized testing in the elementary level.

Since Finland emphasizes equal opportunity for all, there are no elite schools in the country. There is almost no difference between schools because the education system is designed to provide equal opportunities for all regardless of social class, gender, or background. This applies throughout the education system, from primary to higher education. Finland is also among the best in the world in providing education according to various world rankings. With one of the best countries in providing education and with not much difference between its schools, students from all backgrounds can receive top-notch education from anywhere in Finland.
 
How do I choose a school in the ‘country?
There are an endless array of schools and programs available to Filipino students looking to pursue their studies in Finland. After deciding (1) What your career goals are and (2) What academic programs can help you achieve those goals, it's time to do some research on which school is best for you! There are schools in Finland that are looking for Filipino students just like you!
What are the required languages for studying in the ‘country’?
Finnish and Swedish are the two official languages of Finland. It is a good idea to study these two languages if you want to study in Finland but it is still possible to study in the country even if you do not know how to speak these two languages. Some universities have degrees that are taught in English.

Living in Finland

How much is the cost of living in the ‘country’?
You must have at least EUR 560 or about USD 650 per month for accommodation, food, and other needs.
 
What is the lifestyle like in the ‘country’?
Finnish customs and manners are clearly European with only a few national variations, and attitudes are liberal. The Finns are very welcoming to their visitors. Committing social breaches of etiquette by visitors are met with understanding and amusement by the Finns. They also have a strong sense of identity and would really appreciate their visitors who know about Finns in sports and culture.

One thing the Finns take seriously are words. They carefully consider what they say and expect others to do so. Verbal agreements and promises are binding not just to themselves but opon the other party too. Value of words remain the same regardless of when and where they are spoken. Visitors should remember that invitations or wishes expressed in a light conversational manner like an invitation to go out for dinner or coffee, are taken at face value, and forgetting them can cause concern.
Are there Filipinos living in the ‘country’?
As of 2017, according to the Finland Statistics, Finnish Immigration Service, there are 3568 Filipinos in Finland.

Working in Finland

What are the benefits of graduating from a school in the ‘country’?
Finland is one of the top countries in providing education. Its idea of education is to provide equal learning opportunities for everyone. The schools also do not have much difference. Graduating in Finland means you have learned from one of the best educational institutions in the world. Looking or applying for a job or further studies becomes much easier when you have received education from Finland not because of the prestige of the country’s education, but because of the knowledge you have gained from learning in one of Finland’s schools.
Can I work while I’m studying in the ‘country’?
A non-EU student can work within certain limits on a student residence permit if the work is practical training included in his or her degree or if the part-time work does not exceed 25 hours a week. There are no limits in terms of hours on full-time work outside term times (summer and Christmas holidays specifically).