Study in Finland

Finland’s 20 universities and 30 polytechnics offer a wide array of programs in English and other foreign languages to choose from. At the moment, there are more than 300 programs being offered in English, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Some of these are short courses and yet others can extend over several years and lead to a baccalaureate degree or a training certification.

A database of English-language degree and non-degree programmes, information about Finland as a study destination, our higher education institutions, and practicalities concerning scholarships, admissions systems and living in Finland.

The American undergraduate students can receive course credit directly from their institution for their participation in the following programs.

ISEP Exchange is available at Åbo Akademi University, Abo, Åbo Campus and Vasa Campus, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Joensuu Campus and Kuopio Campus, University of Jyvaskyla, University of Oulu and University of Tampere.

The University of Helsinki is a bilingual institution. The languages of instruction are Finnish and Swedish. In addition to courses taught in Finnish and Swedish, the University offers a lot of courses taught in English. Courses taught in English are offered by each Faculty of the University. You can participate in courses taught in English; no knowledge of Finnish or Swedish is required.

The UND-University of Oulu exchange program offers students a rich combination of academics and cultural adventure. The University of Oulu is Finland’s second largest university, with over 14,500 students. Courses available include, but are not limitedt to, Scandinavian Studies, Northern Cultures and Societies, and Japanese Studies.

Student Internships and Independent Study
Scandinavian Seminar offers students of all ages the opportunity to study in Finland through independent internship and study programs. Schools and programs are custom fit to students’ interests and goals. This program may last from one semester up to a full academic year. Choices in study of language and culture, folk arts, traditional dance, environmental studies, outdoor life and deaf culture are available among many others.

Scandinavian Seminar offered to students of all ages.

Learn to speak Finnish as a guest in the home of a certified teacher. The programs are available to students of all ages and all levels and are customized to particular needs of each student. Some programs may run from 15 to 25 hours per week and take place in a typical home setting or in the luxury of 4-star hotel. There are three programs to choose from: learning the standard language in a teacher’s home; the business and specialized vocabulary; and the 5-star luxury. The last two are ideally suited for business executives.

The Language Centre offers instruction in Finnish for foreigners who are not enrolled at a university or college. The open-enrollment for courses begin in September and last until January of each year, and range from elementary to advanced levels.

Academic year courses in Finnish for foreign students are also offered at many other university language centers.

The Finnish National Agency for Education EDUFI allows international students interested in studying in Finland to pinpoint the programs taught in English by Finnish colleges and polytechnic universities. Using this great resource, the students can search for any program taught in a Finnish college.
Summer courses are primarily intended for students of Finnish language or linguistics who have at least a working knowledge of Finnish language. There are four different levels to choose from and each course last for 3 to 4 weeks. The course descriptions and brief instruction on how to apply to the program can be found on the EDUFI website.

A three-week course in Finnish language and culture, organized by Suomi-Seura (Finland Society). Mainly intended for descendants of Finnish emigrants.

The Jyväskylä Summer School offers science, computer and mathematics courses for advanced undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral students. One of the main objectives of the school is to encourage interdisciplinary study and the students are expected to show interest in other scientific fields besides their own.

The Academy of Fine Arts is one of the four highest university-level art schools in Finland that provides grounding in theory and practice of visual arts education, with particular attention paid to trends in contemporary art.

Full-time teachers are all practicing artists. In addition, the Academy invites lecturers and foreign artists to become artists-in-residence.

The Sibelius Academy is the only music university in Finland, and the largest in Scandinavia, as well as among the top music universities in Europe. The academy seeks to promote all SIBELIUS ACADEMYforms of musical talent in an international setting while creating opportunities for higher levels of artistic activities, research and associative learning.

The Theatre Academy is a university for the performing arts, as well as a research centre for the art of the theatre and dance. The academy THEATER ACADEMYoperates with the goal of enhancing the creative potential of its students by giving them theoretical and practical tools to work with, and at the same time offering them a multifaceted educational experience. It offers degree programs in acting (Finnish and Swedish speaking), directing, dramaturgy, performance and theory of the theater, choreography, dance, lighting and sound design, as well as theatre and dance pedagogy.

Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture is the largest art school in Scandinavia and has a strong international presence. The university encourages research and provides education specializing in design, audiovisual communication, art, and art education.