Study in Finland

Study in Finland

Pre-university Studies

The official obligatory education in Finland begins at the age of 7 and takes 9 years. This obligatory education includes 6 years of primary school and 3 years of secondary school. In this time students familiarize with the environment, core subjects and foreign languages.

After secondary school students enter high schools which are grouped as either Theoretical High schools or Technical high schools. High school period is about 3-4 years and at the end the high school diploma will be awarded. In theoretical high schools students pass literature, foreign languages, Science, Mathematics, Physical Science, Music and Art.

Technical periods upgrade students technical-professional ability and are suitable for those students who are going to be absorbed in business markets.

All students after finishing high school periods, take participate in universities entrance exam, in order to enter Finland universities.

Academic Studies

Post graduate studies are available in universities; professional high education institutes and poly technics (AMK/YH).  About 50 high educational centers have educational and research activities under the authority of Ministry of Education which contains 14 comprehensive universities, 6 professional university ad high educational institutes and 30 poly technics (AMK/YH).

The condition for entering al universities and high educational centers is diploma degree and acceptance in universities entrance exam. Less than half of the applicants can enter the universities in Finland.

The condition for foreign students for entering high educational centers is Finlands high school diploma or its equivalent and acceptance in the entrance exam. The language of study in Finlands universities is Finnish, Swedish, and sometimes English.

In the new educational system of Finland the academic year has two semesters in each 20 courses (credits) will be passed and in each academic year 40 courses will be passed.

In 1995, Finlands parliament approved the constitution of Poly Technics establishment (AMK/YH). The target of Poly technics establishment is fast entering to labor market. About 30 poly technics have got the establishments license until now which preset periods of 4 year in different fields.  For continuing and finishing the period, each student need a one year of extension.

The difference between poly technics and universities are their applicable and professionally of educations.

The condition for entering poly technics is professional diploma from professional high schools and success in each poly technics entrance exam along with works experiences.

Academic Periods

1-    Poly Technics Periods (AMK/YH) : which lead to bachelor degree, lasts 4 years and contains 140 to 160 courses (credits). The number of required courses depends on the academic filed and at least 20 courses appertained to a period of experience in scientific work. At the end the student presents the theses, too.

2-    (Bachelor) Kandidat / Kandidaati : Which contains three or four years f full time study. This period will be passed in universities in Finlands new educational system which at least contains 120 courses that the student passes basic and special lessons among them. At the last year the student should present the research along with theses.

3-    (Master) Maisteri : which contains 5 to 7 years of full time study. This period contains passing at least 160 to 220 courses after high school diploma and performing scientific researches and presenting the theses.

If these studies are passed after Bachelor (Kandidat / Kandidaatti) period, the required courses are at least 40.

4-    It is possible to receive the degree of Licentiat / Lisensiaatti in Finland which the student is required to pass 30 courses. This period is by research.

The student is charged to write the theses and have a successful defense section before professors. Most students pass this period as the primary period of PhD which lasts 2 or 3 years.

5-    (PhD) Doktor / Tohtori : The condition for entering the PhD period is the degree of (Master / Maisteri / Magister). The PhD period is also by research in Finland and lasts 4 to 5 years.