Finland is not just a country with a cold weather, known as the land of a thousand lakes or a thousand forests, or the place in the world where you can meet the real Santa Claus. Finland is actually an innovative country where you can enjoy world-class higher education. Here, you can choose from 14 universities and 24 polytechnics and if you come from an EU/EEA country, you benefit from the tuition-free programmes.
One of the safest countries in the world and apparently, the best state in the world to live in, according to Newsweek, are just a few additional ingredients that turn Finland into a great study destination. But how much does it cost to study and live abroad as a student in Finland?
Finland is one of the financial havens of Europe since public universities do not charge tuition fees for students coming from EU/EEA countries.
Starting from autumn 2017, however, non-EU/EEA students will have to pay tuition fees.
2. Student living costs in Finland
Average living costs in Finnish cities
In Finland, you will need a total amount of 700 – 1100 EUR/month, depending on the area that you will live in. Helsinki is the most expensive city, while Laaperanta, Pori and Tampere are known as the most affordable student cities.
Check the average budget you would need for each of the large cities in Finland (including the accommodation)
Housing is a top priority in Finland and this expense represents 44% of the total monthly costs of international students, according to a European study.
Here are the average prices for accommodation in Finland:
Student living alone: 400-500 EUR/month
Student living with partner/child: 350-550 EUR/month
Student living in residence halls: 380 EUR/month.
Accommodation in residence halls is a time-limited option that only 32% of the students get to earn. Out of those, 84% are satisfied with their stay, which is the highest percentage for a European country in terms of student satisfaction when it comes to housing.
Food costs
Food expenses vary greatly between cities, but on average, groceries from the local supermarkets would cost you around 200-250 EUR/month. You can save money by shopping from discount supermarkets such as Lidl, Sale, Alepa and K-Market and if you choose to shop in the evening, as often times, you will find discounts.
If you wish to eat out, a meal in an inexpensive restaurant cost around 11 EUR, while a three-course meal for two in an average restaurant will be around 60 EUR.
Transportation costs
Most students (around 33%) choose to get around the city using public transport.
A public transportation pass for students is between 35 and 50 EUR/month, depending on the city.
26% of students prefer to walk to their campus.
You can also rent a car and this would cost you around 230 EUR for 5 days.
Extra costs
Living costs for students in Finland also include small expenses like:
student union membership fee (when registering at the university): around 100 EUR/academic year
social activities: around 100 EUR/month
Everybody knows that studying in Finland does not imply tuition fees. Huuray! However, this depends on the level of your studies, your nationality, and also on the program you're interested in.
This means that some degree programmes may charge tuition fees that vary from 2,500 to around 15,000 EUR/year.
Read below and find out detailed information about tuition fees in Finnish universities.
University tuition fees in Finland
Tuition costs for EU and non-EU students
Finland is one of the financial havens of Europe since universities and polytechnics do not charge tuition fees for students coming from EU/EEA countries.
Starting from autumn 2017, non-EU/EEA students will have to pay tuition fees. This will result in:
Minimum tuition for English-taught degree: 1,500 EUR/year
Average tuition fees English-taught: 10,000 – 16,000 EUR/year
Finnish or Swedish-taught degrees: free of charge
Highest tuition – University of Helsinki: 10,000 – 25,000 EUR/year
One of the lowest tuition – University of Lappeenranta: average of 10,000 EUR/year
Examples of tuition-free universities in Finland for EU/EEA students:
Due to the future tuition fees, all universities are required to have a scholarship programme for students from non-EU/EEA countries. Until this is implemented, only PhD students can apply for a scholarship.
While scholarships for Bachelor students are basically unavailable, you may find programmes that will help you finance your studies through Erasmus Mundus. The funded scholarships cover the participation costs, travel expenses, a living allowance and insurance.
Non-EU/EEA students with great academic performance are eligible for having their tuition fully or partially waived. These scholarships are offered by the Finnish government and some also include a living cost allowance.
Ireland attracts a large number of foreign students each year due to its excellent reputation for education and welcoming culture. Ireland being part of the EU also helps to make it easily accessible for many students from inside the EU. A further reason for Ireland's popularity is naturally that the language of instruction is English, making it highly accessible to students from all over the world.
Why Ireland?
Ireland offers everything from lavish green hills to vibrant, metropolitan cities. As a student you get to experience it all, with a natural focus on excellent education in a society with close to no unemployment and a thriving business culture. Ireland offers a wide variety of opportunities, regardless of your interests and ambitions. Ireland is also very popular with international students for its very welcoming culture, with its pubs, characteristic music and not to forget - Guinness.
Ireland has a long and strong tradition of education and is historically known as the "Island of Saints and Scholars". This has led to education always being highly valued and a focus for funding and development. It has also been a major factor in Ireland's economic success in recent years. Among other things, Ireland was named "Best Place in the World to Live" by the Economist in 2005. It is also commonly referred to as the "Celtic Tiger" and was ranked the second wealthiest country per capita in the world by the UN Development Programme (2005).
Planning for Ireland
As an EU country, Ireland is open for students from across the EU and EEA member countries to study abroad without visa requirements. This means that less preparation is necessary in view of a period of study in Ireland. However, regardless of what it is you aim to study, and for how long, moving abroad to study is always going to take a little more preparation and forethought than studying at home.
For non EU and EEA citizens, it is advisable to start preparing approximately a year in advance. This is in order to secure a student visa, apply to the schools of your choice, and be able to provide proof that you can afford your living during the period that you intend to stay in the country. Visa requirements vary for each parent country. Each student should take care to apply in advance through the Embassy or Consulate of Ireland in the student's home country or nearest neighboring country.
The Irish Education System
The Irish education system consists of Primary schools, Secondary schools (high schools), Third level colleges and universities and professional institutions. At the third level, institutions provide bachelor degrees of three years, master degrees of one to two years and doctorate degrees. Some institutions also offer shorter certificate and diploma courses.
International students are welcome to study at any third level institution. There are nine universities in Ireland - 2 in Northern Ireland and 7 in the Republic. These universities offer bachelor, master and doctorate programs in addition to a wide range of research.
There are also 14 institutes of Technology that offer programs at degree, national diploma and national certificate levels in a wide range of subjects such as engineering and science. All education at the institutes is validated by Ireland's national certification authority to ensure that the education provided holds the highest international standard. Many institutes of technology hold postgraduate diploma and degree programs, both taught and research.
A third type of higher education institution in Ireland is the Colleges of Education and independent third level colleges. There are five Colleges of Education for educating primary school teachers. Independent third level colleges offer certificate, diploma and degree programs in such areas as accountancy and business studies, law, humanities, hotel and catering, tourism studies and art. All these colleges have recognition and external accreditation from the national certification authority or alternatively from other institutions such as universities.
Different Types of Study
Studying in Ireland for foreign students is available in a variety of different forms. The majority of students choose to come through an exchange program where your parent university or institution will be able to help you with most of the necessary preparations.
You naturally also have the option of conducting a full course of study in Ireland. As the language of instruction for all courses in English, those with a sufficiently good knowledge of the language are eligible for doing anything from a bachelor to a masters or doctorate degree, provided they have the necessary prior education.
Entry requirements for the different types of study differ between institutions, but in general the following applies: A bachelor requires a completed secondary school education with sufficient results. A master degree will require a previously completed bachelor or equivalent from and Irish institution or equivalent abroad. A doctorate will require at least a master degree in your chosen field of research. In some cases, a doctorate also requires a certain amount of work experience for entry.
School Year
The school year is normally split into two semesters. The first semester starts around October and lasts until the end of December. The second semester generally starts toward the end of January and lasts until May. Exact dates vary from institution to institution.
Applying to higher education in Ireland
Application procedures differ depending on the type of course you are applying for. If you are aiming to study in Ireland through an exchange program, your parent institution will help you with any information you need.
If you are applying for entry into the first year of a bachelor program, applications generally go through the Central Applications Office, CAO. Application deadline for normal applications is usually at the start of February. Applications are submitted for a fee, which increases substantially the later you submit your application. It is therefore advisable to submit your application as early as possible. Late applications are accepted until the first of May for a fee of €90 (2008). In 2008, the fee for normal application was €45. See the CAO website for more information: http://www.cao.ie/index.php.
Applications to master or doctorate study are generally submitted directly to the institution. Each school will apply different rules, regulations and requirements for application. For more information, contact the admissions or international office of the university where you wish to study.
Grading in the Irish Education System
The grading system adheres very closely to the system used at UK universities. How exactly your final degree grade is reached is usually slightly different for each individual university or institution. The grading looks like this:
Above 70%: First-class honors (a first)
65-69% Upper second-class honors (a 2.1)
60-64% Lower second-class honors (a 2.2)
55-59%Third-class honors (a third)
50-54% Ordinary
Living Arrangements
Living arrangements during study at the tertiary level can usually be organized through the university, college or institute. Most institutions have housing departments that can help you with allocation to university housing or off campus living. In many cases, international students are guaranteed a place in a university hall of residence during the first year, and in some cases throughout their period of study.
It is common, especially during the first years of study to live in accommodation provided by the university. There are usually catered or self catered halls of residence to choose from depending on your preference and budget. Here you will live with other students making it easier to meet new people, and truly experience the culture.
For more mature students or students in post graduate education, off campus housing may be preferable. Some universities have especially allocated housing for students with accompanying spouse or family.
Students can also use housing portals, such as HousingAnywhere.com, to find accommodation in Dublin and other cities within Ireland.
Living Costs
Average living costs may differ somewhat depending on if you choose to study in Northern Ireland or in the Republic as different rules and fees apply.
For study at public institution in the Republic of Ireland, you can use the following guideline costs. These may however vary depending on institution and where you live (city or outside, university or private housing).
Average living costs: 7480 (Euro)
Home students tuition fees (this often includes EU and EEA citizens): Minimum: 0 (Euro)
Foreign students tuition fees: Minimum: 7600 (Euro)
Maximum: 17900 (Euro)
CYPRUS
Cyprus is located in the south of Turkey on an island in the Mediterranean Sea just after Sardinia, it is also close to Sicily. Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Cyprus is geographically located in Asia but it is politically a European country and also a member of the EU. Universities in Cyprus have extremely low and affordable tuition fees. More than 63,000 university students from over 131 different countries are currently enrolled in twelve major universities in Cyprus. If you desire education with nice and conducive environment where you can also meet different people from different culture, then you should consider studying in Cyprus.
COST OF STUDYING IN CYPRUS
For international students, tuition fees differ depending on both the degree type (e.g. Bachelor and Masters). The tuition fee for international bachelor undergraduate students is below 3500Euros per annum except when the course of study is Pharmacy, which the annual cost is about 7000 Euros. The tuition fee of the Masters/PhD postgraduate programs is between 2000 and 2500 Euros which depends on the course of study.
COST OF LIVING IN CYPRUS
Unless you’re on a tour to visit the beaches or to take scuba diving lessons complimented with the great meals prepared for tourists interested in the aquatic life, you’ll spend a lot less than you would have spent studying in most cities in Europe.
Average the cost of living for international students is in-between €300-€650 monthly. Feeding is cheap, taxis charge fairly, and once you start acquainting with the locals you’ll barely pay a dime for the nightlife.
Since 1951the rail network in Cyprus has not been functioning, buses are fairly expensive but readily available. Though people prefer to use the taxis because reliable routes can be limited, in Cyprus,groceries are cheaper when compared to their cost in the United Kingdom, especially when it involves meat and fresh fruits, restaurant meals are generally cheaper as well.Prices of things vary and this depends mostly on the producer or the suppliers.
Cyprus is increasingly popular among international students thanks to its well-respected education system, reasonable tuition fees and year-round sunshine
The cost of study is low in comparison to other fashionable European study destinations and crime is almost non-existent. You'll also have the chance to pick up a second language, either Greek or Turkish depending on where you study. However, English is widely spoken.
Furthermore the country enjoys a Mediterranean climate and boasts sandy beaches, lush forests and ancient ruins making it an idyllic destination to further your education and broaden your cultural horizons.
Cypriot universities
The higher education sector houses a mix of public and private institutions as well as a number of private tertiary-level colleges.
Universities offer both undergraduate, Masters and Doctoral programmes similar to those in the UK.
There are three public universities:
Cyprus University of Technology (CUT)
Open University of Cyprus (OUC)
University of Cyprus (UCY).
Five institutions make up the private higher education sector:
European University Cyprus (EUC)
Frederick University
Neapolis University Paphos (NUP)
University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) Cyprus
University of Nicosia.
Universities found in northern Cyprus operate under the separate law of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Student exchanges
Your UK university may have a formal Erasmus+ partnership with a Cypriot institution. Erasmus+ offers study, training, work experience and voluntary placements. Opportunities are supported by funding and last from three months to one year. Speak to your university's Erasmus+ coordinator for more information on how to apply.
Bachelors courses are taught at both public and private institutions, and typically take four years to complete. Available programmes cover a range of subjects including humanities, science, engineering and technology, business, mathematics, medicine, law and social science.
To be admitted onto an undergraduate course, you'll need a school leavers certificate and to sit a centrally-administered admissions exam. You'll learn through a series of lectures, seminars, and group and project work.
Bachelors degrees are available in English, but if this isn't your native language you will need to prove your proficiency.
Masters degrees
Postgraduate qualifications in Cyprus are equivalent to their UK counterparts. Courses usually take one or two years to complete, and can be studied both full and part time.
Entrants must have previously studied a relevant Bachelors degree in order to be admitted onto a programme. You may also have to complete a postgraduate interview.
The academic year is split into two semesters and runs from September to May in public universities. Mid-term exams are taken in October and March, with final exams taken at the end of each semester. Instruction at private universities is between October and June.
PhDs
Applicants require a Masters degree in a related subject. Doctorates are much more common in the public universities, usually last for three years, and include a taught component and a dissertation. The main areas of study include:
economics and management
engineering
health science
humanities
law
pure and applied science
social science and education.
Course fees
Tuition fees are determined by the individual institutions, so you'll need to contact your chosen university to get an accurate figure of what you'll need to pay. Degree costs vary depending on what and where you study.
Masters tuition fees are generally lower than in the UK, with public institutions often cheaper than their private counterparts.
As a general guide, Masters students should expect to pay between €5,000 and €10,000 per year in tuition fees. MBAs and Doctoral degrees are more expensive. Non-EU students are likely to pay more than those from the European Union (EU).
Funding to study in Cyprus
Government-funded scholarships, usually covering 10% to 20% of fees, are available for international postgraduates who've displayed outstanding academic performance.
Universities such as the University of Cyprus, subsidise foreign postgraduate students through assistantships. This involves helping with teaching, grading and lab supervision.
How to apply
Applications are usually made directly to the institution via post, with forms downloadable from the official website. However, each institution sets its own admission requirements so you'll need to check with your university's admissions office to find out specific details.
Be prepared to apply one year in advance. Some programmes require you to attend an entrance exam or pre-entry interview. You'll also need to pay an application fee.
You must usually present your passport, birth certificate, academic certificates and references alongside your application form. You must also prove that you can support yourself financially and pay tuition fees up front. Documents may be required in English.
Language requirements
Private universities teach in English, while every public university offers courses taught in English.
Universities require proof of English competency before enrolment. There's no official language testing system, so consider the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Students without adequate skills may be granted one month's free intensive tuition.
Institutions may also require overseas students to have a good knowledge of Greek.
Student visas
EU students don't need a visa to study in Cyprus. Upon arrival in the country, you must submit the following materials to the admissions office of your chosen institution:
a completed application form
an application fee
four passport photographs
copies of your academic certificates
evidence of your proficiency in English
a photocopy of your passport
a recent certificate of good conduct from the police force in your country of origin.
Additional to the above, EU students must apply for a temporary residence permit from the Civil Registry and Migration Department.
Non-EU students will require a visa to study in the country. These are only issued to full-time students taking at least 12 credits per semester. Apply to your country's Cypriot embassy two to three months before the course starts. You'll need to attend a visa interview where you must submit documentation including evidence of a medical check-up, and letters of financial support and good conduct.
Non-EU students must also register with the District Police Alien Branch within seven days of arrival in Cyprus.
