Finnish higher education system is known for its high standards and innovative teaching, comprising universities and universities of applied sciences (UAS). Universities focus on research-oriented education, offering Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees, while UAS emphasize practical and professional education, offering Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
Bachelor’s degrees typically last 3 years (180 ECTS) at universities and 3.5-4 years (210-240 ECTS) at UAS. Master’s degrees take 2 years (120 ECTS) at universities and 1-1.5 years (60-90 ECTS) at UAS. Doctoral degrees require 4 years of research.
Admission involves entrance exams and academic performance evaluations. Courses are mainly in Finnish and Swedish, with many Master’s and Doctoral programs available in English. EU/EEA students do not pay tuition fees, while non-EU/EEA students do, with scholarships available for them.
The Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC) ensures quality through regular evaluations. The academic year runs from late August/early September to late May/early June. Finland’s higher education emphasizes equality, accessibility, and work-life balance, making it a top choice for students globally.
Top 20 Universities in Finland 2024 Finnish University Rankings
| College Name | World Ranking (Source) | Country Rank (Source) | City | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helsingin yliopisto | 111 | 1 | Uusimaa | |
| Tampereen yliopisto | 181 | 2 | Pirkanmaa | |
| Aalto-yliopisto | 228 | 3 | Uusimaa | |
| Turun yliopisto | 478 | 4 | Southwest Finland | |
| Jyväskylän yliopisto | 486 | 5 | Central Finland | |
| Oulun yliopisto | 511 | 6 | Northern Ostrobothnia | |
| Itä-Suomen yliopisto | 935 | 7 | North Karelia | |
| Åbo Akademi | 1022 | 8 | Southwest Finland | |
| Vaasan yliopisto | 1193 | 9 | Ostrobothnia | |
| Lappeenrannan teknillinen yliopisto | 1225 | 10 | South Karelia | |
| Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulu | 1700 | 11 | Uusimaa | |
| Taideyliopisto | 2011 | 12 | Uusimaa | |
| Turun ammattikorkeakoulu | 2387 | 13 | Southwest Finland | |
| Lapin yliopisto | 2519 | 14 | Lapland | |
| Jyväskylän ammattikorkeakoulu | 2698 | 15 | Central Finland | |
| Kaakkois-Suomen ammattikorkeakoulu | 2920 | 16 | Kymenlaakso | |
| LAB University of Applied Sciences | 2934 | 17 | Paijanne Tavastia | |
| Hämeen ammattikorkeakoulu | 2989 | 18 | Tavastia Proper | |
| Hanken Svenska handelshögskolan | 3322 | 19 | Uusimaa | |
| HAAGA-HELIA ammattikorkeakoulu | 3359 | 20 | Uusimaa |
