Located in the northern part of Europe is the “Land of Thousand Lakes” or Finland. Its capital is Helsinki. Furthermore, there are 5,591,854 individuals living in the country as of 2022. The official languages of the nation are Finnish and Swedish, but many of the residents are also fluent English speakers. Moving on to the topic of religion, the majority of the population are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.
When it comes to the must-visit tourist spots, Finland has quite a long list. However, some of the most impressive ones include Suomenlinna Fortress, Kauppatori or Market Square, Åland Archipelago, Turku Historical Museum, and Kvarken National Park. For those who enjoy sightseeing, it is best to take the trip from September to March so as to be able to witness the ever-so-famous Northern Lights. Besides this, the more adventurous travelers might want to go and check out any of the country’s 187,888 lakes.
At present, approximately 20,000 international students are pursuing their higher education in Finland. It is a solid choice for those who plan on studying abroad, due to the fact that the country’s government offers scholarships to all students from overseas who are about to take up a bachelor’s or master’s degree program. What makes it even better is that EU/EEA citizens as well as those from Switzerland are not required to pay any tuition fees. In this article, we will be looking at the best cities to study in Finland!
Top Cities to Study in Finland for International Students
1. Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finland, which makes it a major business hub and tourist city. In 2022, around 1,328,000 individuals are residing in the city. Adding to this, it is the most populated place in the country. Kiasma Museum, Uspenski Cathedral, Linnanmaki Amusement Park, Kamppi Chapel, and Temppeliaukio Kirkko are among its most-visited landmarks.
For prospective students, Helsinki is an excellent destination to study in Finland as there are several distinguished colleges and universities in the city such as the University of Helsinki, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Hanken School of Economics, University of the Arts Helsinki, and Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences.
Those who have a passion for the arts are advised to check out the University of the Arts Helsinki or Uniarts Helsinki. It specializes in dance, fine arts, music, and theater. Moreover, the center of learning is divided into three academies: the Academy of Fine Arts, the Sibelius Academy, and the Theatre Academy.
On the other hand, future economists and business administration experts should look into the Hanken School of Economics. It is one of the best business schools in the country that opened its doors to students in the year 1909. Today, there are four departments and one center in the institution. These are the Department of Finance and Economics, the Department of Management and Organization, the Department of Marketing, the Department of Accounting and Commercial Law, and the Center for Languages and Business Communication.
2. Tampere
Tampere is a charming city situated in the southern region of Finland. As of 2022, it has about 346,000 residents. It is also a favorite destination among travelers due to the number of awe-inspiring sites in the area like Museum Vapriikki, Pyynikki Observation Tower, Tampere Cathedral, Särkänniemi, and Kaleva Church.
The Police University College and Tampere University as well as Tampere University of Applied Sciences are prominent educational institutions in the city. Tampere is one of the top cities to study in Finland if you are an aspiring international student. For those who aspire to undergo police academy training, there is no doubt that the Police University College or Poliisiammattikorkeakoulu is the perfect school for you. Established in 1918, it is Finland’s center of excellence when it comes to policy education and research. Additionally, the main languages used in classes are Finnish and Swedish, but there are also English-taught study options.
3. Espoo
Espoo is a part of Finland’s Uusimaa region. It is a bustling city filled with tourist attractions such as the Laajalahti Nature Reserve, Espoo Museum of Modern Art, Nuuksio National Park, The Finnish Nature Center Haltia, and Serena Water Park.
Espoo is one of the best cities for international students in Finland. As for educational institutions, perhaps the most reputable one in the area is none other than Aalto University. It is a prestigious higher education institute with six schools: School of Arts, Design and Architecture, School of Business, School of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, School of Electrical Engineering, and School of Science. Furthermore, Aalto was established in 2010 and it is named after famed architect Alvar Aalto who studied at and designed the Helsinki University of Technology.
4. Turku
Popular for being the country’s oldest city, Turku has a rich history and it is proudly displayed by the architectural sites in the place including Turku Castle, Kuralan Kylämäki, Sibeliusmuseum, The Qwensel House, and Turku Cathedral. In addition to this, it has a population of around 175,645 people.
The University of Turku, Turku University of Applied Sciences, and Åbo Akademi University are the most eminent centers of learning in the city. More about the University of Turku, it is the third-largest institute for tertiary education in Finland which makes it a top choice for international students. It was founded in 1920 and at present, it has eight faculties and these are the Faculty of Education, Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Social Science, Faculty of Technology, and Turku School of Economics. Furthermore, its two other campuses are in Pori and Rauma.
5. Vantaa
Vantaa prides itself on being Finland’s most international city to study. As of 2022, there are around 238,000 people who call it their home. In addition to this, those who visit often go to the Finnish Aviation Museum, Tikkurila Railway Station, Science Center Heureka, Vantaa Museum, and Kuusijärvi.
In Vantaa, the most notable institution is Laurea University of Applied Sciences. It began welcoming students in 1992. However, it was referred to as Espoo-Vantaa Polytechnic back then. It took nine years before it was renamed to what it is called today. On another note, it has six campuses. In line with this, about 7,800 students are currently pursuing their education at Laurea.
The above cities boast several attraction sites as well as top-ranking universities in Finland. You can also check out the Study in Finland for more information about different Finnish universities and the available financial aid opportunities. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe to learn more about studying abroad.
