What it takes to study in Finland?

Andreas283 · Post by **Andreas283** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 3:46 am

Hi, I'm wondering what it takes to be able to study in finland? I don't have a degree in anything, but that's why I'm thinking of moving to finland to study, I'm from Denmark so I'm nordic, I know that I can get support from denmark if I go study in Finland, but that I have to talk with a student advicer about, there's some specific things that they require, anyway, I was looking at KELA too, and since I'm nordic, It is easier for me to actually get it, I'm just wondering, what do they cover of expences? and when I go to study in finland, will apartments be cheaper since I'm a student? and what about work, will that be needed, or can KELA cover enough plus the monthly student payment that i'll be able to live on that? And I'm very good at english, so for a starter, would it be easy for me to get an english speaking job, for example a kindergarden, I'm good with kids too, if, where would you recommend I look, I'm thinking of moving to the surroundings of Helsinki, and Espoo.

Thanks you very much.
~Andreas

**Sponsor:**

rinso · Post by **rinso** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 8:25 am

Andreas283 wrote:Hi, I'm wondering what it takes to be able to study in finland? I don't have a degree in anything, but that's why I'm thinking of moving to finland to study,

You need a highschool degree.
Then you can apply for a study place.
If you are accepted, you can come and study.

I was looking at KELA too, and since I'm nordic, It is easier for me to actually get it, I'm just wondering, what do they cover of expences?

Foreign students are not entitled to Kela support.
If there is a special arrangement for Danish students, you have to find out for yourself in Denmark.

and when I go to study in finland, will apartments be cheaper since I'm a student?

There is cheap student housing, but in many cities there are much more applicants than places.

would it be easy for me to get an english speaking job

English speaking jobs are rare and far apart. Don't count on it.

Andreas283 · Post by **Andreas283** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 1:37 pm

rinso wrote:
Andreas283 wrote:Hi, I'm wondering what it takes to be able to study in finland? I don't have a degree in anything, but that's why I'm thinking of moving to finland to study,
You need a highschool degree.
Then you can apply for a study place.
If you are accepted, you can come and study.

I don't think that's entirely true, I think that it is possible for someone to study in another country and take the highschool exam. And then go on studying.

rinso · Post by **rinso** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 4:06 pm

The context suggest study (uni/polytechnic) not Highschool.
It is possible to attend Finnish highschool as a foreigner.
But a highschool study is as far as I know now reason for a residence permit.
(since the OP is EU, that might not be a real problem tho)

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 11:36 pm

rinso wrote:
Andreas283 wrote:Hi, I'm wondering what it takes to be able to study in finland? I don't have a degree in anything, but that's why I'm thinking of moving to finland to study,
You need a highschool degree.
Then you can apply for a study place.
If you are accepted, you can come and study.

OP is NORDIC!!! so Nordic agreements are more open than EU.
Once you qualify for a high-school ( By applying for and taking a test), then you can apply to study for a bachelors or a vocational degree.

I was looking at KELA too, and since I'm nordic, It is easier for me to actually get it, I'm just wondering, what do they cover of expences?

Foreign students are not entitled to Kela support.
[/quote]If there is a special arrangement for Danish students, you have to find out for yourself in Denmark.
[/quote]
AGAIN OP is NORDIC; KELA support is same for Nordic citizens. Denmark has better benefits for students..so why apply for KELA ?

and when I go to study in finland, will apartments be cheaper since I'm a student?

There is cheap student housing, but in many cities there are much more applicants than places.
[/quote]
you will qualify for HOAS apartments and it is cheaper.

would it be easy for me to get an english speaking job

English speaking jobs are rare and far apart. Don't count on it.[/quote]
[/quote] rinso is right here... pretty difficult..But you can try your luck with Danish and Swedish/Norwegian in the Ferries etc. ..But still difficult.
In fact, I know some Finns working in Denmark and living here as they pay higher there than here..

Andreas283 · Post by **Andreas283** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 3:11 am

How much money does it cost to be able to go to finland, once I've applied and gotten into a highschool, and my student support and all is in order... How much would it cost then to go there, and find an apartment, or would it be better to look for apartments abroad, if so, where would be a good place to look?

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 8:57 am

Regarding student housing:
http://www.soa.fi/en/

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:20 pm

http://www.hallonorden.org/

raamv · Post by **raamv** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:21 pm

Rip wrote:Regarding student housing:
http://www.soa.fi/en/

A Danish arriving to Finland:
http://www.hallonorden.org/forside/dk/f ... nland.aspx

sammy · Post by **sammy** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 4:14 pm

kathi wrote:As already mentioned, you are entitled to Kela benefits.

Kathi, if we are talking about the KELA student grant...

...a friendly (and not down-putting) word of advice - you can not really decide whether or not the OP is eligible for KELA student support, so it's better not to be too hasty in "deciding"... I can't decide it either, but it's better to do some homework before showing someone such an absolute green light IMO...

KELA wrote:Citizens of Nordic countries

You are eligible for financial aid if you have registered your residence in the manner agreed between the Nordic countries and you are in Finland for some other principal purpose than to attend school.

If you are a family member of a citizen of another Nordic country and your residence in Finland has been registered or you have a residence card, you are eligible for financial aid.

If you were admitted to a Finnish school before registering in Finland and you have no other purpose for living in Finland, you are not eligible for financial aid.

Again... I don't mean to say it's not possible to get the KELA student grant if you are a foreign citizen, but it is not an automatic process. You have to pass through the hoops; you've got to fulfil the requirements; and it appears from the original question that the OP is planning to come to Finland for studying reasons, so one just needs to think a bit about how that relates to the above rules from the KELA web page...

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 4:24 pm

And I'd still bring the EU health card in addition of the passport and such... *all the papers* maketh the KELA ladies happy...

sammy · Post by **sammy** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 5:16 pm

kathi wrote:Sorry I didn't mean that you can get the student grant from Finland. That might be rather tricky. I meant that you just show your passport and you would receive Finnish healthinsurance since you need to have a health insurance in the country where you are going to study. The same would apply for a Finn going to DK.

Yep that's a different thing. Just thought I'd bring the subject up since TBH the OP seems not so sure of what is "high school" and what is "higher education" so it was a bit vague whether the KELA student grant was meant...

Anyway it appears that the OP has not completed his pre-university education so the issue of state/private university does not enter the picture just yet...

jen · Post by **jen** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 1:06 pm

Hi I havent read the full thread, just your opening post.

I have a Danish friend studying in Kouvola who gets his student money from Denmark. He would be entitled to Finnish student money instead if he wanted, but apparently the danish money is more (no, you couldn't get both).

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