Hello,
I am a Finnish-American with dual citizenship, and just moved to Finland. I plan on applying to a Polytechnic for Bachelor's level studies after I complete my army service. I speak decent Finnish, however I believe it will be a couple of years before it is at the university level. So I plan on applying for an English-language program. I have a few questions about Finnish Polytechnics;
-Is a bachelor's earned from a polytechnic the same as a bachelor's earned from a university? Can one apply to European\American graduate programs with a polytechnic bachelor? Is a polytechnic bachelor respected outside Finland?
-What polytechnic bachelor's degrees are in demand in Finland right now? Is it very easy to find work with just a bachelor's, or is it recommended to just continue studying and enter the workforce with a Master's? Which polytechnics are most respected?
-My current plan is to apply for the Saimaa Polytechnic's International Business program, which specializes in Russian economics. I plan on also trying to learn Russian. If all goes according to plan I will complete my studies with a bachelor's in Int'l Business, fluency in Finnish and a good grasp on the Russian language. Is this a good plan, what are my chances of finding work? Positive Criticism please.
Anteeksi että minun kysymys on niin pitkä. Kiitos kaikista vaustaksista ja neuvosta.
Bachelor's from a Finnish Polytechnic
-
suomalainenamerican
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Sun May 23, 2010 4:57 am
Re: Bachelor's from a Finnish Polytechnic
Hi there,
I try to answer your questions as well as I can (and as shortly as I can)
1. Traditional universities have not been too keen to support universities of applied sciences. The attitudes have been changing to better direction but still, many graduates with Bachelor from UAS would probably need to do some extra work before getting on to their Masters studies. This is the case only in Finland. I have seen tens of UAS graduates going abroad to study their Masters without any problems.
2. I cannot say what degrees are more valuable than others. I would think that looking at what would be future occupations could help. Otherwise there has been inflation of degrees in Finland (as in many other European countries). Jobs that previously hired Bachelors will hire Masters now, those who required Masters earlier will require PhD (well, at least in some cases).
3. If you want to study international business I would choose either Haaga-Helia or Metropolia - by far the best business education (check out their websites). TAMK is good as well.
4. If you want to specialize in Russian economics that might be a good choice - Russian language will definitely be a plus in Finnish career markets.
I try to answer your questions as well as I can (and as shortly as I can)
1. Traditional universities have not been too keen to support universities of applied sciences. The attitudes have been changing to better direction but still, many graduates with Bachelor from UAS would probably need to do some extra work before getting on to their Masters studies. This is the case only in Finland. I have seen tens of UAS graduates going abroad to study their Masters without any problems.
2. I cannot say what degrees are more valuable than others. I would think that looking at what would be future occupations could help. Otherwise there has been inflation of degrees in Finland (as in many other European countries). Jobs that previously hired Bachelors will hire Masters now, those who required Masters earlier will require PhD (well, at least in some cases).
3. If you want to study international business I would choose either Haaga-Helia or Metropolia - by far the best business education (check out their websites). TAMK is good as well.
4. If you want to specialize in Russian economics that might be a good choice - Russian language will definitely be a plus in Finnish career markets.
-
suomalainenamerican
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Sun May 23, 2010 4:57 am
Re: Bachelor's from a Finnish Polytechnic
Ok, thanks for the advice