Finnish universities anticipate further bolstering their international standing with an upcoming joint application period in the spring, shaping the future of education in Finland and redefining the international higher education landscape.
Finnish universities anticipate further bolstering their international standing with an upcoming joint application period in the spring, shaping the future of education in Finland and redefining the international higher education landscape.
Finnish universities Diaconia University of Applied Sciences and Vaasa University of Applied Sciences have witnessed a notable increase in interest from international students for their English-language Bachelor’s and Master’s programs.
The two institutions have become highly attractive to global talent, receiving a total of 9,286 applications for a limited number of available slots.
Diak online entrance exams
Diak received an overwhelming 1,981 applications for the 80 available slots in social and healthcare programs at their Helsinki campus. The Bachelor of Health Care, Nursing program and the Bachelor of Social Services program had 996 and 1,057 applicants, respectively.
Diak’s application process includes an online entrance exam for social services, allowing international participation without the need for travel to Finland. However, the nursing program requires part of the exam to be taken on-site in Helsinki, with proficiency in Finnish at least at level B1.
Successful VAMK marketing
VAMK also experienced a notable increase in the quality of applicants for its degree programs, despite the introduction of increased tuition fees. The university received 7,305 applications for the 160 available slots in their Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs.
VAMK strategically expanded its international student recruitment efforts, with a focus on Asian countries and the Middle East in 2023. Targeting nations like India, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, where students often finance their studies through tuition fees, VAMK aimed to diversify its pool of prospective students.
VAMK’s program selection involves entrance exams and interview videos, with results expected by April 10 and May 31, for Bachelor’s and Master’s programs, respectively.
Finnish universities anticipate further bolstering their international standing with an upcoming joint application period in the spring, shaping the future of education in Finland and redefining the international higher education landscape.
Finland has witnessed an increase in residence permit applications from international students this year.
Surge of international students in Finnish universities
According to the Finnish Immigration Service, by the end of July 2023, at least 8,762 non-European Union students had submitted their initial applications for a residence permit, the Schengen Visa reported.
Moreover, during this period, Finland granted 7,039 first residence permits for study purposes, marking a significant rise compared to 2022 when only 5,911 applications were recorded.
The majority of applicants were degree students, and the highest numbers came from countries such as Bangladesh, China, Sri Lanka, India, and Russia, as stated by the Finnish Immigration Service.
While the acceptance rate for these applications stood at 95 percent, the Finnish Immigration Service explained that many rejections were due to insufficient proof of financial means.
Pursuing IT, healthcare skilled individuals
Finland is actively courting international talent, focusing particularly on the fields of IT, healthcare, and cleantech in a bid to fill key skill gaps. The initiatives “Work in Finland” and “Talent Boost” headline this effort, strategically positioning the country as a magnet for skilled professionals in these high-demand sectors.
Laura Lindeman, senior director and head of Work in Finland at Business Finland, in an interview with Times of India, highlighted Finland’s recognition of the global talent pool’s significance in meeting specific sectoral needs. Lindeman said that, with a critical shortage in areas like IT, healthcare, and cleantech, Finland views international professionals as vital contributors to the nation’s growth and development.
“Finland wants to attract talent and generate growth, internationalization, and well-being in collaboration with a diverse, international workforce,” Lindeman said.
