5) ABROAD STUDENT SHARES

STUDY IN FINLAND GUIDE 2009
INDEX
Introduce about myself ……………………………..1-2
Detail processing…………………………………….2-7
I.Introduce about Finland
II.Summary about Finnish system education
III.Finnish universities and polytechnics
IV.Faculty
V.Basic admission criteria
VI.How to apply
VII.The entrance examination
VIII.Useful website

INTRODUCE
Hi everyone !

My name is Thu Trang. I’m one of Ms.Duyen’s student - my English teacher. I have had a dream that is study abroad. I want to discover and get more experiences everything outside Viet Nam, especially Western or Europeans countries such as Australia, US, UK …I think that is a dream of everyone not except me. Normally, if you want to study oversea, you must have at least two requirements. They are financial and English skill. At that time, I didn’t have both of them. Those are my big problems. What should I do? Today I’m living and studying in Finland. It means my dream come true. This is not only a study guide but also my heart’s experiences. I want to share with everyone who wants to study abroad and share my feeling now– so happy.
How did I do that?
Firstly, you must determine what important factor is? I mean what your biggest problem is? I recognized that is my English knowledge. So, English language has so many skills and kinds. You need to know what’s skill and kind you will to improve. Nowadays, almost student aren’t strange with IELTS and TOEFL. It is not the most important factor but it is needed. How to say! It likes a key. If you don’t have key, you can’t open the door. I think everybody can understand what I mean. Now, you have known what your problem is. I think that you knew what you should do!
Next step, how about you’re financial. This is very difficult. What did I do for solution this problem?
That is “scholarship”. You must get or find scholarship. Common, some universities or any organization offers full scholarship or free tuition course fee. Full scholarship will cover tuition fees and subsistence expenses. How did I get scholarship?
I researched information on the internet. Nowadays, the internet is very popular. You should use every capability of it for researching. I always use Google tool for searching. You just type some key word after that it will show up some results. For example, I typed some key words such as “scholarship”, “free tuition fees”, “mien hoc phi” …I did it successfully. I found out some countries that are located in North European. For instant Finland, Sweden, Public of Zech....etc. They will offer free tuition fees if you pass the entrance examination. Actually, it is not called “scholarship”. But with me it likes scholarship. So this entrance exam is not really easy. If you want to pass this exam, you must study very hardly. This is a big competition. You have to compete with so many students from other countries. The numbers of students apply to take this exam approximately one thousands. This quantity will be increased each year. But the universities just have accepted about 30 students. It is violent challenge.
Don’t worry.
Don’t give up.
If you work hardly, you will get it. I’m really sure!
Are you ready? Let’s do it!
☺☺☺☺☺
DETAIL PROCESSING
I have just studied in Finland. This guide below I will focus on only “How to study in Finland”.
I.Introduce about Finland
Finland is very beautiful, safely and peaceful. It is not noisy even very quite! If you study in here, I think your parent won’t be worried about you more. That’s my opinion!
Please visit this website http://virtual.finland.fi
II.Summary about Finnish system education
The Finnish education system is composed of nine-year basic education (comprehensive school); upper secondary education, comprising vocational and general education; and higher education, provided by universities and polytechnics. Adult education is available at all levels.
The Finnish higher education system comprises 20 universities and 28 polytechnics governed by the Ministry of Education. Multi-field polytechnics train professionals in response to labour market needs and conduct R&D, which supports instruction and promotes regional development in particular. The Ministry of Education confirms the degree programmes of polytechnics.
The polytechnics use the terms 'polytechnic' or 'university of applied sciences' when referring to themselves. On this website the term polytechnic/university of applied sciences (abbr. UAS) is used in most cases.
More information, please visit http://finland.cimo.fi and www.minedu.fi/OPM/?lang=en
III.Finnish universities and polytechnics
Bachelor degree programme studies at polytechnics/universities of applied sciences
Education offered at polytechnics/UAS is more practical and more focused on vocational skills than at the universities. Bachelor degree programmes take about 3.5 to 4.5 years to complete.
Polytechnics/UAS provide degree programmes in the following fields of vocational education and training: humanities and education; culture; natural sciences; natural resources and the environment; tourism, catering and domestic services; health and sports; technology, communications and transport; social sciences, business and administration.
Bachelor degree programme consists of five modules: basic studies, vocational studies, work practise, free studies and a final project. The scope of the Bachelor degree is usually 210 study credits, even though degrees of 240 and 270 exist, too. In a degree of 210 credits basic studies are usually the scope of 60, vocational studies 90, work practice 30, free studies 15 and the final project 15 credits. During one study year the student is expected to study 1 600 hours which makes up to 60 credits. The study credits used are equivalent to those of the European credit system ECTS (European Credit Transfer System).
Higher education in Finland is free of charge. The polytechnics'/UAS' students need to pay the student organisation's (SAMOK) annual membership fee to get a student card. The student card allows students certain benefits and discounts (in travelling etc.).
A non-EU student must prove that he/she is able to support his or her living in Finland during the studies. The required sum of money is 500 euros per month or 6000 euros per year. See also Visa and residence permit.
IV.Faculty
Finnish universities and polytechnics offer many programs. They are taught by English, Finnish and Swedish. International student will choose programs that are conducted English. Popular faculties are Economic, Information technology (IT), Tourism and Engineering.
V.Basic admission criteria
Applicants must have the required upper secondary.
• Upper secondary school report (Hoc ba cap 3.
• Certification of Diploma (Bang tot nghiep cap 3).
Language certificate
• IELTS academic level 5.5 or higher (each skill is not under 5).
• TOEFL
o Paper based test 550 or higher
o Computer based test 213 or higher
• TOEFL iBT 79-80 or higher.

VI.How to apply Each year, the universities have two intakes: Spring term and Autumn term.
Degree programmes starting in spring
1. Application period 1 - 12 September. Online application closes on 12 September at 4.15 pm Finnish time (+2 hrs GMT). Copies of relevant non-Finnish certificates and authorised translations of them must arrive by post by 19 September at the latest, faxed or scanned copies are not accepted. Paper application forms must arrive by 12 September at 4.15 pm Finnish time at the latest to the polytechnic/UAS of the applicant's first choice.
2. Entrance examinations are held between 22 and 31 October
3. Polytechnics/UAS announce the results by 28 November
4. Admitted students must confirm their study places by 12 December at 4.15 pm Finnish time at the latest.
5. Course will start at 5th January.
6. Schedule
• Spring term’s duration is from 5th January to 10th June.
• Summer time is from 11th June to 28th August.
• Autumn term’s duration is from 1st September to 19th December.
• Winter time is from 20th December to 4th January.
Degree programmes starting in autumn
1. The application period will start on 12 January and end on 13 February at 4.15 pm Finnish time (+2 hrs GMT). Late applications will not be considered but all applications must be received by the end of the application period. Copies of relevant non-Finnish certificates and authorised translations of them must arrive by post by 20 February at the latest, faxed or scanned copies are not accepted. Paper application forms must arrive by 20 February at 4.15 pm Finnish time at the latest to the polytechnic/UAS of the applicant's first choice.
2. Entrance examinations are held between 1 April and 7 May
3. Polytechnics/UAS announce the results by 21 July
4. Admitted students must confirm their study places by 18 August at 4.15 pm Finnish time at the latest.
5. Course will start at 1st September.
6. Schedule
• Autumn term’s duration is from 1st September to 19th December.
• Winter time is from 20th December to 4th January.
• Spring term’s duration is from 5th January to 10th June.
• Summer time is from 11th June to 28th August.
Application to Finnish polytechnic/UAS Bachelor's degree programmes conducted in English takes place through a Nationwide Joint Application System.
Applications can be submitted online during the application period at www.admissions.fi. Online application is strongly recommended because the system guides you to fill in the application correctly.
Applicants can fill in only one application per application period but they can apply for up to four (4) different degree programmes by using the same application form. Applicants who decide to apply for more than one degree programme must indicate the order of preference of the degree programmes.
Applications in the Nationwide Joint Application System are processed by the first-option polytechnic/UAS, which will decide on the applicant's eligibility to required certificate copies and possible questions regarding the application should be addressed to the Admissions Office of the first-option polytechnic/UAS only. all degree programme options in the application.
Application Process Step by Step
1. CHOOSE 1-4 DEGREE PROGRAMMES YOU WANT TO APPLY FOR
You are advised to choose their options from one or two study fields.
2. READ ALL THE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
Please note that the application instructions vary depending on the degree programme and polytechnic/UAS.
3. DECIDE THE PREFERENCE ORDER
Please read the more detailed instructions in "Preference option order"
4. FILL IN THE ONLINE APPLICATION FORM AT WWW.ADMISSIONS.FI
Please note that giving incorrect information on the application may cause rejection of the application.
5. TAKE A PRINTOUT OF YOUR APPLICATION FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
6. TAKE COPIES OF THE REQUIRED CERTIFICATES:
o Upper secondary / vocational school certificates
o English language certificates
o Authorized translations of the certificates if the certificates are not in Finnish, Swedish or English
7. WRITE YOUR APPLICANT NUMBER ON EACH CERTIFICATE COPY
The application number is sent to you in the confirmation email which you received after you sent in your application
8. DELIVER THE CERTIFICATE COPIES
Certificate copies must be delivered by the deadline to the Admissions Office of applicant's first-option polytechnic/UAS only.
9. WAIT PATIENTLY UNTIL YOU RECEIVE THE ELIGIBILITY DECISION
Due to the large number of applicants, the Admissions Office will not confirm the arrival of certificate copies.
10. PLEASE KEEP YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION ALWAYS UP TO DATE
For example, if your postal address is incorrect, you may never receive your entrance exam invitation. The Universities will not be responsible for any problems or delays in the postal service.
***Important note: Autumn is main term. At this time almost universities will be hold the entrance examination. In spring term, just only some universities will be hold the entrance exam. Normally, the entrance exam will be organized in Finland. In yearly, some universities will hold the entrance exam in Viet Nam. But just only for Autumn intake. I can’t tell you what university will come Viet Nam. It is changed yearly. Before you apply, you should search carefully applicant’s guide of each university.
VII.The entrance examination
Degree program in International Business (IB) or Tourism: The entrance include
Math: Logical thinking (like GMAT, SAT)
Writing
1. Reading: Some university will give you pre-reading material about Economic and Business themes. You should read and learn carefully. The structure’s reading exam like the multi-option test. If you want to check right option, you must remember exactly all information.
2. Essay: Write a essay about 150-250 words base on pre-reading.
The interview: Two kind of the interview: Depend on university.
1. Introduce about yourself, your motivation such as why do you choose Finland, why do you choose this university/this program …etc (easy)
2. Discuss about problem and give solution. You will join a group. They are applicant also. Teacher give a problem. You and other student will present idea, opinion, solution …(difficult)
Degree program in Information Technology (IT) or Engineering: Depend on university.
Math: Logical thinking (more difficult than math’s IB )
Physics or Chemistry
The interview: Introduce about yourself, your motivation such as why do you choose Finland, why do you choose this university/this program …etc (easy)
***Note: I don’t know exactly about the entrance exam of IT, Engineering and Tourism Degree because I applied in IB degree. That’s unfortunately! But don’t worry; I will give you some useful website. You can check everything if you like those major.
VIII.Useful website
1. All information about application processing www.admission.fi
2. Vietnamese student in Finland www.vsaf.org
3. Study in Finland www.studyinfinland.fi
4. About Finland www.virtual.finland.fi
5. About Finnish Immigration www.migri.fi

I hope you will be successful! Goodluck!
Thanks for reading!

For further information please free contact with me:
• Email: venusangellove@gmail.com
• Yahoo: venus_angel_117@yahoo.com.vn (please tell me who are you when you add me ^^)
• Skype: j3nnykute
• MSN: trangdanglove@yahoo.com
• Phone: +358 466487239