Study and Work in Finland – All You Need to Know

Is it the high quality of education or the student-centered supportive services that you seek while applying for admission to a foreign country?  Search no more!

Finland is a place to call home while in a faraway land. You are free to brag about living and studying in this Santa country. It is worth it.

Furthermore, Finland has always been rated as one of the most innovative countries when it comes to quality education and training programs. This was, according to, the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report. With such a great and irresistible reputation, it would be difficult for one not to be interested in this Nordic country.

Restrictions To know working in Finland

But then, there might be certain restrictions for you as an international student, except if you are a national of the EU/EEA. Also, the nature of your employees might have a certain influence on the job you do. But that should not discourage you.

As a student, you are to have insurance coverage. This is, particularly, for health or medical issues. For you to get a residence permit, you need private insurance coverage for your medical and pharmaceutical expenses. No one prays to fall sick, but it does happen. In order not to become stranded health-wise in a strange land, taking an insurance cover could be the magic wand you need. Based on family ties, your family members (spouse or kids), could also be granted residence permits.

In this article, we will look at the options available for you to work while studying in Finland.

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Working in Finland

As a student, you can reduce the cost of your studies by taking a part-time job. It is of great importance to know that international students are not permitted to work more than 25 hours per week in Finland. This is not so for Nordic or EU/EEA students. Then, seeking jobs related to your degree program might earn you the desired work experience that would help you to seek better employment after your studies.

In addition to that, your residence permit for studies allows you to work unrestrictedly if your work is related to your studies. Additionally, you can adjust your weekly working hours in a term, but ensure that you do not exceed 25 hours per week. So, you can spread out the loads to some days when you have little work to do.

Moreover, you will be at a better advantage if you are fluent in Finnish or Swedish languages. Relying on just your English language skills may not earn you the job you desire to do or it might take you longer to get a job there.

After graduation, you need not be in a hurry because you can apply for an extended residence permit for one year and you could use it as an opportunity to search for work. Is that all? No. Make sure you do everything before the expiration of your student residence permit. Moreover, finding a job will make it easier to apply for a residence permit.

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Jobs for Students in Finland

There are so many part-time jobs you can do in Finland. Many times, the choice is solely yours to make in terms of the kind of job you would want. It might interest you to know that working in Finland as a student is not stressful, neither is it much competitive. These jobs pay well enough to cover your living expenses.

Although there is no particular agreed sum to be paid to each worker. The numerous sectors in the country have a collective minimum rate of payment for specific job roles. These pay rates or wages are determined by certain factors like the skills and experiences of the employees, as well as the location of the job.

There is no segregation in the country so, both Finnish nationals and foreign students are paid alike if they happen to do the same kind of job. On average, a part-time job can earn you about €2 500 per month with broad job options. Service industries like restaurants, cafes, hotels, supermarkets, cinemas, and so on usually record the highest amount of job vacancies for part-time’ sake. Cleaning and delivery jobs are also very available to students who wish to work while studying.

Similarly, basic skills are important for you to get these jobs. This is irrespective of your qualifications or further skills. So, while searching for a job in Finland, ensure you consider your skills and passion to do your job happily.

Helpful Tips For Job Search in Finland

Some helpful tips that can aid your job search in Finland are listed below:

Find out from your school or department

It is one of the most common things to find job positions in the faculty or department specifically tailored for students. Jobs like research or teaching assistants may be available for you. For more information, ask your local school or department if there is a vacant position you could apply for. These jobs, sometimes, cover the tuition and sometimes offer you stipends at the end of the month. One of the good things about working in the department is that it could be an opportunity for you to develop your skills and learn more about your field. This will serve you well when you are to search for jobs after graduation.

Find out from the students’ organizations

Check out these clubs or groups (we are certain you belong to one) to see if there are any available jobs. You could find a writing job or project-related job within the organization. There are also startup hubs within the city that could pay you if you offer them your services.

Contact the employers

It is not a new thing for a student to contact employers if he or she needs a part-time job. You could walk into the establishments and ask for a vacant position. You could also check their numbers online and reach out to them. Do not be afraid to contact your potential employer, it is considered a brave act.

Networking

You could network with students, professors, and faculty members the moment you step into the school. Make friends easily with people and let them know your challenges. Connect with them

Living Cost and Tuition Fees

For the nationals of the EU or EEA, you are eligible to study for free in any government school in Finland. However, it is not the same with non-EU/EEA students. Based on the intended program, non-EU/EEA students are to save between €5000 and €18 000 for their tuition fees. You must give convincing evidence that you are financially capable of taking care of your tuition fees.

Interestingly, there are tuition exemptions, with numerous scholarship programs available for all students. But then, you need to consider living expenses.

For housing, you can save between €160 and €800 per month. It is important to note that private apartments cost more than living on campus. All in all, you are the one to make the ultimate choice.

For feeding, the cost is between the range of €200 and €300 per month. Transportation and social activities are not inclusive. However, you can budget between €700 and €1 100 per month to conveniently live in Finland.

More About Residence Permits in Finland

• If your studies in Finland take longer than 90 days, you need a residence permit to study in the country. The residence permit is valid for two years, after which you are to renew it Bear in mind too that the residence permit can only be valid for the length of time you are to spend on your studies. This is if your study period won’t exceed two years. You can only study in Finland for a maximum of 90 days if you don’t have a residence permit. However, no matter the duration of your stay, you need a visa.
• You can come to Finland to study partly for a period not exceeding 360 days if you have a residence permit issued by other EU Member States. Also, if the program you are to study has a clause covering it that specifies the condition of your stay, you need to submit a mobility notification to the Finnish Immigration Service.
• For a postgraduate program, then, you need to apply for a residence permit that covers scientific research.
• For the entire period of your residence permit, you must have sufficient financial resources to last for you throughout your stay (at least, €560 monthly). You need to also have some funds in your account if you are to be sponsored by the Finnish government.
• If there is a deportation decision by the Finnish government concerning you, then, there is no need to apply for a residence permit.

Conclusion

Conclusively, working and studying in Finland is a possible venture. All you need to do is to get on board. Ensure you meet the admission requirements and have an admission. The moment your feet step into this Nordic country and you have your work permit in place, you are free to search for any job. Don’t forget to learn the language of Finnish because it’s another ticket you need to land your dream job.

Let’s help you. 

Wondering how to go about your admission processing into schools in the US and Canada? Don’t worry! We’ve got your back! Enrolling in the top universities in the world can increase your chances with employers. Unfortunately, it can be quite expensive to study abroad due to the current economic crisis. But this shouldn’t limit you as there are other options you can explore to enhance your career. 

MPower Finance and Prodigy Finance are some of the best student loan providers for international students. They also do not require any cosigner or collateral before application. At EdXtra Associates, we can help you with your loan application process. We also provide educational consultancy services for international students to help make your journey easier and faster. You can reach out to us, as we’d love to guide you through this journey. 

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