Scandinavia – Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Sweden – is one of the most prosperous and developed regions of Europe. Scandinavians’ inherent thoroughness in everything is the basis of a high standard of living. The general principles of education in Northern Europe are continuity, accessibility, and universality. The latter means that the obtained diploma has recognition abroad. Find out why many students aspire to these countries. This is an introduction to studying in Scandinavia.

Nordic education features – the ultimate guide
The Nordic educational system follows roughly the same model and shares common features. First, most educational institutions in these countries are public. Moreover, the state subsidizes several private schools and universities. Thus education in Scandinavia is free. You have to pay only registration and small student fees. So the main expense for an international student is accommodation and food.

Secondly, unlike other European countries, the pre-university school program lasts three years. Thus Scandinavians graduate from high school at 19. This does not prevent Scandinavian universities from being more liberal towards foreign applicants.

Scandinavian educational institutions are open to foreigners. But emigration, even qualified (i.e. from foreign graduates of local universities) is not encouraged. Foreign applicants receive permission to stay in the country strictly for the period of study. After graduation, you have to leave hospitable Northern Europe.

Related: How to apply to top 5 Swedish universities

Studying in Denmark
The Danish higher professional education system includes schools of economics, management, foreign languages, pharmaceutical, library, pedagogical and dental colleges and technical institutes, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and the Copenhagen Conservatory. Professional institutes, colleges, and schools offer programs of varying lengths. The full course of study, equal to higher education, lasts 4-5 years and ends with a Kandidaat diploma.

Denmark provides students with a practical, relevant education that promotes personal, social prosperity. There is no such thing as broad and diverse university education in Denmark. The state, in turn, also tacitly supports the development of more promising specialties for the country. The authorities allocate more money for them. Today they are pharmacology, computers, commerce, management, and law.

There are more international programs in English, French, and German in Denmark than in Sweden. Admission to them is by special rules. Vocational schools also have their own requirements for admission. But most educational institutions ask foreigners to present a secondary school diploma. This is equal to a Danish high school diploma. If there is no such document, the institution will offer special training at the university center. You will also have to take the Higher Preparatory Examination.

Related: The top 3 secrets to Scandinavian innovation in education

Studying in Norway
Norwegian universities offer flexible curricula, an informal environment with small class sizes, and modern facilities. Education in the country is free, except for small annual contributions. However, you can’t go here without a budget — Norway is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. A big plus is that the study visa allows you to work in the country. And for those who find it difficult to combine work and study, online services like Writemyessay will be a good help.

The Norwegian language prevails on most programs. You can learn it in the preparatory courses at universities. There are also free Norwegian courses during the school year in the municipalities.

The strongest programs are ecology, business, environmental management, navigation. Medics, lawyers, economists, and engineers take the longest time to study – from 4.5 to 6 years. These majors are considered more prestigious, with limited admission for foreigners.

Related: Top Scandinavian Universities for Foreigners

Studying in Finland
Studying at Finnish universities is free for citizens of all countries. All universities are state-owned. You only have to spend money for living in the country. As well as for study materials and annual fees for compulsory membership in student unions. Also, to get a visa, the consulate will request a certificate of the presence of 6,000 euros on your account.

The country has 30 polytechnics, 10 multidisciplinary universities, 3 technical schools, 3 schools of economics, and 4 art academies. Education in the polytechnics lasts 3.5-4 years + compulsory practice. Universities in the Bologna system offer undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate degrees with one feature. There is a step between the master’s degree and the postgraduate degree called the Licentiate.

The programs are mainly taught in Finnish and Swedish. But the English-language programs have increased in number over the years. Each university sets its own admission rules. The main criteria are academic success, financial prosperity, knowledge of the teaching language.

Studying in Sweden
About 7.5% of students at Swedish universities are foreigners. A wide choice of study programs, the quality of education, and the opportunity to get it for free attract students from all over the world to Sweden. However, no one will pay your living expenses, and life in the country is not cheap. A student can support himself. You have the right to work in parallel with your studies. And if there are difficulties with the lessons, you can always use homework help websites for college students.

Free education is available in the country thanks to the support of the state. Most universities are public. Few private institutions receive subsidies from the state, which covers most of the costs.

English is widespread in the country. There are many educational programs in it, but most are paid. To enter such programs, you need to confirm your level of skill in the language, passing the TOEFL or IELTS exam. Knowledge of Swedish is also important. You can improve it in special one-year training programs for foreigners.

The academic year is divided into autumn and spring semesters. Foreign applicants do not take entrance exams. Selection is based on the documents sent. Education in Sweden is highly specialized, allowing the student to become an expert in a particular field. Most majors require three years of study at the first level, while pharmacists and lawyers study for four years and doctors – for five and a half years.

No matter what country or institution you choose, studying is always challenging. But today’s students have learned how to overcome them. And turning to online assistants is one of the ways out in difficult situations. Especially when you can get free coupons by essayhoney for writing services.

An Introduction To Studying In Scandinavia, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by William Grabe. William is an experienced writer. He’s specialized in educational content creation. William also writes articles for his own Essaysadvisor blog and optimizes everything to make sure people find the content interesting and useful.

Feature image (on top): Mystic Art Design/Pixabay

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The nations making up Europe’s northernmost region are most commonly called either Scandinavia – Norway, Denmark, and Sweden – or the Nordic countries – Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, and Finland. (Editor’s note).

Have you always dreamt of traveling around Scandinavia but were worried about your budget? The you should learn about 5 great remote jobs opportunities in Scandinavia for travel lovers.

Indeed, Scandinavian countries can be quite expensive for some tourists. But who says that your only option is to come as a visitor?

Ironically, thanks to the pandemic, many countries have introduced remote work visas. Norway, for instance, has an independent contractor visa, which you can use to work and travel around the country.

But which job should you choose?

Here are some options to consider to both work and travel around Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

1. Foreign Language Teacher
   Scandinavian countries often need highly skilled foreign language teachers. In Norway, for instance, English is the first foreign language taught at schools. So, if you are fluent in English and have the necessary qualifications, you could apply for a job at a local school or language learning courses.

Wouldn’t a teacher need to be physically present during classes?

Not necessarily. Since we are still in the state of a pandemic, many schools still work remotely. If we’re talking about language learning courses, the situation is even easier – some learners prefer online lessons due to tight schedules and other reasons. So, a foreign language teacher position is a great option if you want to work and travel simultaneously.

Related: Growing Job Fields in Sweden

2. Business Analyst
   Another job you can do from home is a business analyst. A lot of companies hire freelance analysts to identify growth opportunities and conduct market research. The pay is also quite lucrative – you can charge up to $100 per hour depending on your experience:

   

In fact, there’s a growing demand for business analysts in Denmark. According to the list of shortage occupations, Danish companies will hire you if you have three years of education at the university or business school level. This is a great opportunity to travel around Denmark while also earning good money.

In terms of language proficiency, it is still possible to find a business analyst job if you don’t speak the language of a Scandinavian country – some companies invite foreign specialists. However, most recruiters will still require at least a B2 level of proficiency – you should be able to express yourself and apply professional terminology freely.

3. Leisure Educator
   Leisure education is an organized instruction that helps learners determine how, why, and when they should engage in leisure activities. In other words, it teaches children and adults how to spend quality time leisuring.

A leisure educator is actually an in-demand job in Sweden. According to the list of Swedish shortage occupations, as of 2020, leisure educators are among the jobs that qualified foreigners can apply for and get a work permit in Sweden.

Much like foreign language teachers, leisure educators can also work remotely as consultants and as private coaches. It’s a nice opportunity to earn extra money for trips around Scandinavia. But your language should be proficient – at least a B2 level.

4. Psychologist
   A psychologist is another job on the shortage occupations list mentioned above. You can work as a consulting specialist in mental health clinics, hospitals, physician offices, correctional facilities, government institutions, schools, and colleges.

If this job opportunity interests you, be ready that you will have to provide proof of five-year education, both theoretical and practical. Additionally, you should complete one year of supervised practice to get a license.

Apart from the license, you should also have a certificate confirming your high proficiency in the language of the Scandinavian country where you will work. The proficiency level should be no lower than C1 or close to a native.

5. Programmer/Web Developer
   Lastly, all Scandinavian countries, much like many other countries around the world, are in need of skilled web development professionals. This job opportunity is also present on the list of Swedish shortage occupations mentioned above.

As a web developer, you can work anywhere – advertising, consulting, manufacturing, healthcare, etc. Naturally, you will need a degree to prove your qualifications.

You can also try freelancing as a web developer in Norway after getting an independent contractor visa. You can charge up to $90, depending on your experience. That’s a great opportunity to earn extra cash for a trip around Scandinavia.

The good news is that you won’t be required to know the language if you get a job as a web developer – most companies hire international professionals. However, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t learn it at all – knowing the language will help you understand your coworkers better and build useful connections.

5 Great Remote Jobs Opportunities in Scandinavia for Travel Lovers- Wrapping Up
Remote work helps many travel lovers get an opportunity to explore new places around the world. And now, as more countries have introduced independent contractor visas, you can both work and travel around Scandinavia.

Whatever job you choose, be ready to provide proof of education and experience in the relevant field. But most importantly, you will need a high language proficiency level depending on the country. Some employers will ask for a certificate to confirm your knowledge of the language, so be ready to provide it upon request.

5 Great Remote Jobs Opportunities in Scandinavia for Travel Lovers, written by Ryan Pell. Ryan is a passionate blogger and writer who likes sharing his thoughts. Now he works as a content editor and internet researcher. He likes to travel and explore new countries.

Feature image (on top) © Image by Gerd Altmann / Pixabay