International students who pick Europe as their study destination often place Scandinavia on their list. Scandinavian countries are known for their great education, as well as the big focus on innovation and research. According to Bloomberg, Sweden is ranked second in the list of 50 most innovative economies, followed by Finland as seventh. This makes the three countries an excellent opportunity for students, especially since they are the home of some of the best universities on a global level.
Why Scandinavian Universities?
Nordic and Scandinavian countries are home to some of the top-rated universities in the world. In 2019, the QS World University Rankings featured 27 Nordic universities out of which 10 in Finland, 8 in Sweden, and 4 n Norway. To be more, some Scandinavian universities are specialized and don’t meet the criteria for the overall rankings, while their popularity is immense on a global level. For example, Scandinavia is the home of the renowned medical university Karolinska and the Stockholm School of Economics, both pillars in quality education worldwide.
How to Choose a University to Study at
If you’ve decided to study in Scandinavia, you still have a lot to consider. There are the matters of where to study, where to live, not to mention the enrollment requirements for the university of your choice. Here are five tips to help you with this.
Related: Best Colleges With Scandinavian Studies Degrees
Follow Your Passion
Before anything else, follow your passion! Scandinavia has a lot to offer to students. On its grounds, you can find specialized universities like nowhere else in the world, so check all your options before you make a decision.
The first thing you need to do is decide where and what you want to study. Have an alternative or two you’ll apply for, especially if you’re looking to study on a scholarship, but find something that excites you. Studying at a university is not an easy ordeal, especially not when you’re enrolled in top quality institutions with a great potential for research.
Many international students today reduce the burden by paying somebody to write an essay for them or edit their papers. This can definitely help you, but you still need to love what you’ve chosen.
Check the Courses in Detail
Even when you choose a university, you need to know exactly what you’ll study there. Dig into the offered programs and know what you want to study before you send out your applications. It can be scary to move to a different country and enroll in an entirely new level of education right away. You need to be prepared for university before you set foot there. This will help you make informed decisions and increase your confidence in the selected program. Not to mention, it will help you immerse in the country and the lifestyle faster.
Related: World-Class Scandinavian Universities
Know Your School Choices
When you know what to study and what programs are at your disposal, it’s time to pick the schools. Narrow down the list to your top choices and start researching. Before you apply, you need to know what kind of school it is, what it requires from the students, and how you can enroll there.
Research the Location
Picking a school is not enough to get you prepared. There are plenty of great choices in Scandinavia but the three countries in it can offer very different conditions. Location is something you should definitely consider when studying here. Do you like to study in a school that’s full of nightlife and have many restaurants and pubs nearby? Or maybe you want to study in a school that is surrounded by nature and clean air? Perhaps you like the idea of seeing the northern lights and enjoying 6 feet of snow?
Consider the Budget
Beyond the academic institutions, Scandinavia has a lot to offer in terms of lifestyle and quality of life. They have amazing social support systems, high quality of life, and a relatively relaxed atmosphere. Students who move to study there are immediately immersed by the lovely culture and amazing lifestyle of the locals, not to mention they have the option to study there free of charge.
Scandinavian Universities: 5 Tips on How to Choose – How?
Well, Scandinavian countries have relatively high costs of living, which is why many students toss the idea of studying there aside too abruptly. But, the tuition fees are actually quite low compared to the living expenses, and there are plenty of discounts and scholarships offered to international students.
Related: 12 Scandinavian Universities Rank Among the 300 Best in the World
For example, if you study in Finland, you should know that EU and EEA citizens and PhD students aren’t required to pay fees. In Norway, the public universities are free for students of all nationalities and study levels, with a minimal fee of around $50 per semester.
There’s one final tip that applies to all international students – take your time!
Scandinavian Universities: 5 Tips on How to Choose, written for Daily Scandinavian by Emma Rundle. Emma is a career coach who does her work mostly online. She schedules online sessions and posts tutorials for people who need help with their career choice. To be more, Emma shares her expertise in online blogs.