We can all recognise that the world today is a fast moving one and getting higher education puts one ahead in workplace performance. It becomes a great advantage for those who take the bold step to enrol and complete their study in the Nordic Universities because of the excellent training and industry level skill building that happens there. Unlike other parts of the world where university research and industries operate in some sort of isolation, Nordic universities and the companies around have a seamless ecosystem and partnerships.
A student at any Nordic university gets so many chances to work with actual business cases, learn experientially and test the theoretical concepts in real jobs. There are a thousand and one reasons why studying in the Nordics as an international student isn’t a waste of time. If the career achievements, performance and accolades that graduates of the Nordic universities are anything to go by, then this is enough approval. Let’s dissect what exactly keeps international students seeking scholarships in the Nordics and actually enrolling in the Universities there.
Nordic Region is a great education and research hub
The Nordic region is a popular student destination for people from all over the world. It has so much to experience and learn from aside from the actual study programs on offer at the respective Nordic universities. One gets to enjoy outdoor experience in the two attractions such as the mountains of Norway, fjords, islands, and forests. This alone is something refreshing enough to support the intense mental work in the lecture hall and laboratory exploits.
Something striking about the Nordic countries is that education is offered free of charge to citizens and some cases foreigners who meet the requirements.. Of course it is not free in the sense that nobody pays for it but the taxes that the people give adequately supports the best learning for all. This simply means that education isn’t commercialized and only the best, motivated and passionate venture into academia. You get the best teaching and non-teaching staff, excellent research materials, advanced cutting edge technology and whatever anyone may really need to get the best education.
World class and top notch education in the Nordics
If you have done any research on higher learning in Europe, then you’ll probably notice that Scandinavian Universities are a popular choice. Nordic countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland or Iceland are known for providing world-class education. The question then becomes why they are a popular choice for so many people. Well, below are a few reasons why studying in a Nordic University could be a good choice.
Adequate Research and Innovation Resources
The one consistency of Nordic University is their focus on research and innovation. According to most global surveys, Nordic countries are some of the most innovative and innovation-friendly in the world. Take for instance, INSEAD’s Global Innovation Index 2017 where Sweden ranked second after Switzerland. Subsequently, Denmark was sixth, Finland eighth, Iceland 13th and Norway 19th.
The report further reveals that these countries divert most of their resources to research and development (R&D) intensity. The same is reflected in their universities where the major focus is on research and innovation. In a Nordic University, you can expect to receive the resources you need to develop your ideas as a student. A good example is Finland’s University of Helsinki.
It has a program known as the Helsinki Think Company, that is run with the help of the city government. Under the program, you get a chance to reshape your ideas into a commercial enterprise.
Another good example is Sweden’s University West where students are encouraged to focus on teamwork. It is meant to give students more autonomy that ultimately makes them more innovative. Furthermore, it makes them more attractive in the job market where ambition, innovation and prospective teamwork sells.
Nordic Universities Offer World-class Quality Education
If your dream is to study in one of the world’s best universities, then the Nordic region is your best bet. With a little research you will notice that Nordic Universities rank high worldwide. The rankings can offer you a pretty good idea of the best university for you. However, it’s never a bad idea to focus on other factors other than University rankings to find your place.
Keep in mind that while some institutions might not be listed in the overall rankings, they offer quality education. Chances are, they may be too specialized to meet the criteria for inclusion. Some examples are Sweden’s Stockholm School of Economics and the Karolinska Institute (a medical institution). Though they don’t make the rankings, they are legendary globally in fields of economics and medicine.
If you are worried about the language barrier when exploring universities abroad, then most Nordic universities will impress you. They have an increasingly wide range of learning programs in English. Sweden is leading with approximately 100 English-taught bachelor’s programs and more than 900 at postgraduate level. It is followed by Denmark with over 700 degrees taught in English, and Finland with more than 450.
Nordic Universities Offer a Taste of the Lucrative Scandinavian Lifestyle
While studying in a Scandinavian university, you can be sure you will experience the legendary Scandinavian lifestyle. While the climate in these countries might not be the best, you can make up for it with the high quality of life. Besides, you will also have access to highly advanced social support systems. If not then you can settle for having a front-door seat to the leadership on issues such as gender equality and environmental policy.
Denmark in particular, has recently become popular for its concept of “hygge” that continues to trend worldwide. Don’t forget that it’s also the happiest country in the world with exciting cities such as Copenhagen. Another popular student destination is Stockholm in Sweden where most students have noted a good quality of life.
Scandinavian cities offer a unique urban vibe from London’s or New York’s tangled underground systems and skyscrapers. Instead, you will get to experience a blend of city life and an amazing, clean, and generally relaxed atmosphere. Don’t forget the rich culture, history and languages. So, you will get to learn new values and cultural experiences that might broaden your perspective.
Unprecedented Access to Free Higher education Opportunities
Though the high costs of living in Nordic countries can be discouraging, remember that you can balance it out by the low tuition fees. And if you are lucky enough, you could even end up with a free degree. For instance, tuition is free for all EU/EEA students and exchange program students in Denmark.
Other international students pay tuition fees from €6,000 to €16,000 every year. Similarly, Finland offers free tuition to EU/EEA students, PhD students, and those in programs taught in Finnish or Swedish. However as a non-EU/EEA student you can expect to pay fees for English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs. Though the cost depends on the program, it ranges from €4,000 to €18,000.
Furthermore, you can access scholarships as an international student to join these universities. They could be from government initiatives or for university-specific awards.