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Free Finnish Vocational School Opportunities for International Students

Posted on by Chidiebere Onuoha

If you are seeking to study in a vocational institution in Finland, here are two opportunities you should not miss out on. There are vocational schools in Finland offering Free Finnish vocational opportunities for international students. Two vocational universities offering free vocational opportunities have been revealed together with direct links for easy application.

Finest Future vocational school:

Finest Future vocational school in partnership with vocational schools in Finland is offering international youth opportunities to graduate from a Finnish vocational school for FREE! You can develop your professional skills, apply for well-paid jobs while studying, and be open to thousands of jobs available to you after graduation. In Finland, vocational education and training are held in high regard. Qualified and competent teachers, flexible qualifications, strong employment prospects and eligibility for further studies are the reasons that make vocational education an attractive choice. Vocational education also enables students to continue their studies in higher education.

Tuition Fee:

Free.

Language Offered:

Finnish.

Programs Offered:

  • Vocational qualification in cleaning and property services.
  • Vocational qualification in social and healthcare (Practical Nurse).
  • Vocational qualification in restaurant and catering services (Chef).
  • Vocational qualification in mechanical engineering and production technology.
  • Vocational qualification in restaurant and catering services (Waiter/waitress).

Benefits of Vocational Training School:

  • Able to work from the 2nd or 3rd year (related to the profession).
  • Learn a profession.
  • Immediate employment opportunities upon graduation.
  • Gain unique experiences by studying with people of different ages.
  • The best return on career investment, start earning already while studying.
  • Opportunity for paid internships and apprenticeships with industry-standard salary.

Language Program Admission Requirements:

  • Lower Secondary Diploma.
  • English proficiency equivalent to IELTS 5.0 (IELTS certification not required).
  • Soft skills including teamwork, problem-solving, communication and the ability to work independently.

Please note that If you have already studied the Finnish language before, you can apply straight to Finest Future’s intermediate levels of language learning. After passing the language programs, you can apply to schools in Finland. Schools will make the decision about students’ acceptance.

How You Can Earn a Practical Nurse Degree With Finest Future Without Tuition and Accommodation Fees

Finest Future vocational school was recently joined by representatives from STEP Education in Finland in a live webinar to share details of their Practical Nurse Program and what students who decide to study a vocational education abroad in Finland can expect from life there.

What is STEP Education?

Founded in 1918 at Pieksamaki, STEP Education has trained nursing students for nearly 30 years, emphasizing a rich history in education. Today, STEP specializes in health and social care education at two of its six total campuses.  Pieksamaki campus is in the South Savo region, surrounded by the scenic Finnish Lakeland, with lakes covering 25% of the area.

Jarvenpaa campus, founded later, is a 30-minute train ride from Helsinki, offering proximity to the Finnish capital.

Practical Nurse Program

Cooperation, organization, empathy and fairness are all qualities required to succeed in nursing. Practical nursing is suited for people who enjoy working in social environments, can be flexible and make quick decisions. 

The Practical Nurse Program comprises theoretical and practical elements. Although students will be required to complete theoretical exercises at the school, there will also be many work experience opportunities and hands-on training in providing nursing and care for the elderly and disabled. Practical exams will also be conducted within a real working environment. 

To graduate from the program, students must fulfill the requirement of earning 180 ‘competence points. ‘Students can independently organize subjects, with the option to exceed 180 competence points; teachers and counselors provide guidance and recommendations.

Accommodation & Opportunities

STEP Practical Nurse Program participants receive free accommodation in the college dormitory as part of their acceptance benefits. The Pieksamaki Campus offers single rooms, while the Jarvenpaa Campus provides shared rooms.

A number of additional benefits are also available to all students living in campus accommodation, including 3 meals per day Monday-Friday, a college counselor to provide any support you need 24/7 during the week, free wifi, shared kitchen, living and laundry facilities, as well as games consoles and a sauna. 

Part-time campus jobs offer students a chance to earn while studying, with the option to work full-time during summer breaks.

Click Here To Apply

Vamia Vocational University:

Vamia Vocational University, located in Finland, is a hub of several Finnish vocational opportunities that accommodate different students from all around the world. All the perks about Vamia vocational university, it’s application and study overview has been listed in this post.

Tuition Fee:

Free.

Programs Offered by Vamia Vocational University:

  • Cook.
  • Machinist.
  • Mechanical Fitter.
  • Plater-Welder.
  • Waiter/waitress.
  • Specialist vocational qualification in the hotel and catering sector.

Language Courses Offered in Vamia University:

Finnish, Swedish and English.

General Requirements for Vamia Vocational University Application:

  • You have the necessary qualifications for studying in the field and completing a degree.
  • You have an educational need.
  • You have the motivation to study.
  • You are suitable for the tasks in the field.
  • You have sufficient health requirements for the chosen field.
  • You have adequate language proficiency for the field.

Entry Requirements:

  • General requirements in Finland (Vocational Education Act 531/2017)
  • Vamia University applies equal grounds in student admissions.
  • VET providers decide on the criteria for their student admissions and on entrance examinations and aptitude tests.

Requirements For English Language Vocational Programs:

Vamia University welcomes students from all English language nationalities to study.

  • Applicant must be at least 18 years of age when studies start. There is no upper age limit.
  • Applicant must have at a qualification equivalent to Finnish basic Education of nine years.
  • Applicant needs a scan or photo of original certificates for application.
  • Applicant should have successfully completed the English language proficiency test with at least the minimum score required by the school.
  • The applicant must have sufficient funds in their account to present to the immigration office for the resident permit, covering living expenses.
  • The applicant must attach a valid passport or personal ID card to the application.
  • Vamia University accepts original certificates in English, Finnish, or Swedish.
  • Translated certificates in English, Finnish or Swedish need to be verified by public notary.

Documents To Back Up Application:

  • School certificates.
  • Work certificates.
  • Duolingo English test results.
  • Copy/photo of passport ID.

Do Not Add These Documents To Your Application:

  • Bank information.
  • Health information.
  • Letters of recommendation.

English Language Test Requirements for Vamia vocational university application:

  • All applicants must complete the Duolingo English Test. The applicant will submit the test score with the application. Please note that the test has to be valid at the time of applying.
  • Duolingo English Test (85 points minimum).
  • Vamia vocational University does not provide free vouchers for taking the Duolingo English test.
  • The English language test cannot be waived.
  • On Duolingo test choose Vamia as your school.
  • Send test results.
  • Save the file to attach to the application.
  • Vamia does not accept any other tests, diplomas or qualifications as proof of language skill.

Application Process for Vamia vocational university:

  • The final day for applications is not specified separately. The application period concludes upon receiving 500 applications. It is not possible to complete Vamia vocational university application outside the application period.
  • Link to the application will be provided when the application is open.
  • Application is free.
  • Vamia University organizes application periods twice a year.
  • You can only apply to the one of the English programs.
  • Fill out your Vamia vocational university application form accurately.
  • Upload all required documents while the application period is on.
  • Applicants will receive an email notification upon the receipt of their applications.
  • Based on the applications, The school will invite the applicants who achieve the highest scores (approximately 40-50) to Teams interviews.
  • The school will announce the admission results approximately 1-2 months after closing the application period. All applicants will receive notifications, indicating whether they have been selected or not.
  • The school will send an admission letter to the newly admitted students. The admission letter includes information about the health documents and how to apply for resident permit.
  • Successful applicants should commence application for their residence permit immediately, in some countries applying can takes months.
  • Next application period starts on May 2nd 2024 for the studies beginning in January 2025.
  • Application periods for Mechanical fitter available on December 2024, Machinist December 2025 and Plater-welder December 2026.

Study Commencement:

  • Approximately 2 months before the studies begin, the new students will receive an e-mail about the start of the studies.
  • Students are advised to visit a doctor in their home country to get the health documents that Vamia University requires.
  • Before coming to Finland, students are required to send the results of laboratory tests, X-ray of lungs [Thorax (please note that you should not send the X-ray photographs)] and Doctors’ statement to the School Nurse.
  • Students are advised to arrive in Finland in good time before their studies begin.
  • The first week will include orientation studies and practical information about the school.
  • The school will provide the new students with appropriate uniform for kitchen and restaurant work /mechanical work.
  • For students in Restaurant and Catering Services the following test is obligatory and will be taken in Vaasa: Salmonella.

Application Date:

May 2nd, 2024.

Please check back for the application link.

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