Finland is situated in northern Europe and it's a member of the European Union. Finland is a global leader in information technology and also enjoys low levels of corruption together with high standard of living and quality of life. The buildings are modern and functional, and during cold winter days they are also very well heated. Finland is a well-organized and efficient society with well run public services. The education system in Finland is one of the most advanced in the world and unlike in most countries, students also have a real influence on the quality of education. Studying in Finland is an investment for your future.
Tampere is City of Advance Education and Research
Tampere is an important centre of Southern Finland in the fields of industry, business, education and research, and it's also an outstanding centre for the Finnish cultural spheres. Tampere is the third largest city in Finland and the largest inland city in Scandinavia with a total regional population of 480.000.Located on a narrow strip of land between two lakes, Tampere city features beautiful scenery with lakes and ridges. The city and its surroundings provide excellent opportunities for sports, free-time activities and recreation. Tampere is a dynamic, versatile and cosmopolitan city located about 160 km north from Finland’s capital Helsinki. Reaching the city is easy, as Tampere is served by excellent motorway and train connections, as well as the local airport.
Tampere is a city of education and research, on both a national and international scale. There are two universities and numerous other institutions of education in the area giving a total student population of around 36.000. Student housing is offered by TOAS in Tampere. This attractive region is among the fastest growing ones in Finland, and it also demonstrates rapid internationalization. The high number of international students and multinational companies such as Nokia give a multicultural flair to the city. Refer to the website of the Finnish Immigration Service or the Police of Finland for detailed information on student residence permits, or turn to the nearest Finnish Embassy for assistance.
Nature
Nature is an integral part of the Finnish way of life and its clean and everywhere. Forests and lakes cover a large part of land. Finland has four distinct seasons spring, summer, autumn and winter. Summer is warm and bright with almost 20 hours of daylight. In the winter the land is covered by white snow from November/December to March/April and the temperatures of -20°C are common. Autumn and spring are transitional seasons with changes in the nature such as the arrival of the migratory birds in the spring time and the magical color change of the threes’ leaves at autumn time.
Language
Finland has two official languages, Finnish and Swedish. English is widely spoken throughout Finland, making everyday life for international students welcoming and pleasant. You do not need to know any Finnish as the Master’s Degree Programme in Architecture is taught completely in English, but international students are encouraged to participate in Finnish language courses. Studying Finnish before and during your studies may, however, not only help you feel more at home in Finland, it can also be an asset if you plan to find employment in Finland either during or after your studies.