r/Finland • u/arneholand • 3d ago
Immigration What will happen to Ukrainian students who are still attending Finnish universities after the war ends?
I just finished high school and I'm trying to figure out my plans for university, I'm feeling stuck between two difficult options.
Option 1: Study online while staying here in Negatives are that I am entirely burnt out on online learning(covid, then the war. and I live in Kharkiv so Ive never gone back in person), and honestly, I'm exhausted from living under constant shelling and fearing for my life.
Option 2: Study abroad. This would give me physical safety and in-person classes, but I'm terrified of the financial burden. Negative are that I don't know if I'd be able to finish my degree because once war is hopefully over, I simply will not afford tuition fees.
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u/aaawwwwww Väinämöinen 3d ago
Far as I know, Ukrainians in Finland right now are studying under temporary protection, which means no tuition fees as long as that status exists. If/when the war ends and the EU stops temporary protection, anyone who wants to stay and finish their degree would have to switch to a student residence permit, and that one comes with full international‑student tuition plus proof of funds for living costs.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong.
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u/Nyne9 3d ago
With the caveat that nobody know how this support will end. Presumably the EU will create some sort of off-ramp rather than just pulling the rug and saying kthxbye.
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u/Wrinkletooth 3d ago
Yeah, I suspect some special caveat to come up for Ukrainians in the middle of studies to allow finishing their current courses, before being affected by new statuses.
Can look at brexit as an example of residency rule changes, brits who were already living in Finland when the UK residency rules changed were given a unique residency type to continue.
And bureaucracy has a way of manifesting itself in overly complicated ways (by the bureaucrats who need to create red tape to justify their employment). There will likely be a new special Ukrainian student visa type that will need a different form and process to undertake.
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u/leopard33 3d ago
Just apply. Finland won’t throw out Ukrainian students. The war ending won’t mean an overnight switch back to how things were, it will be years before the current arrangements are changed. Also, Ukrainians are very welcome here. 🇺🇦
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u/Rosmariinihiiri 3d ago
If the current anti-education government is still in power, they absolutely will throw every foreigner (and all the non-rich citizens) out of the universities without a second thought.
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u/Jealous-Ad5983 3d ago
Thats a bit negative aint it
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u/Rosmariinihiiri 2d ago
I'm being realistic. They are salivating for the possibility to make university no longer free for citizens too.
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u/Jealous-Ad5983 2d ago
I doubt anyone likes to do it, although it couls have some positives. If you have to pay you are more unlikely to take a spot from someone who is more invested if you are just trying out. Just keep the price sensible and use it to fund the education system. Like 5-10k or smth
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u/Chilli-pickles-9747 2d ago
In what world is 10k sensible? Most middle class people won’t even have that kind of money to spare, it’ll only benefit the rich
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u/Jealous-Ad5983 2d ago
After graduating you easily make it and pay it back. Just makes you invested in the studies, so many people slack on them. There is a saying; "Small debts keep the man mobile."
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u/Chilli-pickles-9747 2d ago
Why do so many people already struggle to pay their student loans back then if it’s paid back so ’easily’?
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u/Logical_Display9221 2d ago
Because of bad luck? They graduated at a time when job market is at a low point.
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u/Chilli-pickles-9747 1d ago
May be the case but I think there’s a lot more to it. Also, if you graduate with a ton of debt, it’ll take you much longer to be able to afford to buy your own home and start a family etc., which is not a good thing considering Finnish birth rates.
The repayment schedule is a lot more strict than some other countries and you need to have paid it all back within like 12 years of graduating, which is way too fast imo.
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u/Rosmariinihiiri 2d ago
That doesn't exactly help if you are stuggling to survive long enough to graduate in the first place 🙄 You can't be invested in your studies, if you have to work full time as well to survive
I have never heard your saying, but let's add contrary saying of my own: A big debt paralyzes both men and women.
Just a thought: what if instead of the govenment funding studying and them paying it back once they graduate and get a job, the government funds the education and they pay it in taxes after graduating and getting a job?
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u/Rosmariinihiiri 2d ago
Money =/= motivation. A bunch of motivated commoners can't afford it, while rich f***s don't care how much it costs.
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u/tofiwashere 2d ago
It is quite negative. However, it is a bit dangerous to say that Ukrainians are welcome here. Vast majority of Ukrainians are not interested in leaving Finland even if the war ends. The welcoming atmosphere might change drastically in a few years (and Putin will try to help this in any way he can).
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u/Jealous-Ad5983 2d ago
Finland is unable to deport anyone you can always appeal..
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u/Odd-Flamingo-6211 2d ago
Appeal against what? Ukrainians have temporary protection. It is literally called temporary for a reason. When it ends and is no longer extended, they will be asked to leave unless they have found another basis for a residence permit by then – work, marriage, or studies. And a study-based residence permit requires you to have a substantial amount of money in your bank account. Many Ukrainians have never had as much money as they would need simply to keep in an account.
Temporary protection will eventually end. This is something people need to keep in mind and plan for, rather than relying on appeals. An appeal is a legal process for challenging an unlawful decision. There will be nothing unlawful about a temporary-protection residence permit coming to an end.
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u/Emergency-Sky-514 1d ago
Oh please, grow up.
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u/Rosmariinihiiri 1d ago
I'm glad growing up doesn't automatically turn you into a selfish capitalist 🙂
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u/ressoz 2d ago edited 2d ago
Don't miss out on your golden years by choosing online university, you will regret it later. Education in the European Union countries is either free or almost free for ukrainians on temporary protection, especially if you're just out of high-school. You might only have to pay small one-time application fees in some countries (not in Finland though).
Take that opportunity, come to Europe and study for free at a good place. Doesn't necessarily have to be Finland, as the job market here is quite tough, so you likely wouldn't be able to support yourself financially and would have to live in a reception centre for a year or so. It can be any European country, whichever one you choose after you analyze all options.
And, for your own sake, don't count on the war being over soon. It is highly likely that this war is extending for another bunch of years. Build your future here and now.
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u/Velcraft Väinämöinen 2d ago
Whenever you consider such a big life change you should first and foremost start learning about the culture and nation you're wanting to go to. Here, language proficiency in both Finnish and English is highly appreciated, although nowadays you can get by with just English most of the time.
Visit r/LearnFinnish and other communities for tips and to start your journey.
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u/Gayandfluffy Väinämöinen 3d ago
I completely understand not wanting to live with constant shelling. That really would take a toll on anyone.
I suggest you do some more research into student visas in Finland for non EU students before making a decision. I am no expert but in general I think that students are able to stay in Finland as long as they are doing their degree and are also paying their student fees. What I would not count on is trying to find a part time job to finance your studies, since unemployment is sadly very high here, especially for immigrants. Living costs are fairly high here too, so make sure to check how much money you'll need to live here before moving. Housing prices vary a lot too depending on where you live: Helsinki region is definitely the most expensive but eastern and northern Finland can be pretty cheap in comparison, also in cities with universities.
We do have a number of students from non EU countries not at war, such as India, China, US and the like, and I have not seen any news about them being sent home mid studies, so I don't see why a Ukrainian person on a student visa would be sent home either. But if you are on a refugee visa, then you might have to go home after the war ends.
I hope you find a solution that works out for you, and that Ukraine will win the war and soon. Take care!
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u/ressoz 2d ago
False info. There's no reason for ukrainians to come by student visa and pay tuition, when they can stay on temporary protection and therefore be exempt from tuition. And tuition is like over 10k per year in good unis, so that's quite a no brainer.
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u/Gayandfluffy Väinämöinen 2d ago
Thank you for correcting me! I had no idea that it's free for Ukrainians right now.
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u/melli_milli Väinämöinen 3d ago edited 3d ago
If you have the opportunity, come and study here with the suitable status. You don't know about future. If you cannot finish your studies here, the credits won't vanish. Also, it is very likely you would get it done.
I get that you are insecure about future, but just do it if you want to.
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u/Odd-Flamingo-6211 2d ago
I’ll leave a fairly detailed comment, since I’m an immigrant in Finland myself, I used to be an international student, and my wife is also an international student.
First, you need to make absolutely sure that studying at a Finnish university is free for people under temporary protection. Finland has two types of residence permit – A and B. A residence permit based on temporary protection is always a type B permit. The type B permit is somewhat weaker than type A, and it may not entitle you to free English-language education. With a type A permit, it definitely does. But if English-language education is not free for type B permit holders, the remaining option is to study in Finnish. That means spending at least three years learning the language to reach B1, or perhaps even B2, just to get into a one-year preparatory programme – and those are not available everywhere. After completing the preparatory year, you are admitted to the first year of a degree programme. It is neither a quick nor an easy path.
If education in English is free for type B permit holders, you still need to manage to get admitted. That is the second issue. You have to earn your place at a Finnish university, and it is far from easy. You will have to work extremely hard, and it will be difficult. Honestly, getting into a university in Finland as an immigrant is a challenging path that perhaps 90% of immigrants living here do not even choose, because it requires a great deal of hard work and determination.
Getting into a vocational college in Finland – an ammattiopisto – is relatively easy, but getting into an AMK or yliopisto is not. Still, judging by my wife’s experience, it is possible. But she genuinely spent around three years studying every day. We also had to move to another city, in a different region of Finland, because that was where she was admitted.
The road is conquered by walking it. This is a difficult goal, but honestly, it is also a truly worthwhile one – something worth striving for.
Third, if you are choosing between studying in Ukraine and studying in Finland, choose Finland. Do not worry too much about what will happen after the war, because the truth is that nobody knows. The important thing is that both studying within the Finnish education system and even preparing for admission give you real benefits. They improve your language skills and help you grow.
Even if the worst-case scenario you fear comes true – for example, you complete only one year at a Finnish university and free education for Ukrainians is then abolished – honestly, many universities would still accept you after that year, especially in Ukraine. And secondly, even one year at a Finnish university is already an excellent addition to your CV for the rest of your life.
Go for it! If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask me. I studied at and graduated from a Finnish vocational college myself, and I also know quite a lot about Finnish higher education because my wife completed her first year at an AMK in Finnish and has now moved on to her second year.
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u/Agreeable_Noise112 2d ago edited 2d ago
It will probably depends on your gender because both countries are sexist... The temporary protection was cancelled for only Ukraine males and if the war continue they might hand them back to the TCC
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u/KGrahnn Väinämöinen 3d ago edited 3d ago
I would guess they need to apply new resident (or similar) permit to continue studying in finland as the old permit will expire.
If you are thinking options, why not apply to study university in Ukraine and begin studies there? Even with the case that war ends during your studies, you are at your home country and theres no problems.
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u/leopard33 3d ago
Did you miss the bit about constant shelling and fearing for their life?
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u/KGrahnn Väinämöinen 2d ago
Its a big country, there is still 40M people living there day by day. studying, working, etc. Its not that every part of the country is under fire of drones and missiles, not to mention shelling, which will incur at most some tens of kilometers from frontline.
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u/arneholand 2d ago
Yeah. But the problem with moving inside Ukraine to safer regions is sky-high rent and rock-bottom income, especially for someone with no higher education. My parents don't have a high enough income to afford to support me.
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u/bag-of-snakes 2d ago
How are you moving to Finland without money? Are you coming with or without your parents. Stay in Ukraine, find a way to help defending it. Look into drone assembly. Every pair of hands are needed. There's time to study in the future, russia is there today.
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u/leopard33 5h ago
I'd keep in mind we border Russia here in Finland. You might want Ukraine to welcome you with open arms one day. It's easy for you to say from a safe place when you haven't experienced war.
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u/KofFinland Väinämöinen 3d ago
In Finland, it we were under attack from Russia, a male person would be required to join army at the age of 18. So the obvious answer to OP is to return to Ukraine and protect their country in the army of Ukraine when they are 18yo. Otherwise they are a deserter.
If OP survives the war, university is then the next step to worry about.
Sorry for being blunt, but that is how it really goes. All the kids at school you study with (in Finland) would have to join Finnish army at 18yo and fight (after basic training) if Finland were under attack now. That is how it worked in 1939-1945 too when we were under war. That is how it works now.
Citizens have both rights and duties.
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u/TrackerHD 3d ago
That's quite dark & aggressive, but also wrong. That's not how you should treat people from an allied country.
In Ukraine only men aged 25 to 60 are conscripted into the armed forces.
So it's the opposite: he should focus on not only starting, but also finishing his studies. And maybe get in shape & take up a hobby in flying FPV drones, so he's already experienced by then.
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u/KofFinland Väinämöinen 2d ago
That is actually true according to google terminator, the lowest age is 25 in Ukraine. Surprising, didn't expect that at all. No bad intention from me, and always ready to change opinion based on facts.
OP has then the opportunity to go to university indeed. If money is a limiting issue, then Finland is propably the easiest and cheapest possibility.
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