University
In Finland the higher education system consists of universities and universities of applied sciences (UAS). Both enjoy freedom of research, science, art and tuition. They are responsible for the content and quality of the education they provide. Each higher education institution decides on which students it admits as well as on the criteria on the basis of which students are selected for admission. In the application process, applicants may be divided into separate applicant categories on the basis of their different educational backgrounds.
As a rule, applications for higher education are usually submitted through the opintopolku.fi/konfo/en/ platform.
Higher education leading to a degree is free of charge for citizens of European Union member states and those belonging to the European Economic Area. Tuition fees are charged as of 1 August 2017 for all those not belonging to the European Union or the European Economic Area.
In Finland the academic year starts 1 August and ends 31 July. Higher education institutions are autonomous in organising their academic year into semesters. Usually there are two semesters: autumn and spring-semesters, but a third semester at summertime is also used in some institutions.