Exploring university website

When, you start surfing university website, you might be bit confused what to look for. It happens with almost all of the applicants. I am trying to simplify this on easy for steps for you:

You will find most of the university websites are in Finnish language by default. You can change it to English version by changing language option. You can find, flag of UK or "In English" or "English" or "International" option to change the language to English. These options are generally placed on top-right or top-left or below the left menu panel. Unfortunately, some polytechnics does not offer their websites in English at all. Thats very sad part of them, but you are helpless to explore their websites in that case. In that case, just try to get any email address from the website and mail them for further information about them.

First Step: Search course or program of your interest
The very first step will start with exploring does that university or polytechnics offer course or program of your interest or not. Programs they offer can be found under 'Studies' or 'International Student' or 'Perspective students' or 'Admission' section. Sometimes, they can be found under Department websites as well. So, try to explore as much options as you can. Once you find the courses of your interest, read its description in detail. And confirm yourself whether that program is taught in English or Finnish? whether they international students for that particular program or not?

Second Step: Exploring Admission process and materials required
After you met courses of your interest, you need to explore how and when to apply for that program. You need to find admission information under 'Admission' or 'How to apply' section. You will find there, what are the minimum criteria of admission and whether you meet those criteria or not? What are the documents they required for application package and among them which are mandatory and which are preferable? What is the application period and deadline? What is the admission process and whom are you suppose to send your documents? What is the contact information of the contact person whom you can query about your application status?

Third Step: Maintaining contact
Sometimes, it happens that you won't understand all of the information presented on the website. And, it might also happen that information on website does not satisfy you. In that case, the best option is to mail them. Finnish are very co-operative on emails. Definitely, they might be busy and can take a long time to reply your mail, but they will reply with optimum information you need. Its better to contact the concern person depending upon your query. For example, you want to know about courses, you need to mail contact person of particular department. You need to know about international students and related stuff, contact International office. You need to know about admission process, contact Admission Officer. If you can't find the email of the concern person, then, don't bother about it; just send a mail to anyone, they will forward your mail to the concern person and notify you about it.
Most of the email addresses you find on their websites are arranged on firstname and lastname basis. You will find email addresses on following format:
Contact Josie Parkinen for Information Technology, Sophie Norad for Business programs and Annie Connie for Sociology.
Their email address is firstname.lastname@lut.fi
So, their email addresses are josie.parkinen@lut.fi, sophie.norad@lut.fi and annie.connie@lut.fi where lut.fi is the domain of their email.
If you are not sure which one is their first name and which one is last name, just send to both. It means, send to both josie.parkinen@lut.fi and parkinen.josie@lut.fi if you can't find which one is her first name. Generally, if it says Josie Parkinen, Josie is the first name and if it says Josie, Parkinen; then Josie is last name. Remember, a single comma is inserted in between names which last name is written first.

Fourth Step: Job and scholarship options
If you are seeking for scholarship during your studies, explore scholarship options offered for your program. Since, Education is free in Finland, scholarship refers to the living cost during your studies. Try to find the answer whether that particular university offer any specific scholarship or not? Does that scholarship available for your particular program or not? Are you eligible for that Scholarship or not? Does it provide any kinds of funding options other than Scholarship? Its very important to know all of the answers since most of the universities and polytechnics provide such type of scholarships.
If you are seeking for job during studies, please keep in mind that JOBS ARE VERY DIFFICULT IN FINLAND EXCEPT IN TWO OR THREE MAJOR CITIES. I did not mean only the jobs related to your field. Its very difficult to find even those restaurant and courier type jobs except few major cities. So, you need to search only the colleges near by large cities whose population is comparatively higher. My suggestion will be just limit your search to Helsinki, if job is must for you. If you come to smaller cities like Lappenranta or similar, make your mentality that NO JOBS are available here. I am not trying to discourage you. I am just trying to make you alert about the job status over here.


I will write individual posts on all of these four issues later in detail.