More and more Russians are applying to study in Finland, few want to return to Russia | News
The number of Russian citizens applying to Finnish universities has increased by about a quarter this year.
Russians still eagerly apply to study at Finnish universities and polytechnics. In this year’s first joint application period (January 4-18), about a quarter more Russian citizens applied than a year earlier, just before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
However, the numbers are still modest, there have been 665 Russian applicants so far this year compared to 534 for the same joint application last year.
A total of 2,157 Russian citizens applied for Finnish higher education degrees last year. However, the number of those who completed their studies last year was slightly lower than in 2021.
In the joint application system, you can apply for up to six study programs with one form. The next joint application for higher education degrees in English begins at the end of August.
The war increases interest in studying abroad
Arseny Baibakov From Moscow plans to complete mechanical engineering studies at LUT University in Lappeenranta in Eastern Finland this spring. He believes that Russia’s war against Ukraine has increased Russians’ interest in studying abroad.
“I think many have thought about studying abroad precisely because of the war,” he told Yle.
After Russia’s 11-month invasion, Baibakov has received more inquiries about studying abroad from Russian friends.
“Those who had already considered studying abroad have become even more interested. For them, the current situation may speed up decision-making. On the other hand, those who were not interested before are not interested now either,” said Baibakov.
Mobilization is worrying
Russians have tried to leave the country in various ways, especially since authorities announced a “partial mobilization” of men to join the army last September.
Recently, there have been rumors about a new, wider mobilization in Russia.
This may have further increased interest in studying abroad, especially since getting a visa to EU countries has otherwise become more difficult. For example, Finland mostly stopped issuing tourist visas to Russians at the end of September last year.
From the beginning, Baibakov planned to apply for a job in Finland after his studies.
According to Baibakov, the offensive war and mobilization have caused other Russians studying in Finland to change their plans. He said that few Russians he knows here want to return to Russia anymore.
“I don’t know any Russian student who plans to return to Russia,” Baibakov said.
Even visiting Russia now seems too risky.
“I haven’t been to Russia once since last February,” he added.