The Finnish Ministry of Education has its doubts over the Estonian Business School's aspiration to establish a branch in Helsinki because the institution is not locally accredited.
The Finns are less than thrilled about private colleges because the government only recognizes 16 higher education institutions that are specifically stipulated in the country's Universities Act, reported Helsingin Sanomat.
"The level of education might be quite all right, but college students need to understand that they will not receive a Finnish higher education degree from this type of institution," said ministry adviser Marjatta Linqvist.
Whether or not the student's degree is accepted by an employer after graduation depends on who's hiring, the official said.
The Estonian Business School began introducing its Helsinki program to students on June 17. It hopes to draw 25 students for this fall.
Explaining the reason for the move, Rector Peeter Kross pointed to the high interest among Finns in EBS. The school currently accommodates 72 students from Estonia's northern neighbor, and this year it accepted 50 new Finnish applicants, who will begin their BA studies either in Tallinn or Helsinki, he said.
The new branch would cater to young Finnish people who want to study international business management at the institution, but who, due to family and work commitments, cannot leave to study abroad. The international college will initially offer courses only to undergraduates, which will be conducted using distance learning methods, but plans to eventually expand the program to include postgraduate studies.
Tuition at the Estonian Business School is 5,000 euros per year.
Ott Tammik
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