The Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI), a member of ACA, recently published an article (in English) on student mobility statistics in Finnish higher education. In 2024, 10,600 higher education students participated in international mobility, marking an increase of approximately 600 students from the previous year. Short-term exchanges (under three months) accounted for 4,020 mobility periods, driving this overall growth. 

As in previous years, mobility trends differ between institutions. Long-term mobility remains more common in universities, where 19% of newly enrolled students went abroad last year. In universities of applied sciences, the corresponding figure was 11%, reflecting a steeper decline from pre-pandemic levels. While student mobility in universities has almost recovered to 2019 levels, figures remain lower in universities of applied sciences. Female students continue to undertake mobility periods at higher rates, representing 62% of participants, while their overall share of higher education enrollment is 56%. Additionally, over 53% of outgoing students are under 25, though short-term mobilities also attract older participants. 

Mobility rates vary by discipline. In universities of applied sciences, business, health, and well-being fields have the highest mobility numbers. Relative to new enrollments, students in education, arts and culture, and service industries are the most active mobility participants. In universities, business and engineering students take part in mobilities most frequently, while proportional mobility rates are highest in business, arts and culture, and social sciences. Long-term mobility remains more popular than short-term exchanges across all disciplines in universities. 

Europe has strengthened its position as the most popular destination for exchange students from Finland, hosting 74% of long-term mobilities. Germany, Spain, France, and the Netherlands remain the most popular countries. While overall mobility trends remained stable regarding destination and departure countries, global events have impacted student mobility. China has seen a decline as both a destination and departure country, compared to pre-pandemic levels, and Russia is no longer a destination or departure country. 

In 2024, Finland welcomed 11,070 incoming international exchange students, slightly more than the number of outgoing students. While short-term mobilities are becoming more popular among incoming students, long-term mobilities continue to be the preferred option. Virtual components have become a standard part of short-term mobilities. Finally, studying abroad is far more common than undertaking international internships, 84% of outgoing students studied at a foreign institution, while only 1,600 students completed internships abroad. 

Read the 2022 ACA newsletter article for previous mobility statistics in Finland here.