STUDY IN FINLAND
Innovation Amidst Nature
Redefining Education in Finland.
Experience the magic of education in Finland, where innovative teaching methods, breathtaking nature, and a strong sense of community redefine the learning landscape.
FACTS
Learn everything you need to know about studying in Finland
CAPITAL
Helsinki
Currency
Euro
Language
Finnish, Swedish
International Students
20,000+
Population
5.56 Million
Universities & Colleges
35+
Universities
Here are some of the best universities in Finland where academic excellence takes center stage!
- Aalto University
- University of Helsinki
- University of Oulu
- University of Turku
- Lappeenranta – Lahti University of Technology LUT
- Tampere University
- University of Jyvaskyla
- University of Eastern Finland
- Abo Akademi University
- Any Many More
Ready to Explore the Options and Move Ahead with your Educational Voyage
Courses
The following are the oft-opted programs/ disciplines among international students who choose Finnish HEIs to study in Europe
Turn your Study Abroad Dream to Degrees abroad in Finland
Why choose Finland to Study in Europe?
- Finland has topped the World Happiness Report for the sixth year in a row scoring high across the parameters of social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and absence of corruption.
- The Finnish education system is more affordable than most hyped study-abroad destinations globally, making it a pocket-friendly option for students from all backgrounds.
- World Economic Forum adjudged the Finnish education system as the best in the world. The country has a long-standing tradition of valuing education. With this highly valued and excellent education system, the country has a cent per cent literacy rate in the world. And, this outlook of excellence is reflected in the consistent presence of 9 of the Finnish HEIs in the QS World University Rankings.
- The Good Country Index places Finland in the fifth position with the topmost contribution towards sustainable development and environmental consciousness. It is also the fifth-best country fostering equality and prosperity. In the OECD Better Life Index, Finland scores high on well-being with better than average standing in education, work-life balance, environmental quality, social connections, safety and life satisfaction. The country has the third-best quality of life globally, according to the Social Progress Report.
- Breathe clean air and thrive in a healthy environment in Finland as the country scores high on the Environmental Performance Index.
For further insights about the Finnish higher education system and career prospects after completing a degree, speak to the Study in Europe Consultants at UniApplica.
Intakes:
Intake: Autumn
Session Starts: September
Intake: Spring
Session Starts: February
Application deadlines and session start dates are institution-specific. Connect with recognized Finland Education Consultants for the most accurate information on the timeline of your selected university.
Tuition Fees
Students from countries other than Switzerland and EU/ EEA, pursuing English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs at Finnish universities have to pay tuition fees. At doctoral levels, no tuition fees are charged, regardless of the nationality of the students. The fees essentially depend on the university and the degree program. To give you a fair idea about the average cost of attending a Finnish University, one of the top institutions in the country – Aalto University charges €12,000 for a Bachelor’s degree and €15000 for a Master’s program.
Scholarships in Finland
International students planning to study abroad in Europe can avail of various scholarship options from the Government, institutions and private entities in Finland if they choose the country as their destination.
The Finland Scholarships for Master’s programs are funded by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture to encourage international students to pursue their postgraduate degrees and research in the country. The government fund takes care of the first-year tuition fee of exceptional students signing up at participating HEIs in Finland besides extending a minimum relocation grant of €5000. Many Finnish HEIs extend the scholarship for the second year of master’s studies as well.
EDUFI Doctoral Fellowships in Finland aid PhD students from around the world and across academic fields willing to pursue their research work for the Doctorate at a Finnish university. The grant period ranges between 3 to 12 months and includes a monthly allowance of €1900 towards the living expenses of the awardee in Finland. The application for the fellowship is made by the university department on behalf of the student.
University of Helsinki International Master’s Program Scholarships are for non-EU/EEA students at the institution. The scholarship is granted to eligible applicants as either a fully funded aid including a tuition fee grant and €10000 or a full tuition fee waiver. The scholarship is valid for two years.
University of Oulu International Scholarship is applicable for non-EU/EEA students pursuing English-taught programs at the university. Past academic performance and academic potential are considered to award the scholarship. Awardees are required to maintain a minimum of 60 credits every academic year to keep receiving the grant for the program duration.
Tampere University tuition fee scholarships are awarded to a select few academically exceptional incoming international applicants in each program. The award covers 100% of the tuition fees for the program duration.
Cost of Living
As you pursue higher education in Finland, you will need €700 – €900 a month, for day-to-day living expenses, depending on your lifestyle choices and the locality you choose to stay in.
Particulars | Estimated Monthly Expenses (in Euro) | |
Accommodation | Shared Flat: 400 – 800 Halls of Residence: 160 – 380 | |
Basic Grocery | 200 – 250 | |
Local Conveyance | 35 – 50 | |
Social Activities | 100 | |
Work Opportunities:
Allowance:
- Non-EU/EEA students holding a valid Finnish residence permit can engage in part-time paid employment in the country, up to 30 hours a week on average while the school is in session.
- There is no restriction on working hours during the holidays, provided, the annual average working hours do not exceed the 30 hours a week limit.
- If an internship is a mandatory component of your course, then the working time restrictions do not apply. However, it should be communicated at the time of internship agreement with the employer that the engagement is towards earning credits for the completion of your degree, or else the 30-hour limit will apply.
Please note that most jobs in Finland will require a working knowledge of Finnish or Swedish. Besides, some fields of study may not allow employment before graduation. Check with the Europe Education Consultants at UniApplica to know which fields of study do not allow part-time work while studying.
Wages:
There is no legal minimum wage in Finland. Like most other European countries, sector-wise minimum wage is stipulated through collective bargaining between the stakeholders and employers cannot pay less than the collective agreement (TES).
Non-EU students can apply for an extended residence permit for up to two years after completing a degree or research work leading to a doctorate qualification. This extension will help you seek suitable employment or start an entrepreneurial venture in Finland.
You need a Residence Permit to Look for Work in Finland if you have just graduated and do not have a job yet but would like to stay back to look for a suitable one. You must apply for the same within five years of the expiry of your residence permit for studies/research. The permit is valid for 2 years. Further, you need to show sufficient finances for your sustenance during the stay to the tune of at least €560 per month.
If you have already completed a degree or research work in Finland and have a job offer in the country or have a workable business plan with signed contracts with clients, you can apply for a Residence Permit. Your application must be supplemented by a request from your employer. You must showcase sufficient income (€1000 a month) for the entire validity period of your residence permit.
The application processing time and fees involved are presented here
Application Type | Expected processing time | Application Fee | ||
First permit | Extended permit | First permit | Extended permit | |
Requesting Residence Permit to Look for a job or start a business after graduation | ||||
Electronic Application | 1-2 months | – | €470 | €160 |
Paper Application | 2-4 months | – | €520 | €430 |
Requesting Residence Permit after Graduation with Job in Hand | ||||
Electronic Application | 2 months | 2 months | €380 | €160 |
Paper Application | 2 months | 2 months | €480 | €430 |
Climate / Weather:
Summers in Finland are pleasantly warm, autumns wet and winters are freezing. The average annual temperature in the southwestern part of the country is 5.0 - 7.5 °C while in the northeastern part, the mercury hovers between 0 to −4 °C.
How To Apply to Study in Europe at Finnish Universities?
- Bachelor’s Degree (180 credits; 3 to 4.5 years in duration) – Must hold a senior school leaving certificate (equivalent to IB/EB).
- Master’s Degree (120 credits; 1 to 2 years duration) – Must have completed an accredited Bachelor’s degree.
Applying to both Bachelor’s and Master’s in Finland is an online process and free of application fees. You can either process a Joint Application to up to six programs at different HEIs through the Studyinfo.fi portal or apply separately to individual HEIs through their websites. In the former case, you have to carefully select the programs for application in order of your preference. Please note that this selection and its order cannot be changed once the application window is closed.
- Identification Document
- Records of all completed or results-awaited academic qualifications
- Certified translations of all documents, if not issued originally in English
- Original diplomas and official translations
- Language proficiency test scores
- Standardized Test Scores (SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc., as required)
- Employment certificates
- Applications for special arrangements for entrance examinations
Please note that the Finnish National Agency for Education will review your past qualifications for equivalency to the Finnish system.
Need more information about the Finnish Application process? Do not hesitate to reach out to the Europe Education Consultants at UniApplica at any time!
Finnish Study Visa Guidance
Visa Category:
- EU nationals do not require either a visa or resident permit in Finland, except for registering their stay in the country at the Immigration Service.
- Non-EU students will not require a resident permit to study a program in Finland that is no longer than 90 days.
- However, as a non-EU student, if your study program has a longer duration, you will need a valid resident permit.
International students need visa approval from the Finnish Diplomatic Mission in their home country to enter Finland.
Application Process:
- Step 1: Create an account on the Enter Finland portal to access the application form.
- Step 2: Fill up the application form and upload soft copies of the required documents.
- Step 3: Pay Application fees and apply.
- Step 4: Visit a Finnish Diplomatic Mission or Immigration Service Point for document verification
- Step 5: Wait for the decision
Visa Application Fee And Time:
- Electronic Application: €350 (€240 – Minor Holder) | Processing Time: 2 Months
- Paper Application: €450 (€270 – Minor Holder) | Processing Time: 2 Months
Documentation required
- A valid passport
- Passport-size photographs
- An acceptance certificate from a Finnish HEI
- Evidence of tuition fee paid
- Evidence of scholarship received, if any
- Evidence of financial sufficiency
- A valid health insurance certificate with coverage in Finland
- Applicants under 18 years must attach a birth certificate and consent letter from either the parents or legal guardian.
Beyond Borders, Beyond Limits
Elevate Your Education with Global Opportunities! Unite with
Leading Advisors and an Empowered Study Abroad Community.
FAQs
Why Study Abroad With UniApplica?
UniApplica covers the basics every Study needs. For everything, Anything.
Universities of Applied Sciences or UAS offer practical, hands-on education in response to labour market trends to train individuals for specific professions. Real research projects integrated into the courses give the students an orientation to future working life.
Regular universities, on the other hand, focus on traditional theoretical teaching and scientific research.
In Finland, if you plan to test your chances of admission to multiple institutions or programs, you can opt for Joint application in which you can apply to up to six study programs or institutions with a single application form.
You can avail of three joint application rounds every year of which, two offer English-taught programs (one each in spring and autumn) while the other offer Finnish/ Swedish-taught programs in spring.
In the spring joint application for English-taught programs, you need not place the programs you are applying for in order of your preference. You may receive multiple offers and confirm the one that you wish to pursue.
In the autumn joint application for English-taught programs and spring joint application for Finnish/Swedish-taught programs, list the programs in order of your preference. During these two rounds of joint application, you will be made only one offer of acceptance, most likely to your most preferred program, subject to your having adequate points to be accepted. As such, you will have only one offer to accept during the said term.
For more clarification about the Finnish joint application process and the timelines involved consult the expert Europe Education Consultants at UniApplica.
For the issuance of the Finnish Resident Permit for Studies, you must showcase funds to the tune of €560 a month to cover accommodation, food and other needs for the entire study duration in the country. If you haven’t paid the tuition fees yet, then you need to have enough money to pay the same.
In case you have received a grant or scholarship, add evidence of the same to negate the amount from the funds required in your bank account for the permit issuance.
The Universities of Applied Sciences in Finland conducts proctored online entrance tests – the International UAS Exam, for undergraduate admission in the fields of
- Humanities and Education
- Business Administration, Information and Communication Technology
- Natural Resources
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Seafaring
- Social Services, Health Care, Sports and Exercise, Beauty Care
- Technology
This entrance is split into two phases, the written exam round and the group discussion round. You can take from the comfort of your home, only on specified dates during the admission rounds.
The written exam evaluates your Reasoning and English language skills in two common-to-all-programs sections, and program-specific skills such as Mathematics, Advanced Mathematics, and Ethical and Emotional Intelligence in subsequent sections. If you clear the written phase successfully, you are invited for the group discussion round, after which a decision on your application is arrived at.
For test prep guidance, get in touch with the team of Study in Europe Consultants at UniApplica.
The following table presents the acceptable tests at Finnish universities and the scores thereof.
English Proficiency Test | Minimum Overall Score |
IELTS Academic | 6.0 |
TOEFL iBT | 60 |
PTE A | 55 |
Cambridge C1 Advanced | 169 |
Cambridge C2 Proficiency | 169 |
Please note that IELTS Online and PTE Academic Online are also accepted in Finland.
