Tuition fees and living costs
Tuition fees depend on your nationality. In 2025 this means
- EU/EEA students pay no tuition fees
- students outside of the EU/EEA usually pay fees ranging €4 000 - €18 000 per year for English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programmes, depending on programme and institution
- many universities offer early-bird discounts or partial fee waivers
Average monthly expenses are around €700 - €1 200. This includes housing, food, transport, study materials, and leisure.
More detailed fees and living costs
Visa requirements
EU/EEA students don’t need a visa and must register their residence in Finland if staying longer than 90 days.
If you are a student from outside the EU/EEA , you must apply for a residence permit for studies before arriving in Finland.
Requirements include
- proof of admission to a Finnish institution
- proof of sufficient funds (minimum €560/month)
- health insurance
The residency permit is usually granted for the duration of the entire degree.
Application process for a residency permit
Higher education system in Finland
Finland offers high-quality education with a strong focus on research, innovation, and student-centered learning. There are almost 600 programmes in English across fields like technology, business, design, health, and education.
Finnish universities are either
- Uuniversities with a focus on academic and scientific research, which offer bachelor's, master's, and PhD degrees
- universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) which focus on practical skills and professional training and offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees
Browse a list of all Finnish universities or browse programmes by degree.
Languages
Many degree programmes are fully taught in English. However, learning Finnish is helpful for daily life and employment.
Application process
You can apply for programmes in English on national platform Studyinfo.fi. Most programmes have one joint application period each year, usually in January for the following autumn semester (August/September).
Steps
- Search for programmes on www.studyinfo.fi
- Check specific requirements (e.g. previous qualifications, English language certificate)
- Apply via the online portal
- Take an entrance exam or attend and interview, if applicable
Scholarships
If you’re a student from outside the EU/EEA, you can apply for scholarships. These often cover 25% to 100% of the tuition fees and are based on academic merit.
Some universities offer early-bird discounts, first-year fee reductions, or full scholarships for top students.
Erasmus+ and Nordic programmes also offer mobility grants for exchange.
Learn about bachelor’s and master’s scholarships
Student life
Students in Finland benefit from a safe and modern society, clean environment, and world-class student support services:
- unions and organisations offer social events, clubs, and sports
- housing is usually arranged through student housing foundations
- student card, with discounts on food, transportation and healthcare services
Working part-time while studying is allowed. You can work up to 30 hours per week on average and many students find work in hospitality, research, or as teaching assistants.
Stories from students
Research opportunities
Follow the links below to read more about pursuing a PhD or postdoctoral degree in Finland.