Finland offers several ways to build an international education. You might explore technology through research, develop practical skills on a university of applied sciences course or study how cities can become more sustainable. The best choice depends on how you enjoy learning and what you want to do with that experience.
There are English-taught bachelor’s and master’s degrees, but course availability, entry requirements and costs differ. This guide helps you compare those choices and prepare for everyday life, from finding a room to understanding what a scholarship actually covers.
Reviewed 18 October 2026. The 2027 application dates and fee examples below are identified individually. Always use the programme’s current instructions for your own application.
University or university of applied sciences?
Finland has research universities and universities of applied sciences, usually called UAS. Both can be valuable routes; their emphasis and entry arrangements differ. The official Study in Finland overview explains the structure.
- University bachelor’s degrees: typically three years, with a foundation for further academic study.
- UAS bachelor’s degrees: typically three and a half to four and a half years, with an emphasis on practical application.
- University master’s degrees: typically two years.
- UAS master’s degrees: typically one to one and a half years; applicants generally need at least two years of relevant work experience as well as a suitable degree.
Read beyond these labels. Look at the balance of workshops, lectures, projects, placements and independent study. A course with a substantial company project may suit someone who learns by doing; a research-led course may appeal to someone who wants to investigate a subject in depth. Neither description tells the whole story without the curriculum.
If you are finishing your first degree and have little professional experience, check the work-experience requirement before investing time in a UAS master’s application. If you already work in the field, ask how teaching schedules and project work connect with professional practice.
Finding a degree taught in English
The national application service, Studyinfo, is an important starting point. Search by degree level, subject and teaching language, then read the university’s own course page. Make sure you are looking at the full degree rather than an exchange semester or a selection of English modules.
English can be enough for the academic part of an English-taught course. Finnish or Swedish can still be useful for daily life, placements and employment. If your subject involves working closely with local residents, ask what language is used during practical training.
Two examples of different learning experiences
Aalto University’s Quantum Technology study option is taught in English and describes a three-year bachelor’s degree followed by a two-year master’s route, with 180 and 120 ECTS respectively. It is an option to investigate if mathematics, physics and emerging technology are central to your interests.
Tampere University’s Sustainable Urban Development curriculum for 2026/27 describes an English-taught bachelor’s degree of 180 ECTS. Its perspectives include technology, social sciences and administrative studies, with challenge-based work involving partners beyond the university.
Use examples like these to sharpen your questions. Would you prefer a specialised technical path or a subject that brings several disciplines together? How much freedom is there to choose electives? What might your final project look like? Those details help turn a country shortlist into a course shortlist.
Applying for autumn 2027
According to Study in Finland’s October 2026 application update, many English-taught programmes starting in September 2027 use the joint application period 7–21 January 2027. Other programmes use separate or rolling admissions, some opening in late 2026.
That national window is not a substitute for checking your selected programme. Aalto’s Quantum Technology page, for example, publishes its own application timetable. Record both the application deadline and any separate deadline for attachments, test results or later qualification documents.
Le national admissions guidance explains that a joint application can include up to six programmes. Read the instructions for the particular round before deciding how to arrange your choices.
Prepare the application around the course
Undergraduate selection may involve school qualifications, an entrance examination, an accepted test or another route specified by the institution. Master’s selection depends on the relevant prior degree and the course’s own criteria. There is no universal score or admission formula covering every English-taught degree.
For each option, keep a simple checklist:
- Which previous qualifications and subjects are accepted?
- What language evidence is required, and are any exemptions available?
- Is there an examination, interview, portfolio or additional assignment?
- Which documents need translation, and in what format?
- When must you accept the place and pay any required tuition?
Give yourself time to prepare the parts that show your interests. A portfolio should make your contribution clear. A motivation statement should connect your experience with the actual course. If you are changing fields, explain the skills you bring and how you have prepared for the new subject.
Finland also has rules about accepting one higher education place in programmes beginning in the same term. Follow the official admissions guidance when responding to offers.
Tuition fees and application charges
The official fees and living costs guidance gives a typical annual tuition range of €9,000–€20,000 for fee-paying students on English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programmes. This is a broad planning range, not a price cap.
Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland generally pay these fees, subject to exemptions. EU/EEA and Swiss students are generally exempt. Doctoral study and programmes taught in Finnish or Swedish have different tuition arrangements. A €100 application fee generally applies to applicants from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland, with exemptions defined by the official rules.
Published university examples
- Aalto Quantum Technology: the programme page lists annual tuition of €12,000 at bachelor’s level and €17,000 at master’s level for fee-paying students.
- Tampere University: its 2027 admissions fee information lists €10,000 per year for bachelor’s programmes and €12,000 for master’s programmes, with separate arrangements possible for joint programmes.
Use the fee attached to your course and admission year. If a combined study path lasts five years, calculate both stages rather than multiplying the bachelor’s fee by five. Ask whether a scholarship continues automatically or requires a separate application or particular academic progress.
Also check payment timing. A tuition instalment, a housing deposit and travel may fall close together. Our Guide des frais de scolarité can help you compare the full cost of different offers.
Scholarships: what can they cover?
Finnish universities can offer their own scholarships or tuition waivers. The official bachelor’s and master’s scholarship guidance explains that these are competitive and usually focus on tuition rather than everyday living expenses. There is no general Finnish government scholarship scheme covering all international bachelor’s and master’s applicants.
Read the award conditions alongside the course application. Some funding must be requested at the same time as admission. Other awards may depend on progress after you begin. A headline percentage is useful only when you know which years and costs it covers.
Build two budgets: one using confirmed funding, and another showing what changes if you receive the award. This makes it easier to decide whether an offer is affordable without relying on a result that has not arrived.
Search home-country funding, employer support and relevant external schemes as well as university awards. Our scholarships hub provides another place to organise opportunities, but the awarding organisation’s current call should guide the application.
What does living in Finland cost?
Study in Finland recommends planning around €900–€1,200 per month for living expenses. Your location, accommodation and personal needs can move the total above that range. Treat it as a starting point and replace estimates with actual quotes.
For perspective, €900 per month is €10,800 over twelve months; €1,200 is €14,400. If your own budget reaches €1,500 per month, the annual total is €18,000. These calculations exclude tuition and one-off arrival expenses.
Separate your spending into housing, utilities, food, local transport, phone, insurance, study materials and personal activities. Add any applicable student union or student healthcare charges after checking your institution’s instructions. Do not assume every charge is included in tuition.
Housing deserves the most attention. A furnished student room with some bills included may compare favourably with a cheaper-looking private room that needs furniture, internet and separate utilities. Check the length of the contract and whether you will be paying through the summer.
Keep enough accessible money for the first weeks. Deposits, travel, household essentials and weather-appropriate clothing can arrive before you have settled into an ordinary monthly budget. A contingency fund also gives you more freedom if a room falls through or your travel changes.
Finding accommodation and settling in
Use your university’s accommodation guidance to identify the relevant student housing providers. Apply early, but keep a realistic backup plan until you have a confirmed offer. Check what the room contains, where it is located and how the commute works.
When comparing cities, imagine the daily routine rather than only the postcard view. Would you prefer a larger urban area or a smaller campus community? How important are travel connections, a particular hobby or being able to walk to class? A good fit can make it easier to enjoy the degree and keep spending manageable.
Winter takes some adjustment if you come from a warmer or brighter climate. Plan regular activities, use indoor study and social spaces, and make time outside when conditions suit you. Learning how to dress comfortably is often more useful than buying an expensive wardrobe before you arrive.
International orientation events can help you meet people quickly. Keep going after the first week: clubs, language exchanges and group projects create repeated opportunities to build friendships.
Student residence permits and insurance
Students who need a residence permit should follow Migri’s study permit instructions. EU/EEA and Swiss students have a different residence route, so use the guidance matching your situation.
Migri’s student income requirements specify at least €800 per month, or €9,600 for the first year, for living expenses. Tuition must also be covered where applicable. For a first study permit, expected earnings from a job are not a substitute for the required funds.
That immigration amount is a minimum evidence requirement, not a promise that it will cover your preferred lifestyle or local rent. Compare it with the higher living-cost planning guidance and your own accommodation offer.
Check the insurance requirements before buying a policy. The coverage needed depends on your circumstances and study duration. Read what the policy covers, how claims work and whether you must pay costs upfront. Follow the university’s arrival instructions for healthcare arrangements after enrolment.
Working while studying
Under Migri’s student work rules, a study residence permit allows paid work averaging 30 hours per week over the year. Working more during a holiday does not remove that annual average limit. Degree-related practical training or thesis work can have different treatment where it meets the stated conditions.
The allowance is not a prediction of how much work you will find or comfortably combine with study. Language, location, experience and your timetable all affect the options. Plan to fund the degree without depending on immediate employment.
If you want practical experience, explore course projects, placement support and careers events early. Ask how students find placements and whether you need to arrange one yourself. A project that develops a useful skill or introduces you to a field can be valuable even when it is not a paid job.
Après la fin des études
Eligible graduates can apply for a Finnish residence permit to look for work or start a business for up to two years. Migri’s work permit information explains the available routes and conditions.
Use your time at university to build more than a transcript. Keep examples of projects, practise explaining your work and get to know people in your field. Finnish or Swedish language learning can widen your options and help you take part more fully in the community.
Questions fréquemment posées
Can I study in Finland without speaking Finnish?
Yes, on a suitable English-taught programme. Check any practical training language requirements, and consider local language classes as part of the experience.
Are UAS degrees only for people who already work?
No. UAS bachelor’s degrees can be an undergraduate route. Relevant work experience is generally part of entry to a UAS master’s degree.
Does a full tuition scholarship pay my rent?
Only if the award explicitly includes living support. A tuition waiver and a living allowance are different parts of the budget.
Where should I begin?
Choose a subject and learning style, shortlist courses in Studyinfo, and compare their complete costs. You can also explore our English-taught programmes guide and compare Finland with Suède ou Norway.