Nordics
Study in one of Europe's most respected education systems and gain access to innovation-driven, research-focused and career-oriented learning.
Finland
Overview
Finland's reputation in education is well earned, and it extends into the university sector. The system is split between research universities, which award academic bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, and universities of applied sciences, which build degrees around practical projects and compulsory work placements. Both award recognised Finnish degrees; they simply answer different questions about what you want from study.
Teaching is discussion-led and project-based rather than lecture-heavy, and students are expected to take real responsibility for their own work. Universities maintain close ties to industry, which is why the applied sciences route in particular tends to produce graduates with genuine, documented work experience.
Why here
Finnish education is consistently well regarded internationally, and its universities are active in European research networks.
Research universities for academic depth; universities of applied sciences for practice-led degrees with compulsory work placements.
Strong provision in ICT, engineering, sustainability, health technology and business, closely linked to Finland's technology sector.
Most universities operate tuition-fee scholarship schemes covering a share of fees for strong applicants. Awards are decided with the admission result.
Small groups, direct access to teaching staff and project work rather than examination-heavy assessment.
Reliable public services, high safety, and excellent digital infrastructure — including for university administration.
Academic structure
Research universities award a three-year bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) followed by a two-year master's (120 ECTS). Universities of applied sciences award a bachelor's degree over three and a half to four years (210–240 ECTS) including a substantial work placement, and a master's degree that normally expects two years of relevant work experience beforehand.
Admission for most English-taught programmes runs through the national Studyinfo portal, with a joint application period in January for autumn entry. Selection is usually based on an entrance examination, a written assignment or previous academic results — the method varies by programme and is published in advance.
What you can study
Admissions
Bachelor's degree
Completed secondary education giving eligibility for higher education in your home country. English evidence through IELTS 6.0 (typically no band below 5.5), TOEFL iBT 79+, PTE Academic 54+ or an accepted equivalent. Nearly all programmes additionally require an entrance examination or a selection assignment, often taken remotely.
Master's degree
A recognised bachelor's degree in a relevant field. English evidence through IELTS 6.5 or an accepted equivalent. A motivation letter, CV and sometimes a portfolio or work sample are required. Master's programmes at universities of applied sciences additionally require around two years of relevant work experience after the bachelor's degree.
Application deadlines are firm and fall well ahead of the intake — the main January round closes for an August start.
Budget
€6,000 – €18,000
Tuition per year
Indicative, confirmed in the offer letter
€8,400 – €13,200
Living costs per year
Accommodation, food and transport
Non-EU/EEA students pay indicative annual tuition of approximately €6,000–€18,000 depending on the university and programme. EU/EEA students, and students holding certain residence permits, are not charged tuition.
Most universities operate scholarship schemes for fee-paying students, commonly covering 25–100% of tuition for the first year and continuing on the basis of academic progress. Scholarships are decided as part of the admission process and confirmed in the offer — never guaranteed in advance.
Budget approximately €700–€1,100 per month, or €8,400–€13,200 across a year. Immigration requirements also set a minimum level of funds you must demonstrate for the residence permit, which is reviewed periodically — we confirm the current figure with you at application time. Student housing foundations offer subsidised accommodation, and student union membership brings substantial discounts on meals and transport.
| Item | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Student accommodation | €280 – €550 per month |
| Food and groceries | €200 – €300 per month; student meals are subsidised |
| Transport | €35 – €60 per month, student rate |
| Insurance | €300 – €600 per year, required for the permit |
| Study materials | €200 – €400 per year |
| Student union membership | €60 – €120 per year |
Institutions
A selection of institutions we work with. Use the pathway search to filter by level, subject and intake.
Tampere, Finland
Practice-led Finnish degrees with compulsory work placements, in ICT, engineering, business and health, taught in English in Tampere.
View University
Helsinki, Finland
Research-led institute in the Helsinki region with English-taught master's degrees in computer science, data, sustainability and design.
View University
Programmes
Nordic University of Applied Sciences
Tuition / year €9,500
Helsinki Institute of Technology and Design
Tuition / year €15,000
Helsinki Institute of Technology and Design
Tuition / year €15,000
Nordic University of Applied Sciences
Tuition / year €8,500
Nordic University of Applied Sciences
Tuition / year €9,500
Nordic University of Applied Sciences
Tuition / year €10,500
The process
Finnish deadlines fall months before the intake. We start by mapping your timeline backwards from the January application round.
Research university or university of applied sciences — we explain how the two differ in teaching, assessment and career outcome.
Most programmes select through an entrance examination or written assignment. We explain the format and how to prepare.
We prepare and submit your application through the national portal within the application period.
You sit the examination or complete the selection assignment on the published date.
Results are published together, so you learn your tuition outcome at the same time as your place.
Guidance on the online application, financial evidence, insurance and biometrics appointment.
Student housing applications open early and fill quickly — we make sure yours is in on time.
Paperwork
Immigration
Students staying longer than 90 days apply for a residence permit for studies through the Finnish Immigration Service, normally online, followed by an appointment to prove identity and give biometrics at a Finnish mission or authorised service point.
The application requires the admission letter, evidence of sufficient funds for the full study period at the level currently required, and insurance that meets the stated conditions. Appointment availability is the usual bottleneck, so we prepare your document set as soon as admission is confirmed. Decisions rest with the Finnish Immigration Service.
Visa and admission decisions rest entirely with the relevant institutions and government authorities. We prepare and check your documents; we cannot guarantee an outcome, and you should be cautious of anyone who says otherwise.
Living there
Student unions sit at the centre of life at Finnish universities — they run societies, subsidised restaurants, sports facilities, tutoring for new international students and a well-organised events calendar. New arrivals are typically assigned a student tutor before they land.
The practical adjustments are the seasons and the pace. Winter is genuinely dark and cold, and universities are open about that; summer compensates with near-continuous daylight. Campuses are quiet, well-equipped and open long hours.
Students holding a residence permit for study may work an average number of hours per week set in national rules, with the current limit confirmed on your permit. Universities of applied sciences build work placements into the degree itself.
After graduating, students may apply for an extended residence permit to look for work or start a business. Finland's shortage areas include ICT, engineering, health and social care, and construction. Career services support CV preparation, employer connections and internship placement throughout the degree.
Student outcomes
Their timelines, the obstacles they hit, and how each application was resolved.
Bachelor of Engineering, Information and Communications Technology
Nordic University of Applied Sciences
August 2024 intakeThe entrance exam was the part nobody had explained to me. Knowing the format four months in advance is the reason I passed it.
Common questions
If yours is not answered here, ask it directly. We would rather clear it up before you apply.
The main joint application round runs in January for studies starting in August or September. This is the single most important date in the Finnish process, and missing it generally means waiting a full year. Some programmes have a second round in August/September for a January start.
Most English-taught programmes select through an entrance examination or a written selection assignment rather than on documents alone. Formats vary by programme and are published in advance, and many are sat remotely under proctoring. We explain the format for your specific programme so preparation starts early.
EU/EEA students and holders of certain residence permits are not charged tuition. Other students pay fees, but most universities operate scholarship schemes covering 50–100% of tuition for strong applicants, decided alongside the admission result.
Research universities award academic degrees with a research orientation. Universities of applied sciences build degrees around practical projects and include a compulsory work placement of several months. Both award recognised Finnish degrees; the applied sciences route generally produces graduates with documented professional experience.
Next step
Finnish deadlines close months ahead of the intake. Speak to a counsellor early and plan your application round properly.
