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Study in Finland

Find programs that match your eligibility and aspirations then apply with reduced application fees, a free assessment and access to a dedicated advisor.

Why study in Finland?

Finland has plenty to recommend for international students. The Finnish education system is one of the most advanced in the world, with many universities using innovative techniques to improve their students' abilities, with a focus on problem-based learning.

Finland is considered one of the safest countries in Europe, and offers a lifestyle that can be both hectic and laid-back. Studying in Finland will allow you to live and study in one of Europe’s most exciting and unique countries.

Search for a university

What are the best programs in Finland?

Finland offers programs at Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate level. An undergraduate degree in Finland usually takes between three and five years to complete at a university of applied science. A Master’s degree will take two years, and a Doctorate or PhD can take between three and five years.

There are around 100 degree programs taught in English at universities of applied sciences in Finland, however, there are less English-led programs at traditional universities. There are increased opportunities to study programs in English at master's level and beyond.

There are many options when it comes to choosing a university in Finland, including specialist business schools, medical universities and engineering universities.

Whether you’re looking to study for a bachelor’s, MBA, PhD or masters in Finland, Studee can help you find the perfect place to study abroad.

Find & apply to programs in Finland

Find programs you love that match your needs & aspirations, where you stand a high chance of acceptance.

Program level

Why use Studee?

We maximize your chance of being admitted with our free, 48 hour fast-track assessment (worth $185*)
  1. Find your ideal program

    Filter 10,000s of programs down to a shortlist perfect for you, where you have a strong chance of getting admitted

  2. Apply online via Studee

    Complete our application form and enjoy reduced application fees and access to unique Studee scholarships for many universities

  3. We assess within 48hrs

    We complete an 85-point assessment within 2 business days, help you with improvements then submit to your university

  4. University offer in 2-4 weeks

    We chase the university for your admission decision and keep you updated. We all celebrate your admission!

Carbon compensation - We'll plant trees in your name to compensate for the carbon generated by all your flights to and from university.

All our services are 100% free as we're funded by universities. You pay deposits and tuition fees directly to the university.

* Price based on similar application assessment services from other providers

What is the cost of studying in Finland?

If you’re from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you can study in Finland as an international student for free. If you’re an international student from outside the EU, the tuition fees you’ll need to pay will depend on the program and university you apply for. Generally speaking, fees can range between $5,000 and $16,000 per year.

Living costs in Finland are comparable to other European countries, but can be cheaper than other Scandanavian countries like Denmark and Sweden. You may need to budget around between $9,000 and $15,000 a year to cover costs like your accommodation, food, transport and entertainment, depending on where you study.

Student reviews for Finland

  • Alaa Benkherouf
    Algeria
    Overall experience 5 stars
    Academic
    5 stars
    University social
    4 stars
    Accommodation
    5 stars
    University facilities
    5 stars
    University of Turku Biomedical Sciences
    What's it like to study in Finland?
    Even though Finnish people tend to be quiet, yet they are very friendly and easygoing when spoken to.
  • Irene Pampallis
    South Africa
    Overall experience 5 stars
    Academic
    4 stars
    University social
    4 stars
    Accommodation
    5 stars
    University facilities
    5 stars
    University of Turku Education
    What's it like to study in Finland?
    Finland is a beautiful country. I am a particular fan of Finnish nature! Everyman's rights mean that you are allowed to wander freely in natural areas, even on private land, and pick berries, mushrooms and flowers. There is a wealth of forest, lake, sea and island landscape to enjoy here - all at little to no cost. Because Finland is so far north, there are four distinct seasons and so your local nature spot always looks different - autumn leaves, winter snow, spring buds, or summer glory.

    There is a lot of trust in the society here: people are trusted to be sensible and responsible, and generally they are. This means that you have a lot of independence (as do children and young people) and safety is not a concern.

    Public services are easily available at low or no cost. Students receive free student healthcare, discounted meals and public transport, and the city provides a wide range of recreational and sporting facilities for residents of the town.

    It is easy to travel from Turku to many other cities in Finland, by bus (cheap) or by train (a bit more pricey) - Helsinki and Tampere are both 2 hours away by bus. There are also ferry connections to Sweden and the Åland Islands. Finland is also a short plane trip away from many major European capitals!
  • Shay Pisanty
    Israel
    Overall experience 5 stars
    Academic
    5 stars
    University social
    5 stars
    Accommodation
    5 stars
    University facilities
    5 stars
    Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences Agribusiness
    What's it like to study in Finland?
    The locals are the friendliest I've seen, couldn't feel more welcome than this!
  • Matilda Dok
    Kenya
    Overall experience 5 stars
    Academic
    5 stars
    University social
    4 stars
    Accommodation
    5 stars
    University facilities
    5 stars
    University of Helsinki Geography
    What's it like to study in Finland?
    In winter, Finns are withdrawn and do not associate much. Most places look like ghost towns with minimal people outdoors. But summer has everybody outside, warm and jovial and you can earn a smile or even a chat from a stranger in the metro. Of all the celebrations in Finland, Vappuu that is celebrated on 1st May captured my heart the most. It displayed the academic wealth that the country possesses. Most people both the young and old adorned their graduation caps and the streets were filled with merrymaking.
    Finland has magnificent scenery, nice parks, beautiful forests, a rich history, and is also known as the land of a thousand lakes. Locals religiously respect their environment and personal space. The country is accessible to many other countries by train, ship, bus, and flight. Different regions have unique planning themes and most infrastructure is blended well into nature. Much as the metros are faster than the buses, they are not so good when one wants to site see since they mostly pass underground. However, there are a good number of buses that provide site seeing services.
    Anything unexpected for the international students? The midnight sun during summer and a big nice fall on the snow in winter!
  • Caelum Davies
    United Kingdom
    Overall experience 5 stars
    Academic
    5 stars
    University social
    5 stars
    Accommodation
    5 stars
    University facilities
    5 stars
    University of Helsinki Social Science
    What's it like to study in Finland?
    Finland is a quiet place, but one that knows how to have fun. People might seem shy at first, but once you befriend a Finn they are a friend for life. A vegan paradise, and a real mix of cultures in every sense of the word. Finland loves its karaoke almost as much as its sauna - so get used to seeing your friends and peers singing badly and getting naked.

Key facts

  • Euro € Currency
  • 308,000 Student population
  • Finnish Language
  • 39 Universities

Where can you study in Finland?

Finland is a diverse country, and the lifestyle you experience will change dramatically depending on where you study. The main cities, including the capital Helsinki and Turku, are where many universities are situated, and offer a busy and vibrant atmosphere in which to study.

The climate, especially the further north you go, can be very cold and during the winter months and the sun does not come up for several weeks in some areas. In the summer, there can be up to 73 consecutive days in which the sun doesn't set.

Universities in Finland

What are the requirements to study in Finland?

Qualifications

The entrance criteria for each university may differ, but you will at least need to have completed secondary education to apply for a bachelor’s program, or have a bachelor’s degree to apply for a master’s program or above. You may need to take a specific entrance exam or another type of aptitude test in order to be accepted onto the program of your choice, so check this with the university’s Admissions Office.

English language tests

If you want to study on an English-led program in Finland, you will need to show the university the level of your English knowledge. Most universities will accept the TOEFL or IELTS language tests. Some universities may run their own individual language tests as well.

Finland student visa

If you’re an EU citizen or Swiss national, you’ll be allowed to study for a degree in Finland without needing a student visa.

Non-EU students will need to apply for either a short-term entry permit or a student residence permit depending on the length of study.

A short-term entry permit lets you stay in Finland for up to three months, whereas a student residence permit is required by students looking to study for longer periods. Therefore, if you’re an international EU / non-EU student it’s likely that you’ll need a student residence permit.

You can only apply for this after you’ve been accepted at a Finnish university, and you’ll need to prove that you have valid health insurance and enough money to support yourself throughout your studies.

Finland student visa requirements

How to study in Finland

Find out how to study abroad with Studee. We're the smart alternative to applying direct - we help you find and apply to your chosen universities abroad and maximize your chances of getting admitted.

How to study abroad with Studee

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