Study in Finland: Scholarships, Admissions, Visa, Costs & Jobs for International Students

Why Finland?

Finland’s Government offers over 400 study programs and is home to more than 20,000 International Students Studying in Several Locations around Finland. All Universities have Finland Scholarship Opportunities for International Students. There are almost 13 Universitiesand 22 Universities of Applied Sciences in Finland, and almost all academic fields are available.

Admission Procedure & Requirements

Applying to universities in Finland is a straightforward process, starting with finding the right program and ending with preparing for your move once you’re accepted.

The process for applying involves the following steps:

Here are the common documents required for admission to universities in Finland:

Note: It's important to check the specific requirements for each program you apply to, as they may ask for additional documents or have specific formatting guidelines.

Intakes & Deadlines

There are two ways to apply to a higher education degree program in Finland: joint application or separate application.

The opening and closing dates for admission are 3 January- 17 January.

You can apply for 6 courses with one application form.

There is no application fee, applying is always free.

Mostly opening and closing date for separate admission is 30 Nov-3 January depending on the university and you can confirm from ‘studyfi.info’.

You have to apply separately in every course and there is no limitation to apply in several courses.

Fee Structure

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students in Finland vary by university and program, typically ranging from €8,000 to €20,000 per year.

A yearly student union charge, usually between €50 and €70, is mandatory for university students. Access to several advantages, such as cheaper meals at student cafeterias and lower public transportation prices, is made possible by this fee.

Students pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree are required to pay an annual healthcare fee to utilize the services of the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS). This fee is approximately €35 per semester, amounting to around €70 for the entire year.

Scholarships:

Typically, you apply for a scholarship in parallel with your admissions application to a Finnish university. Once you've decided on a course of study, find out if the university offers scholarships for non-EU/EEA students. Admission requirements often include information and directions for applying.

Yes, there are scholarships available for international students.

The most popular scholarship is ‘Finland Government Scholarship’ despite there being many university scholarships that may have different criteria and requirements.

It depends on your profile such as your CV and motivational letter. You can get a fully funded or partially funded scholarship.

The scholarship is funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture. Anyone from any country can apply that exists outside the EU/EEA.

Visa Process

Apply as early as possible after getting the admission letter.

To study in Finland for more than 90 days, non-EU/EEA students must apply for a residence permit for studies.

Note: Apply for a D Visa (if applicable): If you wish to travel to Finland immediately after receiving your residence permit, you can apply for a D visa simultaneously. This visa allows you to enter Finland without waiting for the residence permit card to be delivered abroad.

Note: If your documents are in a language other than Finnish, Swedish, or English, you must get them translated into one of these languages.

You can visit 26-30 other Schengen member states with your student visa.

You'll have the option for this two-year post-study permit for five years after graduation, and you can also take the permit in parts if you like.

Overstaying poses risks of fines, deportation, and future visa restrictions, so always adhere to visa regulations.

Yes, you can apply for your family visa. Terms and conditions apply.

Part-time Job

You can work 30 hours per week and full-time on vacation.

Part-time work in Finland typically can't cover all expenses, so it's essential to have sufficient financial resources before starting your studies.

Monthly Expenditures

Monthly expenses can vary based on factors like the city and individual lifestyle. However, the following are approximate monthly expenditure figures.

Students should budget €800 to €1,000 per month for living expenses, including accommodation, food, and travel.

Accommodation

It costs up to 200-400 euros for a single room in shared apartments.

Transport

It costs between 35-50 euros.

Grocery

It can range up to 80-100 euros.

Internet

It costs up to 20-25 euros.