Study and find schools in Finland

Studying in Finland

Finland is a Nordic country of 5,652,881 people (Statistics Finland, 31 December 2025), with Finnish and Swedish as its two official languages. For international students its main attraction is a public higher-education system that teaches a large share of its programmes in English: according to Study in Finland, the official portal of the Finnish National Agency for Education, the country has 13 universities and 22 universities of applied sciences, more than 30,000 international students and over 600 English-taught bachelor's and master's programmes.

Our directory lists 13 schools in Finland, twelve of them higher-education institutions and one summer school. They are spread across the country, from Helsinki and Turku in the south to Vaasa on the west coast and Oulu and Rovaniemi in the north.

The education system

Finnish higher education has two parallel sectors:

• Universities are research-based and award bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. A bachelor's degree typically takes 3 years and a master's 2 years; doctoral studies take about 4 years
• Universities of applied sciences (UAS) focus on practical learning and close links with industry. A UAS bachelor's degree takes 3.5 to 4.5 years; a UAS master's takes 1 to 1.5 years and requires two years of work experience

Quality is monitored by the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC). Most degree programmes start in the autumn, and the main application round for studies starting in September takes place in January.

Besides degrees, Finland has a tradition of folk high schools (kansanopisto), which offer non-degree courses; Varsinais-Suomen Kansanopisto in Paimio, for example, has study lines in rap, pop and rock, music theatre, and theatre and make-up, taught in Finnish. Summer schools offer short academic courses for international students.

Admission and recognition

You apply online through Studyinfo.fi, Finland's official application portal. The joint application for programmes starting in September is held every January, and one application covers up to six degree programmes. Some programmes have separate application periods at other times of year, so always check the dates, admission requirements and documents for each programme. Scholarships are usually applied for at the same time as admission.

Each programme sets its own entry requirements, such as previous qualifications and language skills, and the admissions services of the university can advise you on eligibility. If you plan to use a Finnish degree in Spain or Latin America, check your own country's recognition procedure before you enrol.

Residence permit for studies

Citizens of the EU, the Nordic countries, Liechtenstein and Switzerland do not need a residence permit to study in Finland. Other students need a residence permit for studies if they stay longer than 90 days, according to the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri). The main points:

• apply from abroad, before entering Finland, through the Enter Finland online service, then visit a Finnish embassy or consulate to prove your identity and give fingerprints
• show that you can pay your tuition fee and that you have at least €800 per month for living costs; for studies of one year or more, you need €9,600 in your bank account when you apply
• take out private insurance that covers medical and pharmaceutical costs
• studies that are mainly online distance learning do not qualify

You can apply for a D visa at the same time, which lets you travel as soon as the permit is granted. With a residence permit for studies you may work an average of 30 hours per week, and full-time during holidays. After graduation you can apply for a two-year permit to look for work or start a business.

Costs

Programmes taught in Finnish or Swedish are free, and so are doctoral programmes, whatever your nationality. Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland usually pay tuition fees for English-taught bachelor's and master's programmes, typically €9,000 to €20,000 per year, plus a €100 application fee. Many universities offer scholarships to fee-paying students.

Finland is a relatively expensive country to live in. Study in Finland recommends budgeting about €900 to €1,200 per month for food, accommodation and travel, depending on the city (page updated 18 September 2026). University students also pay an annual student union fee of about €50 to €70, and degree students pay a student healthcare fee of about €35 per term. Study in Finland warns that part-time work is hard to find without Finnish or Swedish and should not be counted on to pay for your studies.

Where to study

• Helsinki, the capital, has three of the schools in our directory, including the University of Helsinki, Arcada University of Applied Sciences (2,900 students, teaching in Swedish and English) and the Helsinki Summer School. Academy Access is listed in nearby Espoo
• Turku is a university town: according to Åbo Akademi University, one in four people there is a student or staff member at a university. Åbo Akademi, with 5,564 students, teaches in Swedish
• Vaasa, on the west coast, has Vaasan ammattikorkeakoulu (VAMK) and Novia University of Applied Sciences, which describes itself as the largest Swedish-speaking university in Finland and also has campuses in Turku, Raasepori and Pietarsaari
• Oulu and Rovaniemi in the north have the University of Oulu, at 65° north, and Lapland University of Applied Sciences, with campuses in Rovaniemi, Kemi and Tornio
• Jyväskylä in Central Finland has the University of Jyväskylä; Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) is listed in Valkeakoski and Savonia University of Applied Sciences in Varkaus

Culture and practical life

• Language: daily life and a whole degree are possible in English, but Study in Finland recommends learning Finnish or Swedish early, as it improves your job prospects; many universities offer language courses
• Health: degree students use the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) after paying the healthcare fee; non-EU students also need private insurance for their residence permit
• Swedish-speaking Finland: several schools in our directory, such as Arcada, Novia and Åbo Akademi, teach in Swedish, which is useful if you already speak it or want to learn it
• North and south: studying in Oulu or Lapland means long winter nights and a very different environment from the Helsinki region, so think about what suits you

Frequently asked questions

Is studying in Finland free?

Programmes taught in Finnish or Swedish and all doctoral programmes are free. Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland usually pay €9,000 to €20,000 per year for English-taught bachelor's and master's programmes, according to Study in Finland.

Can I study in English in Finland?

Yes. Finnish higher-education institutions offer more than 600 English-taught bachelor's and master's programmes, and you can complete a whole degree in English.

How do I apply to a Finnish university?

Through Studyinfo.fi, the official application portal. The joint application for programmes starting in September is held every January and covers up to six programmes; some programmes have separate application periods.

How much money do I need for a student residence permit?

Migri requires at least €800 per month for living costs; for studies of one year or more, you must have €9,600 in your bank account when you apply, plus the tuition fee if you have not paid it yet.

Can I work while studying in Finland?

Yes. With a residence permit for studies you may work an average of 30 hours per week, and full-time during holidays. After graduation you can apply for a two-year permit to look for work.