Finland is located in northern Europe between our neighbors Sweden, Norway, and Russia. We are part of the European Union and a unique member of the Nordic family. But Finland and Finns are different. The Arctic climate gave us guts – or ‘sisu’ as we call it. We always look for a practical solution, turning potential setbacks into steps forward. Finns are strong believers in inequality and education. Our higher education system is one of the best in the world with great international connections, low hierarchies, and academic freedom. Studying in Finland is not just about the studies. It is a chance to make friends, build networks, and experience something new. Finland is a safe country where things work and nature is always close by. English is our third, unofficial language. Finland is looking for thinkers with a mind of their own. If you want to stand out, don’t do what everyone else does. Instead, improve your potential and prospects: Study in Finland.
Why YOU NEED TO CHOOSE FINLAND
Live in the most peaceful and sustainable country in the world Study in the best higher education and training system in the worldLive in the healthiest ecosystem in the worldBreathe the third cleanest air in the world Improve your skills in the most innovative country in the world
BREAKDOWN OF COST OF LIVING IN FINLAND
The cost of living in Finland generally is estimated to cost about 600 Euros a month, although this depends on the spending habits of a student. Costs and expenses a student will take care off include paying rent in the student hostel which is about 300 Euros a month, having lunch at the canteen which costs between 2.30-4.30 Euros for undergraduate students and 4.25-6.20 for postgraduate students.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE FOR UNDERGRADUATES TO STUDY IN FINLAND
All applications for admission are done through the university admission and Finland’s UAF service. This service costs nothing and all a student needs to do is set up an account with them and begin applying for admission. All students applying for undergraduate admission are expected to write an entrance examination when they get to Finland. Entrance examinations are the major way of gaining admission to undergraduate programs at universities in Finland. This policy is not only for foreign students as it also applies to students from Finland. It is important to note that this entrance examination is a written subject-related test with one or many books to read. The least required points are stated by the university admissions board.
APPLICATION DURATION TO STUDY IN FINLAND
The duration for application for undergraduate programs in Finland is most times between March and April. It should be noted that undergraduate programs are taught in Swedish or Finish languages. The duration for postgraduate programs starts in November and ends on January 31 at 16.00 GMT. It should be noted that degree programs have different deadlines so students should endeavor to check university deadlines through their webpage to know when to apply.
TUITION AND FEES TO STUDY IN FINLAND
As stated earlier, tuition is free in Finland. This applies to international degree students as well as students visiting.
PLAN YOUR STUDENT FINANCING CAREFULLY
One important aspect of study or research in Finland is considering how to finance your studies. As an international student, you are usually required to independently cover your everyday living expenses like food, accommodation, travel, insurance, etc. If you’re a non-EU student, you usually also need to take into account the non-EU tuition fees in English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s programs.
HOW MUCH MONEY WILL YOU NEED?
For your everyday living expenses, we recommend that you reserve at least 700-900 euros per month. If you are a non-EU/EEA student applying for English-taught Bachelor’s or Master’s programs, you are also likely to be subject to tuition fees. The annual tuition fee depends on the degree course, varying from approximately 4.000 to 18.000 euros. The universities have non-EU scholarship options available for these fee-charging degree courses. Read more in the section Non-EU tuition fees and scholarships. Part-time work is allowed for students of all nationalities, but part-time work may not be easy to find especially if you do not know Finnish or Swedish. That’s why you should not base your financial plans solely on the option of finding part-time employment. Also, keep in mind that earnings from possible part-time work may not in themselves be sufficient to cover all your expenses. Please refer to the section Working during studies for related information and advice.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR BACHELOR’S AND MASTER’S LEVEL
The Finnish universities and UAS’s offer scholarships for gifted non-EU/EEA students admitted to fee-charging Bachelor’s or Master’s programs. Each university/UAS has its own scholarship program; you can read more about these scholarships on the institutions’ own websites. You usually apply for these scholarships at the same time as you apply for admission. For EU/EEA students, Bachelor’s and Master’s level scholarships are relatively rare, as EU/EEA students do not need to pay any tuition fees. But you can check with the university/UAS of your choice if they offer any scholarship options that would also be applicable to EU/EEA students. Master’s level scholarships are however available both for EU and non-EU students admitted into Erasmus Mundus Master’s programs. You might wish to check if you would be eligible to apply for some study abroad scholarships in your home country, and from international organizations and foundations. For information on these, please turn to the educational advisers and authorities in your home country. Additionally, if full degree studies are not an option for you, you could check if there are some student exchange options that you could apply for. See the section on Exchange programs for more info.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DOCTORAL (PhD) LEVEL
National scholarship schemes (EDUFI scholarships) exist for students planning to come to Finland for Doctoral level studies. Please refer to the left-hand margin menu for information on these and other scholarship options. To apply for the EDUFI Doctoral level scholarships, you must first establish contact with a hosting Finnish university. See advice and links to the universities’ Doctoral Admissions info pages in the section Doctoral admissions.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR POST-DOCTORAL STUDIES AND RESEARCH
The governmental EDUFI scholarships are not applicable to post-Doctoral studies but in the section Other sources of funding you can find general research funding links, for example, the Academy of Finland website. Also, your hosting Finnish university can inform you of the possible post-doc funding organizations and foundations in Finland.
Top 10 Finland scholarships for International Students
1.Finland Government Scholarships Pool Program for International Students
The Finland Government scholarships are offered for a period of 3-9 months for Doctoral level studies and research at Finnish universities or public research institutes. The Finland Government Scholarship Pool program is open to young researchers from all academic fields. The scholarship cannot be applied for Master’s level studies or post-Doctoral studies/research…APPLY HERE
2.CIMO Fellowship, An International PhD Fellowship in Finland
The CIMO Fellowships program is open to young Doctoral level students and researchers from all countries and from all academic fields who wish to pursue their Doctorate (or Double Doctorate) at a Finnish university…APPLY HERE
3. University of Tampere International Scholarships, Finland
The University of Tampere is glad to offer a number of International Scholarships for the 2022 academic years. Those scholarships are open to non-EU/EEA citizens who are pursuing an international master’s degree program at the university. A varied amount of the awards will be given to the winning candidates…APPLY HERE
4. Aalto University International\ Master Scholarships in Finland
Aalto University specializes in science, art, technology, and business. The university has improved markedly in rankings specific to these fields and places high on the ranking lists. There are between 17 000 and 22 000 universities in the world, about 1 000 in Europe, about 70 in the Nordic Countries, and 14 in Finland…APPLY HERE
5 EMARO+ Masters Scholarships for non-EU and EU Students
EMARO and EMARO+ have been designed and accepted in the framework of the European Union ERASMUS-MUNDUS program. The Erasmus Mundus program is a cooperation and mobility program of the European Union in the field of higher education which promotes the European Union as a center of excellence in learning around the world.
6. Robert and Lisa Sainsbury International Fellowships in UK
The Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Fellowships provide recipients with an opportunity to work in a scholarly environment conducive to completing a publication project. The Institute is offering one Fellowship for a maximum period of one year and two or three short-term Fellowships, of three months to half a year each, to scholars who have either received a Ph.D. from a North American, Asian or European university or who are currently employed by an academic institution or museum…APPLY HERE
7.Endeavour Vocational Education and Training (VET) Scholarship in Australia
The Endeavour VET Scholarship provides financial support for international applicants to undertake VET at a Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree level in any field in Australia for up to two and a half years. VET provides occupational or work-related knowledge and skills. The courses are directly related to a trade, occupation, or ‘vocation’ in which the applicant participates. These courses exclude degrees and higher-level programs normally delivered by universities…APPLY HERE
8 University of Bradford Postgraduate Bursary Program in UK,
The University of Bradford is inviting applications for a bursary program for UK/EU students. The bursary is available to pursue full-time taught master’s or research postgraduate programs. The aim of the scholarship is to enable and encourage academically able students of any nationality…APPLY HERE
9.Masters in Research and Innovation in Higher Education (MARIHE) Scholarships for International Students
The Masters in Research and Innovation in Higher Education (MARIHE) Scholarship Application Period for student intake in August 2017 (Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree Scholarship) is now open. Apply now.
10.University of Helsinki Masters Scholarships for International Students
University of Helsinki scholarship program is intended for excellent students from outside the EU/EEA who want to do a Master’s program. Interested candidates are been invited to submit applications online. Grants can be applied for while applying to the University of Helsinki’s Masters’ programs…APPLY HERE
How to apply for free study in Finland
All applications for admission are done through the university admission and Finland’s UAF service. All a student needs to do is set up an account with them and begin applying for admission. Preparing your groundwork properly makes the application process easier for you! It is important that you take some time to consider where exactly you wish to apply to. Browse through the available options, and decide which degree courses interest you the most. This not only helps you focus your application to those particular degree courses that would be relevant for you, but it also makes it easier and more straightforward for you to find out about the application requirements, deadlines, and other such details.
List of tuition-free universities in Finland
University of TampereUniversity of VaasaHelsinki University of TechnologyUniversity of KuopioUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinki School of Economics and Business AdministrationUniversity of LaplandUniversity of Oulu
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