Roughly 220,000 inhabitants make Tampere the third-largest city in Finland, high up in Europe’s North.
Located between two lakes and criss-crossed by rapids, the city has a relaxed, youthful energy. It's a place where you can spend your mornings in class and your afternoons skiing, swimming, or grabbing a coffee in an old red-brick factory turned cultural hub.
Its industrial history earned the city the nickname “Manchester of Finland”, or sometimes “Manse”. And nowadays it is also known as the “sauna capital of the world” so you’ll quickly learn how to steam like a local.
Study in Tampere: Find Bachelors and Masters
To study in Tampere means to enjoy a relaxed, small town lifestyle with many other students. Typically for Finland, the winters will be harsh, but the summers even more rewarding. And if you are into ice hockey, Tampere is the place to go: The local Hockey Hall of Fame is the largest ice hockey museum in all of Europe.
It’s a compact, walkable city with great public transport, and lots of cafés, bars, and green spaces. You’ll find students hanging out around the rapids in Koskipuisto park, studying in the modern library spaces, or braving a winter dip after sauna at Rauhaniemi or Rajaportti.
50¶È»Ò Tip: Apply for student housing as soon as you get your admission letter. TOAS apartments are affordable, well-located, and fill up fast.
Although small in size, Tampere is home to three institutions of higher education:
Regarding tuition fees in Finland, one of the great advantages if you are an EU citizen is that you can study for free. Otherwise, Bachelors in Finland can cost from €8,000 to €13,000 per year for non-EU students, while Masters in Finland typically cost between €8,000 to €20,000.
Tampere has a growing tech and startup ecosystem, especially in areas like gaming, software development, and health tech. It’s home to companies like Nokia (yes, that Nokia), and students in IT, engineering, and design will find exciting internship and part-time job options.
While speaking Finnish can be an advantage, many international students still find work in international companies, research labs, or through their university networks. EU/EEA students can work freely, and non-EU students are allowed to work up to 30 hours per week during the semester.
Tampere is a small city on the outskirts of Europe - a rather remote destination, granted. But through Tampere-Pirkkala Airport, you can reach a number of European destinations. Otherwise, Helsinki can be reached in roughly two hours, and from there you can depart to a wide range of international destinations.
Public transport in Tampere is modern, affordable, and student-friendly. The city recently introduced a tram system that’s fast, clean, and well integrated with local buses.
Many students also get around by bike - yes, even in winter, with the right tires!
Search universities & programmes in Tampere