Applying for a Bachelor’s degree in Finland (2025)
Finland: located in Europe's far North, it offers one of the best higher educational systems
by Sami C, , modified
 |
|
|---|---|
| 32 | universities offer Bachelors in Finland in English |
| 148 | Bachelors are available |
If you’re looking for a unique study experience in Europe, Finland deserves a spot on your shortlist. You’ll find English-taught Bachelors in everything from Engineering to Business to Nursing - all in a country known for its nature, safety, and high standard of living.
But here’s something many students don’t realise: Finland’s application deadlines are earlier than in most other European countries. For autumn entry, you’ll often need to apply by January, so planning ahead is key.
There are around 200 Bachelor’s programmes in Finland that are completely taught in English.
If you’re from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, there’s good news: Bachelor’s degrees are tuition-free for you at both universities and universities of applied sciences (UAS).
If you’re from outside the EEA, fees apply with some exceptions:
If you already live in Finland with a permanent or fixed-term residence permit, or hold an EU Blue Card, you can also study for free.
If you’re studying in Finnish or Swedish, tuition fees don’t apply either.
For everyone else, Finnish universities’ tuition fees for English-taught Bachelor’s programmes usually range between €8,000 and €13,000 per year. But some programmes can also be pricier and reach up to €18,000 per year.
Since January 2025, there’s also an application fee of currently €100 for non-EU/EEA applicants.
A quick note: If you study at a university (not UAS), you’ll need to pay a student union fee of around €50 per year. At a UAS, this is optional.
When applying to Bachelor’s programmes in Finland, there are two main routes to choose from: the joint application system and separate applications.
Some universities also offer rolling admissions, meaning they review applications year-round and admit students continuously. Plus, if all study places aren’t filled during the main application round, there can be supplementary application rounds later on. Studyinfo offers a helpful of these alternative options.
(Good to know: If you’re planning to look for Masters in Finland later, Bachelor’s degrees from universities and UAS are considered equivalent for admissions.)
When applying to Finnish universities, you’ll typically need to submit:
A copy of your passport
Your school certificate and transcript of records, including the grading scale
Official English translations of your documents (if they’re not already in English or Finnish)
A language certificate proving your English proficiency (Finnish universities accept many tests; usually IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Cambridge exams)
Keep in mind that each university can have its own additional requirements. Some programmes might ask for entrance exams, or standardized tests like the SAT or GMAT, or even interviews to get to know you better.
While the cost to live and study in Finland might seem high, there’s good news: Many scholarship options are available to help you cover it.
When you receive your acceptance letter from a Finnish university, that’s usually when you’ll also be asked to pay the first instalment of your tuition fees. This payment is required to officially enrol and secure your place.
Every university in Finland offers its own scholarship or tuition waiver options. These are awarded based on each institution’s criteria, often considering academic performance or motivation. Most waivers are partial (for example, covering 25% or 50% of the tuition fee), but in some cases, you could receive a full waiver, meaning you’d study tuition-free even as a non-European student.
If you’re a student from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you don’t need a visa or residence permit to study in Finland. You can enter the country freely and just need to register your right of residence with the Finnish Immigration Service once you arrive.
However, if you’re from outside the EU/EEA, you’ll need a before you can move to Finland for your full-time Bachelor’s studies.
You can apply for the permit as soon as you’ve accepted your admission offer from a Finnish university or university of applied sciences. It’s a good idea to apply as early as possible, since the process can take several weeks and delays are common, especially in the months before the academic year starts.
The permit application is handled through the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri). You’ll need to provide documents like your official acceptance letter, proof of sufficient funds to support yourself (€9,600 to cover living costs for a full year, plus necessary tuition fees), valid health insurance, and a passport.
Once approved, you’ll receive a residence permit card, which you’ll need to show when entering Finland.
Once you know you’re going to Finland, it’s a good idea to start looking for accommodation as early as possible. The most budget-friendly and convenient option is usually to apply through the student housing provider for your city or region. These organisations are listed by the Finnish Student Housing Association (SOA), and they specialise in offering housing to students. For example, if you’re heading to Helsinki, you’ll want to apply through Hoas.
Prices vary depending on location and the type of housing you choose. In smaller cities, you can find a room in a shared student flat for as little as €200 per month. In Helsinki, expect to pay around €400 or more for a shared apartment. If you’d rather live on your own, a private student apartment will typically cost €500 per month or higher, depending on the size and neighbourhood.
You can also try finding housing on the open rental market, but this tends to be more expensive and can be tricky to arrange, especially if you’re trying to secure a place before arriving in Finland.
For most international students, flying is the easiest way to reach Finland. The main international gateway is Helsinki Airport (HEL), which has good connections across Europe and beyond. If your university is in another city (like Oulu, Tampere, or Turku) you can catch a connecting domestic flight or hop on a train or long-distance bus from Helsinki.
And a heads-up: Finnish weather can be unexpectedly cold if you aren’t used to such weather. Even in early autumn, temperatures can drop quickly, so don’t wait until winter to pack your coat. Bring warm layers from the start.
Bachelors degrees at Finnish universities typically take 3 academic years (180 ECTS) to complete, while degrees at universities of applied sciences (UAS) are longer, usually lasting 3.5 to 4.5 years with 210 to 270 ECTS credits.
For citizens of the EU/EEA and Switzerland, university education is tuition-free. Students from all other countries have to pay tuition fees between 8,000 and 13,000 per year for Bachelors in Finland.
Ready to study in Finland?
.svg "HAMK H辰me University of Applied Sciences")
