Many international students make their way to Finland every year. There are several reasons they come to the country, starting with the impressive quality of Finnish higher education. This is apparent in the fact that several Finnish higher education institutions are globally recognized.
Another attraction is Finland’s ranking as the happiest country in the world. Finland placed first in the World Happiness Report 2026 for the ninth consecutive year. Students may also be drawn to Finland’s emphasis on equality and sustainability, as well as its remarkable landscapes. The relatively straightforward university application process is another advantage. You will learn more about that process in this guide to applying to universities in Finland, so keep reading!
University Application Process at Finnish Universities
Below is a detailed guide for international students on how to apply to Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences.
Step 1. Choose your Program
The first step is to search for the programs you are interested in and develop a thorough understanding of their structure, credit requirements, academic expectations, research facilities, delivery methods, and other important features. Universities may offer different versions of programs in the same subject, so it is best to list the study options you are considering and decide which one best matches your academic goals.
It is also important to check the tuition fee for each university and program before making a decision. Tuition liability in Finland depends on factors such as the student’s nationality or residence status, the language of instruction, and the degree level. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens generally do not pay tuition fees, while most non-EU/EEA students pay between €8,000 and €20,000 per year for English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs. Doctoral programs do not charge tuition fees, regardless of nationality.
As a specific example, the fees at Aalto University vary by field for study rights beginning on or after August 1, 2025. Annual bachelor’s tuition is €12,000 for business and technology programs and €15,000 for art and architecture programs. Annual master’s tuition is €15,000 for business programs, €20,000 for art and architecture programs, and €17,000 for technology and designated multidisciplinary programs.
Step 2. Check the Program Requirements
Admission requirements differ by university and program. Therefore, applicants should carefully review what they must demonstrate and which documents they must submit during the application period. Bachelor’s applicants generally need a qualification that provides eligibility for higher education in the country where it was awarded. Master’s applicants generally need an applicable bachelor’s degree, while applicants to master’s programs at universities of applied sciences must also meet the program’s work-experience requirement. Language proficiency, prior coursework, grades, portfolios, interviews, or entrance examinations may also be required, depending on the program.
For example, the requirements for each Aalto University program can be found in the university’s study options catalog. Applicants can select a program in the catalog to review its eligibility rules, evaluation criteria, required documents, deadlines, and application instructions. Applicants should always review the official program page before beginning an application.
Step 3. Prepare your Documents
Preparing the required documents is the next step after selecting a program and reviewing its admission requirements. Each Finnish university publishes a list of the documents that applicants must submit during the application process.
Required documents may differ between bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral applications and among specialized programs such as medicine, nursing, business, and the arts. Common documents include proof of completed education, an official transcript of records, and proof of language proficiency. Program-specific requirements may include entrance examinations or standardized tests, such as the SAT, GRE, or GMAT; motivation letters; portfolios; interviews; references; or proof of relevant employment. Work experience is particularly relevant to master’s programs at universities of applied sciences, but the exact requirement depends on the program.
Step 4. Apply for Scholarships
Scholarship applications are an important consideration for students who are required to pay tuition. Finland does not currently offer a general government scholarship for international bachelor’s or master’s degree students. Instead, individual universities may offer competitive scholarships, tuition fee waivers, or discounts. These awards commonly cover part or all of the tuition fee but usually do not cover living expenses.
Many universities allow eligible students to apply for a scholarship or tuition fee waiver through the same form used for admission. However, scholarship procedures, deadlines, selection criteria, and coverage vary by institution. Applicants should carefully review the current instructions for their selected program and university.
Step 5. Submit Your Application within the Application Period
Lastly, timing is essential when applying to Finnish universities. Applicants should note the relevant application dates and organize each step accordingly. Since January 1, 2025, applicants from outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland have generally been required to pay a €100 application fee when applying to bachelor’s or master’s degree studies in Finland. Certain applicants may be exempt because of their citizenship or residence status.
Many English-taught programs beginning in the autumn participate in the national joint application held in January. A more limited selection of programs beginning in January is usually included in an autumn joint application held around late August or early September. Universities may also use separate or rolling applications with different schedules, so applicants must check the dates listed for each program in Studyinfo and on the university’s website.
Institutions offering selected programs that begin in January include Turku University of Applied Sciences and Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences. Available programs and application routes can change from one intake to another.
General Admission Documents
ADMISSION
DOCUMENTS | DOCUMENT DETAILS |
|---|
| Application Form | Many English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs participate in Finland’s national joint application, which requires applicants to complete an online application form through Studyinfo.fi. Applicants can normally select up to six study options in one joint application. Some programs instead use separate or rolling applications, although their application forms and program information are also generally available through Studyinfo. Forms are available only during the relevant application periods. When a university offers scholarships, eligible applicants may be able to apply through the admission form, but this must be confirmed in the university’s current instructions. |
| Proof of Completed Education | Applicants must provide educational documents that establish their eligibility for the selected degree. Bachelor’s applicants generally need an upper-secondary qualification that gives access to higher education in the country where it was awarded. Master’s applicants need an applicable bachelor’s degree, and applicants to master’s programs at universities of applied sciences must also meet the required work-experience criteria. Doctoral applications normally require an applicable master’s degree or an equivalent qualification. The admitting university evaluates the documents and determines whether the applicant meets its eligibility requirements. |
| English Language Proficiency Test | Applicants to English-taught programs must demonstrate English proficiency in one of the ways accepted by the university. Commonly accepted tests include TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, and PTE Academic, although accepted tests, exemptions, score requirements, test formats, and validity rules vary. For example, the University of Turku currently requires an IELTS Academic score of 6.0 overall, with at least 5.5 in each component, for its bachelor’s programs. For its master’s programs, it requires 6.5 overall, with at least 6.0 in each component. For TOEFL iBT tests taken before January 21, 2026, the minimums are 78 overall with 20 in writing for bachelor’s programs and 92 overall with 22 in writing for master’s programs. For TOEFL iBT tests taken on or after January 21, 2026, the University of Turku uses the revised scoring scale: 4.0 overall with at least 3.5 in each section for bachelor’s programs and 4.5 overall with at least 4.0 in each section for master’s programs. |
| Transcript of Records | An official transcript of records is normally required for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral applications. The transcript should contain the information specified by the university, which may include course names, completion dates, grades, credits, and the institution’s grading scale. If an academic document is not issued in English, Finnish, or Swedish, an official translation into one of the accepted languages is generally required. Applicants must follow the institution’s rules concerning official certification, electronic verification, and translations. |
Optional Materials / Documents to Consider
OPTIONAL
DOCUMENT | DOCUMENT DETAILS |
|---|
| Letter of Intent / Motivation Letter | A motivation letter may be required for certain Finnish university programs so that applicants can explain their academic interests, relevant experience, goals, and reasons for choosing the program. Applicants should submit a motivation letter only when the program requires or accepts one and should follow any instructions concerning its content and length. Unrequested documents may not be considered during admission. |
| Academic Reference Letters | Some programs require or accept recommendation letters from professors, instructors, supervisors, or other appropriate referees. Applicants should review the program’s instructions before submitting references and contact their referees early enough for the letters or online recommendations to be completed by the deadline. |
| Finnish Language Proficiency Tests | International students applying to programs taught in Finnish or Swedish must document the required Finnish or Swedish proficiency in a manner accepted by the university. For example, the University of Jyväskylä requires applicants who use the National Certificate of Language Proficiency to demonstrate Finnish skills for its doctoral programs to obtain at least Level 4 in all four skill components. More information about this examination is available in the Finnish language test guide. |
| Standardized Tests | Some Finnish programs require standardized tests such as the SAT, GRE, or GMAT. At the Aalto University School of Business, applicants in Admission Group 2 are required to submit a GMAT or GRE result, except when applying to the Finnish-taught Yritysjuridiikka study option. Admission Group 2 generally covers applicants whose qualifying bachelor’s degree was awarded by a Finnish university of applied sciences or by a higher education institution outside Finland. Minimum scores and other test conditions vary by study option. |
Key Facts for Applying to Universities in Finland
1. Different Finnish Higher Education System Than Many Countries
Finland’s higher education system consists of two types of institutions: universities and universities of applied sciences. Universities focus on scientific research and research-based education and can award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Universities of applied sciences provide professionally oriented bachelor’s and master’s education and maintain strong connections with working life and applied research and development.
Program structures and opportunities to select electives, minors, research projects, internships, and extracurricular activities vary by institution and degree. Students should therefore review the curriculum and study plan for each program rather than assume that the same degree will have an identical structure at every Finnish university.
2. More Generous Scholarships in Finland for International Graduate Students
International master’s and doctoral students can find several forms of institution-specific financial support, but applicants should not assume that a scholarship is guaranteed or that graduate awards are always more generous than undergraduate awards. Finland does not currently provide a general government scholarship for international bachelor’s or master’s degree students. University scholarships are competitive, frequently cover tuition only, and often leave students responsible for their living expenses.
Both bachelor’s and master’s students may be eligible for university-funded scholarships or tuition fee waivers, depending on the institution. Some awards are granted during admission, while others are based on academic progress after enrollment.
Current examples of institution-specific support include the University of Helsinki’s competitive 50% and 100% tuition fee waivers for eligible master’s applicants and the Aalto University Scholarship, which offers a limited number of merit-based tuition fee waivers to eligible tuition-paying students. Doctoral funding is separate from bachelor’s and master’s tuition scholarships and may take the form of salaried positions or research grants.
3. Most Degree Programs Taught in English at Finnish Universities
Although Finnish and Swedish remain important languages of instruction, Finland offers more than 600 English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs. These English-medium programs make Finnish higher education accessible to applicants who do not yet speak Finnish or Swedish. English-taught options are especially extensive at the master’s level, while their availability at the bachelor’s level depends on the institution and subject.
Finnish universities with substantial selections of English-taught degree programs include the University of Helsinki, Aalto University, the University of Turku, and the University of Oulu. Applicants should use Studyinfo and each university’s official program catalog to confirm the language of instruction and current availability.
Studying in Finland can be beneficial for your future academic and professional life. It is also an opportunity to interact with a diverse community while living in the country ranked first in the World Happiness Report 2026. Carefully review the current program requirements, costs, scholarship conditions, and application dates before submitting an application.
We hope this article has been a useful guide to applying to Finnish universities. If you are interested, you may read additional articles about studying in Finland or explore these available courses for international students!
